● Watch Stream
Mark Seagle
Part:

The Way

May 25, 2025

The Holy Spirit has deposited Himself in our lives and we are His church. Together, the church is the manifest presence of the Father, Son and Spirit in the world today. - Webber We share in the administration of the mystery of the boundless riches that we have in Christ, with the intent that through the church, the manifold wisdom of God will be made more fully known. (Ephesians 3).

Sermon
Small Groups
Personal Devotions
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Passages

The ##glorious## mystery of Jesus’ church (Ephesians 3.14-19)

The ##boundless## riches of unveiled mystery (Ephesians 3.8-12)

The ##holy## anticipation of knowing Christ (Philippians 1

Principle

When we ##respond## to Jesus’ call of ‘come to me’, then the limitless power of the Holy Spirit will be ##unleashed## with astonishing force upon the ##Church## and into the ##World## . We will be a people of ##Resurrection##

Practice

Take one step ##closer## . Then, take another…and, and another…. And…

Small Group Guide

Hangout

Have you ever been amazed by the beauty of Jesus’ church?  Have you considered the wonder and possibility among us as a people of resurrection hope?  In Acts 2v12, they asked ‘what does this mean?’  The power of the Spirit was a glorious mystery?  What if we can say to those around us, ‘this means that Jesus is making all things new and if you would spend time with us, I think that you will see Him doing so’? Come and see….

Hear  

Read Acts 1.4-8; Acts 2.5-11; Acts 2.12

  • What do you think was the purpose in the disciple's invitation to go and to wait? How did Jesus model this truth of waiting as he walked with them? What actions did they take in the process of waiting? What could we learn from Jesus and in His followers in the way of waiting?
  • What happened among them as they waited? How did this journey of waiting on God’s intended next shape the culture of the soon to be ‘church’?  
  • When have you been both amazed and perplexed by the power of God’s Spirit? What do you make of their question of ‘what does this mean?’ Acts 2.12 What does the outpouring of the Holy Spirit mean to us today?

Read Ephesians 3.7-13

  • As you read this text, the church is forming.  The Spirit is moving, and He is filling them with power.  How does Paul describe the outpouring of His power? With your group, take the time to list what you read as the outflow of a life of waiting… hoping… abiding in the Spirt. What is our gain?  
  • In the Epistle (Letter of Diognetus), he writes of a defense of the resurrection of Christ and of the evidence of His power through the Holy Spirit. The primary apology or argument for our Christian faith and its movement was the robust wonder of Jesus’ church. He said, if you desire to see and to believe in Jesus, simply come and walk among His people. How does this catalyze your desires for our Aspire Family?
  • In Ephesians 3.8-10, Paul suggests that the church will inform the community and the nations of the glory of God. Pause and ponder together verse 3.11…. Likewise, His church is informing in ways that we cannot imagine. What does this reveal about the work of the church?

Pause and read Paul’s follow up prayer in Ephesians 3.14-20. Together, share responses; prayers; hopes; possibilities; promises and purposes.  

Read Philippians 3.7-14

  • What does Paul describe as ‘waste’? What does he describe as ‘gain’? What is our gain in knowing Christ? How would you describe your pursuit of knowing Christ?  
  • What is your one(1) next step closer in the desire to know Christ?  What is an actionable step that you are making or will make to know Him more?  What will you need to adjust in life to make this step?
  • In this journey of knowing Christ, oh that you and your group might meet Him in such an encounter that you look at one another and ask… ‘what does this mean?’  And in answer… ‘everything!’

Huddle

What could happen should we wait on the Lord? Talk about your hope that our Aspire family makes straight the path to our Lord. We are a people who invite to come and see the goodness of our God in Christ.  

Daily Readings

  • Day 1: Acts 2.42-47
  • Day 2: Romans 12.1-2
  • Day 3: Ephesians 1.15-23
  • Day 4: Ephesians 2.4-10
  • Day 5: Philippians 3.7-12
  • Day 6: Ephesians 3.10-21

Passage to Memorize

Ephesians 3.20-21

Think Deeper

  1. Consider that one of the earliest churches met atop the empty tomb of Christ. They lit a candle from the tomb, so that they remember and worship as people of the resurrection? How does that transform your view of worship; of our Aspire family as we gather; of the hope that we carry?
  2. Diognetus wrote to those who were skeptics about Christ. He invited them to come and share life within the church. In doing so, you will see and believe!  In what ways does our Aspire Family expose the mystery of the grace and goodness of Christ?  Come and see…  
  3. What is one step that the Spirit of Christ is inviting you to take so that you might know Him more?

Suggested Resources

The Importance of Being Foolish

by Brennan Manning

Practicing the Way

by John Mark Comer

Crazy Love

by Francis Chan

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