Gospel...a stream of life

Unlimited Gospel:
Over the next three posts we will take a break from the lectionary and look at the actions of Stewardship in our lives as it relates to self, God and others. 

In this first step we will look at the way we can consider God's grace as an unlimited grace.   Is this possible through the Gospel?

Our passage is from Ephesians for our study.
It brings up the question: Why do we live the way we do? 

Ephesians 3:7-11
7 Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. ⁸Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, ⁹and to make everyone see^* what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in^* God who created all things; ¹⁰so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. ¹¹This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Ellen, an elderly woman, who had faithfully taught Sunday school for many years to various children, youth and adults was asked by the new minister to her church why she had taught for so long. She remarked, “because I love God.”

The new minister asked Ellen if she would speak before the congregation the next Sunday of her contributions to the church through her teaching and how she got started.

She hesitated and said she didn’t feel as if she could speak before the whole congregation. So she declined.

However, when Ellen’s senior ladies Bible class found out she had been asked to speak they immediately encouraged her to accept. And as well, over the few days since Ellen had declined the offer, her thoughts had been returning to all the delightful faces and people whom she had touched over the years as they explored the Gospel and the stories of God’s concern for them as his creation.

Ellen’s mind then turned to the time of her first memories in Bible study as a child and how her teacher, Mrs. Wortham, had touched her with the power and promise of the Gospel in her life. It was then that Ellen realized the other reason she loved to teach for so many years. She remarked to herself, “because I love people.”

That next Sunday, Ellen stood before the congregation and remarked on how people such as Mrs. Wortham had made a difference in her spiritual life and how that had influenced her resolve to do likewise for others both in the presence and the power of God.

What is the reason that a Christian lives the way they do?

   

The study lesson speaks of five points to ponder or emphasize from Paul for our living the way we do.

1. The grace of God  (Eph 3:7)

2. The power of God. (Eph 3:7-8)

3. The proclamation of the gospel of God  (Eph 3:8-9)

4. The revelation of the wisdom of God. (Eph 3:10)

5. The eternal purpose of God being accomplished by Christ in the world. (Eph 3:11)

One might say that Paul was presenting himself to be a part of the larger story of redemption through God and the call of Christ. Ellen’s experience as a teacher also allowed her to be a part of the larger story of this same redemption.

Everyone needs to be part of the larger story of God. How are you a part of the larger story of God’s Grace and Glory to the community?

Next Sunday as we continue in the January Stewardship Emphasis, God’s Unlimited Grace and Glory series, we will look at the aspect of gifts that we have been given and for what reason those gifts exist.

Walter Morton for Journey Across the Line