The sermon I heard yesterday was part of a series and the basic text was Ephesians 2:1-10. The preacher stuck with the passage while expanding the theme across three Sundays.
I. The Problem - sin that brings death and separates me from God
II. The Provision - redemption that brings me life both now and forever
III. The Proof - my heart and hands intentionally yielded through the Savior
But, you know, as rich as these messages were and the amount of Scripture they covered, one single verse is occupying my thoughts today. Let's see if I can explain in as few of my own words as possible.
III. The Proof - my heart and hands intentionally yielded through the Savior
But, you know, as rich as these messages were and the amount of Scripture they covered, one single verse is occupying my thoughts today. Let's see if I can explain in as few of my own words as possible.
"This is what the LORD says - Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty; I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God." Isaiah 44:6 (NIV, 1984)
His very words
"This is what the LORD says - Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty; I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God." Isaiah 44:6 (NIV, 1984)
His Name, Position, Role, Power, Presence
"This is what the LORD says - Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty; I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God." Isaiah 44:6 (NIV, 1984)
His message to me
"This is what the LORD says - Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty; I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God." Isaiah 44:6 (NIV, 1984)
His worthy uniqueness
We humans have all kinds of things we're willing to substitute as a type of god; alcohol, drugs, sex, control, work, friendships, marriage, family, children, power, activities, future, possessions, image, ministry, reputation, or _______________.
FILL IN THE BLANK WITH THE TOPIC THAT WILL OCCUPY MOST OF
YOUR TIME, ATTENTION, AND RESOURCES THIS WEEK.
I'm as guilty as the next person of substituting my love and duty toward the One True God with an infatuation that I somehow think will require less of me and still take me places - mostly unintentionally of course.
I'm as likely as every other Follower to treat work for the kingdom in its many forms as a substitute for a dedicated relationship with the One True God.
Let's consider the Truth one more time and commit to re-order the week.
"This is what the LORD says - Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty; I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God." Isaiah 44:6 (NIV, 1984)
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