Imitating Jesus
The Supremacy of Jesus Christ
Ephesians 1:17-23
The Message
15-19 That’s
why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and
your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop
thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give
thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus
Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in
knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see
exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this
glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter
extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless
strength!
20-23 All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.
20-23 All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.
For Reflection
The
world is peripheral to the church and Christ rules the church. This
church is not a place. It is not a religion. This church is a
collection of those who are committed to living a God-centered life. It
is not religion that transforms the world. Transforming the world is
accomplished by extraordinary people, beloving God, who chose to become
citizens in the Kingdom of God -- here and now.
Pray
pray
that all children of God live extraordinary lives as citizens in the
Kingdom of God. Pray that they in confidence, trust, and obedience face
the challenges of transforming the world, bravely, one person at a
time Pray that where there is hate you sow love, where there is
hopelessness sow hope, where there is injustice sow truth, where there
is poverty share wealth, where there is desperation, invite the Spirit.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please post comments here.