Sermon Series: 30 Day of Prayer & Fasting

Welcome to First United Methodist Church! We are excited to embark on a 30-day spiritual adventure together. Join us as we dive into the book of Ephesians, exploring how Jesus Christ profoundly impacts every aspect of our lives. Prepare to be inspired and challenged as we uncover God’s transformative power. This Sunday, we will delve into the impact of the Gospel on the community of Ephesus, drawing wisdom from the Book of Acts. Let this message ignite your faith, encouraging you to pray big prayers and expect great things from our limitless God. Blessings await you on this incredible journey of faith.

September 10, 2023 – Ask and Imagine – Week 2 – Ephesians 1:3-23 

When I pause for a moment to think about it, my wife and I spend a significant amount of our time together going over our calendars and discussing our upcoming plans. This usually revolves around three things: kids’ activities, church activities, and my bike riding. We want to make sure we are we we need to be when we need to be there. Another factor that is effected by all these activities is our meal plan. What are we going to eat tonight? Who will be here to eat it? And now that we are fasting- who won’t be eating because they are fasting! 
Plans. We have our plans, and God has his plan. Think about that for a minute. The world seems to always be spinning in a constant state of motion. We make our plans, but even the best plans don’t always work out the way we want them to work out. There is a constant truth that holds everything in place – God’s plan and purpose for creation and our lives. It is a sure foundation. Paul talks about this glorious “plan” in Ephesians 1. See you Sunday as we take a look at God’s plan and purpose for our lives revealed through Jesus Christ. 
Blessings,

 

Ephesians 1:3-23

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,[a] 4 just as he chose us in Christ[b] before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us[c] for adoption as his children[d] through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance,[e] having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this[f] is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

Paul’s Prayer

15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[g] toward all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God[h] put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,[i] 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.