Come Together

Ephesians 1:3-10 is an incredible passage of scripture.  We have just concluded 7 weeks unpacking verbs that are inserted into these verses.  It's been a lot of fun.  The sermon series was called, God Story; from Infinity to Belong.

A couple observations:
a) God has done so much for us
b) All his actions hinge on Jesus Christ
c) His actions are aimed at us and are intended for us to live out (ie. see the remained of the book of Ephesians)

As we wrapped things up today it was easy to show a couple reasons God has done all that he has.  First, I believe there is a tendency among people - Christian or not - to finger point.  We are pretty quick to talk about "them".  When we realize the personal nature of God's actions it chips away at this tendency.  Ephesians 1 also teaches that Christ has come to put everything back in its place.  NT Wright would say, "put things to right."  There's a unifying factor found in him - and again, this gets personal.  His involvement in the story is intended to have impact on my life and yours.

In our attempts to be the church we (I) sometimes forget how important it is to be together.  I forget how important is is to experience something together.

But sometimes we (I) make the church about me rather than about knowing others, serving with others, and serving for others.

Let me suggest that serving together is an incredible way to make church "about us" without making it "about me".  Serving together has an powerful unifying effect.  Doing work together is so cool.  In particular, this is great for men.

@ NBWC this week we have some great opportunities to come together.
Wednesday, AWANA takes place--serving 60+ elementary students.
Thursday, we host a Grocery Giveaway--serving 150+ family units
Friday, we'll be setting up for the Autumn Vendor Fair scheduled for Saturday--hosting 70+ local vendors.

I say, get in the game.  This is about you.  This is about you and me.  This is about us.