So I was reading Ephesians this morning

So I was reading Ephesians this morning and just kept reading after my devotional I’m doing stopped. I find that I do that more often now for some reason. Read something for a devotional, or a passage in a sermon and then continue reading. Not really sure why, but I find some nugget a chapter or two later that makes great sense or impacts me in some way. Like today;

Ephesians 2:1-9(NASB)

1  And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,2  in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.3  Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.4  But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,5  even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),6  and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,7  so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.8  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;9  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

 

I added the Bold\italic\underline for effect of what was popping out to me while I was reading. I read through several chapters and it was interesting to see how some themes were coming thru. I read the introduction(in my study bible) and what they said the themes were and how the book was almost split into theology and practical application between chapters 3 and 4. I haven’t read past chapter 4 because I was enjoying reading the first few chapters and their study notes that went with each section and chapter.

 

There were specifically a few things that caught my attention, like here in chp 1 vs 7-10.

 

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

 

I find that often I overlook that Christ blood covers my sins so that when God looks at me He doesn’t see my wretched self, but Christ. For all the promises that He makes about being with Jesus, seated with him, receiving his kindness, it’s all because God sees Christ in\around us. It’s why we are part of the family, because of His Son, not on the merit of anything we’ve done. We were dead in our transgressions, indulging in the desires of our flesh and mind. When we were made alive in Christ by His grace that is amazing. We couldn’t cover our sins with our blood to make ourselves presentable to God, Christ had to sacrifice Himself so that we could be covered by him.

The second part to that is that He makes know the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which is to unite all things in him. I think this comes down to making the main thing the main thing in ministry. Paul was talking about how the Jews and Gentiles would be united into Christ’s Church. There wasn’t going to be a gentile\jew separation in His kingdom. I think that we Christians of today need to realize that there is ONE Church of Christ! We as imperfect humans split ourselves up into groups of what we choose to believe about doctrinal things. Jesus lived by example of how we should live, and when he taught it was mainly through parable not theological exposition. In the gospels, there are accounts of theological discussions for sure, but not something that lays out things in black and white for a lot of what are considered issues today. Like Church music, or the use of media in church, or not being serene\respectful\solemn at the right times etc.. I’m tired of going to a church where we enjoy a performance on sunday morning. I miss worshipping through music at church. I too often feel like I’m at a concert saying ooh and aah at the performance or even worship of others while not feeling that I am or am given the same opportunity.  The question comes is that a reflection on myself not being ready to receive what if for me and being willing to change? When I go and see what seems like 5-10 people actually worshipping out of 120, it seems like a change is needed. But the sad thing is that it doesn’t seem like the other 100+ people don’t see the need for change, or have any desire to change. To invigorate them and stir them up all that needs done is to make a cosmetic change in the church building. Or diversify the music style a little and see the protestations come when it’s in a church service. When it’s for youth or kids they’re gung-ho for it and as a result those ministries have grown(not just because of music but because of the attitude of doing things out of the comfort zone to reach kids). But it seems like those things are acceptable as long as they stay with the kids\youth areas and not permeate the adult area. It seems like we need to stay somber and serene and can have fun in the youth areas. I am really looking forward to heaven in that respect because it will all be ‘fun’ and applicable to everyone there because we won’t care what the music sounds like but we will love singing to God because He is where the focus should be! I’d love to change a service and have the preaching first, then the singing(which I’ll refrain from calling worship because it is not the only time to worship, only the portion where we sing in worship). How much would that throw people? I wonder how surprised people will be in heaven(if we can experience that) when there are Catholics, Baptists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, etc. all find that “hey they’re here what’s going on?” We too often focus on the things that separate us and divide us, and not enough time on what SHOULD draw us closer together.

I enjoy ministering at church because the different ministries that I am involved in all have the same focus in mind. “Become all things to all men so that I may same some.” Being Kingdom minded, and following both parts of the great commission! 1st go and preach the gospel, but 2nd making Disciples. Not making converts, Disciples. I think that is the reason that Paul and many of the other disciples\apostles on their missionary journeys stayed at a location for months\years at a time. They were working to perform the second half of the commission. It seems that Christians are all about reaching the lost, but lose focus on discipling those that we reach.

 

 

what do you think? I’ll post more comments later.