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We finish out the book of Ephesians this week! Throughout this series we have maintained this framework of mind, that this letter to the Ephesians teaches us to grow in every season. In this chapter Paul emphasizes the need to keep God in mind when it comes to all of our relationships, and in how we handle them. He also teaches us to keep a heavenly view of the happenings of life. In all that we do, we are to stand firm and equip the whole armor of God. And Paul instructs us to pray on all occasions. Ultimately, the book of Ephesians teaches us that real growth is reflective of a heavenly perspective. There are opportunities for growth, growth that God brings, in every season. - Key Verses // Ephesians 4:15-16, Ephesians 6 - For Sermon Notes, the Connect Card, and our other online resources: https://linktr.ee/Celebrationchurchlive

Jumping into chapter five of Ephesians, we remind ourselves that following Jesus requires that we actually follow Jesus; in word and deed. And we've started off each week of this series reminding ourselves that the letter to the Ephesians teaches us to grow in every season. And as we follow Jesus we have to remember to walk in love. It is the center of all that we do and say. We have to remember to walk in light, for what companion is darkness to the light; as He is in the light, so should we be. And we have to remember to walk in wisdom. We are to follow Jesus into more and more wisdom as he has become for us wisdom from God. Ultimately, walking in love, light, and wisdom brings growth in every season. - Key Verses // Ephesians 4:15-16, Ephesians 5 - For Sermon Notes, the Connect Card, and our other online resources: https://linktr.ee/Celebrationchurchlive

Continuing our Growth Rings series, we dive into chapter four of Ephesians. Our core thought and verse for this series stems from this chapter, that the letter to the Ephesians teaches us to grow in every season. There is not a season that is absent of growth, and to grow in every season, you have to embrace that God has graced you to be a life-giver through Him. Growing up is learning that there are actions that produce life and there are actions that destroy life. God urges us to look at and examine your actions and to choose those things which bring life. Because ultimately, life brings growth. - Key Verses // Ephesians 4 - For Sermon Notes, the Connect Card, and our other online resources: https://linktr.ee/Celebrationchurchlive

Last week we covered that we need to remember to grow, but what is the role of growth? This week we dive into chapter 3 of Ephesians which will answer that question. Because the letter to the Ephesians teaches us to grow in every season. Understanding that you are part of God's plan will cause you to grow. You will grow when you understand your generation's role and your own role. And you will grow when you understand God's role... which leads to us understanding that God brings the growth! - Key Verses // Ephesians 4:15-16, Ephesians 3 - For Sermon Notes, the Connect Card, and our other online resources: https://linktr.ee/Celebrationchurchlive

Remembering to grow is essential to our daily walk with Jesus, and the letter to Ephesians reminds us and teaches us to grow in every season. Pastor Brandon leads us through chapter two of this book and points out things we have to remember as we walk. Remember... that you were dead because of the things you both did and didn't do. Meaning, there are two types of ways to miss the mark; the omission decisions = transgressions, and the commission decisions = sins. And we have to remember that it is because of Jesus' great love for us, that he did what he did. Remember that you are alive in Christ and that God works in you to do good works through you. Remember what it was like to not know God. Remember that we grow together as a body of believers. Ultimately, we are encouraged to remember to grow. - Key Verses // Ephesians 4:15-16, Ephesians 2 - For Sermon Notes, the Connect Card, and our other online resources: https://linktr.ee/Celebrationchurchlive

We begin a new series today going through the book of Ephesians; Growth Rings. The book of Ephesians teaches us that, just like a tree, there is opportunities to grow in every season, whether or not it is an easy season or a hard one. When looking at the first chapter of Ephesians, we see that being grateful to the Lord helps us to grow in every season: be thankful that the Lord chose us, be thankful that He freely gave to us, be thankful that He has redeemed and forgiven us, be thankful that He lavished on us, be thankful that He has included us and marked us with the Holy Spirit. Through this chapter we see that gratitude brings growth. - Key Verses // Ephesians 4:15-16, Ephesians 1 - For Sermon Notes, the Connect Card, and our other online resources: https://linktr.ee/Celebrationchurchlive

Concluding our Kardia series, Pastor Brandon reminds us again that our heart is essential to life because it is the soil where every decision in life grows. And the Loving God with all that you are starts with your heart. Loving God with all your heart impacts what you value, what you say, and what you believe. He works in your to make these changes in your heart first and then your soul. And loving God with all your soul means that your care and devotion are revealed in your mind, will, and emotions. And God tells us to love with all of our strength, even if that strength feels small. Ultimately, when your heart changes, your life changes. - Key Verses // Proverbs 4:23, Mark 12:29-30 - For Sermon Notes, the Connect Card, and our other online resources: https://linktr.ee/Celebrationchurchlive

We learn this week that maintaining a soft heart towards God is crucial to being led by him. Our hearts are essential to life because they are the soil where every decision in life grows. So, it is important to keep your heart open to the truth and to being led by the Spirit; but it is a choice we have to make. Seeing how God continues to talk with us, we learn that heart to heart communication is the most effective; its how He reached us first and its how we can reach others the best. But a crucial requirement to be able to talk heart to heart effectively is the Holy Spirit. Abiding in Him and His guidance allows us to be truthful while also being gentle with others. Ultimately it takes opening our hearts to open our lives. - Key Verses // Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 13:15 - For Sermon Notes, the Connect Card, and our other online resources: https://linktr.ee/Celebrationchurchlive

Continuing our Kardia series, Pastor Brandon teaches us that it is essential to know what our hearts are rooted in. The heart is essential to life because it is the soil where ever decision in life grows. One of the aspects of life is trouble and trials, and how we go about those things will show us what hope our heart is rooted in. Pastor Brandon points out today that trouble is accelerated when we focus on ourselves. Instead our hopes put in God and His guidance will keep us steady when the trials of life crash against us. One of the most important aspects of that guidance from the Lord is leaning into the instruction from the Holy Spirit who builds in us self-control. See, self-control is like a trouble shield for your life. Self-control is about making life-giving decisions. Even when things are lawful and not harmful, they should always be subjected to three tests... Is it helpful? Is it constructive? Is it to the glory of God? Ultimately, self-control is about giving God control. - Key Verses // Proverbs 4:23, John 16:33, Titus 2:11-14 - For Sermon Notes, the Connect Card, and our other online resources: https://linktr.ee/Celebrationchurchlive

Pastor Brandon leads us to the X that marks our heart. The X points to what the treasure of our hearts is and what we determine is "worthy" to us. What our hearts find worthy matter to God because, as Matthew tells us in chapter 6:21, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." It matters because whatever has worth to you will always guide where your life goes. These are the things that your heart finds "worthy". We can also track what is important to an individual; because your thoughts, your energy, your money, and your time always follow your personal list of worthiness. Trusting that God finds you worthy of His attention gives you the freedom to live with right "worth" priorities. Ultimately, the treasure of your heart will mark the path of your life. - Key Verses // Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 6:21 - For Sermon Notes, the Connect Card, and our other online resources: https://linktr.ee/Celebrationchurchlive

Continuing in our Kardia series, Pastor Brandon leads us through what is means to have a sure heart. Through this series our foundational concept is that our hearts are essential to life because it is the soil where every decision in life grows. One of the core aspects we have to understand is that faith is about what our heart believes. Romans 10:8-10 show us that it isn't just with our mouths, but our hearts also, that we find our salvation in Jesus Christ; God sent Him and made us right through Him. God didn't wait around on us to seek Him, He pursued us! Ultimately, to have a sure heart, we have to trust that Jesus is enough. - Key Verses // Proverbs 4:23, Romans 3:20-28 - For Sermon Notes, the Connect Card, and our other online resources: https://linktr.ee/Celebrationchurchlive

Pastor Brandon returns to start a brand new series called "Kardia", which is the greek word for heart. As this series is all about the very core of our beings. Our heart represents the innermost character, thoughts, and emotions of who we are. And our foundational concept to root our mindset during this series is that our heart is essential to life because it is the soil in which every decision in life grows. Which is an echo of Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." One of the things we can pay attention to in the transformation of our hearts is that our mouths are an indicator and an activator for growth. And to cultivate a healthy heart, we need to speak our heart. You also need to remind yourself of God's faithfulness. And ultimately, you have to remember that your heart hears what your heart says. - Key Verses // Proverbs 4:23, Luke 6:45 - For Sermon Notes, the Connect Card, and our other online resources: https://linktr.ee/Celebrationchurchlive

Pastor Weston closes our 1-2-3 series in the book of 3 John, and how this letter from John is all about how our love is supposed to be an outpouring of the love that Christ demonstrated for us. Understanding our foundational concept has carried us through this series with the right understanding, that walking with Jesus means letting him lead. He needs to lead in all the areas of our lives and how we love others is one of those core places we need to let him lead us in. As we walk with Jesus, he leads us in showing love through generosity. Generosity is often associated with finances, but it also implicates our time and other resources as well! Ultimately, Pastor Weston points out how loving others is crucial to knowing Jesus. - Key Verses // 3 John, Matthew 25:31-46 - For Sermon Notes, the Connect Card, and our other online resources: https://linktr.ee/Celebrationchurchlive

We resume our 1-2-3 series by diving into 2 John! Colton takes us through 2 John and points out the intentionality of John's message in this letter; that if we love Christ than we will abide in His commandments. Embracing the Lord's conviction will lead to growth. And the truth is, that the Lord corrects us because He loves us, and wants us to live a life that is truly free, free from the bondage of sin. Because, a life fully devoted to Jesus looks different. It's one of the ways we are meant to impact the world and share the gospel! How we love God and how we love one another are the two greatest commandments, and John instructs us better on how to do that through his message in this letter. Ultimately, he and Colton encourage us to live a life fully devoted. - Key Verses // 3 John 1:4, 2 John - For Sermon Notes, the Connect Card, and our other online resources: https://linktr.ee/Celebrationchurchlive

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