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Last Sunday, as we worked through the first several verses of Ephesians 4, I mentioned there was much more to be said. We talked about the life of God in us. This reality is powerful. God is in us...the Son of God is in us...the Holy Spirit is in us.   

Spiritual growth happens in me when I reflect God's life, not just in the way I talk, but in the way I live. When the life of God is in me and it's in you, it brings all of us, as individuals, into one being  a community living in harmony, and oneness, full of mutual love and service. This is why the community of Jesus' followers is so important.    

Too many of us are complacent with our spiritual growth. We've decided we don't need one another to grow spiritually. We often compare ourselves to others who are worse off than we are, and convince ourselves, with the deceivers' help, that we're just fine the way we are...   

It's pretty basic, if we become like God and grow spiritually, it will be evident  the life of God will be readily visible within the community of God. We can't neglect the Church, the family, and the community of God, and expect to grow.   

Tim Keller wrote, "we ...are the generation most afraid of real community because it inevitably limits freedom and choice. Get over your fear."  

As Americans, we value freedom and choice. We don't like to conform, but we expect others to conform. It's fine for us to break a little law (of course, we have a good reason), but are indignant when others do so. We justify our own "issues" while we criticize others for their questionable behavior because they quite obviously don't have good reasons... We really are strange people.   

The issue with Christianity is that God is the King, He is sovereign, and we must strive not to try to displace Him. There is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one sovereign God who is of all, over all, through all, and in all.   

When the community of God is unified in the oneness of these seven it's beautiful, it's good, and it's contagious.   

Let's be this kind of community. See you Sunday morning in person or online at 9:00 or 10:40 as we continue our journey through Ephesians.   

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Tom