January 3, 2021
"You Are Chosen"
Ephesians 1:1-14 | Dr. Jim Everette
Strengthening Our Core Series
Have you ever experienced the childhood embarrassment and pain of being the last one chosen? Or, the adult-sized hurt, and agony of being rejected and not being chosen at all? To be chosen, wanted, loved, is a core desire, a longing of the heart. God loves you and chose you before God spoke the universe into existence, and has chosen and purposed you to be the light of hope in the darkness of the despair that so many people are living in right now. True love is a choice and our love of God is the only true gift we can offer to God.
Over the next five weeks we will be reading from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and remembering together who we are as Gods people, who we are at our core. What has God done for us, how does God work in us, and what might God want from us? Though physically apart, we worship together united by the Spirit of God alive in each believer.
RESPOND THROUGH REFLECTION
How do you express your love for God? Do the people you encounter every day know that you are a follower of Jesus? Why? How?
RESPOND THROUGH GIVING
Trusting in God with all we have, we give to support the work of God's church because we believe in our mission to share God's love with our community and world in the name of Jesus. Give online or by mail. Giving allows us to keep being the church, even in the absence of our physical presence. Mail to: 411 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28401. How To Give Online
RESPOND THROUGH CONNECTING
Do you have questions about being in a relationship with God? We would love to talk with you and help you begin or deepen your faith journey.
RESPOND THROUGH PRAYER
Loving God, open our ears to hear your word
and draw us closer to you, that the whole world may be one with you as you are one with us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.