What did you study Sunday?

Wow, that ties in with the topic I just posted about "What should we do? Give up?" I would have put it here if I had seen it.

 

I had the opportunity to worship in the church where my wife and I were both raised. I got to hear a good sermon on Ephesians 1:3-14 on the gracious God of Salvation that has given us all the spiritual insight we need to presently live for Him.

 

This body is not my home, one day Ill have one made by the hand of God.

 

We learned how to survive the storm--1) spend time alone with God, 2) Abide with the ship 3)Be anchored in Christ 4)have assurance in God. Very timely!

 

After completing a study of Galatians, with its emphasis on salvation by grace without works, we are in the beginning verses of a study of James, with a special emphasis on how these two seemingly opposed ideas are not only NOT contradictory but actually completely complimentary. This Sunday we learned that God doesn't give wisdom as a gift (Solomon excepted) but through our experiences.

 

My turn to teach SS, & started a study of DANIEL.

Two points really stood out to me:

1) When standing up for your convictions,it pays to avoid being confrontational to begin; it may be necessary later, but start by "working within the system"! ---(The Hebrew children & their diet.)

2) God honors your obedience.

 

The Pastor spoke on part two of a message titled "What Constitutes Love?" This weeks message mainly dealt with loving our enemies, not just family and friends. And about showing unbelievers the Love of God with our actions, basically showing them Jesus. He talked about not acting like the Pharisee's but as children of God.

Refuse to treat people on the basis of how they treat you, committing to put someone else's interest above our own; love based on commitment, and realize we can't love like that on our own; that takes Jesus. (That's difficult isn't it?)For me it is! lol
He used several verses but this one stuck with me the most...

Matt. 5
43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

 

Genesis 46