Once Paul gets to Ephesians 6:14, he starts to describe various pieces of armor. We look at the Belt of Truth and the Breastplate of Righteousness in verse 14. What does it mean to put on truth every day, like a belt? What does it mean to put on righteousness every day, like a breastplate? And what does it mean to be righteous? Are we putting on our good works? Is it what Christ has done for us? Is it some sort of combination of both?

Continuing through the book of Ephesians, we slow down as we get to Ephesians 6:10-20. Paul has been laying a framework, what the world does and should look like based on God's truth. And now he will describe for those reading what is needed to withstand the evil in the world around us. There is evil, there is a spiritual realm, and our world is affected by it. We must be aware, but not afraid. We must be prepared, but not burdened. Christ is Lord over all!

The second half of Ephesians 5 and the beginning of chapter 6 deal with what is called "household code". Paul has been teaching with how we deal with society, how we deal with the church community, and now he begins to teach on how we deal with those within our household. The household was a core aspect of his time, and must be read in the context of his time. Ultimately, Paul is inviting the Ephesians, as a whole community, to live a life of mutual submission that benefits all.

Today we celebrate Easter Sunday, Resurrection Day! This is the day that Jesus proved that He is King of kings and Lord of lords. Everything He said and everything He did is true! You can trust and believe in Him. He saves. He redeems. He sets lives free! Jesus gave His life on a cross so we could truly live because He did not stay in the grave, but rose again, back to life, proving He is God, Savior, Redeemer & Messiah!

This morning we have a guest speaker with us, Elio Coradin. Him and his wife Joy are currently based in the Dominican Republic where we support them as a church.

Chapter 5 of Ephesians beings to deal with some weightier issues within the believer. Those who are given to sin that not only affect their own lives, but affect the lives of those around them. How do we handle this type of sin? Paul says to expose such deeds of darkness. Does that mean expose the sinner, or the deed? Paul confronts these things with grace and courage. He won't back down from calling out sin, but his intent is for the restoration and redemption of the person.

As we wrap up chapter 4, Paul is going to now begin to give specific ways we can cultivate and 'attain' the unity in Christ that he began talking about at the beginning of the chapter. We are united in Christ, yet, we are to "work properly" to attain that unity, growing together, being built up in love. It takes commitment, dedication, and work on each individual's behalf within the community.

As Paul begins gets going in this second section of the book of Ephesians, he switches from what God HAS done (ch 1-3), to what God IS doing (ch 4-6). His first order of business... We are united in Christ, but that isn't always easy, it takes work, commitment, both to self and the community. So, he encourages them that they must give up their old man so that they can take up the new one in Christ Jesus. Just like Jesus invited, Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me! As each of us do this, we each individually thrive, and the community grows in health and love.

In 2007 Trevor & Linda had an experience of being loved by God the Father that totally transformed their lives and subsequently their expression of Christian ministry. It continues to this day, living in His love. They started to live as a son and a daughter rather than orphan hearted servants. Since then, the Father has led them on a journey to share what we have received from him wherever He opens the door. This has taken them to over 30 nations around the world, from the slums of Haiti to the mountains of Norway; from the plains of Tanzania to the rolling hills of Pennsylvania.

As we start chapter four, the portion of Paul's letter telling the Ephesians what God is doing in them, and what He desires to do through them, because of what He has already done in Christ (chapters 1-3), Paul starts with talking through what it means to be united together, as a community, in Christ. We are to be one in Christ. Paul emphasizes there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God & Father of all. This is why and how we are one body with many members, to the praise, glory, and ministry of God in the earth!

As Paul wraps up this portion of the letter to the church in Ephesus, he prays for them. Even though he is the one in prison, he is the one in chains, he prays for the church, and tells them not to worry about him! What's his prayer? That they would be able to receive and comprehend the love of God, his immeasurable power at work in them, and they mystery of God's salvation!

Ephesians 3 starts with, "For this reason...". Which means we can't start at Ephesians 3, we have to go back, and look at what Paul is talking about. Paul continues to lay a solid foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, encouraging and reminding the Ephesian church of what God has done!

In our series Understanding Ephesians, we are looking at the 2nd chapter of the letter Paul writes to the church in Ephesus.

In our series Understanding Ephesians, we are looking at the 1st chapter of the letter Paul writes to the church in Ephesus. This is the foundation of the rest of the letter. We are the church, the body of Christ, called to be IN Him, having received spiritual blessings that mark us as His own!

As we continue to set our face toward Heaven, committing to follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd in 2026, we look at what it means to live a "One Thing" life. He is our all. He is our everything. This is the God we love, worship, and follow, the God of the universe, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Guest Speaker: Cameron Wright

What is it that God has for us in 2026? How and where is He leading us? What we know for sure, Psalm 23 says that He is a good shepherd, that he leads his sheep to places of provision (streams & fields), places of comfort, and places of restoration (restores my soul). And he leads his flock together. We are not meant to walk alone! We are a part of His flock. We are His body. We are the church.

At the beginning of this new year, and as we celebrate our 1-year anniversary of the joining of IHOP Miami to Cutler Bay Worship Center, we want to take a moment and ask, "What does this year hold? What does it look like? How can we best prepare ourselves for what God wants to do in us and through us?" It's easy to want and pray for big things, moments that will propel us forward, but Jesus invites us to a long journey of obedience in discipleship. This is the call, to prepare ourselves for the everyday life of following Christ, and when those surge moments come, we can embrace them and ride the wave!

As we finish up our series on Advent over this Christmas season we are looking at the love of God. God's love is calculated, precise, and designed with the intention of redemption. Galatians 4 and Romans 5 say it was at the right time that the Father sent the Son. Jesus came to redeem humanity through his life, death, and resurrection. He moved heaven and earth for you!

As we continue through Advent we come to the third week, where we look at Joy. Scripture says clearly, Christ came to bring Great Joy! Not only this, but the coming again of the Lord will usher in eternal joy for those who believe in Him. This is a time to celebrate, this is a time of Joy. And we find our Joy in Christ!

Indeed there are many things in this world that would like to claim kingship over our lives. There are many "kingdoms" in that sense. Yet, there are really only two kingdoms. The kingdom of our God, which is a Kingdom of Peace, and any other kingdom, which comes second. The kingdoms of this world may find ways to peace, for a season, temporarily, but the only real path to true peace is by submitting to the Prince of Peace and the authority of His kingdom.