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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Nov 1, 2024 at 5:20 AM

Subject: 11-1-24 THOUGHTS

11-1-24   THOUGHTS

Key points in our reading:  the gospel saves, the gospel is about Jesus death, burial and resurrection, it includes a delivery of Scriptures.  The proper result of preaching is belief!
Paul called himself the least of the apostles because he had persecuted the church of God.  In that context, he proclaimed  “But by the the grace of God, I am what I am.”   Paul said “that grace did not prove vain... because he labored more than all of them”   We likewise “Are what we are because of God’s grace in Christ Jesus.”  May we labor that this grace would not be in vain.   This is Eph 2:8-10    For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  9  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.  10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared  beforehand so that we would walk in them.

1Cor 15:1-11    Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,  2  by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3  For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4  and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5  and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6  After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7  then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8  and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. 9  For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain;  but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. 11  Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

My Prayer:
Your grace, Your mercy and Your love give us standing, O God.  Thank You for the victory that is in Christ Jesus.  Help us to boldly preach the good news of that victory.  Make it our joy to live for You and the Kingdom.  Give us a full understanding of Your design of the Church as You placed us in it.  We are its life-blood, O Father, help us to flow powerfully.   In the name of our Savior,    Amen.