February 16th

There is a story about a baby eagle falling out of his nest into a chicken coop.  As the little eagle grew up, he began to cluck like a chicken, strut like a chicken, think like a chicken.  But every day he noticed the eagles soaring high in the sky, always sensing that he was meant for something more than the chicken coop, but never realizing who he really was.  I think the Christian can go through life in the same way. 

Think about what is said of the Christian in Ephesians 1:3-14.  You, Christian, have all the spiritual blessings listed throughout Pauls magnificent sentence of more than 200 words!  You, Christian, have been chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless (v. 4).  You, Christian, have been predestined to be the adopted son/daughter of the living God through the redemption of Jesus Christ (vv. 5-7).  You, Christian, have been completely pardoned of past, present, and future sins only because of the grace of God that has been lavished upon you as a result of the Fathers wrath that was lavished upon the Son for all of our wrongdoings (Eph. 1:8; 2:1-4).  You, Christian, have an inheritance that will not fade with time, cannot be destroyed, and will never be stained by sin (v. 11).  You, Christian, have been sealed by Gods Spirit as His guarantee of salvation that will be completed, and the full experience of all Gods blessings that you will receive (vv. 13-14).  You, Christian, are loved by the God of Isaiah 46:9-11, and you are the beneficiary of all His good pleasure.

This Sunday, we will look at Ephesians 1:15-23 to discover the purpose for why God has done all of the above for your good and His glory.  I hope you will join us to celebrate the good news of what these verses mean for those of us whom the blood of the Lamb of God has redeemed.  I look forward to seeing you in our 9:00 and 10:30 AM worship services.

Peace,

Pastor Keith