What's On My Mind?
I'd appreciate your prayers as I will be delivering a lecture at Community Bible Study tomorrow morning on Ephesians 2:1-10. It has been my privilege this year to enjoy the tremendous teaching ministry of Gina Erickson at CBS, and I've really enjoyed just being one of the folks in the study - not having to wear a pastor's hat. The disguise comes off for a few minutes tomorrow, as I've agreed to fill in. But, then, it will be back into the crowd and my small group for me!
As I've been reading and re-reading the text these last couple of hours, here are a couple of things that really lift my heart. Grab your Bible and glance through 2:1-10 and try these observations on for size:
v. 2 We 'followed' the ways of the world. Jesus calls His disciples to 'come follow Him'.
v. 4 A very big 'but'... here I smile. Gina is such a gentle and articulate Bible teacher, and I'm going to ride in there tomorrow commending big buts to the people! But it is a very big but. Sin doesn't have the last word. God does.
v. 5-6 Note the words 'with Christ' repeated often in these couple of verses. Grace is communicated to us insofar as we are 'with Christ'.
v. 8 'It is the gift of God' - one of the questions regarding salvation in our group study for the text asks 'What is our part?' Here's my answer: WE HAVE NONE! I plan to deliver that answer with the exclamation mark, verbally. Think this will raise a few eyebrows?
v. 10 You and me, God's artistry! Makes me think of Psalm 139 and how we are 'fearfully and wonderfully made'.
Shari and I are also leading the CBSers in a few songs, among them Chris Tomlin's new version of Amazing Grace and We Bow Down. Ought to be a glorious morning. Thanks for your prayers!
As I've been reading and re-reading the text these last couple of hours, here are a couple of things that really lift my heart. Grab your Bible and glance through 2:1-10 and try these observations on for size:
v. 2 We 'followed' the ways of the world. Jesus calls His disciples to 'come follow Him'.
v. 4 A very big 'but'... here I smile. Gina is such a gentle and articulate Bible teacher, and I'm going to ride in there tomorrow commending big buts to the people! But it is a very big but. Sin doesn't have the last word. God does.
v. 5-6 Note the words 'with Christ' repeated often in these couple of verses. Grace is communicated to us insofar as we are 'with Christ'.
v. 8 'It is the gift of God' - one of the questions regarding salvation in our group study for the text asks 'What is our part?' Here's my answer: WE HAVE NONE! I plan to deliver that answer with the exclamation mark, verbally. Think this will raise a few eyebrows?
v. 10 You and me, God's artistry! Makes me think of Psalm 139 and how we are 'fearfully and wonderfully made'.
Shari and I are also leading the CBSers in a few songs, among them Chris Tomlin's new version of Amazing Grace and We Bow Down. Ought to be a glorious morning. Thanks for your prayers!
Technorati Tags: Community Bible Study, Salvation, Grace, Faith, Eph. 2:1-10
3 Comments:
how did it go? miss you!
By amanda, at 3/07/2007 1:47 PM
Thanks for asking Amanda. I survived. I tried to use notes. Never again!
By Darin, at 3/07/2007 5:59 PM
:-) Well we all learn something every once in awhile ;-) I'm sure it went fine. miss you! keep saving the world as your away messages always say. praying for you!
By amanda, at 3/07/2007 8:27 PM
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