Jan 5 Mark Began a New Message Series: Baptism. This week’s message is: 

Baptism: A Community Gathered Around Christ
Ephesians 4:1-16

It’s time to transition! From what to what?  Maybe a better way to say it is we are continuing to journey towards maturity.  That’s right, it’s time to grow up!  Our text from Sunday comes from Ephesians chapter 4 and 5.  The great teacher and follower of Christ, Paul, encourages us to grow from infancy to maturity.  An infant in faith is one who is ‘blown and tossed about by the waves of cunning and crafty teachings and deceitful scheming.” (Eph 4:14). Instead, Paul encourages us to grow up in God’s ways of love. (Eph 5:1-2).  
To grow up in God’s ways of love is to engage in a lifestyle of love.  When the rubber hits the road in relationships with situations of conflict or hurt, and bitterness and unforgiveness begin to take root, and the temptation is there to walk away from relationship – that is when Paul especially calls us to grow up.  “Be imitators of God.”  (Eph 5:1)  How?  “…just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God, walk in the way of love as dearly loved children of God.”  

The message Sunday will focus on what it means to be a part of a Christian community.  As we wrap up this 5 week series on Baptism, another truth about Baptism shines: We belong to community of faith gathered around Christ, called to grow from infancy to maturity in our faith – especially when things become difficult.  Especially then.  

The Peace of God be with you,
Pastor Mark