Christ Church Elders

Sermon Summary In this sermon we zeroed in on the words redemption and inheritance , showing the historical and theological freight that they carry into Ephesians chapter 1.  Paul uses these words as a map that places the Church inside of Israel’s story. He shows us that what God was doing with the little nation of Israel, He is still doing—only more broadly and more gloriously, as He brings the promise that He made to Abraham—that he would be heir of the world (Rom. 4:13)—to fruition through...

Scripture Reading Matthew 4:1-2, 5-7 Big Idea (For Parents) The sequence of wilderness temptations during Jesus’ 40-day fast is patterned after that of Israel in its Exodus from Egypt. After Israel’s baptism in the Red Sea (Exodus 14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-2; cf. Matthew 3:13-17), they immediately faced a hunger temptation, which they failed by sinful grumbling (Exodus 16:2; cf. Matthew 4:1-4). Having nevertheless received bread from heaven (Exodus 16:4), the people next experienced a lack of...

Scripture Reading Matthew 4:1-4 Big Idea (For Parents) Jesus was fully tempted as we are so that he alone might defeat temptation for us. Having done so, he now empowers us by his Spirit to progressively do the same. Thus, because he is our Savior, he is also now our example.   “Wilderness” situations in life involve intentional fasting from—or divine removal of—some of God’s good gifts. These situations test us and mature us into those who, like Jesus, walk in victory over temptation, even...