Walk This Way | Week Nine
Pastor Chris Dixon

"WAKE UP & WISE UP"

In "Wake Up & Wise Up" (Ephesians 5:11–17), Paul calls us to be intentional and reflective about how we live—awake, not careless or spiritually asleep. We're invited to walk in the light by letting God's Word guide our steps, and to refuse partnership with darkness by honestly exposing sin rather than hiding it. Sin always over-promises and under-delivers, but Christ shines light that brings life, clarity, and freedom. The passage urges us to redeem the time and seek God's will through Scripture, relying on the Spirit and trusted believers to help us live wisely.

Walk This Way | Week Eight
Pastor Chris Dixon

"Walk As Light"

In Ephesians 5:3–10, we're reminded that believers were once defined by darkness, but now are Light in the Lord—so our lives should have a new direction. Sin (especially sexual sin, impurity, greed, and corrupt speech) isn't just "breaking rules," but reveals what we worship and what governs our desires. Grace is not permission to stay in darkness; it's rescue and transfer into Christ's kingdom, where new "fruit of the light" begins to grow. The daily question becomes: Does this please Jesus?—as we examine and test what is genuine and align our lives with His heart.

God sometimes leads us into "dead ends" and disappointing "pit stops" not to punish us, but to reveal what's in our hearts and grow us spiritually. In Exodus 15, Israel reached Marah—water was present but bitter—exposing bitterness and unbelief through grumbling instead of prayer. The message reminds us that God is not only Deliverer, but Jehovah Rapha, our Healer, who can turn bitter places sweet and shape us into spiritually healthy people. Don't give up at Marah—Elim may be closer than you think.

Walk this Way | Week Seven
Pastor Chris Dixon

"Walk in Love"

Walking in love isn't something we fall into—it's an intentional, continual, visible way of life rooted in imitating God as beloved children (Ephesians 5:1–2). Biblical love is self-giving and costly, modeled by Christ's sacrifice, and it shows up in real, everyday decisions. When our love reaches a sacrificial level, it becomes worship—our lives begin to "smell like" an offering to God. And this kind of love is only possible as God pours His love into us through the Holy Spirit.

Walk This Way | Week Six
Pastor Chris Dixon

"Close This Door of Opportunity"

In Ephesians 4:25–32, Paul calls Christ followers to live in a radically different direction—closing every "door of opportunity" we might give the enemy through deception, unresolved anger, harmful speech, bitterness, and unforgiveness. Real change happens when we identify the specific truth God says about an area of life and apply it, because self-defeating behaviors are often rooted in lies we've believed. The path forward is repentance (turning from sin), renewal (a transformed mind), and return (putting on the new self). As we walk by the Spirit, our words and relationships should increasingly reflect kindness, grace, and forgiveness.

The God Who Is Mindful of Man | Psalm 8
Keith Flanagan

When we truly see the greatness of God, we're humbled by the incredible truth that He is mindful of us and deeply cares for us. Psalm 8 reminds us that our identity, purpose, and value can only be understood in light of our Creator, not ourselves. The same God whose glory is above the heavens stepped into our world through Jesus Christ to rescue and restore us. A high view of God transforms the way we worship, live, and trust Him every day.

In Colossians 3:1–4, Paul calls believers to relentlessly pursue Christ—seeking what's above and continually setting our minds on Him rather than the things of this world. Genuine obedience isn't about "look at me," but a humble "woe is me" that flows from surrender and dying to self. Because our lives are hidden with Christ and He reigns and intercedes for us, we're invited to let His lordship shape every area of life. When Christ—our life—appears, we'll appear with Him in glory, trading weak desires for the far greater joy He offers.

Walk This Way | Week Five

In Ephesians 4:20–32, Paul calls believers to "walk" in a radically new way—putting off the "old self" and putting on the "new self" that God creates through Christ. This change isn't just improved behavior; it's regeneration—God renewing our desires and identity from the inside out. Sin often masquerades as a blessing but produces the opposite, so the daily battle is to be renewed in our minds and live out our new identity in practical relationships. Real growth happens as we depend on Christ's strength, not self-effort, and practice a daily pattern of repentance, renewal, and obedience.