Ephesians - Part 3

    This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 28th June 2026, by Lasya. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here.  

In the opening chapter of Ephesians, Paul celebrates the incredible blessings believers have received in Christ—we have been chosen, predestined, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, and sealed with the Holy Spirit, all to the praise of God's glory. Having established these wonderful truths, Paul transitions into a heartfelt prayer.

Surprisingly, he isn't praying because the Ephesian believers are struggling. He is praying because they are thriving.

"I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." (Ephesians 1:16)

His prayer reveals God's deepest desire for every believer. More than success, comfort, or even effective ministry, God wants us to know Him.

1. A Prayer to Know God Better

Paul prays that God would give believers "the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better" (Ephesians 1:17).

This is the heartbeat of the Christian life.

Jesus echoed the same desire in His prayer:

"I have made you known to them... that the love you have for me may be in them." (John 17:26)

Likewise, Paul wrote in Philippians,

"I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." (Philippians 3:8)

Christian maturity is not measured primarily by knowledge, achievements, or ministry accomplishments—it is measured by growing intimacy with Christ.

Wisdom and Revelation

Notice that Paul asks for both wisdom and revelation.

We can faithfully read the Scriptures, but true understanding comes as God opens our hearts. We can desire to obey Him, but we need His wisdom to know how.

Knowing God requires both diligent pursuit and divine illumination.

Peter encourages believers to "make every effort" to grow in faith and godliness (2 Peter 1:5–8), yet that effort must always be accompanied by dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Like any healthy friendship or marriage, intimacy grows through intentional time together. Our relationship with God is no different.

2. Eyes That See Beyond the Natural

Paul continues:

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened..." (Ephesians 1:18)

Imagine someone born blind suddenly receiving sight. No description of colour could compare with actually seeing a sunrise, a rainbow, or the face of a loved one.

Spiritually, many people live with closed eyes.

God's Word can seem ordinary until the Holy Spirit opens our hearts.

Paul says enlightened hearts allow us to see three incredible realities.

The Hope of God's Calling

Our world often struggles with hopelessness. Many pursue temporary freedom while feeling uncertain about the future.

Yet God's calling is rooted in hope.

Even in exile, God declared through Jeremiah:

"For I know the plans I have for you... plans to give you hope and a future."

Romans 8 reminds us that our present suffering cannot compare with the glory awaiting God's children.

Biblical hope is not wishful thinking—it is confident expectation based on God's promises.

God's Treasured Inheritance

Paul speaks of "the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people."

Remarkably, this is not describing our inheritance.

It is describing God's inheritance.

We are His treasured possession.

Like the merchant who sold everything to obtain the pearl of great price, God delights in His people.

When we begin seeing fellow believers through God's eyes instead of our own, criticism gives way to compassion, and love replaces judgment.

Perhaps this is why the Ephesian church was later warned about losing its first love. Love for Christ naturally overflows into love for His people.

God's Incomparable Power

Paul's third focus prepares us for what comes next—God's immeasurable power at work in every believer.

This is not ordinary strength.

It is resurrection power.

3. The Power Above Every Power

Paul reminds us that the same power that raised Christ from the dead now works in us.

Jesus is seated:

• Far above every ruler
• Every authority
• Every power
• Every dominion
• Every name that can ever be named

Nothing—whether earthly, spiritual, technological, or future—surpasses Christ's authority.

Then Paul makes an astonishing statement.

Everything is placed under Christ's feet.

The Church is His body.

This means the Church is not a powerless institution struggling to survive. It is the visible expression of Christ's reign on earth.

As Eugene Peterson paraphrases,

"The church is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church."

God intends His wisdom to be displayed through His people.

That should completely transform how we view the Church.

4. The Beautiful Path of Grace

At this point someone might object:

"That's true of Jesus—but what about me? I've failed too many times."

Paul answers by reminding us where every believer began.

Stage One: Dead in Sin

Before Christ, we were spiritually dead.

We followed the ways of the world and lived according to our own sinful desires.

Whether our sins looked rebellious or respectable, we were equally separated from God.

No one could rescue themselves.

Stage Two: But God...

Then come two of the most beautiful words in Scripture:

But God.

Because of His great love and rich mercy, God made us alive with Christ.

Not because we deserved it.

Not because we earned it.

Simply because He loved us.

The gospel does not merely make bad people good.

It makes dead people alive.

That is grace.

Stage Three: Raised With Christ

Grace doesn't stop at forgiveness.

God raises believers with Christ and seats them with Him in the heavenly realms.

Why?

So that throughout eternity His grace would be displayed through transformed lives.

We become living evidence of His kindness.

Salvation is entirely God's gift.

Our role is simply faith.

There is no room for boasting.

Stage Four: Created for Good Works

Finally, Paul writes:

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works..."

Notice the order.

Grace comes first.

Good works follow.

We do not work to earn God's acceptance.

We work because we have already received it.

Our obedience becomes the natural expression of our new identity in Christ.

Living It Out

Paul's prayer invites us to ask some important questions:

• Am I praying that others would know God more deeply?
• Am I intentionally pursuing a closer relationship with Christ?
• Do I truly live with the hope of God's calling?
• Can I see God's people as His treasured inheritance?
• Do I believe Christ's power is greater than every challenge I face?
• Am I living as someone transformed by grace?

The Christian life is not simply about knowing more information.

It is about having our eyes opened to see who God is, who we are in Christ, and the incredible grace that has changed everything.

May our prayer echo Paul's:

"Lord, open the eyes of our hearts, that we may know You better."

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

Give to Gain - The Esther Challenge

    This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 8th March 2026, by Navaz. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

Disruptive Faith: The Esther Challenge

We often imagine faith as quiet, agreeable, and polite.

Many of us were taught that faith means patience, endurance, and submission. And yes—faith often requires endurance.

But Scripture also shows something uncomfortable:

Sometimes faith disrupts.

Faith can look like:

• ·        Refusing what dehumanises
• ·        Risking what feels safe
• ·        Reforming what culture calls normal

When Jesus announced the Kingdom of God, His message disrupted systems, challenged injustice, and brought those on the margins—especially women—into the centre of God’s story.

The Book of Esther begins with exactly this kind of disruption.

Not with a miracle.
Not with prophecy.

But with a woman who says no.

And that refusal sets redemption in motion.

Vashti: The Courage to Refuse

In Esther 1, King Xerxes commands Queen Vashti to appear before a drunken gathering of nobles to display her beauty.

She refuses.

For centuries, Vashti was often portrayed as rebellious or disobedient. But a closer reading shows something different. She is the only person in that chapter who preserves dignity.

Her refusal comes at a cost:

• ·        She loses her crown
• ·        She loses her position
• ·        She disappears from the story

But her “no” exposes the injustice of the system.

What looks like failure becomes a holy disruption. Her refusal creates the space for Esther to later rise.

Sometimes obedience to God begins with refusing what diminishes human dignity.

History gives us similar examples. Savitribai Phule refused to accept a society that denied education to girls. She faced ridicule and hostility, yet her courage changed history.

Not every “no” is rebellion.

Sometimes a faithful “no” is an act of courage.

Esther: The Courage to Risk

If Vashti teaches us the courage to refuse, Esther teaches us the courage to risk.

When a decree threatens the destruction of her people, Mordecai challenges her:

“And who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)

Approaching the king without invitation could mean death. Yet Esther responds:

“If I perish, I perish.”

She chooses courage over safety, voice over silence, and sacrifice over self-preservation.

Like Esther, many have used their position to challenge injustice. One example is Pandita Ramabai, who confronted caste discrimination and the mistreatment of women despite great personal cost.

Esther reminds us that faith sometimes requires stepping forward when silence feels safer.

Two Women, One Courage

Vashti refuses.
Esther risks.

Different strategies.
The same courage.

Disruptive faith takes more than one form.

Sometimes faith says no to injustice.

Sometimes faith steps forward to change the story.

Both require courage.

Jesus: The Ultimate Disruption

At the centre of the Gospel is the greatest disruption of all.

Jesus gave everything.

Again and again, He restored dignity to women who had been shamed, silenced, or marginalised. One such moment occurs when a woman pours costly perfume on His feet in an act of worship while others judge her.

What the world calls waste, Jesus calls worship.

Through the cross, Christ confronts the broken systems created by sin and restores humanity to its calling as God’s image-bearers.

For Such a Time as This

The question for us today is not:

Is this comfortable?
Is this safe?

The real question is:

Is this faithful to the Kingdom of God?

For such a time as this:

• ·        We must refuse what dehumanises
• ·        We must risk comfort for courage
• ·        We must give so others may live

Disruptive faith is not loud rebellion.

It is costly obedience rooted in love.

And until the day Christ restores all things, we are called to live out that faith—right where we are.

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

The Lent Series - Part 1

 

   This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 1st March 2026, by Colin. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

From the River to the Wilderness: Standing Firm in Times of Testing

Last week, we began reflecting on the Lenten season — a time of lengthening, a time of preparation, a time to center our lives once again on Jesus.

Lent marks the forty days leading up to Easter. In the busyness of life — work, responsibilities, gadgets, endless notifications — we can easily lose focus. These forty days invite us to slow down, to practice spiritual disciplines, and to realign our hearts with Christ.

Jesus said when you give, when you pray, when you fast — not if. These are not optional extras for the Christian life. They are expectations.

But today, we turn to a powerful moment in Scripture that teaches us what it means to stand firm in testing.

A Mountaintop Moment

In Gospel of Matthew 3:13–17, Jesus comes to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.

John hesitates. “I need to be baptized by You,” he says.

Yet Jesus insists. Though sinless, He identifies with humanity. He humbles Himself. He steps into the water — not for His own repentance, but for ours.

When He comes up from the water, something extraordinary happens:

• The heavens open.
• The Spirit descends like a dove.
• A voice from heaven declares:
  “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

In that moment, Jesus’ identity is publicly affirmed. The Father speaks. The Spirit descends. The Son stands in obedience.

It is a mountaintop experience.

But immediately after comes the wilderness.

From Jordan to the Desert

In Gospel of Matthew 4, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Notice this carefully:
He was led by the Spirit.

The wilderness was not accidental. It was purposeful.

Life often swings like a pendulum. One moment, everything feels aligned. The next, we find ourselves in a dry and testing season. Mountaintops are often followed by valleys.

Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights. And then, at His weakest physically, the tempter came.

The First Temptation: Appetite and Identity

“If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Jesus was hungry. Hunger is legitimate. The need was real.

But the temptation was to satisfy a legitimate need in an illegitimate way — to bypass trust in the Father.

The enemy also attacked His identity:
“If You are the Son of God…”

Yet the Father had just declared who He was.

Jesus responds with Scripture:

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

He quotes from Deuteronomy, recalling how Israel failed in the wilderness by grumbling and doubting.

Where Israel failed, Jesus succeeded.

Fasting reminds us that we are spirit before we are appetite. It trains our spirit to lead our body, not the other way around.

The Second Temptation: Presumption vs. Faith

The devil then takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and even quotes Scripture:

“He will command His angels concerning You…”

Yes, the enemy can quote Scripture — but often misapplies it.

The temptation here was not faith, but presumption. Faith trusts God. Presumption tests God.

Jesus replies:

“It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.”

How important it is to know not just what is written — but what is also written.

True faith does not demand signs. It does not manipulate God into action. It rests in obedience.

The Third Temptation: The Crown Without the Cross

Finally, the devil shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world:

“All this I will give You, if You bow down and worship me.”

This was a shortcut. A way to gain the crown without the cross.

Jesus had come to redeem the world — but redemption required suffering.

He answers:

“Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.”

No shortcuts. No compromise.

The same temptation exists today — success without integrity, glory without sacrifice, gain without obedience.

But the way of Christ is always the way of the cross before the crown.

The Good News: We Have a Victor

Adam failed in the garden.
Israel failed in the wilderness.
We fail often.

But Jesus did not fail.

He passed every test. He resisted every temptation. He remained faithful where humanity fell.

And our hope is not in our righteousness — but in His.

He is our great High Priest. He is our perfect sacrifice. He stands victorious on our behalf.

Standing Firm in Our Wilderness

Lent is not just about reflection. It is about preparation.

When we leave the safety of worship and enter the “wilderness” of everyday life, our faith is tested:

• When we are misunderstood.
• When finances are tight.
• When illness strikes.
• When prayers seem delayed.

In those moments, remember:

• You are a beloved son or daughter of God.
• The wilderness is not permanent.
• God is shaping your heart.
• The Word of God is your weapon.

Read Scripture until you are fed. Pray until your spirit is strengthened. Fast until your appetites are aligned.

And when the testing ends — as it did for Jesus — the angels minister.

This Lent, Move Forward

As we continue this season:

• Let your giving be generous.
• Let your praying be persistent.
• Let your fasting be sincere.
• Let your identity remain secure.

From the river to the wilderness, from the cross to the crown — Jesus has shown us the way.

And because He overcame, we too can stand firm. Amen.

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

Don't Miss the Moment - Part 1

 This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 1st February 2026, by Colin. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

Don't Miss the Moment - Part 1

The Power of Timely Giving

Money is one of those topics many of us feel awkward talking about. We’ll happily ask someone where they’re from, but asking about their income? That feels intrusive. Even in churches, conversations around money and giving can feel uncomfortable or overly private.

Yet when we look at Scripture, we discover something surprising: Jesus spoke openly, intentionally, and frequently about money.

In fact, nearly 15% of Jesus’ recorded words deal with wealth, possessions, giving, and greed. Out of His 38 parables, 16 directly address money and stewardship. The Bible actually speaks more about possessions than it does about prayer, heaven, or discipleship. That alone tells us how significant this subject is to God.

Jesus made it clear: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Our giving reveals the true temperature of our hearts.

A Moment That Mattered

One of the most powerful stories Jesus used to teach about giving is found in Mark 14 and John 12—the story of the woman with the alabaster jar.

The setting is Bethany, a small village just a few kilometres from Jerusalem, during the Passover week. The city and surrounding villages were overflowing with people who had travelled to celebrate one of the most important Jewish festivals. Jesus was dining in the home of Simon the leper—likely a man who had been healed by Jesus—and, according to John’s account, Lazarus was also present, the man Jesus had raised from the dead.

Imagine the atmosphere: testimonies of healing, restoration, and resurrection filling the room.

Then, in the middle of this meal, a woman enters with an alabaster jar of pure nard—an extremely expensive perfume. Without hesitation, she breaks the jar and pours it all over Jesus.

This perfume was worth 300 denarii, roughly a year’s wages. By today’s standards, this was not a small or casual gift. It was extravagant. Lavish. Costly.

“Why This Waste?”

Not everyone was impressed.

Some of those present—led by Judas—reacted with indignation. “Why was this perfume wasted?” they asked. “It could have been sold and given to the poor.”

But Scripture tells us Judas wasn’t motivated by compassion—he was motivated by greed.

Jesus, however, immediately defended the woman.

“Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing for me.”

What others called waste, Jesus called beautiful.

He went on to say something extraordinary: “Wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Two thousand years later, across cultures and continents, we are still talking about her act of worship—just as Jesus said we would.

More Than Giving—True Worship

This woman didn’t give out of obligation. She didn’t measure out a few drops. She broke the jar.

Her giving was worship—extravagant, sacrificial, and deeply personal.

She also did something prophetic. While the disciples struggled to understand Jesus’ coming death, she seemed to grasp that His time was short. Jesus said she had anointed Him in advance for His burial. She recognized the moment—and she didn’t miss it.

Later, other women would come to Jesus’ tomb with spices to anoint His body, but they arrived too late. The opportunity had passed. Jesus had risen.

Moments matter. Opportunities to give don’t always come again.

Our Alabaster Jar

Each of us has an alabaster jar. God has entrusted us with resources, time, and opportunities. The question is not whether we will give—but how.

Will we offer a token gesture?
Or will we respond with wholehearted worship?

Giving is not about impressing people. It’s about seeking the commendation of Jesus—the One who sees the heart behind the gift.

As a church, we are invited to reflect, pray, and ask:
“Lord, what would You have me give?”

This isn’t about pressure or comparison. It’s about obedience, faith, and worship. When we give generously, we participate in what God is doing—supporting His work, standing with those in need, and advancing His kingdom.

Don’t Miss the Moment

Life is uncertain. Opportunities are fleeting. But moments of worship—when seized in faith—echo into eternity.

May we be people who recognize the moment.
May we be people who break the jar.
And may Jesus look at our giving and say, “That is a beautiful thing.”

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.