The Rev. Thomas Nibbe
Sunday, August 1, 2021 @ 11:00 a.m.
“…we’re in a battle…don’t forget who’s in charge…” — Bishop Dan Selbo, North American Lutheran Church
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may we pray this day that you would make us all one inyou. We pray for the unity of the Church. We pray for your Holy Spiritto be released in a mighty way. May their be cooperation among ourpeople that’ll blow a divine breathe of wind upon that a flicker of flamenow ready to go out in our churches and create a “burning bush” of Godly glory to ignite the world around us. We pray in your name. Amen.
the message
Ephesians 4:1-16
The Epistle lesson for this Sunday is recorded inSaint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. In this portionof the New Testament, Paul seeks by his letter tobring about unity within the local body there in thecity of Ephesus. What he encourages the Ephesiansto do is what we should be encouraged to do:
He writes (verse one):
(as a prisoner for the Lord)
“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”
How are we to fulfill that call…?
Be completely humble and gentle.Be patient.
Bear one another with love.
(Some years ago a lady in my congregation expressed the following to me: “I can’t stand that woman!” in regard to another lady in the congregation.
I replied, “You know, dear lady, you’re going to have to be with that woman for all eternity…what a prospect!”
She replied,”What am I to do?” Without a pause I opened my mouth unable to know how to help her and the words came out [via the Holy Spirit], “Take her to lunch…”
Reply: “You’ve got to kidding.”)
Keep unity of the Spirit through the bond of Peace.
(We’re not on our own in our relationships with othersand in taking on challenges that at times seem over ourheads. The Spirit directs, the Spirit guides, and theSpirit places us on a trajectory we don’t even recognizeoften. As we allow it, and the Spirit takes control of ourlives, a majestic peace comes over us in the most tryingand challenging undertakings in life. If you do not havethe sense of peace in your life, just as the Lord, and itwill be granted. You don’t receive, simply because youdon’t ask. It’s a simple as that.]
Saint Paul goes on (verse 4): “…there is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all…”
BUT to each one of us GRACE has been given (as Christ apportioned it.)
What does this all mean?
Well, we all share the same Spiritual inheritance.The assurance of the forgiveness of sins, the surepromise of everlasting life to folks just you and mewho fall short of God’s glory for our lives, all toofrequently. The knowledge, I would say, that thereis no failure in God. The Lord will guide us even intenuous times and circumstances. He will grant eventual victory in advance. Look, sometimes theeventual victory may not end up being what ouroriginal vision of what victory would be like for us.
In a more direct understanding of Paul’s intention, he addresses the tendency we have in the Church to create division. It was there in Paul’s time and itcertainly is there present these days, for sure.
While I’d like to validate all denominations of theSpiritual expression we call Christianity, I sense a commitment to the “unity” that we have in a supremelordship of Jesus Christ, who died, arose, ascended,and remains with us in the Holy Spirit.
…and…
that’s all for now.
I will continue to expand upon the message for the day later in the afternoon…
Grace and peace.
Cordially,
Tom
Gisela Zumwalt says
A very promising message! Thank you.