Brothers and Sisters

March 12, 2015

Opening Hymns:
526 What a Friend We have in Jesus http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh526.sht

Scripture Reading:
Ephesians 2:1-10
2:1 You were dead through the trespasses and sins

2:2 in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient.

2:3 All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else.

2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us

2:5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--

2:6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

2:7 so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God--

2:9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast.

2:10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

Message:
Have you ever gone to a different church and felt out of place? Maybe you’ve even gone to a church of a different denomination. Sometimes it can be hard seeing things done in a very unfamiliar way. Some things might not seem right, some scriptures may be interpreted differently.

Back in college I was roommates with 3 wonderful people, and each of us were Christians of a different denomination. Sometimes we would have bible studies together, which would help us see the different ways we viewed some scriptures. We each tried to be respectful of each other’s beliefs, while at the same time recognizing that not everything was agreed upon. Sometimes their view of scripture would help me see it in a new light… and sometimes (I have to admit), I felt like I needed to teach them the “correct meaning” of the scripture.

I’m still friends with each of them, and often reflect on the bible studies and times that I’ve gone to churches of different denominations. While I may not agree with all interpretations of scriptures, the scripture reading for today reminds me that we are all saved through Jesus Christ. It is not anything any of us have earned. We aren’t saved because of the church we go to, or how often we volunteer. We cannot boast in our own works, it is all through Jesus that we are saved. When I think about that it doesn’t seem like there is much of a difference in our beliefs at all. At the core of Christianity is salvation through Jesus Christ.  

Time of Prayer
Dear Savior. Thank You for loving us through all our faults. Thank You for forgiving us of our sins. Help us each to focus our hearts on You. Let us never forget that we are all brothers and sisters through Christ Jesus. Amen.


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
469 Jesus is All the World to Me http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh469.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.