Serving is part of the Gospel and it’s something we all can do. Serving is in the imitation of Christ as a faithful son or daughter of God. Listen as we review Ephesians 3:4-7 on Paul’s exhortation to be a servant of God.
Monthly Archives: July 2021
Ephesians 3: The GOSPEL
Have you ever had a piece of information or news change your whole perspective on something? Saul did and it affects you an me today – the Gospel. Paul was dramatically changed with this new news – how does the Gospel affect you and I and when God speaks to us, does it really matter if we do anything about it? Find out more…
Fresh Brew #2
a cup of insight from the Bible to perk up your thoughts.
בּוּשׁ
Buvush : shame
Symbolic interpretation: The house is pinned open with weapons.
What’s you’re idea of home? Ideally it’s a place of love, acceptance, and security.
When we talk of shame, the Hebrew word ‘buvush’ steeps a different view. That concept of the home (beit) is pinned open (vav) with the threat and uncertainty of weapons/harm (shin). Another way of looking at it is when the house comes before His presence/power (Shaddai). In both cases, there is shame as things are not as they should be; there is a lack of authority or order to keep the peace. God is put as an afterthought in the home instead of at the forefront. Like last week, I mentioned that when God isn’t honored, disorder follows.
Psalms 25:3-4 (NIV) 3 No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. 4 Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.
Consider the way out of shame is to set things in their right priority: to learn the ways of the Lord and following the path they set.
FRESH ‘BREW #1
a cup of insight from the Bible to perk up your thoughts.
אָב
ab : Father
Symbolic interpretation: God before the house.
When God is set in priority first before the house we get ‘ab’ – father.
The lack of godly, good fathers and oversight is the cause of disorder and lawlessness (we’ll talk about that next week).
Deuteronomy 5:16 (NIV)
“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”
Whether in the home, office, or community, we need to consider that when God is put first, peace and order follows and where it does not, disorder.
Romans 13:1-2 (NIV)
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”
Finally consider Paul’s exhortation:
Romans 12:18 (NIV)
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Where are you putting God’s order first in your life?
Ephesians 2: HIS BLOOD
We finish Ephesians 2 with an emphasis on what Jesus’ blood offers us: Hope, Peace, and Belonging.
Ephesians 2: Independence Day
Happy Independence Day Weekend! Well we had a bit of a technical issue that kept us from having a live meeting. I was heart broken as I love being with you all in person and the fellowship afterwards – BUT… the message is up and life-giving/changing.