In this episode, Sam Storms begins our journey through the book of Ephesians with a look at verses 1–2. He unpacks the depth behind Paul’s opening words, exploring what it means to be saints, the significance of being “in Christ,” and how grace and peace define our relationship with God. Join us as Sam lays the foundation for understanding our identity and calling in the gospel. Explore the podcast
In this powerful message, Sam Storms explores the breathtaking depth of Ephesians 1:3–14, unveiling God’s eternal purpose before time began. Why did God choose us, adopt us, and redeem us? What was his ultimate goal? With reverence and clarity, Storms takes us deep into the heart of God’s sovereign plan, showing that God's pursuit of his own glory is inseparably tied to our greatest joy. This is not just theology—it’s an invitation to worship the God who gives us the greatest gift of all: himself.
Do you struggle with the idea that God chooses people before they choose Him? In this message, Sam Storms tackles one of the most challenging and often avoided doctrines in Scripture—divine election. Drawing from Ephesians 1:3–14, he unpacks what it means to be chosen “before the foundation of the world,” why predestination is a reason for worship, and how this truth fuels both personal assurance and passionate evangelism. With theological clarity and pastoral sensitivity, Storms shows that election is not a cold, academic topic but a deeply personal and loving act of God that invites wonder, humility, and joy.
Is history just chaos—or is God weaving it all together? In today's message, Sam Storms unpacks Ephesians 1:3–14, showing us seven blessings God gives in Christ and the stunning hope behind Paul’s word anakephalaiōsastai—God’s plan to unite all things under Jesus. If you’ve ever felt unwanted, insecure, or overwhelmed by the brokenness of the world, this passage offers a breathtaking reminder: Christ’s victory is certain, and your place in Him is secure.
Do you feel like you're missing what God is doing in your life? Join us as Sam Storms unpacks Ephesians 1:15-23, showing how Paul's words reveal seven blessings in Christ and a powerful prayer for spiritual vision. Discover how to see God's work more clearly and experience the strength that comes from knowing His ultimate plan to unite all things under Jesus.
What does it really mean to go from death to life? In this message on Ephesians 2:1–10, Sam Storms unpacks one of the clearest pictures of the gospel in the Bible. Discover how God rescues us by His grace, raises us with Christ, and empowers us to walk in the good works He prepared for us—so we can live with purpose and joy as trophies of His mercy.
Can the gospel truly unite people divided by race, religion, and culture? In The Church: The One New Man in Jesus Christ, Sam Storms unpacks Ephesians 2:11–22, showing how Christ broke down the walls between Jew and Gentile to form one new humanity—the Church. Discover how the cross not only reconciles us to God but also to one another, creating a diverse yet unified temple where God’s Spirit dwells.
Is Jesus really enough? In this message, The Unsearchable, Unfathomable, Unparalleled, Incomparable Excellencies of Christ, Sam Storms dives into Ephesians 3:1–13 to reveal the boundless riches of Jesus—riches that no mind can fully grasp or heart can ever exhaust. Discover why every longing of the human soul finds its answer in Him alone, the Lion and the Lamb, whose beauty, power, and mercy surpass all comparison.
Have you ever wished you could experience God’s love in a deeper, more tangible way? In this message on Ephesians 3:14–21, Sam Storms explores Paul’s breathtaking prayer that believers would be strengthened with power, rooted in love, and filled with all the fullness of God. Discover how the Holy Spirit expands your inner life, how Christ dwells more richly in your heart, and how God’s love surpasses knowledge—overflowing into a life shaped by His immeasurable glory.
Have you ever struggled to feel "worthy" of God's love, or found it nearly impossible to maintain peace with difficult people? In this message on Ephesians 4:1–6, Sam Storms unpacks Paul’s plea to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling," showing that this command is not about working hard to earn God's favor, but rather about reflecting the immense honor of the high office to which we have already been elected. Yet, he reminds us that true humility, gentleness, and unity are found in the "therefore"—looking back at our adoption and forgiveness as the fuel for our obedience. This invites us to trade our pride for the "bond of peace," maintaining the unity of the Spirit by resting in the one hope, one Lord, and one Father who holds us all together.
Have you ever felt like a spectator in your own church, wondering if your presence actually makes a difference in the kingdom of God? In this message on Ephesians 4:7–16, Sam Storms unpacks the divine blueprint for a healthy church, showing that the "work of ministry" is not a job for a few professional clergy members, but a calling for every single believer. He explains that there is no such thing as a "non-gifted" Christian, as Christ has personally distributed grace to each person for the building up of the body. Yet, he reminds us that our ultimate goal is "mature manhood," a state of spiritual stability where we are no longer easily swayed by false doctrine. This invites us to move beyond spiritual infancy by speaking the truth in love and actively using our unique gifts to help the whole body grow into the likeness of Christ.
Have you ever looked at your church leaders and thought, "That's their job, not mine," when it comes to the work of the ministry? In this second part of his message on Ephesians 4:11–16, Sam Storms unpacks the divine strategy for church growth, showing that the "work of ministry" is actually a biblical command for every single believer. He clarifies that God gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers not to perform all the tasks of the church, but to equip the saints to do the heavy lifting of building up the body. Yet, he reminds us that the church only functions as God intended when "every working part" is active. This invites us to move from being passive spectators to active participants, using our unique spiritual gifts to ensure the church is no longer "tossed to and fro" by false doctrine, but instead grows into a mature, stable, and loving reflection of Jesus Christ.
Have you ever encountered someone who insists that God’s grace is "nice but not needed"—someone who believes they are a "decent person" and doing just fine without the gospel? In this message on Ephesians 4:17–24, Sam Storms unpacks what he calls the most graphic portrayal in Scripture of the unregenerate mind. He shows that the brokenness we see in the world—from cultural revolutions to historical atrocities—is not merely the result of intellectual mistakes or poor environments. Instead, Paul provides a "downward spiral" diagnosis, revealing that the root of all human rebellion is a "hardness of heart" that leads to a darkened understanding and a life alienated from God. Yet, he reminds us that for the believer, the old self is "earmarked for demolition". Because we have "learned Christ," we are called to a radical identity shift: putting off the old, corrupt way of life and being renewed by the Holy Spirit to "put on" the new self—a self already created by God to reflect His own righteousness and holiness. This invites us to stop imitating a world in darkness and instead live out the reality of the new identity we have already received in Jesus.