Redeemer reads Ephesians 3

Welcome! Here at Redeemer we believe that the Bible is the word of God, that it’s alive, and that its words can and should shape every aspect of our lives as Christians. But we also know it’s not easy to get into the habit of reading it every day! So we are following the CBR Bible Reading plan - which can be found below - to help us read the bible together.

We are currently reading the book of Ephesians, and every week day we will be releasing a video on our social media & YouTube accounts, with a member of our Redeemer family explaining what they feel God is saying to them through the passage! 

Today we hear from Vashti as she shares with us from Ephesians 3

If you have time, and a desire to know more, you’ll find ideas for further study of todays passage below.

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If you’ve enjoyed Ephesians so far, and would like to go deeper and continue to study it past the beginning of next week, one way to do that would be to get hold of Sit, Walk, Stand by Watchman Nee. One of the most famous studies of Ephesians, it opens our eyes to the simple process of maturing as a Christian. Sit (our position in Christ), Walk (our life in the world), Stand (our attitude to the enemy). It’s available for less than £4 on Amazon!

Breakthrough

One thing I love about Redeemer is the friendship and brotherhood I experience in my interaction with the blokes there.  I say ‘blokes’ because when we meet up there’s no pretence – there’s no divide between everyday life and seeking to live as sons of the Father.  Its’ all on the table.

On Saturday morning, we also had on the table (see what I did there) bacon, sausage, beans, eggs, as well as the token pieces of fruit.  We met at 8 for 2 hours of chat, testimony and prayer.  Every 2 months we meet under the banner ‘Breakthrough’ and share our stories of challenge and breakthrough as we follow Jesus.  

This month Noble Laryea told us a little of his family’s story - from coming to the UK as refugees from Ghana in the 70’s, to growing up in council housing with two parents holding down multiple jobs and his experience of church and coping with the death of his father as a teen.  I won’t try and do his story justice here – I suggest that you offer to buy him a coffee and you can get it first-hand. [Just be sure to clear your diary for a few hours.]  Instead here’s some second-hand wisdom from what I heard and took away to ponder.

1. Taking the knee. [Ephesians 3:14-19] At decision points in our lives, at each new twist of the road, we do well to pause and seek God’s face in prayer and to submit to His will. Taking the knee (actually both knees) is a physical reminder of our position under the kingship of Christ. Submitting to Him and trusting Him is key.

2. Seeking the kingdom. Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek first His kingdom. That can be daunting sometimes. Noble made it more personal for me by asking: right now, where you are – what does the kingdom of God look like? The point is that God’s priorities for us will change over time – so while you’re on our knees, ask: “What does Your kingdom look like for me right now? What adjustments do I need to make? What presumptions have I made based on the past? What does road ahead look like for me and mine from Your perspective?”

3. But God chose the foolish… And lastly, Noble didn’t spend much time on this, but referred us to 1 Corinthians 1: 25-29. Will you give Him your foolishness? Because God chose you for your foolishness – and He’ll take that and build His kingdom.

I love the brotherhood I’ve found at Redeemer – expressed through WhatsApp groups, over coffee, at breakfast and while on our knees.  That’s a Breakthrough. 

Believe In More

This year, one of the running themes of Newday was ‘Believe in More’.

Our resident poet, Steve Page, was serving on the Zone Hosting team, and wrote a poem around the same theme.

Ephesians 3:20-21 says:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

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Believe in more than
you can imagine
Believe in more than
you ask to happen
Believe in more than
what you have seen
Believe in more than
what you have been
Believe in more than
your faded lable
Believe in more cos
your God is able.

Immeasurably more than
all we ask
Immeasurably more than
all we imagine
Immeasurably more than
what we deserve
Immeasurably more than
mere human passions

Immeasurably wider
Immeasurably longer
Immeasurably higher
Immeasurably deeper
Immeasurably more
full to the brim
Immeasurable love
to the fulness of Him