Church notes - February 2026

[fardell24]

1st
Ephesians 1

We are the Bride of Christ
Ephesians 5:25 - 28

A faithful presence in a broken, corrupt and sinful world.

The Church that submits to Jesus
vs 1
Paul declared his authority to speak to the Ephesian Christians
vs 3 - 14
The Church - a salvation plan
Is blessed
With every spiritual blessing
To be holy and blameless

Chosen by His love to be
Adopted heirs through His Grace
Redeemed by Christ's blood from sin
Freely given lavish grace

Christ's body

His purpose in Christ to bring unity to all things through redemption and salvation.

Chosen before time
To bring praise for His glory
A promise that is sealed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit

vs 16 - 23
Paul rejoices in their faithfullness to God and love for all people.

Set apart
Holy
Blessed
Spirit Filled
Faithful
Active
Hopeful
Committed to each other

Ephesians 5:19, 20
Hebrews 10:24, 25
Acts 2:42


8th
Prayer point
Christian communities in Nigeria - people being abducted from church services at gunpoint!
Isaiah 40:31

1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18

Ephesians 2:11 - 22

Acts 19

Alienation
- from God our Creator
- from one another

Gentiles being alienated from Jews.

vs 15, 16

God''s new society.
Reconciliation has been achieved through Jesus.

Alienation
- "You're different from me and I resent you for it."

Hence divsion occurs.

vs 14

vs 19
Members of God's household.

No longer alienation but reconciliation.

What dictates behaviour?
"You're different from me and I resent you for it."

Or

vs 14
'For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.' NLT


15th
Ephesians 3

Daniel 2:31 - 34

Ephesians 3:10
God thinks differently.
He loves us as ordinary people.
We do not have to go through a priest or rituals to approach Him.
He wants a relationship with us and He wants us to be honest with Him.

vs 6
Every nation, every ethnic group. Not only the elites.

Revelation 12:10, 11
Satan is defeated through what Jesus has done and the testimony of His people.
The servent heart.

vs 13

vs 20 - 21


22nd
Psalm 145
Ephesians 4:1 - 6, 13 - 32
Therefore!
Are we that church?

Ephesians 3:20, 21

Westminster Confession
What is the chief end of Man?
- To glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.

The heavens declare the glory of God
Glory Wars
We are hard wired for glory so that we will be attracted to the glory of God.
But - sports, culinary triumphs, architectural wonders, beauty, etc

Shakinah
There are two types of glory
Sign glory - storms, sunsets, pleasure, good food etc; which were all created to point us to God's glory
Shakinah Glory
God dwelling amongst us.

Sin: blinds or distances us from the Glory of God and leaves us addicted to sign glory.

vs 1 It is about our attitudes.
God's New Society - Two Characteristics
One people comprised of Jews and Gentiles in Unity.
A holy people distinct from secular society.

Christian Unity
Humility is the first essential for unity.
How humble are you?
Pride lurks behind all discord while humility brings concord
- Pride is lurking.

Meekness is the gentleness of the strong

Philippians 2:5 - 8
Also Patience and Forebearence
Love - Agape

Christian unity is enriched by our divine gifts

To become unified like the Trinity

No longer infants who are blown around by false teaching.
Speaking the truth in love.
To become a mature body.

Speaking the truth involves:
Gentleness and kindness: sharing difficult truths in a non-threatening considerate helps others recieve correction or guidance without defensiveness.
Mutual accountibility

Throwing off the old ways of lust and deception.
Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

Give generously.

Forgive

Romans 6