Ephesians 1

Acts 18-20 Paul had such a deep love for the people of Ephesus, and they had deep love for him.
Ephesians 4:1
Ephesians 1:1-14
-v3 blessings in the heavenly realm - our blessings are not always here on earth

Faith Made Simple: Love Revealed - Jim Blue

John 21:15-19
Intentional faith development - God's love revealed.
Feed my sheep.
God's love that is given to us, is ours to be shared with others.
What am I doing in my life to grow stronger in Christ? To build up my foundation?

Family Groove: Strong Foundation

The ultimate family groove begins with placing ourselves under the authority of God. Josh 24:14-15 As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
v14: Now - conveys urgency to make a decision, Fear the Lord - awe and reverence of God and realization that we are nothing, Throw away the gods - stop putting other people or things before God.
v15: choose today whom you will serve
Josh 23: remember what God has done

The Book of Daniel

Dan 11-12
Dan 11:1-35 - God gave Daniel prophecy that lines up perfectly with history. God is sovereign and it is His Story.
Dan 11:35 - last period of 7 years that is yet to come.
v36-45 describes the Tribulation
Dan 12:1 Michael will come to our aid. v5-6 Mt 24:15-22 Jesus says the Great Tribulation will be very bad,  but will only last 3.5 years.

Missions by Scott Drachnick

Mission myths
The word "missions" is not found in the bible. Missionaries are those sent to be image bearers of Christ.
We are not here to make other places the same as our American church.

Mission mandates
We are all missionaries.
We need to see ourselves as connected to the global church. We are equals with those we come to serve.
We are to expand the kingdom of God.
Become all things to all people, so that we might win some. Mt 28:16-20

The Book of Daniel: Daniel in the Lion's Den

Daniel 6
1. Don't be surprised when people attack you for living a life of integrity for Jesus. v4-5 Trials, adversity and suffering are all a part of the Christian experience. 1 Pet 4:12-16, 19, 5:8-11; Rom 8:28
2. We need to pray before we are in the lion's den. v10 - when we find ourselves in difficult situations, PRAY! Continue to be faithful and lean upon God. Instead we often get angry, get out of control (i.e. "my life is over"), or get depressed, etc.  Daniel went and, as was his habit, got on his knees and prayed. Phil 4:4-7 Be anxious about NOthing, but pray about EVERYthing. v17 Satan wants us to believe that our troubled circumstances will never change, but that is a lie!! v23 No wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
3. We are called to love and serve those who share different opinions than us. v21-22 Daniel gave grace to the king when he came in direct opposition to him. Eph 2:1-5 We were given mercy and grace, and should give that same mercy and grace to others. It is good to get out of our comfort zone and allow God to use us.

Generations by Scott Drachnick

Judges 2:6-10 There arose a generation that did not know the Lord.
1. A generational perspective: Gen 1:26-28, said again to Noah after the flood, and to Abraham in Gen 13,15, Ex 3:6. We need to have a generational perspective, what did I receive and what am I passing on?
2. A generational strategy: Deut 6:4-9 gives us 10 steps to use. Be intentional- use every moment you can, pray for upcoming generations.
3. A generational stumble: v10, you cannot force your children to follow God, so let go of the guilt.
4. A generational success: Acts 16:1-3, 1 Tim 2:3-5. Don't give up in your faith or on future generations.
5. A generational challenge: generations that do not claim God or spirituality. We need to be authentic in our faith, we need to go out and impact those around us. Josh 24:14-15.