Scripture:
Ephesians 5:25-30
Fri, 22 July 2022

Christ’s Commitment to His Church

Observation:

How does Christ show His commitment to His church?

Deeper Reflection
THE CHURCH IS IMPERFECT ON EARTH, BUT CHRIST IS perfecting His church eschatologically (cf. 1 Thess 5:23-24). It is Christ’s commitment to His church – a commitment expressed in seven acts.Christ loved His church (v.25a) “with an everlasting love” (Jer 31:3): “having loved His own…He loved them to the end” (Jn 13:1). And this love means Christ “gave Himself up for her” (v.25b). Christ has given all that He could give: His whole person. He has given us the best: “Himself ”, who is God Himself.Through His death, Christ cleanses His church from her unholiness and sanctifies her – setting her apart to God for His purposes (v.26). This cleansing and sanctifying is an ongoing process of transformation until the future consummation when we mature to “the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:13; 2 Cor 3:18). Christ “cleanses” and “sanctifies” us through the Word of God (Jn 15:3; 17:17) and the Holy Spirit working in us (1 Cor 6:11; Tit 3:5). Thus, daily spiritual renewal is vitally necessary (Rom 12:1-2; 2 Cor 4:16).Christ nourishes the church by protecting and providing her with everything necessary for her growth to maturity, and cherishes her as His precious possession (vv.29-30). We, as Christ’s church, will certainly eventually become “without spot or wrinkle” and “holy and blameless” “in all her glory” (v.27), despite our long history of being often plagued by sins, struggles, shortcomings and setbacks. Christ Himself will present to Himself His church to have such glory and beauty. Such is our hope and it must be our vision. Let us not lose heart with ourselves.
Application:

How does Christ’s commitment to His church shape my view of the church, of which I am part of?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for SGI leaders: To lead with confidence in Christ’s commitment to build His church
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
John 20:19-21; Luke 4:14-21
Mon, 2 October 2023

Sent by the Lord

Observation:

What is the analogy that Jesus used in sending forth His disciples (v.21)?

Deeper Reflection
As we enter the month of October with our upcoming two Missions Sundays, let us focus our attention and prayers on Covenant EFC’s third Faith Exploit, “Disciple the Nations”. In today’s Scripture, verse 21 is a very significant statement that Jesus said to His disciples after His resurrection. And it applies equally to all those who are Jesus’ disciples today. There are three key observations we can make.First, the analogy that Jesus used – His having been sent by the Father – points us to Jesus’ foundational teachings that He came to accomplish the very will and works of the Father (Jn 4:34; 5:30, 36; cf. Lk 4:14-21). Second, the idea of Jesus’ disciples being “sent” reminds us that world missions is not a result of human initiative, but is God-initiated and God-directed. It is God’s mission in the world. Third, verse 21 reminds us that Jesus is not merely calling us to join God in His mission, but to relate to Him as our heavenly Father – in love, obedience and dependence.1Therefore, the more fundamental question is not “Are we being sent?” or “What must we do?”. Rather, it is “To what extent do we understand and treasure our sonship in relation to God our Father (Jn 20:17)?” So that, as beloved children of God, we will respond rightly to our heavenly Father who created us in His image, redeemed us in Jesus Christ, and called us to join Him in His mission. Out of gratitude and love towards God, we joyfully walk in the Lord’s will for us, and fully rely on His resources as we faithfully serve Him.
1 This is consistent with John’s emphasis in his writings on the Father-Son relationship that anchored and motivated Jesus in all that He did in submission and obedience to the Father’s will.
Application:

How do the purposes for which Jesus sends forth His disciples impact the
way I plan and live out the years of my life?

Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, what manner of love You have bestowed on me that I should be called Your child! Every opportunity given to me to carry out Your will is a privilege for me to participate in Your glorious purposes. Help me to clearly discern the things that You want me to accomplish and to faithfully work at them with a heart that loves and depends on You and always seeks Your glory. Amen.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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