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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Aug 9, 2024 at 6:11 AM

Subject: 8-9-24 THOUGHTS

8-9-24   THOUGHTS

Paul, as a minister of the Church, used a striving labor to accomplish his tasks.  He meant to carry out fully his preaching of the word of God.  “ Christ in this Church, the hope of glory”  was his aim.   It was the benefit of this church that he sought.  He uses some key words:  Proclaim, Admonishing, Teaching, Present, and Complete!   God’s  power is present in this labor.  The presentation of all as MATURE persons is the goal.  

Col 1:24-29    Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.  25  Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26  that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, 27  to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28  We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. 29  For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.
Eph 4:12-16  for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13  until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14  As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15  but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16  from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

My Prayer:
We praise You, Lord God of all.  Mature us, O God.  We are often far too childish in our growth for the Kingdom. Give us a powerful “whole body” mind set.  May we find this as we read Your word.  Cause us to be fitted together by each individual part as we together grow and prosper in bearing fruit and building ourselves up.  Work with us and in us to master our growing toward Your fullness.      In the name of Jesus,    Amen.