Feast of the Epiphany …to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think… St Andrew’s Cathedral 6 January 2019

The Magi Worship Jesus Bartolome Esteban Murillo c1660

Adoration of the Shepherds Bartolome Esteban Murillo c 1650

…the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Eph 3:6 4

A city in ruins attracting visitors from all over Ephesus today 5

Where the wise men of the city met to discuss politics… Intellectual pursuits and possibly religious issues of the day 6

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Pay careful attention to yourselves and all the flock… Care for the Church… ...fierce wolves will come in among you…men speaking twisted things…. Therefore be alert… Acts 20:28-31 It is more blessed to give that to receive. Acts 20:35 8

…because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him… Eph 1:15-17 9

…God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by Grace you have been saved… Eph 2:4,5 For by Grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not the result of works, so that no one may boast. Eph 2:8,9 10

…having put away falsehood…speak the truth with his neighbor…Do not sin…give no opportunity to the devil…do not steal…do(ing) honest work…share with anyone in need…(speak) only such as is good for building up…do not grieve the Holy Spirit…(put away) all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice… 11

…Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Eph 4:25-32 12

….Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication ……(and) making supplication for all the saints…. Eph 6:18 13

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Revelation 2:4,5 14

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The future of the Church is in our hands. What will each one of us be doing, to make Christ known in 2019 and beyond? The future of the Church is in our hands. 18

For this reason we bow our knees before you our Heavenly Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of your Glory, you may grant us to be strengthened with power through your Holy Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith – 19

– that we being rooted and grounded in love, may have the strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that everyone of us may be filled with all the fulness of God. 20

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Eph 3:14 to 21 21