Read: Ephesians 1:1-14
As I read this passage I can’t help but think of the lyrics from Chris Tomlin’s song, “How Can I keep from Singing.” Specifically, “How can I keep from singing Your praise? How can I ever say enough? How amazing is Your love! How can I keep from shouting Your name? I know I am loved by the King and it makes my heart want to sing!” This passage is a resounding song of hope. (Pastor Karen)
God provides us with a great story. Donald Miller, in his book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, tells a story about a friend whose marriage was at risk and whose daughter was into pot and an abusive boy friend. After talking about the idea of “story”, the friend gets the family involved in building an orphanage in Mexico. Later on in a conversation the friend tells him the family is doing well and of his daughter, “‘She’s better,’ he said to me, smiling. And when I asked why, he told me his family was living a better story. He realized he hadn’t provided a better role (in life) for his daughter.” (pages 50-51) (Pastor Jeff)
Questions for Reflection:
* Any response to Pastor Jeff’s sermon?
* What words in this passage jump out at you? Why?
* Ephesians 1:3 reminds us that God has “blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Oftentimes in the midst of daily living blessings are hidden because of the realities of the day: stacks of bills that need to be paid, hundreds of errands to be run, kids that need to be transported here and there, or a call from the doctor’s office with news that we did not want to hear. There has to be a blessing somewhere in there, right? How have you been blessed recently?
* What does it mean to be “in Christ?” And how does this make a difference in your life?
* How does this passage remind you of your baptism?
* We are all called to be fellow workers with God. How are you living this calling out?
* Who are saints and heroes God has placed in your life? How has God used them to increase your faithfulness and live as a saint?
* Paul casts a great story, the greatest story ever told. We, you and me, are a part of that Great story that God is telling. Does that give you a sense of purpose or place? What does that mean to you?
Wrap up:
* Read Ephesians 1:15-23. It’s Paul’s prayer for you!
* Over the course of the next week, soak in the wonder of being God’s beloved; remind yourself of who we are, who you are in Christ. “You were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…” Journal in the space provided how this knowledge and guarantee makes a difference in your life.
Closing Prayer:
Christ has no body now on earth but yours;
No hands but yours; No feet but yours;
Yours are the eyes through which is to look out
Christ’s compassion to the world;
Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good;
Yours are the hands with which he is to bless now.
~ Saint Teresa of Avila
I'm looking forward to the Ephesians study. Anyone who wants to join me at The Inn on Tuesday's at 6:45 a.m. is welcomed to do so. It's great, though, to be able to share the blog-o-sphere!
ReplyDeleteO, and I did enjoy the sermon!
Any response to Pastor Jeff’s sermon? I really enjoyed the sermon. I enjoyed most the story about the man's family and how his daughter chose a different story. Sometimes when we are not given a script or set of expectations we fall prey to the world. I will use this as an example with my families.
ReplyDeleteWhat words in this passage jump out at you? I am new to studying scripture and thinking about how it plays out in my life. For me the key part of the passage is "In Him we are chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will. WOW - now I have a place to go when I feel like I am a big mistake. God doesn't make mistakes - it is right here. If I choose Him - I am part of His perfect plan. He already had chosen me.
How have you been blessed recently? I am very blessed person. I wake up in a house each morning, I have a husband and son who love me, I have a job that I love, I have wonderful friends and family members so that even on my darkest day I have the love and support I need. I am truly blessed.
What does it mean to be “in Christ?” And how does this make a difference in your life? I have recently learned about the "in Christ" part. Just because I choose Him doesn't mean the work is over. In fact it is quite the opposite. When I choose Him - I am committing to a life that he choose for me, to be faithful to follow, to share my love with others and to love those I would not normally like. I choose to be active in my faith - to share it with the world to be His hands and feet on this earth - to carry His message to others who may never have heard. In Christ - also means In Christian Action.
How does this passage remind you of your baptism? At confirmation I accepted Christ - professed my faith - took a vow to follow Him, worship Him and pray to Him. I vowed to be IN CHRIST - and my new life began.
We are all called to be fellow workers with God. How are you living this calling out? Every day I model a Christian woman to my husband and son. I am dedicated and faithful to both. Try to always seek to understand them first without judgment or accusation. Try to be a good role model and confidant. In my work I have chosen to work with and for the "least of these". For over 15 years I have chosen to work in the poverty industry to not only help individuals but to change our community and policies that keep people in poverty. I model Christian principles to people who may have never had the opportunity to know Christ.
Who are saints and heroes God has placed in your life? First and foremost my mom was a saint in my life. She taught me how to be a strong Christian woman. To go against the grain even when it was hard, to stand up for those who can't and help those in need. She helped build a solid foundation for my life and gave me every opportunity to be successful. She was my biggest cheerleader and fan. I have other mentors, supporters, trusted colleagues - but by far - my mom is my saint.
Does that give you a sense of purpose or place? What does that mean to you? I think it is incredible that I have a lead roll in the greatest story ever told. I am expected to play my role - add to the dialog and help shape the story along the way. I think it is incredible that I was given all of the talents required to play the role from even before birth and that I have a perfect place
When I read the passage, the wonderful language Paul used to describe the big picture just jumped out at me. When you, Karin, mentioned being able to go to this passage when you feel like a big mistake, it just reminds me how easy it is to focus upon ourselves rather than the big pictue we are a part of (where, amazingly, what we might interpret as a massive error on our part might actually end up as something that God uses for good! That's a part of the glory of Celebrate Recovery, in many ways.) I'm hoping that this study will help me catch a greater vision of what God is doing in the world and through me... I know there is so much I miss, just like I never "saw" a 2000 Venture until one came into my life.
ReplyDelete* Any response to Pastor Jeff’s sermon? Pastor Jeff shared that same Donald Miller excerpt at a meeting several months ago. As I have been reflecting on this, I can’t help but think of individuals who don’t know a better story, for whatever reason. I share Ephesians 2:10 with individuals. “For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (NLT). We can get so bogged down in the ‘stuff of life’ that we simply cannot see how we could possibly have a great purpose other than merely surviving. Being a saint in these situations would be journeying alongside of individuals/families and helping them to envision a better story. This sounds like Circles or Celebrate Recovery!
ReplyDelete* What words in this passage jump out at you? Why? “To the saints in Ephesus.” I immediately put Enon UMC in this picture. We are all saints, for we are in Christ Jesus. We all, each and every one of us, are saints. Also, “spiritual blessings” clearly stands out. This passage is a description of the spiritual blessings in Christ. I love how this passage closes with the declaration that believers are marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit.
* How have you been blessed recently? I have been blessed with an upcoming vacation. I almost missed the blessing too! I can get so busy that I neglect to take time off for myself. I am blessed daily if I will just take the time to daily count my blessings. I try to begin each day with a recap of the previous day’s blessings.
* What does it mean to be “in Christ?” And how does this make a difference in your life? Being “in Christ” means living as a new creation. I think of 2 Corinthians 5:17, the theme Scripture for my Emmaus Walk, where Paul declares “So, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see everything has become new!” (NRSV) I am a new creation in my spiritual re-birth in Christ. And, as a new creation, my life is being transformed daily as I rely on the Holy Spirit to empower me to live my life for Christ.
* How does this passage remind you of your baptism? One of the tasks I have had to do as a candidate for ordained ministry it to reflect theologically on baptism. As a result, I now really appreciate the Baptismal liturgy in the UM Hymnal. Like the Ephesians passage, the liturgy affirms that we “incorporated by the Holy Spirit into God’s new creation and made to share in Christ’s royal priesthood. We are all one in Christ Jesus. This passage is all about rejoicing – rejoicing that God claimed us as God’s own at our baptisms.
* We are all called to be fellow workers with God. How are you living this calling out? I am a fellow worker with God in the different areas that I am ministering to God’s children – Celebrate Recovery, preaching the Good News, discipling individuals and groups in Bible studies, praying for others, and probably in ways that I am not even aware (I hope!). One of my prayers is that God will enlarge my territory for God’s service.
* Who are saints and heroes God has placed in your life? How has God used them to increase your faithfulness and live as a saint? One of the saints God has placed in my life is Carol. Carol came into my life at a point when I was just beginning to understand and heed God’s call upon my life. She helped me to appreciate constant communication with God and faithfully stepping out and trusting God.
* Does that give you a sense of purpose or place? What does that mean to you? I love the concept of the Great story – the ongoing story and how we are all called to be a part of it. We each are uniquely gifted and each have of us has a specific purpose that only we can fulfill. This means that I need the Holy Spirit in order to be fully open to whatever God is calling me to do and be.