Pick up an Unclaimed Baby Bottle for LIFE and fill with Coins, Cash or Check this week.
JULY 4TH CELEBRATION WITH FUN, FOOD & FIREWORKS
Sunday, July 3rd, 6:30
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart:
Colossians 2:2, “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;”
Of the mysteries mentioned in the Bible, two are basic.
The first is the mystery of God.
The phrase “the mystery of God, Christ” is an appositional statement.
That is, the mystery of God is Christ.
Christ is the unveiling of God!
If we want to know God, if we want to see God, if we want to touch God, if we want to understand the mystery of God in this universe, then we must see that this mystery is embodied in Christ.
To look at Christ is to look at God!
To know Christ is to know God!
The second basic mystery in the Bible is the mystery of Christ.
After Paul speaks concerning some of the details of this mystery in Ephesians 3:3-5, “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;”
He then unveils what the mystery is in verse 6: “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:”
Thus, the mystery is the one Body of Christ, made up of both Jews and Gentiles.
Paul continues to refer to the mystery of Christ in Ephesians 3:9 by saying, “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:”
Then he specifies in verse 10 that the administration, or the economy, of the mystery is being worked out through the church.
Ephesians 3:10, “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,”
Thus, the mystery of Christ is the church!
If we want to know Christ, touch Christ, hear Christ, and see Christ, we must realize that Christ is revealed in the church.
The mystery of Christ is His Body, the church, the fullness of the One who fills all in all (Eph. 1:22-23).
The church is the expression of Christ.
It is Christ Himself lived out in a corporate way through His members.
The revelation that the mystery of Christ is the corporate Christ was the unique revelation of Paul’s ministry.
It was given to him in order that all believers might enter into his understanding.
In other words, there is not going to be another revelation of the church for us to enter into.
No! All believers are required to enter into Paul’s revelation and understanding.
Until Tomorrow,
With A Shepherd’s Love
Pastor
TODAY’S PRAYER LIST
Amy Garner’s Dad
Dan Haines
Dr. Don Davis – Surgery July 14TH
Freddie May’s Mom
John McClain
Kathi Mabe
Terrell Loyd
Tom Witcher
Ann Sullivan – Paula’s Friend
Bentley Smith
James Garner’s Friend
Kim McClain’s Mother
Lonzo Christian
Ashley Burn’s Sisters
Bill Moody
Charlie Sessom – Waiting
Colby/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Greg Payne – Lisa’s Brother
Hanna Hall – Pray for Grace
Kenny & Nora Allison
Kimberly – Dustin’s Sister
Larry Barker
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Mary Sims
Marynell Ford
Pastor & Mrs. Driskell
Paula Ferus’ Missionary Friend
Ricky Stubbs
Rod Gustafson – Cancer
Roseleigh Osborn
Scott Lanier – Linda’s Son
Shaelyn – Jill’s Friend
Sheila Simmon’s Cousin
Tammy Shellnut’s Mother/Dad