April 29thPractice Resurrection (2)
Eugene Peterson contends that Ephesians is a letter written to the church to encourage their growth in Christian maturity. He translates 4.11-15 this way:
He [Christ] handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ. No prolonged infancies among us, please… God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.
What could be more demanding or exhilarating. Think of going on a hike. Your first step, at the bottom of a mountain, could hardly be called mountain climbing. No, the challenge, the exhilaration, and the satisfaction, come from the climb upwards into new territory and rarified air. All along the way there are new vistas to see, new obstacles to overcome, but the climb with companions refreshes and compels us upward. So too it is with the life of discipleship. Join us on the journey.
Our text for this week is Ephesians 2.1-10. Below are some questions to prepare you for Sunday worship.
1 What do you think it means to be ‘dead in sin?’ (v.1).
2 What benefits of grace are you noticing in your life? (v.5-6)
3 The New Jerusalem Bible translates the beginning of 2.10 as ‘You are God’s work of art.’ How does that follow from vs. 4-7?
4 What ‘good works’ do you think God has in store for you?
https://youtu.be/p5NCyuRhoGY - Amazing Grace