Our faith is in what God has done for us, not what we do for ourselves. Ephesians 2 (whole chapter ) Ephesians 2 : 8-9 Faith in Christ  (the One who saves you ); good works do not save us.  Putting your faith in God  (through Jesus Christ ). The blessings of God - gives us the right to take responsibility in doing the things of God and we experience the blessings of God. There is one new man - the people of the Church.   The Church is where his family is. Ephesians 2 : 20-22 (Metaphor) We have the idea of church being organizations.   But church should be structured as a family - that's how God wants us to live. The Church is compared to a city; and every person saved by faith in Jesus Christ can live there.  In a family we serve each other;  we are also children, and friends. The Church is also compared to a building.   OT given as a physical sign of what would come in the spiritual. Building - foundation  (prophets and apostles;  today we are).  The foundation is built

To understand Ephesians 2 you need to read the rest of the Bible. v 15  -  One new man - the Christian. Christ died on the cross to fulfill the Old Testament and bring in the New Testament. v 8 & 9 - learn these two verses.  You cannot save yourself;  Christ saves us.  We come through faith - faith in Christ. v 10 - if you get saved and nothing happens,  you're a liar.   It's not about what you get right; it's about what God molds you into by what you do through your life  journey. This passage speaks of what we were like before we came into the kingdom of God.   By faith in Christ Jesus we are saved.  We are citizens of God's kingdom now.  v 1-3 - Pauk used 4 ways to describe how we were before coming to Christ: - dead to Christ (spiritually dead); - followed the ways of the world; - followed the ruler of this world  (devil); - gratify the cravings of the flesh. Sometimes we go back to these things.   Life is a journey and we walk (or run) this journey.

Ephesians 1:18 (NIV) "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order thatyou may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints." Instructions on how churches operate: Jesus is the  Way; he is the door; Be concerned about what Jesus is concerned about. We have the ability to pickup the power of God (Acts 1:8). God makes the power available to each of his people;  but we have to pick it up. Paul establishes that our blessings come through our walkingin God's ways. People set apart for God; We pray in God's blessings for His Word. Even the 'best' Christians needs prayer; heavenly wisdom. We are not always willing to come under God's yoke. It is by being partakers of Christ himself, we are made his way - the journey. Live by love and live by our redeemers joy. What's the implications for the Church to stay in Christ's body.   We need to find our blessings in God.

Photo of fender in use for Chaplaincy fundraiser.  The fender is over 10 years old and today it's running 4 speakers across the Atherton High school fields.  2016 Car Bike Swap Meet!