If This Is True… Then What?
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Scriptures: Ephesians 1
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Summary: In the first sermon of our new series, If/Then, Jeremy looks at Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. He frames the whole epistle as an “If - Then” statement. Beginning with questions about authorship, Jeremy argues that the uniqueness in the letter’s composition supports the idea of Paul’s continuing theological development rather than a pseudepigraphal author. Jeremy shows how the cosmic concepts being presented in the early part of the letter like the idea of predestination points to a sort of early participation in heaven’s reality. The early participation in heaven contrasts strongly in the ancient world against the powers, and political and military structures of Rome. Paul’s creative use of the phrase, “grace and peace,” Jeremy argues is a quiet rebellion against the messaging of empire, reminding us that peace doesn’t come through power, but love.
Birthdays: Jeremy introduces Ephesians as a letter structured around a conditional logic: if God is who Paul says God is, then our lives should reflect that reality.
Introductions: Jeremy then acknowledges part of the scholarly debate around whether Paul actually wrote Ephesians but argues that there is consistency in Paul’s evolving theology across his letters. Jeremy posits that theological development is an expected part of spiritual growth, and Paul’s expanding view of Christ mirrors how our understanding of faith can also mature.
Predestinations: He then unpacks the opening of Ephesians to show how Paul presents Jesus as the cosmic centre of God's plan to restore all things. Jeremy reframes the word, “Predestined” as an invitation to participate early in God’s work of renewal.
Peace: Jeremy contrasts Paul’s greeting of “grace and peace” with Rome’s imperial message of “victory, then peace,” showing how the Gospel subverts systems of power. This is a call to embody an alternate vision for our lives—to live as agents of grace in a world of violence and dominance.
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Community is shaped by the conversations we share. These questions and reflections are a tool to help you meaningfully engage with the themes of this week's teaching.
Connect: When was there a time in your life where there was a clear “If - Then” condition. In other words, name a time when something in your life was completely dependant on something else, like a job offer if you moved to a new city, or a consequence that you had to explain to a child, or a negotiation with a friend or partner.
Share: Share your thoughts on Jeremy’s argument for Paul’s authorship of Ephesians. Specifically, share what you think about the possibility that Paul’s theology developed over time as he founded, cared for, and wrote to Christian communities across the Roman Empire.
Q: How can you hold your beliefs with humility while remaining open to the possibility that they will continue to evolve?
Reflect: Reflect on Jeremy’s reframing of the word predestination. Consider the following quote,
“‘Predestined,’ at least in this context, is not about who goes to heaven, and who doesn’t. Remember, for Paul, God is bringing unity to all things according to the Divine plan; And the faithful; the first; the predestined, as it were,
are simply those who get to see themselves part of that plan as it unfolds.I’ll steal a line here from NT Wright here, because I love his phrase.
He says that what Paul is arguing here is that ‘the church is the small working model of new creation.’
In my words, we are the test bad for what the world will be like one day”Q: How does it feel to approach faith not as a requirement to earn something, but as a response to what is already true about God?
Engage: Engage with the idea of Christians being invited into the work of building peace in small, but meaningful ways, to push back against the “pseudo-peace” of empire.
Q: What does being invited into the work of grace and peace look like in your life?
Take away: What is your takeaway from the message or today’s conversation?
Prayer from the sermon:
God of grace and peace,
As we begin something new today,
we pause to remember that before we do anything,
before we decide anything,
before we respond to anything,
you are already at work,
both in and through usSo quiet our noise.
Slow our hearts.
Help us notice where we are carrying expectations,
distractions, or defenses into this space.
And gently set those down.
As we open this ancient letter,
open us as well—not just our minds
but our imaginations, our hopes, our willingness to be changed.And then may your Spirit form us into a people
who live ahead of the curve of your healing work
All round us in the world.
In the strong name of the risen christ
We pray,
Amen. -
CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 139
MUSIC Curated by Kevin Borst
Mission House - Good God
Leeland - Way Maker
Mission House - Whole Heart
CityAlight - Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me
EUCHARIST INVITATION
Written by Bobbi Salkeld
SERIES BUMPER
If/Then
