Adapted from a Jim Hays Sermon
3-minute read
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and care
faithful1 in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ” (Ephesians 1:1-2)
Grafted into Christ
In the spiritual journey of being part of the church, a key aspect is our ‘grafting’ into
Christ (John 15:1-5). This isn’t just about belonging; it’s about transformation. As Paul, chosen
as an apostle ‘by the will of God,’ was transformed, so are we. This grafting into Christ
establishes a deep, unbreakable bond that goes beyond mere faith. It’s about our entire life
being intertwined with His. As a branch draws sustenance and life from the vine, so do we from
Christ, allowing for growth into the person He has called us to be (Galatians 2:20). Our
imperfections are overshadowed by being part of something perfect – Christ Himself. This union
brings about our salvation, a transformation in our identity, and empowers us to live a life
imbued with His strength and purpose.
Granted Peace
In the refuge of the church, Christians find peace amidst anxiety and worldly struggles.
This peace has been granted to the church’s members, even with their imperfections, and is
what the church operates on (John 14:27 & Ephesians 2:13-14). Paul’s prayer, “Peace to you
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” extends beyond a mere greeting. It’s a
declaration of a struggle ended at the cross, where Jesus’ victory grants peace that surpasses
understanding. This gift permeates a Christian’s life, offering a sanctuary from life’s storms. As
we navigate life, our unity in Christ and our church community perpetuates this peace as we
share our vulnerabilities and grow together. It is in this commiserating that we are reminded of
the peace Christ promised, fostering a community of healing, acceptance, and growth in the
love of God (Ephesians 4:1-3).
Given Grace
Grace is the twofold cornerstone upon which the church operates: the grace of salvation
and the grace that empowers us to live out our calling (2 Corinthians 9:8). Paul, tasked with
spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles, exemplifies this, and just like Paul, Christians must be
grafted into Christ to fully utilize grace. Through this connection and reliance, we can learn to
fulfill the Great Commission in our homes, workplaces, and communities. While it is the role of
Christians to share the gospel, the church must come alongside its members to empower them
in this mission.
This is one of The Fount’s focuses in 2024, to equip our members with the
abilities and opportunities to share the word. So our prayer for this week is for God to, “grant me
supernatural grace for the expedition of gospel mission.” Our journey through the short book of
Ephesians will focus on this empowerment. Anyone intrigued by this message should read
through Ephesians themselves; it only takes about 20 minutes!
To stay up to date on this topic come to The Fount’s weekly gatherings at 10 am, Sunday on the
third floor of the Kansas City Club. Get notified about all upcoming events and past sermons on
our Instagram and Facebook!
