Crossborn

"...to equip the saints for the work of ministry." Eph 4:12 Isaiah once uttered this prophecy to the children of God: "You shall be called priests of the Lord; they will speak of you as ministers of our God." Is 61:6. Did you know that he was speaking to you when he said it? Oh, yes! If you're in this church as a true follower of Jesus, you're already a 'minister'!  Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA From his series:The Epistle to the Ephesians: Good News for the Rebel Planet

"A jailer is another kind of captive..." wrote the tormented poet Nerval. It is not real clear what he meant by that, but one thing is certain: our jailer is now a captive, and all of his minions with him. Jesus conquered them at the Cross! He has taken them into captivity! And all because He loves you. Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA From the series on Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians: Good News for the Rebel Planet  

"One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all..."  Eph 4: 5-6 There's a synonym for "division" and "disunity" in an army: it's called "defeat". Of all the things required for a victory in battle, nothing is more important than unity! Jesus spoke of this: "No house divided against itself will stand," He said (Mt 12:25). This morning, let's focus on our church's greatest need. Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA From his series on Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians: Good News for the Rebel Planet Music by Pastor Holland Davis and the Calvary Chapel San Clemente worship team. 

"...walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you were called..." Eph 4: 1 The Book of Ephesians splits right down the middle. The first three chapters are full of theology: the deep theological mysteries behind the love of God and His saving plan for us. But now, here with chapter 4, it is time to put it all into practice. And the first thing we must do is "walk worthy".  Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA. From his series on Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians: Good News for the Rebel Planet

"...to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ..." Eph 3:18 What a narrow measure is the span of a human life: a mere hyphen between two dates, carved on a slab of stone. Is there any hope at all for us? Oh, yes! There is Someone who loves you, with a love so great it cannot even be measured. This morning's task is to measure it anyway. Let's get started... Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA, from his series on Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians: Good News for the Rebel Planet.  Music by Pastor Holland Davis and the Calvary Chapel San Clemente Worship Team. 

"...to make known this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God..." Eph 3:9 "Within that awe-filled volume lies the mystery of mysteries," wrote Sir Walter Scott to a friend one day. He was talking about the Bible. Oh, yes! Here within this awesome book, we find the answer to every crying question made by Man! The mystery unfolded, dear ones, and given to you!  Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA from his series on the Epistle to the Ephesians: Good News for the Rebel Planet Music by pastor Holland Davis and the Calvary Chapel San Clemente worship team. 

"I, Paul, a Prisoner of Christ Jesus..." Eph 3: 1 This morning as we continue our study of this great Epistle to the Ephesians, we are reminded that its author is sitting in a dungeon. But why? Paul was such a godly man! How could God let that happen to him? Why do the righteous suffer so? Well, that is precisely what Paul goes on to explain here. Let's take a look.  Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA From his series on Ephesians: Good News for the Rebel Planet. 

In the Bible, He is the God "who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen, or can see." 1 Tim 6: 16. How remarkable then, to read in our Scripture this morning that ou and I are now "no longer strangers", and have even been given "access to the Father" through Christ by the spirit. Here is Good News that will change your life forever! Let's take a look... Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA from the series on the Epistle to the Ephesians: Good News for the Rebel Planet

"He Himself is our peace..." Eph 2: 14 Down through the centuries, the nations of the world have made thousands and thousands of treaties of peace, and yet there has never been lasting peace. Isn't that amazing? What on earth is our problem? And what, after, is the solution? The answer, surprisingly enough, is a Person.  Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA From his series on the Epistle to the Ephesians: Good News for the Rebel Planet Music by Pastor Holland Davis and the Calvary Chapel San Clemente Worship Team. 

"He has broken down in His fles the dividing wall of hostility..." Eph 2:14 "Something there is that doesn't love a wall," writes Robert Frost in one of his poems, "that wants it down." True! And no one hated a wall more than Jesus! In fact, He gave His life to make sure it came down! We're talking about the "wall" that was separating you from your God and blocking your way to life everlasting.  Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA  From his series on Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians: "Good News for the Rebel Planet"

"...this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God..."  Eph 2:8 This morning we find ourselves at the very heart and core of Paul's great message to the Ephesians. These verses present to us the most important doctrine of the Christian faith! This is Christianity! These verses define the Christian. This morning, let's make sure they define you too! Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA.  From the series on Ephesians: Good News for the Rebel Planet Music by Pastor Holland Davis and the Worship Team of Calvary Chapel San Clemente.

"...seated with Him together in the heavenly places..." Eph 2:6 "Where is there a jailer as unyielding as one's self?" wrote Nathanael Hawthorne once. How very true! Have you ever tried to make a change, to alter your surroundings, only to discover that you've brought the bondage with you? Maybe it's time you saw yourself in the liberating livght of God's Word!  Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA From the series on Ephesians: Good News for the Rebel Planet (Music by Pastor Holland Davis and the Worship Team of Calvary Chapel San Clemente)

Last week in our Scripture text (Eph. 2: 1-3) we witnessed the dire consequences of the Fall of Man; "dead in trespasses and sins..." (Eph. 2:1) But, praise God, this week everything's changed! God in His wonderful kindness and mercy has done something about it! Here is hope for you, if you'll have it! Sermon by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA From the series on Ephesians: Good News for the Rebel Planet  (Music by Pastor Holland Davis and the Calvary Chapel San Clemente worship team)

It is impossible to grasp the significance of a Savior if we fail to comprehend the 'trap' we've been rescued from. Here in the second chapter of Ephesians, Paul pauses to reflect upon just that subject. That trap was a vicious one indeed, until our Savior came and set us free! Let's take a look... Sermon by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA From the series on Ephesians: Good News for a Rebel Planet (Music by Pastor Holland Davis and the Calvary Chapel San Clemente Worship Team)

Some day we will see it clearly: this 'history' we are caught up in is one comprised of spiritual kingdoms and dominions, all of which are just as real as flesh and blood itself! There are 'rulers' and 'authorities' at work in our world today! And you were never created to be under their 'heel'!  Sermon by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA from the series on Paul's Epitstle to the Ephesians: Good News for the Rebel Planet (Music by Pastor Holland Davis and the Calvary Chapel San Clemente Worship Team)

It's a very important truth of our Faith; important enough for the Apostle's Creed: "and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty." But what does it really mean? And how do we apply it? Oh, there's wonderful good news in the answer to those questions. Let's take a look... Ephesians 1: 19-20 Message by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA From the series on Ephesians: Good News for a Rebel Planet (Music by Pastor Holland Davis and the Calvary Chapel San Clemente Worship Team)

"...having the eyes of your hearts enlightened..." Eph 1: 18 What happens to a person when he puts his trust in Christ? Oh, the answer to that question is incredibly profound! Here in our Scripture this morning, Paul doesn't exhaust the subject, but he mentions several wonderful things; and all of them, if you know Christ, have happened to you as well.  Messagy by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA From the Series on the Epistle to Ephesians: Good News for a Rebel Planet (Music by Pastor Holland Davis and the Calvary Chapel San Clemente Worship Team)

"Certitude is not the test for certainty,"  wrote Oliver Wendell Holmes once, and what a wise observation that is. Simply feeling "certain" is proof of nothing at all. The Christian is very "sure" but the test of his certainty is not his feelings; it is a wonderful, personal guarantee from God Himself. Sermon by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA  From the series on Ephesians: Good News for a Rebel Planet (Music by Pastor Holland Davis and the Calvary Chapel San Clemente Worship Team)

"We'll take upon us the mystery of things, as if we were God's spies," says old King Lear to his fool. He proves himself the 'fool' instead, for the mysteries of God cannot be 'taken', and they certainly can't be 'spied' out. But, praise God! He wants you to know them! In fact, He's gone out of His way to make that happen. Sermon by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA from the series on Paul's Letter to the Ephesians: Good News for the Rebel Planet Music by Pastor Holland Davis and the Calvary Chapel San Clemente Worship Team.

"...according to the riches of His grace which He lavished upon us..." Eph 1: 7-8 "How destitute is he whose gold is firm..." writes Emily Dickinson. That certainly describes our world today. How about you? Is your gold 'firm'? Or is it the lasting, heavenly kind? If so, then, you are rich indeed! That's what our Scripture is pointing out this morning.  Sermon by Pastor Rod Schorr, Calvary Chapel Old Towne, Orange, CA from the series on Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians: Good News for the Rebel Planet   (Music by Pastor Holland Davis and the Calvary Chapel San Clemente Worship Team)