Our Common Prayer

1. Strengthened with might through God’s Spirit

2. Rooted and grounded in love

3. Knowing Christ’s love4. Filled up to God’s fullness

Ephesians 3:8

“I was made a minister

according to the gift of God’s

grace”

Paul says God say…

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians

3:28

(similar 1 Cor. 12:13, Eph 6:8, Col 3:11)

Riches of Christ include resurrection from

death victorious

enthronement with Christ in the heavenly places

reconciliation with God

incorporation with Jewish believers in Christ’s new society - the church

membership of God’s kingdom and household

participation as an integral part of his dwelling place among people in this world

the end of hostility and the beginning of peace between nations

access to the Father through Christ and by the Spirit

Riches of Christ include

and all of that is only a foretaste of the riches yet

to come, namely the riches of the glory of the

inheritance which God will give to all his people on the

last day.

Paul’s twofold ministryto preach to the Gentiles the

boundless riches of Christ (verse 8b)

and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. (verse 9)

Where will the mystery be seen?

10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to

his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our

Lord. (verse 10-11)

Article 4 – MCOF

“We participate in the church's task of

interpreting the Bible and of discerning what God is

saying in our time by examining all things in the

light of Scripture.”

Centrality of the Church

1. The church is central to history. It is part of God’s plan.

2. The church is central to the gospel. It is where the new society the gospel creates is practiced.

3. The church is central to Christian living. It is how we do not lose heart in the midst of suffering. It is where we get the support we need.

Our Common Prayer

1. Strengthened with might through God’s Spirit

2. Rooted and grounded in love

3. Knowing Christ’s love4. Filled up to God’s fullness