Real Lives - Real People

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them

One of the popular comebacks you'll hear from folks as you share the love of Jesus with them is that the church is full of hypocrites. I've heard it. I'm sure you've heard it, and sometimes there is some truth to it. Of course, it's no reason to avoid the gathering of the saints. There are hypocrites at the mall and on the roads, but that doesn't stop folks from shopping or driving, does it? People are people; saved and unsaved. Sometimes those that are unsaved do great things, while sometimes folks that are saved do really dumb things.

As we read the Bible, never once does God ever sugar coat the men and women He has chosen to use. He tells us through the pen of Paul that He has chosen the 'foolish things of the world.' That's us, gang, foolish things! Why has God chosen the foolish things, to 'confound' this world? It just doesn't make sense that God would use me! I agree! But He has and He does. The same is true for you.

Always on display is the wonderful glory of God's grace in and through our lives; God's precious Spirit working mightily in ordinary, frail people like you and me. It's nothing we can boast in (Ephesians 2:8-10), and it's nothing that others really can explain. That's why sometimes you'll hear the old 'hypocrite' excuse. I always remember that if there are hypocrites in the 'church,' then I just don't want to be one of them!

In Love,
Pastor Ed


Response
My husband and I finally made it to your church this weekend. After listening to your messages via the website and Podcasts for over a year...we finally made it to a service and I know the Spirit took us there, during the worship I was overcome with tears. I don't know if it was excitement or just Jesus touching my life at that moment. I've written to you a couple of times with questions, etc., my husband is the son of a pastor and we've just been having a spiritual hard time, I feel like I've been waiting for help forever....I pointed out some men's prayer groups to him and I hope Jesus leads him to them. I just wanted to say thank you and update you on my story after so long it was a big deal for me to have been able to attend a service.Thanks for your faithfulness to the Lord and please add us to your prayers.