Pilgrim Uniting Church, Adelaide SA SUN 25-JUL-2021 - 11.00 AM Sermon Rev Dr Greg Elsdon Pentecost 9 – This selection from the letter to the Ephesians can be seen as a rollicking, tumbling prayer in which the writer comes to attention before God with bended knee, in whom we find God's love and hospitality in all its dimensions – a love so embracing that is challenges our most fundamental divisions of human family and experience. It challenges race, ethnicity, religion, politcal ideology, gender, and socio-economic status. A community of people following the way of Jesus defeats the language of antagonism and division. All are welcome and respected in the world of God's gracious hospitality. But to the detriment of us all, the ideal is being continually fractured. Christ dwells in our hearts by faith. Do we have people in this community, for example refugees from frightening circumstances, with whom we can share friendship? Where are we rooted and founded? The love of God comes with no strings attached. The indwelling presence of God is sheer and utter gift, not a reward for merit, but God chooses to live among us. God's glory fills us. This is sheer grace, unimaginable possibilty, life-giving hope. May if be so, by the grace of God. Ephesians 3: 14-21 Playing Time   –   17:25