Westside Community Church

View Original

PLACED IN A FAMILY OF FRIENDS

StevenJBarker

PLACED IN A FAMILY OF FRIENDS

Getting Clear on Why You’re Here - Part 5 of 7

October 31, 2021 | Gabe Kolstad | @gabekolstad

Week 1: Made in the image of God

Week 2: Marked by the sickness of sin

Week 3: Rescued by the love of a Savior

Week 4: Transformed by the power of the Spirit

Week 5: Placed in a Family of Friends

13 And you were also included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession - to the praise of His glory. -Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)

#1 Barrier to Belonging:

Making AGREEMENT the basis for RELATIONSHIP

The Truth About Belonging...

1. When you BELIEVE, you receive a STATUS change


12 Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. -Ephesians 2:12-13 (NIV)

2. That change is COMPREHENSIVE


14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, this making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to those who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

-Ephesians 2:14-18 (NIV)


3. Now you BELONG

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and alliance, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.

-Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV)

Belonging is more than a STATUS...It’s a COMMITMENT

My Next Step Today Is:

  • Today I’m saying YES to Jesus!

  • I will lean in when God gives me an invitation this week

  • I will read Ephesians 1-6 this week

  • I will invite someone into community

    *Download the App HERE to take your next steps

For Resources to Grow in Your Faith:

Text JESUS to 503-905-9067

QUICK LINKS: