Today we finish up looking at Ephesians with 6: 21-24: 

21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus will tell you everything. He is a dear brother and a faithful minister in the Lord. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, to let you know how we are, and to encourage your hearts.  23 Peace be to the whole community, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who have an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul ends this letter with this encouraging word – peace be to the whole community.  Paul has a pastor’s heart for the people in this church as well as all the churches he served and he worked with.  Paul sends Tychicus to them, to relay his message, encourage them, and help them grow deeper in the Lord.  

Paul had two great loves at this moment.  First and foremost, his love for Jesus.  This primary love drove everything that Paul did.  Paul, more than anything in his life, wanted folk to know Jesus. That was his primary motivator in his life. 

But second to this love was his great love for the people he helped pastor. Now, if you were to read through some of his words to the church in Corinth, you may wonder about that. But, Paul loved the people helped to shepherd.  He loved, them he wanted them to grow and he wanted what was best for them.  Paul was motivated by his great love for them.  

Paul’s motivation drove him in these moments.  Paul was driven by his love of God and his love of neighbor, that keeping of the greatest commandment.  Paul knew what motivated him. 

What motivates you this morning?  What drives you?  What pushes you?  Is it a desire to better love God and neighbor?  Or is it something else?  

It is important for us to make sure we are being driven by the right thing.  In the end of Ephesians, we see what motivates Paul. What motivates us today? 

We’ll take tomorrow morning off and Monday we’ll begin Philippians together. 

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