Song: Praise my soul, the King of heaven.
Praise my Soul the King of Heaven Lyrics - YouTube
Prayer
Lord, we hear about so many places with problems, it is difficult to know where to begin in our prayers. The volcanic eruption near to Tonga which has produced a tsunami has hit the news. Be with the people affected by the flooding. Help and guide those who are involved in the relief efforts.
The world is still wrestling with the problems caused by the covid-19 pandemic. Many are suffering, and dying. Be with those who suffer and the families of the bereaved, may they know your healing presence.
Across the world, governments face many problems. Guide those in government that they may make decisions based on the good of all and not the self interest of a few. Give people of goodwill the strength to do and say what is right, and in accordance with your will.
In then name of Jesus, your Son and our Saviour.
Amen.
Song: O worship the King,
O Worship the King (Hymn) - YouTube :
Reading: Letter to the Ephesians, chapter 2, verses 1 to 10
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Song: God of glory, we exalt your name
God of Glory, We Exalt Your Name - YouTube
The letter to the Ephesians is a very encouraging letter. It lays out god’s glorious plan for the unification of all humanity. It shows the path from spiritual death to life in Christ.
Nowhere is there any suggestion that this is deserved by people, it is quite clear that this is as a result of God’s grace, a free and undeserved gift.
Grace.
God’s
Riches
At
Christ’s
Expense
The message is that we need the Lord. We cannot keep the law as paid down in the Old Testament. If we break one of the ten, we have broken the law, broken the set so to speak. We are not yet perfect but we trust in the perfect Lord. And we look forward to the day when we finally pass into His presence.
That is not to say that there is anything wrong with the Old Testament, after all, it leads us to Christ. But is is Christ who has delivered us from the wrath to come.
Our concern is for those who have not yet accepted the offer. Those who will face the wrath to come if they continue to refuse what is on offer. We need to share our faith with them in a non-threatening way, taking advantage of the opportunities which God presents us with.
Even those of us who are unwell, and in hospital can share our faith with the doctors, nurses, cleaners and caterers.
In verse 7, we are recognised as being in heaven, we are counted as being in heaven, but we are still “down here”. We are given a foretaste of heaven, the peace and joy of God, and the assurance of eternal life.
But, it is a gift, not a reward!
God will give us opportunities to share. Not so we can boast, but to rejoice in them. After all, none have anything to boast about, we are all sinners.
God has many works of Grace, which he wants to perform through us. Praise Him for his generosity.
Song: Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
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