Phil Waugh (Mosaic Baptist Church Senior Pastor)
And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: they gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a] – see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality
2 Cor 8:1-14 [NIV]
Follow the link to Alf Jonas presentation
Discover Your Identity. Embrace Unity. Live the New Life.
Join us as we journey through the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians - a powerful reminder that in Christ, we are reconciled, united, and called to live authentically.
Why EPHESIANS?
The Gospel shines through Ephesians from start to finish. Like a tree, the letter starts with strong roots beneath the surface, which allows for fruitful living.
In a broad sense, the first half of Ephesians says: “This is who you are, by-grace"
and the second half says: “This is how you should live, by grace."
October 12 - United We Grow
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:1-6 [NIVUK]
Discover Your Identity. Embrace Unity. Live the New Life.
Join us as we journey through the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians - a powerful reminder that in Christ, we are reconciled, united, and called to live authentically.
Why EPHESIANS?
The Gospel shines through Ephesians from start to finish. Like a tree, the letter starts with strong roots beneath the surface, which allows for fruitful living.
In a broad sense, the first half of Ephesians says: “This is who you are, by-grace"
and the second half says: “This is how you should live, by grace."
October 5 - How to Pray with Power
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21 [NIVUK]