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Ephesians, Part 1: Application
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Yesterday I preached the first message in our series in the book of Ephesians. Teaching from Paul’s opening greeting in Ephesians 1:1-2, I sought to cast a vision for the rest of the book which we’ll be studying for the next nine months.
The audio of the message will soon be available on the resources page.
Also, pastor Brian Chesemore has prepared some questions to help us apply the message. I encourage you to take time to consider them on your own or in a small group setting:
1. Josh began and ended with Paul’s intent in writing the Ephesians: that the church would “step back” and be amazed at God’s eternal plan. Scanning through the first three chapters, what is this glorious plan?
2. On the road to Damascus, Jesus asks Saul, “Why are you persecuting me?” and in doing so shows his close identification with the Church. Now in the letter to the Ephesians, Paul reveals the centrality of the Church in God’s eternal plan. How should God’s passion for the Church influence the passions and priorities of our lives? What are you most passionate about? In what way is God calling you to a greater passion and priority for the local church?
3. Paul refers to his recipients as “the saints in Christ Jesus.” What does he mean and why should this identity greatly encourage and comfort us?
4. How can you make the most of our study of Ephesians? Which of Josh’s following suggestions will you apply this week?
a. Read the entirety of Ephesians in one sitting to understand Paul’s flow of thought.
b. Study this letter in your devotional times.
c. Visit Covenant Life’s blog to get the application questions and talk about them with friends or family.
d. Read The Message of Ephesians by John Stott.
e. Use the ESV Study Bible when it comes out.
f. Discuss what you are learning with others.
g. Look for sections of Ephesians to memorize.
September 5 2008 at 12:22 pm
Sunday Preview: Ephesians
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After two months in our “Don’t Waste Your…” series, I’m excited to be getting back into studying a book of the Bible together. Were going to take our time in the book of Ephesians. This will take us through to next summer.
In Sunday’s introductory message, I’ll be covering Paul’s opening greeting to the Ephesians, and hopefully giving us all greater excitement for studying the book together.
Bob Kauflin will be leading us in singing some songs that call us to offer our voices (“Come, Christians, Join to Sing”) and our lives (“What a Savior”) in response to God’s unmerited kindness toward us. We’ll also spend some time focusing on what it means practically for us to engage with God in our times of singing by hearing and responding to Psalm 100.
September 5 2008 at 10:50 am
Welcome to the World, M.J. Bradshaw
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We’re used to mentioning and thanking God for Mike Bradshaw (“Mr. B”) in relation to everyone else’s children as he leads our Discovery Land. But we wanted to highlight that this past Wednesday, Mike and Janelle Bradshaw gained another child of their own. Mike writes:
Janelle and I are celebrating the birth of our second daughter, Margaret Janelle (M.J.), born yesterday at 4:06 PM. Thank you for praying! She was 8 lbs exactly. Janelle did not need the c-section so she is recovering much faster and will return home Friday. Once again, thank you for your prayers. God answered them.
Mike and Janelle, we rejoice with you and love that God is blessing you with a growing family, even as you serve so many families in our church.
September 4 2008 at 6:07 am
Praying for Prodigals
3 CommentsIn our pastors prayer meeting yesterday, we took time to pray for prodigals. We were especially encouraged by the report of God’s work in the lives of two young men who grew up in our church but turned from God, and now have been wonderfully and powerfully saved. This filled us with faith to continue to pray for the lost—particularly those who have heard the truth of the gospel, but have turned away from it.
September 2 2008 at 3:10 pm
Gracia Soberana de Gaithersburg
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“Queremos conocer el evangelio, para reflejar el evangelio.” (“We want to know the gospel, so that we can reflect the gospel.”)
This Sunday, September 7, at 4 p.m. is the Inauguration Celebration for our new Spanish-speaking church plant, Iglesia Gracia Soberana de Gaithersburg (Sovereign Grace Church of Gaithersburg). Gracia Soberana is led by Joselo Mercado. Jose writes:
This Sunday we are looking to be able to reflect the gospel to our visitors by reaching out to them with joy and care. I am excited to be able to worship with some wonderful songs in Spanish with deep theological meaning that present clearly Christ and Him crucified. I’m also excited to be able to preach from 1 Corinthians 15 so I can proclaim the centrality of the Gospel in our church and how we want to Gospel to be the thing that informs everything that we do.
We are grateful to be able to use the Covenant Life Church Events Center—it’s a blessing for us as a church to be able to use such a great facility and to model to the Hispanic community the work that the Gospel has done in our lives that breaks all cultural and racial barriers. I thank God for the wonderful church plant team that He has provided, such a godly group of people that are laying their lives down to serve the mission together. We’re also looking forward to a small reception that we will have after the service. Please seize this opportunity to invite Spanish-speaking friends to our church service on the 7th. You can find invitations at the Welcome Center.
Clarification on who should come: I got it wrong on Sunday when I invited all English-speakers to the service. Jose and the members of Gracia Soberana would love to have non Spanish-speaking friends at the meeting, but would request that you only come if you are accompanying a Spanish-speaking guest, because they cannot handle the addition of a large English-speaking group at their meeting or reception. But let’s be praying that God would bring out many Spanish speakers this Sunday and in the weeks to come.
September 1 2008 at 3:49 am
Applying “Don’t Waste Your Sports”
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David Somerville created the artwork for this week’s message. Thanks, Dave!
Today C.J. preached “Don’t Waste Your Sports,” the final message in our series on not wasting our lives. The main text of his message was 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
You can listen online or download the message here.
Pastor Brian Chesemore has prepared some questions to help us apply C.J.‘s message. I encourage you to take time to consider them on your own or in a small group setting:
1. So often I forget or neglect the truth that sports is one of the “all things” that I am to do “to the glory of God.” Considering how you view your favorite team or athlete, or your own participation in sports, how has that view been informed by culture or your pride?
2. What a powerful truth to consider that the field of play is not solely a field, but a context for worship. If you always viewed your playing and watching sports this way, what would quickly change in your life?
3. C.J. held up the two practices of giving thanks and pursuing godly character in our participation of sports. In which of these areas do your children most need your leadership? What one or two practical steps do you need to take to cultivate thanksgiving and godly character?
4. Wise parenting is about preparing our children for the final day. In light of eternity, how are you encouraged in your approach to parenting? Where do you need to grow? What is one way you can use your child’s sports interest or other passions as a context to train him/her in godly character?
5. Here is the profile of a humble athlete. He pursues and welcomes the correction and critique of his coach and teammates. He recognizes his limitations and weaknesses. He encourages his teammates. When he scores, he recognizes the importance of the team. He’s gracious in defeat and modest in victory. He respects his coach. He doesn’t protest a call and he transfers the glory to God and God alone. In which of these areas do you most need help putting to death your pride? Where do your children most need your training in humility?
6. Sports have the potential to capture our allegiance and affections, and to function as an idol in our hearts. As you evaluate your time and involvement in the local church, your quality of care for your family, and your attitude as you watch sports, are you observing any sinful preoccupation with sports in your heart?