Ephesians: How We Are Saved

Ephesians 1:13 

How does a person go from lost to saved, from not knowing Jesus to knowing Him, from being dead in sin to being alive in Christ? What are the elements of this sacred process of entering into the kingdom of God? What must happen to obtain salvation? These are the questions explored in this small verse in Ephesians. Scott shows that the gospel must be preached and heard; there must be a response of faith; the Spirit must cause new birth. From start to finish it is God doing the work. The last part of the message is an exhortation to the church about the importance of preaching the gospel because no one will be saved unless the gospel is preached (Romans 10). Strong reasons are given to preach the gospel even if most reject it and the effort to communicate has negative effects socially most of the time. 

Ephesians: Inheritance

Ephesians 1:11,12

Even the most amazing earthly inheritance we could imagine pales in comparison to the inheritance we obtain in Christ. Because we are God’s chosen beloved children we will receive an inheritance that will never fade and that will last forever. We have been made rich through our adoption! This message also touches on predestination and the doctrine of election. It again explores the question—why are some saved and others not? The last part of the sermon unfolds the ultimate purpose of our existence, namely, that we would glorify God. Scott shows that the revelation of what God has done for us has a way of making us want to worship with everything in us. We loathe the idea of mediocrity or shoddy worship or partial giving or mere minimum requirement. Our hearts burn to please Him and to give our utmost to Him. 

Standalone Sermons: Controlling Relationships

Special guest, Dr. Michael Caparelli, has served as a lead pastor in Rhode Island for over 10 years. He has recently branched out to begin a new ministry called UnMuted, giving victims of trauma their voices back. This particular message was about controlling relationships. The classic story of Pharaoh’s relationship with the people of Israel (Exodus 5) was used as an illustration of how control works. The aim of the message was to bring light and freedom to anyone suffering from a toxic relationship and the courage to break the cycle of control. 

Ephesians: Lavished

Ephesians 1:7-10

Because all of us have experienced broken love in varying degrees, it can be a struggle to fully grasp that God lavishes, loves, and even likes us. This message explores the heart of God before creation and how he devised a grand plan with excitement and joy to bless us. As God’s chosen and dearly beloved people, we are a part of this plan to unite all things together in Christ in the coming ages. May we be overwhelmed by the depth of the Father’s love for us! 

Ephesians: Chosen

Ephesians 1:1-6

If God is so powerful why doesn’t He save everyone? Why are some saved and others not? Why does God say in the Word that our salvation does not depend on anything we do? What does it mean that God chose us before the creation of the world? Did we choose Jesus or did He choose us? Do human beings have the ability to come to Christ? Does God give everyone the ability? Does God want all people to be saved? Did God know some people would end up in hell before He made them? Does God extend mercy to all or to some? If to only some, is that just? What is just? Does everyone have an equal opportunity to be saved? These are some of the questions Pastor Scott cracked open from Ephesians 1:1-6 and the great theme of election. Scripture seems to teach opposing ideas on God’d sovereignty and man’s responsibility, which theologians have long struggled to reconcile. Scott encourages us to hold them in tension, embrace the mystery and trust that God’s ways are higher than our ways. The overall thrust of the message is to breathe in the wonder of being chosen and let it humble you and evoke joyful worship. 

Ephesians: Intro

This is the first message of a series on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and includes introduction details to lay a foundation for the study. Most of the message is an expounding of the accounts in Acts 18-19 that talk about the extraordinary things that happened in Ephesus as the movement of Jesus was established there through Paul. The message not only gave some context for the study but also served to set the tone for the new year. Themes such as boldness, bravery, persecution and the Word of God are explored. 

Communion Sundays: Psalm 32

This was the first message of 2020 and also a Communion Sunday. Psalm 32 was expounded on as a way of helping to reset hearts for the new year. The essential message was that God is merciful and yet we are responsible to deal honestly with our sins.

Light Project: Unveiled

This is the second message of a two part series in an effort to bring more clarity to our December art installation called Light Project. There were eight separate rooms each communicating a different idea. This message expounds on the last three rooms which deal with the themes of conversion of the soul, growth as a follower of Jesus and the future glory in store for those who love Christ. This talk is especially relevant to anyone who is struggling to fully surrender to Christ. 

Light Project: Illuminated

The 2019 art installation, called Light Project, brought in nearly 700 people. The aim of the installation was to introduce people to the person of Christ using the Scriptural metaphor of light and darkness. Because art can be interpreted differently by different people, and is easy to misinterpret, we decided to follow up the installation with two clear spoken messages to illuminate the precise meaning of each of the eight installations. This first message addresses the first five ideas—Light is, light delights, light reveals, light exposes and light dispels. At the end Scott ties it all together and helps the hearers to understand why all this matters. 

Communion Sundays: Titus 3:3-7

"For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:3-7