January 19th, 2021
by Emily Brown
by Emily Brown
Saturday – January 2nd – Ephesians 4:15-16
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Day two of 2021 is before us and it just happens to be a Saturday. With the new year a new teaching series begins this weekend at SunRise. For the next four weeks we will be focused on developing, or maybe better stated re-discovering, a childlike faith. Remember how simple and straightforward it was in the early days of your faith journey – regardless of your age? The excitement of knowing that God loves you and will always be there for you is the foundation that many first steps of faith are taken. Not sure what happens to our spiritual enthusiasm and passion as life unfolds – maybe it is the reality that life will still have struggles, trials, challenges, and temptations. Yet, despite the obstacles preventing a perfect existence we still have the promise of God to provide, protect, and love us unconditionally. Living that out in the midst of life is the description of a childlike faith.
What began a couple of days ago with the roll call of church servants continues today as Paul crowns the concept of the church body with Jesus as the head. From Paul’s perspective we grow toward spiritual maturity and unity by speaking the truth motivated by love. When this happens with respect and grace it produces what Paul suggests is a healthy community of faith. As the various parts of the human body contribute to the health and growth of the whole body by their various functions, so Jesus, “the head” enables each Christian to contribute to the growth and healthy of the church community. As this new year begins let us all covenant to work together in God’s spirit of unity and grace for the health of the church and to populate the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessings
Pastor Jim
Sunday – January 3rd – Ephesians 4:17-19
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Day two of 2021 is before us and it just happens to be a Saturday. With the new year a new teaching series begins this weekend at SunRise. For the next four weeks we will be focused on developing, or maybe better stated re-discovering, a childlike faith. Remember how simple and straightforward it was in the early days of your faith journey – regardless of your age? The excitement of knowing that God loves you and will always be there for you is the foundation that many first steps of faith are taken. Not sure what happens to our spiritual enthusiasm and passion as life unfolds – maybe it is the reality that life will still have struggles, trials, challenges, and temptations. Yet, despite the obstacles preventing a perfect existence we still have the promise of God to provide, protect, and love us unconditionally. Living that out in the midst of life is the description of a childlike faith.
What began a couple of days ago with the roll call of church servants continues today as Paul crowns the concept of the church body with Jesus as the head. From Paul’s perspective we grow toward spiritual maturity and unity by speaking the truth motivated by love. When this happens with respect and grace it produces what Paul suggests is a healthy community of faith. As the various parts of the human body contribute to the health and growth of the whole body by their various functions, so Jesus, “the head” enables each Christian to contribute to the growth and healthy of the church community. As this new year begins let us all covenant to work together in God’s spirit of unity and grace for the health of the church and to populate the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessings
Pastor Jim
Sunday – January 3rd – Ephesians 4:17-19
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