Ephesians - Liferoads Church

When Heaven Meets Earth – Week 6

liferoads — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 01:59:00 +0000

Jesus is everything we need. In ⁠John 11⁠ Jesus interacted with three siblings and gives each exactly what they needed. Martha needed to clarity, she needed to know the Jesus is the Messiah. Mary needed compassion, Jesus wept with her. Lazarus needed resurrection, Jesus IS THE resurrection and life! We all need each of these gifts from Jesus (⁠Ephesians 2:1-9⁠). Come to Him and be born again.

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When Heaven Meets Earth – Week 4

liferoads — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 03:17:42 +0000

In this message from ⁠Luke 9:28–43⁠, we see Jesus revealed in glory at the Transfiguration before the disciples quickly return to the broken realities of life in the valley. The passage reminds us that while mountaintop moments strengthen our faith, real spiritual growth often happens in the everyday struggles of life as we learn to trust Jesus.

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When Heaven Meets Earth – Week 3

liferoads — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:29:38 +0000

We are often delayed in our appointments. How do we feel about God’s delays? On His way to heal a prominent leader’s daughter, Jesus delays to heal a woman who had been suffering for 12 years (⁠Luke 8:40-56⁠). During that delay the child died. In Jesus’ perfect timing, He gave much more than healing. They both were desperate; they both had faith, and they both needed something much more. Jesus doesn’t just heal the woman; He transfers His purity and forgives. He doesn’t just heal the young girl; He resurrects her (⁠Luke 8:49-56⁠). God gives more than we ask. He knows more than we know (⁠Ephesians 2:4-5⁠). This is what happens when heaven meets earth: recreation.

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Abide – Week 4

Rich Fodey — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 01:32:00 +0000

There are several metaphors used to describe the Church. The most common description used in the Bible is a family. But, Paul also used the image of living bricks, and members of a body (⁠1 Corinthians 12:12-27⁠). We all desire to belong. People are always forming clubs and groups and teams. We build community to support each other and encourage each other. The Church differs in that Christ is the head of the body of the Church (⁠Ephesians 4:14-16⁠). This is unique. It is where we can be with our Creator like no where else on earth. We belong to Christ, and so we belong to each other. In that, we rejoice together and we suffer together. Jesus did. We are like the literal hands of Jesus. This is a spiritual disciple, a habit that changes lives.

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Abide – Week 3

liferoads — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 03:19:19 +0000

No one claims to be an expert on prayer; we all feel inadequate. There are many difficulties and many distractions. In one way, prayer is very easy; however, it is also deeply complex. Prayer should be the business of Christians; it is our duty, and it should be our delight. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he describes this rich, deep desire to know the love of God (⁠⁠Ephesians 3:14-21⁠⁠). Prayer is the most likely place to be this close to God. Most often we pray for the physical, but we wish you to know the love of God in His fullest, just as Paul prayed. Don’t just know God intellectually, but experientially. Abide in Him (⁠John 15:4-5⁠).

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Abide – Week 1

liferoads — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 04:44:21 +0000

In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, today we ask, how might we grow spiritually this year? How do we worry less and pray more? The “Gospel Hardware” is Jesus. He stated that He is the true vine; you are clean because of the words He has spoken. Apart from Him you can do nothing. “Abide in me,” Christ said. (⁠John 15:1-11⁠). Abide is a verb relating to where you live. Where is your permanent spiritual address? Live in constant and close community with Christ.

Map out a space of peace and order, and just show up. Put yourself in a place that God can grow you. C.S. Lewis used the analogy that humans are engines fueled by God. And God is with us! Grace has appeared and He came to train us (⁠Titus 2:11-14⁠). So, abide in Him. Experience the love of God, unfold the love of Jesus (⁠Ephesians 3:14-19⁠).

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Walk Wisely – Week 7

Rich Fodey — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 03:40:00 +0000

In this conclusion to the “Walk Wisely” sermon series, we explore the timeless metaphor of life as a journey. Reflecting on ⁠Proverbs 4:10-19⁠ and ⁠Ephesians 5:15-16⁠, this message examines the two paths we can walk — the way of wisdom or the way of folly. It highlights the choices, challenges, and direction of our lives and emphasizes Jesus as the ultimate “Way” to life. Jesus not only rescues us but also walks with us, guiding us daily as we follow Him on the journey of life.

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Walk Wisely – Week 5

Rich Fodey — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 02:27:51 +0000

The way we think about work is broken. We often see it as a necessary evil, but scripture presents a different way to think about it (⁠Colossians 3:23-24⁠). Though it is imperfect, there is goodness in work, and we should be wise about how we think about and how we engage in work (⁠Proverb 12:11⁠)(⁠Proverb 22:29⁠). God created us to work (⁠Genesis 2:15⁠), but it has been corrupted in the fall. We can still find meaning and joy in working diligently (⁠Proverb 13:4⁠). Offer our labor to the Lord (⁠Colossians 3:23-24⁠). One of the important parts of that is to honor the rhythm of work and rest (⁠Proverb 23:4⁠)(⁠Proverb 15:19⁠).

Recognize that Jesus spent most of His adult life as a craftsman. In our times of labor, it may help to think of Christ joyously serving and honoring in his vocation of carpentry. (⁠Psalm 90:17⁠)

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Walk Wisely – Week 4

liferoads — Sun, 25 May 2025 20:12:00 +0000

We are all a part of a family, and the Bible teaches us how to live wisely in families. Family is vital, and family is vulnerable (⁠Proverbs 27:8)⁠. It is a critical part of our social and personal foundation. It has a deep influence in our lives, for good and sometimes not so good (⁠⁠Proverbs 6:16-19⁠⁠). It begins with honor and respect (⁠Exodus 20:12⁠). There is a structure to families, and discipline matters (⁠Proverbs 23:13-14⁠) (⁠⁠Proverbs 22:6⁠⁠); discipline comforts and protects (⁠Psalm 23:4⁠).

Finally, and most importantly, families forgive! We all fall short, and the Lord heals through forgiveness. Just as Christ forgave first, so also we should forgive (⁠Ephesians 4:31-32⁠).

Search the scriptures for wisdom (⁠Acts 17:11⁠).

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Walk Wisely – Week 1

Rich Fodey — Mon, 05 May 2025 00:33:57 +0000

We live in the age of information. There is more data at our fingertips than ever in history. However, all that information does not translate into wise living (⁠Ephesians 5:15-16⁠). The wisdom of ⁠Proverbs 1:1-7⁠ tells us to pursue wisdom. It takes intentional living; do not reject or mock wisdom. Wisdom invites you to engage and grow (⁠Proverbs 1:20-23⁠). But it takes humility and an understanding that all wisdom is from God; He is eager to gift it (⁠⁠James 1:5⁠⁠).

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