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This Sunday
Nov. 12, 2017
Sermon Title:
"Stand Ready, Stand Strong"
Ephesians: Spiritual Riches Series
Scripture:
2 Chronicles 20:15-17
Ephesians 6:10-20
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 November 9, 2017
Dear MLEPC Members and Friends,
"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." - Malachi 3:10
This Sunday, we celebrate two things: the grand finale of our study of Spiritual Riches in Ephesians and also our annual Ingathering Sunday. It is quite appropriate that the two go together - when we realize how abundantly God has lavished His love upon us, we too can respond with generosity.
- He has given us the gift of inheritance. "In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace," (Eph. 1:4-6).
- He has given us the gift of grace. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast," (Eph. 2:8-9).
- He has given us the gift of reconciliation. "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility...that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two...and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross," (Eph 2:14-16).
- He has given us the gift of revealing the mystery of the gospel, "to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things," (Eph 3:8-9).
- He has given us the gift of power and love, "so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God," (Eph. 3:17-19).
- He has given us the gift of new life, "to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness," (Eph. 4:23-24).
- He has given us the gift of new relationships, as we "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ," (Eph. 5:21).
- He has given us the gift of protection, so that we can "take up the whole armor of God, [and] withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm," (Eph. 6:13).
With these gifts in hand, we are invited to come before the Lord with our own offerings - offerings that come out of his abundance, free from worry about limited resources. We give in faith, trusting that God will provide all our needs according to his riches in glory.
May God bless you richly as you give from your heart!
Pastor Carolyn
PS - Please be praying about how much God is calling you to give this year. If you are not currently giving a full 10%, consider moving over one square to the right!
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