Sermon in a Snapshot

BLESSINGS FOR 2023
 
We at First Baptist Church Leduc, are learning about UNITY.  For the new year we are studying about how God’s people should join together in unity of mind and spirit.  We are seeing from the scriptures that we have been given specific instructions and seeing that Jesus set the example of how we should be treating each other and all the people around us in a Christ-Like way.  Empathy, compassion, patience, love… the list goes on and on.  We “know” it… we know how we should treat each other and the world, with kindness, but do we act it out?  We have been looking into Ephesians, where Paul wrote about these things, imploring his readers to follow in Jesus footsteps, treating our fellow man with that kind of love.
 

UNITY  Ephesians 4

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.