FALL SERMON SERIES 2022
In this line-by-line journey through Paul's letter to the early Ephesian church, we solidified our identity as beloved children of God, called to bring light to the world, together. This series marked a season of increased unity for the Billings Vineyard community.
September 4th, 2022: Identity
Paul, who was a religious terrorist and enemy of the early Christian church, had an encounter with Jesus while traveling to Damascus that transformed him and sent his life in a completely new direction. As we begin this series in the letter that Paul wrote to the Christian church is Ephesus, we ground ourselves in the grace and peace we can live in when we understand who God says we are. In this beloved identity, we can function in the world as a unified community who reflects God's love everywhere we go.
September 11th, 2022: Adopted by the King
Continuing the theme of identity, this section of Ephesians details our adoption into the family of God. Understanding our identity as children of God is the entry point to the process that helps us look more like him. As we learn God's intent for our function and flourishing, we are re-parented and we start to resemble our Kingdom family.
September 18th, 2022: The Body of Christ
When we are secure in our identity as loved, chosen children who belong with God, we can learn the family business. What is that family business? Loving others well and inviting them into God's family, together, with Jesus as our guide.
September 25th, 2022: Death to Life
When we decide that we are at the center of our own order, or act as if we are our own God with our own truth, our life decays and it ultimately leads to a spiritual, emotional and physical death.
But God! God saves us from this death, through the gift of Jesus, and teaches us how to live a new way, fully alive.
October 2nd, 2022: From Life to Unity
From death to life, and life to unity, the "how" of God's plan is worked out through the church. Unity comes through loving others as you love yourself (and the key to loving yourself is knowing how Christ loves you).
October 9th, 2022: God's Mysterious Plan
Paul is literally in prison as he writes his letter to the Ephesians, but he speaks, instead, of being a prisoner of Christ because the good news is something he is willing to be taken captive by. This gift of love and belonging is God's mysterious plan to set all people, both Jew and Gentile, free.
October 16th, 2022: Experience God's Love
God's love cannot be earned, because it is a gift freely given by God to us. We are meant to receive and then give away this treasure to others. It is impossible to give the gift of undeserved love away if we haven't actually experienced it for ourselves. Knowing about God's love is fine, but tangibly experiencing God's love leads to transformation (which is what God's love is meant to do).
October 23rd, 2022: Unity in the Body
As we continue to solidify our understanding of how the Body of Christ works, this section of Paul's letter describes how we operate in unity in our calling. Followers of Jesus have a unified call to love God and love others well by allowing each person to do their own special work and to help others grow so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
October 30th, 2022: Changed by Grace
The christian life is filled with sin, but meeting with Jesus will never leave us where we are. As a community Adam encourages us to relationships that are both high challenge but also high support. This kind of community makes way for freedom and authenticity; we can live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.
November 6th, 2022: Living in the Light and Walking in Love
Pastor Adam encourages us to walk in love as beloved adopted children of God. To imitate Christ as a child of light by serving one another, making allowances for each other's faults, and forgiving one another as we have been forgiven.
November 13th, 2022: Spirit Guided Relationships
We are reminded that right and good relationships come through being subject one to another in reverence of Christ and we see that the beauty of order from spirit guided relationships disarms the master of chaos.
November 20th, 2022: The Whole Armor of God
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the whole armor of God, the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, boots of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, wielding the sword of the word of God and standing ready for the battle as a beloved child of God.
Worship Service: Sundays @ 10am
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (406) 259-VINE
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 50008, Billings, MT 59105
Physical Address: 1413 Rosebud Lane, Billings, MT 59101
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10am-2pm
