south ridge blog

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The first line in Jesus’ first sermon was, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” The word repent is one we often here in church today, but the Greek word for repent, metanoia, means “to change one’s mind for the better,” or “to think differently.” With this understanding, we can now see that the first line of Jesus’ first sermon was, “Change your mind for the better (or think differently), for the kingdom of God is at hand.” 

Surely, there would’ve been some in the crowd who heard Jesus’ teaching who were wondering, what is it I’m supposed to think differently about? The answer to that question is multi-faceted but primarily has to do with the things of the heart. Some of the topics Jesus regularly taught about included fear, money, forgiving those who have wronged you, loving your enemies, as well as loving the poor, brokenhearted, and marginalized. Similarly, Jesus taught the importance of thinking differently about God, about ourselves, and about others. His entire ministry was different than what people expected from the coming Messiah, but at the same time it was everything the people of God needed it to be. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 4:17-24, ROMANS 12:2 (also read the commentary notes in your study bible of choice)

When Paul says to “put on your new nature” (Ephesians 4:24), he is saying what Jesus said – you are now to think and live very differently. In what way may God be inviting you to think and live differently than you used to (e.g., fear, money, forgiveness, loving others, etc.)? 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess that there are still some aspects of my old nature I return to or have a difficult time letting go of. Today, help me to see clearly the destructive power of my old nature, as well as the joy and contentment of what life looks like when I am fully, wholeheartedly resting in You. May I rest in You today. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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When reading through the Old Testament, it becomes clear that there are many different people groups and cultures. There are the people of Israel, but also the Philistines, Moabites, Babylonians, and many, many more. Later in the New Testament, there are only two different people groups. A person was either a Jew, or a Gentile. Any individual from a nation or culture that wasn’t of Jewish decent was a Gentile. 

But when the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 4:17, Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused, he is not focused primarily on one’s culture. Instead, he is simply differentiating between (1) the people of God (Christians), and (2) the ‘Gentiles’ (non-Christians). 

The main point Paul was making is pretty clear. This was one of many instances in which he noted that as followers of Christ, we now think and live very differently than those who have not professed faith in Christ. As people of God, we now live as children of light. As people of God, we don’t harden our hearts against God. As people of God, we live in Christ, with our hearts open to His encouragement, care, and instruction. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 4:17-24

What are 2-3 ways you now think much differently than you did before you placed your faith in Christ? 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, today I desire to simply rest in the truth that You are good, and in Your goodness You are shaping me into the person You have made me to be. Continue to remove the impurities in my life so that I may present my life as pure to the world around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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What truths from Ephesians 4:11-16 impacted you most this week? 

Consider talking or meeting with somebody you trust to discuss what you’ve learned this week and how it’s helping you to grow emotionally and spiritually. 

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Ephesians 4:16 reads, He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work..so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Many university campuses have traditions to help current students and alumni gather together and celebrate. For Auburn University, one longstanding tradition occurred in a location they call Toomer’s Corner. It was in this location that students and alumni would cover large oak trees with toilet paper after significant victories by the Auburn football team. 

But in January 2011, an Alabama football fan sprayed a herbicide on the deeply rooted oaks, While efforts were made to save the trees, they ultimately had to be cut down, and all soil surrounding the trees removed and replaced. 

This story is an example that just a little bit of poison can provide extensive damage to a healthy tree. And the same is true for the body of Christ. When each part is doing its own special work, the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. But the body of Christ can be poisoned, losing its effectiveness within a culture that deeply needs God’s love.

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 4:11-16

What do you think are 2-3 things that may be trying to poison the church today? 

How can you ensure you’re staying healthy, supportive of others, and full of love? 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know that there are a lot of things that can poison and significantly hinder my relationship with You and others. Help me to fulfill the purpose You have for me, and help me to be an increasingly effective lover of people who deeply need Your grace and love. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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The movie The King’s Speech does an excellent job telling the story of King George VI and how his stammer impacted his ability to provide public speeches. During one scene, King George VI and his family are watching footage of Adolf Hitler giving a speech to a German crowd. One of the king’s children asks what Adolf Hitler is saying and he responds by saying, “I don’t know…but he seems to be saying it rather well.” 

This clip is an excellent reminder that just because somebody is saying something really well, it doesn’t mean that what they are saying is good or true. Just because it’s spoken with emphasis and may appear believable, it doesn’t mean it should be believed. 

The Apostle Paul addresses this principle in Ephesians 4:14-15 which reads, We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 4:11-16

Do you take opportunity to think about the voices you hear every day and whether they are true, or if they are lies so clever they sound like the truth?  

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize that I am surrounded by voices every day. Friends, parents, colleagues, actors, authors, and even the music I listen to — all of them are communicating hundreds of ideas to me each and every day. Help me to discern which voices are true, and which ones are clever lies that may sound good, but will ultimately lead me to a lack of unity with You and others. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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There are a number of passages in the New Testament that mention the role of pastors and/or other leaders in the church. But we know that what these roles looked like in the 60’s and 70’s AD may look very different within our culture today.

Fortunately, the Apostle Paul provides some specific roles for pastors and church leaders that transcend all cultures. 

First, church leaders are to equip or complete the saints. Second, they are to oversee and serve the church’s needs. And finally they are to build up the body of Christ. All of this may occur through means such as teaching, training, counseling, or resourcing God’s people in other ways.

More than anything, this indicates that the role of church leaders is not simply to work and teach one day a week. Pastors and other church leaders regularly make themselves available to help encourage and train God’s people to better know God, know themselves, and love others. 

As you read today, consider this: How can your church leaders help equip you as you continue to grow in Christ? 

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 4:11-16

How can your church leaders help equip you as you continue to grow in Christ? Have you taken the opportunity to ask them to help you? 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that I have some responsibility when it comes to my own spiritual growth, and I also acknowledge that You have provided others who may be able to help me on my spiritual journey. Today, I simply thank You for providing the pastors and ministry leaders who regularly make themselves available in my life to equip and encourage me in my spiritual growth. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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In Ephesians 4:11-12, the Apostle Paul identifies specific spiritual gifts for the church. But this list is in no way comprehensive. A number of additional spiritual gifts are outlined in passages all throughout the Scriptures. (Other examples are provided in passages such as Rom 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:8–10, 28–30; 1 Pet 4:10–11.) Passages such as these show that all followers of Christ are in full-time ministry. It isn’t just pastors and others, but all Christians are called into full-time ministry. 

Honestly, this is one of the most significant teachings of the New Testament. A teacher may work in a public school, but as a follower of Jesus she now has the opportunity to reflect the love of God on dozens of students every day. A fisherman may have only a handful of colleagues, but he has the opportunity to pray for every family who will consume the fish caught every day. Whether you’re an electrician, plumber, police officer, business executive, stay-at-home parent, or anything else – God has given you one or more spiritual gifts to serve His people. As a follower of Christ, you’re in full-time ministry. And everything you do, you do as if you’re doing it for the Lord.

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 4:11-16, COLOSSIANS 3:23-24 (If interested, feel free to read Rom 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:8–10, 28–30; and 1 Pet 4:10–11.)

Do you consider yourself as being called to full-time ministry? If not, why not?

Do you know your spiritual gifts? How may God be inviting you to use them as part of your life and ministry? 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father,  I recognize that there are times when I don’t think of myself as someone in full-time ministry. Today’s reading has been a reminder that my job may be part of what I do, but who You have called me to be and the purpose You have for my life is much greater than my job. Continue to reveal the specific calling You have for my life, and help me to remember that I have been called into full-time ministry. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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What truths from Ephesians 4:1-6 impacted you most this week? 

Consider talking or meeting with somebody you trust to discuss what you’ve learned this week and how it’s helping you to grow emotionally and spiritually. 

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Think about this: If you were to write out your top one or two values in life and highlight specific ways you live out these values, what would you write? 

In her book Dare to Lead, Brené Brown provides an exercise to help the reader discover their highest values and identify specific ways they can live out those values. For example, for Brown’s value of Faith she notes that she applies it by living out of the following behaviors:

• I will find the face of God in everyone. 
• I will not use any dehumanizing language. 
• I see you. I hear you. I may not have all the answers but I’m going to keep listening.

On an individual level, following through on this exercise to identify your values is very challenging and may take months to peel back layer after layer. On a corporate level, there are some values that we as followers of Christ all have that are essential to the faith. But we must ensure that the values that really matter most are the ones we adhere to. When we place too high a value on non-essentials of the faith, disunity occurs.

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 4:1-6

Have you ever taken the opportunity to think through your highest values? If so, what are they?  

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess that sometimes I get frustrated or angry with others because I have a different viewpoint or perspective than they do. Help me to set aside petty differences and remain focused on the things that really matter most to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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One theme that was a regular for the Apostle Paul was the theme of unity. He knew the people of God had to work together and strive together for the Gospel to penetrate into the minds of hearts of people within every culture. The importance of unity can be observed by paying attention to the number of times Paul uses the word one in this passage… 

Ephesians 4:3-6 (NLT) reads, Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.

The weight in which Paul addresses unity here, and elsewhere in Ephesians, is an indication that a spirit of disunity may have been at work in the hearts and minds of God’s people. Though we live in a different culture and time period, we are just as susceptible to disunity. As followers of Christ, we must remain diligent and continually remember that Christ has broken down the walls of hostility that separate us (Ephesians 2:14).

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 4:1-6, 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-26

Who is somebody you’d be uncomfortable inviting over for dinner? What is the wall or barrier that is keeping you separated from living in unity with them? 

What may God be inviting you to do in order to recognize He has torn down this barrier?  

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize there are people in which I struggle to have a deeper relationship with and/or experience unity. Continue to open up my eyes, mind, and heart so that I may not give into the temptation to live in disunity. Instead, help me to fully grasp that the walls of hostility have been broken. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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