This
weekend is the most important celebration of the Christian Church! Yet, there
are many who do not recognize it as such - either by lack of understanding or
by neglect. Barna research reports that many in our culture do not quite “get”
Easter (see graphic below). In addition, many who do not regularly attend church would be willing to attend on Easter
if invited. Barna states in his research on Easter, “Interestingly, those who
articulate a resurrection-related concept of Easter are no more likely than
other religiously oriented Americans to indicate that they will invite friends
to worship with them on Easter.”
So, the challenge is this - if we truly believe what we say
we believe then Easter takes on huge significance, and therefore, extreme
purpose and focus. The day is all about celebrating our resurrected Savior!
Secondly, if we have been so moved by this resurrection power to surrender our
lives to Him we are compelled to go “to the highways and by-ways” to bring in
those who are lost and perishing!
This week invite, invite, invite. People will come. People
will hear. People will become new in Christ Jesus!
Finally, come to worship to…. Worship! Give Him your all. He
is worthy.
Focus on worship and evangelism this Easter.
What do you think? What are some ways you are purposeful in
your worship because it is Easter? How have you connected with your friends,
relatives, and neighbors about coming to Easter service?
Blessings,
Pastor David
WASHING OF WATER? EPHESIANS 5:26 BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteWhat does the washing of water found in Ephesians 5:26 mean? Should you, as a believer in Christ, look to creed books and Bible commentaries for the answer to that question or should you look to translations of the Bible for truth? Do you want to trust men or do you want to trust God's written word?
Ephesians 5:25-26...just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (NKJV)
How did Christ sanctify and cleanse the church? The church is the body of Christ. The church is comprised of Christians. How did Christ sanctify and cleanse the church?
Ephesians 5:26 to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God's word;(The Living Bible- Paraphrased)
Ephesians 5:26 that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, (KJV)
Ephesians 5:26 in order to make her holy, cleaning her with the baptismal water by the Word. (Weymouth New testament)
Ephesians 5:26 He did this to make her holy by washing her in a bath of water with the word. (Common English Bible)
Ephesians 5:26 He made the church holy by the power of his word, and he made it pure by washing it with water.(Contemporary English Version)
Ephesians 5:26 In order that he might sanctify it, purifying [it] by the washing of water by [the] word, (Darby Translation)
Ephesians 5:26 He died to make the church holy. He used the telling of the Good News to make the church clean by washing it with water. (ERV-Easy-to-Read-Version)
Ephesians 5:26 He did this to make the church holy by cleaning it,washing it using water along with the spoken words. (God's Word Translation)
Ephesians 5:26 He did this to dedicate the church to God by his word, after making it clean by washing it in water, (Good News Translation)
Ephesians 5:26 He did this to make the church holy by cleansing it, washing it using water alone with the spoken words. (Names of God Bible)
Ephesians 5:26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, (New American Standard Bible)
Ephesians 5:26 He did that so that he might make the church people holy, when they were washed with water by God's word. (World English N.T.)
Do you really want leave the interpretation of Ephesians 5:26 to others,why would you not read it and believe what it says?
Is God smart enough to guide men to accurately translate the Bible?
Two choices: 1. Trust God's written word, the BIBLE. or 2. Trust preachers, priests, pastors, Bible commentators, the man on the street, your friends and relatives or creed books, for the truth and nothing but the truth.
Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved....(NKJV)
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