From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Oct 27, 2023 at 6:01 AM

Subject: 10-27-23 THOUGHTS

10-27-23   THOUGHTS

We continue with the CHURCH theme this morning.  In my mind, it seems that our world is pushing us toward isolation and individualism.  God’s design and His view of the Church is exactly opposite!   Rom 14:7 “For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;” the idea of our being SUBJECT to one another sounds strange in our current culture.  We either exalt SELF or we mortify SELF!  The difference carries the weight of eternity!  Nietzsche referred to God’s way as “Slave morality”.   Nietzsche is dead, God will always be alive.  So we have below a system of Agape LOVE.  This is love that considers others over self.  God’s Spirit calls it a “more excellent way”!  1Cor 12:31.  Here, the CHURCH is used as the metaphor to teach us about this LOVE WAY!   We can make it work.  Will we?  Are we?  Am I?  Our perfect example of giving and submitting is Christ!  What we do not like about the world we live in is wrapped up in this discussion.  Selfishness, greed and the desire for power brings us down on every corner!  Here’s the simple story...  John 12:32   "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself."  We find submission and victory in the same event!

Eph 5:21-32     and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. 22  Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23  For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24  But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. 25  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26  so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,  27  that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28  So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;  29  for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,  30  because we are members of His body. 31  FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32  This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

My Prayer:
O Father God, accept our love and praise and honoring of Your great name.  Teach us the joy of submission in love.  May our light encourage love in the place where we live.  May our love for You and for Jesus permeate our living, and be our song to the world.  We pray for the strength to draw others to You through Your drawing love.  Thank You for Your perfect ways, O God.  Help us to see clearly and perfectly.        In the name of Jesus,       Amen.