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The word of God is food to the spirit man. “Eat and digest” the word of the Lord for today and let its unchanging power nuture your faith and help in your daily walk to Christ.
The Topic of Our Daily Bread For 22nd August 2023 is “God’s Eternal Church”
Bible in a Year: Psalms 110–112 1 Corinthians 5
Memory Verse: The gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 kjv
Today’s Scripture & Insight: Ephesians 2:14–22
Ephesians 2:14–22 is theologically rich. Like a cord of three strands, the passage brings together three key doctrines of the Christian faith: teaching about Christ (Christology), the church (Ecclesiology), and the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology). Jesus, through His reconciling work, is the source of our peace with God (vv. 14, 16) and through Him two disparate groups—Jew and gentile—have become one new humanity (vv. 14–15).
The church is indeed one body and a new family (vv. 14–18) “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (v. 20). The Holy Spirit has been and is at work in forming and sustaining the church. He facilitates our decision for salvation (v. 18) and indwells the church that Jesus is building (v. 22).
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ODB MESSAGE FOR TODAY
“Is church over?” asked a young mother arriving at our church with two children in tow just as the Sunday service was ending. But a greeter told her that a church nearby offered two Sunday services and the second would start soon. Would she like a ride there? The young mother said yes and seemed grateful to travel the few blocks to the other church. Reflecting later, the greeter came to this conclusion: “Is church over? Never. God’s church goes on forever.”
The church isn’t a fragile “building.” It’s the faithful family of God who are “members of his household,” wrote Paul, “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Ephesians 2:19–22).
Jesus Himself established His church for eternity. He declared that despite challenges or troubles facing His church, “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18 kjv).
Through this empowering lens, we can see our local churches—all of us—as a part of God’s universal church, being built “in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!” (Ephesians 3:21).
Reflect & Pray
What about your local church makes you grateful? How can you help God’s universal church grow?
As a part of Your church, dear Jesus, keep building me in You.
Our Daily Bread 2023 Devotional is written by Patricia Raybon and published by Our Daily Bread Ministries. Read more
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