Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-9 (day two)
“After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-for we are members of his body.” (vs. 29-30) We don’t take care of ourselves as we should. This isn’t a new profound thought, but a pretty obvious observation. There is a large industry for fitness that many have bought into, but for the most part we tend to be overweight and out of shape. Do you find any correlation to the family here? Paul asserts that no one hates their own body, but our lifestyles would certainly put that to the test. And if we aren’t willing to spend time taking care of ourselves why would we invest time on others? This can be remedied both by physical conditioning and spiritual discipline. Take care of God’s Temple (your body) and take care of each other.
Author: Aaron Hufty
Aaron Hufty is the Associate Pastor for Worship and Music at FBCSA.
With a Song
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 4:17-5:20 (day two)
“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything” v 5:19-20a.
It may not be hard for you to believe, but this has been one of my favorite passages of scripture for many years. I remember finding it when I was in college and thinking, YES! Permission to live life as a Broadway Musical! What I love even better about these words is that it isn’t speaking to professional musicians, it is speaking to everyone. Think of how you feel when a favorite song is played, or what is like when you hear the introduction to your favorite hymn. It is exhilarating, isn’t it? It literally lifts your spirit. Imagine if we greeted one another with that same spirit. If our discourse was flavored with the kind of joy that we feel when listening to great music think how pleasant it would be.
This is why we sing to start our services. We sing to bring people in, to become connected with each other. Don’t stop there. Sing in Sunday School, remember when we used to do that? Sing at home! Sing in the car, a few rounds of Row, row, row your boat work on our 2 year-old without fail. Try it, be earnest about it, this scripture won’t disappoint you.
Perparer or Server?
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 4:1-16 (day two)
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith..vs. 11-13a
We all have a role to play in the kingdom. It’s not a new concept, but it is always reaffirming to see it written in scripture. In this letter to the Ephesians, Paul has drawn a line in the sand for believers. We are either those who prepare or those who serve. Some of us have the role to preach and teach. Then there are those who are called to the community to live among the world and serve them. They serve by living their lives with spirit-filled integrity. They conduct their business with the kind of honesty that Christ demands. They raise families to love the Lord and to honor Jesus in all they do. The servers live in such a way that others demand to know how and why.
Serve well today.
A Great Mystery
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 3 (day two)
“In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.” (vs. 4-5)
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
I love mysteries. There is something very rewarding about piecing together clues to try and figure it out. Good writers and directors know there are people like me, and they are constantly trying to give false clues to throw you off the scent. God’s love for humanity is a mystery. There is no way we could comprehend the vastness of plan. Therefore, he gives us parts to the whole so we can catch a glimpse of the bigger picture. As the pastor said in his Time for Teaching this weekend, “some people say if they will just see a miracle, they’ll believe…that’s just not true”. It wasn’t true in Jesus’ time, and it’s not true now. God has revealed all of himself that we need to understand and believe. Look at the clues, and come to the right conclusion. He is the only way.
Temple Building
Re: Verse reading – Ephesians 2:11-22 (day two)
“In him the whole building in joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which god lives by his Spirit” (vs. 21-22).
This is an incredible metaphor that creates a marvelous picture of how we all fit together in the unity of faith. Imagine this as a real structure, Jesus is the chief cornerstone (vs. 20) and those who have joined in this legacy of faith have helped to construct this temple in which God will reside. Each of us, with our unique gifts and backgrounds are knit together to create the Church. Unity doesn’t always mean SAME, it means together. God knows what he is doing, we don’t look the same, talk the same way, prefer the same things, but we all have the same God who uses that uniqueness to create his beautiful Temple.
Wrath to Riches
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 2:1-10 (day two)
The story of the Gospel has been one of incongruous logic. Think about it: rich shall be poor, the meek will inherit, the humble exalted, the last shall be first. It is further proof that God’s ways are not ours. We, who were not only dead in sin, but also objects of his wrath, are also objects of the riches of his mercy. Isn’t grace amazing? How could we possibly go from not being able to escape his wrath to riches without earning it? How could we who were all dead in sin, be brought to fullness? This is the grace and mercy of the blood of Jesus. Unmerited favor indeed.
Sealed with a Promise
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 1 (day two)
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (13-14)
This has always been one of my favorite passages of scripture. The promise of eternity invested in us. Nothing that we have done can either claim it or lose it. It has been sealed by the Spirit so that we are marked for eternity.
We have all done some sort of financial planning for our future; whether it be for our retirement or for our posterity. We look for things that say-great return on your investment, or guaranteed pay out after x number of years. We want security. We have worked long to be able to provide for ourselves and our families.
God’s investment was the eternal kind. One we could never afford, and one we can never lose. Isn’t that an encouragement?
Powerful Worship
Re: Verse reading–Isaiah 6:1-8; Revelation 4:1-11 (day two)
When confronted with the majesty of worship that surrounded the throne, Isaiah was shaken to his core. The beauty of the scene made him very aware of how small and inadequate he was. This, however, did not end his worship experience. It called him to repent…and then to serve. When was the last time worship caused you to have this kind of reaction? When we meet together do you enter that gathering with an expectation to be filled? Before Isaiah could be sent out he had to first recognize his frailty. That kind of vulnerability is difficult to encounter without at least a modicum of willingness to acknowledge God’s sovereignty. What do you expect worship to be like? Is it up to the Pastors? I want to challenge each of you to come into worship with an expectation that God will move, call us to repent, and send us out to do his good work. Let’s meet him together.
You are Beautiful
Re: Verse reading – Romans 10:8-15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 (day two)
Paul, in this letter to the Romans, maps out for us the road to salvation. Consider these questions he poses starting in verse 14: How can they call on the one; how can they believe; how can they hear; how can they preach…without someone?
The beginning of this letter gives an answer to these questions.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20)
And in Luke’s Gospel Jesus speaks to the Pharisees about what his disciples were teaching: “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:40
So, now, back to Paul’s questions, does this give us a pass on witnessing? Certainly not. God has made himself clear about that as well. Go, teach, baptize. This command, or commission as we like to call it, is our call to arms. Even with these marching orders, however, we are called beautiful for obeying.
Think about that. God made himself clearly evident through creation. He doesn’t need us, but he calls us to action to spread the good news of Jesus, and as we go, we are called beautiful. That’s Good News affirmation!
Praise, Praise, Praise!
Re: Verse reading–Psalm 103, Luke 17:11-19 (day two)
Isn’t it a privilege to read the Word? The text from Psalm 103 washes over you like a comforting blanket. These words not only give reassurance, but also reminds us of the Lord’s provision and strength. Look at the many promises and words of action listed in this song: benefits, forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, love, compassion, satisfies, renews, justice, compassionate, gracious, removes transgressions, and righteousness. This is the kind of God we serve. This kind of comfort is available to those who seek after his heart. Re-read this text, gain strength from these promises, and then return all the praise that is due a God that is so good.