December 5, 2024

December 5  
Ephesians 1
Ephesians 1 reminds us who the head of the church is.  Everything has been placed under Jesus' feet and he is the head of the church.  What does that mean for us?  First, it should be an encouragement to know that the true leader of the church is perfect and reliable.  In a world where we constantly see leaders fail and fall we know that the true head of the church will never fall or fail.  Secondly,  Jesus is the head of the church is a reminder to all who lead in the church that we are truly just servants.  Leadership in the church always is under the authority of Christ and needs to be seeking direction from Jesus.  Leaders don't need to come up with plans and then present them the LORD in a prayer for a blessing on what was already decided.  Rather leaders need to seek the leading and direction of the LORD and then submit to the direction the LORD calls.  Finally,  it should help us develop a love for Jesus' body- the church.  His plans and purposes for the church go far beyond just having service times and bulletins with a plan of worship.  He is calling us to live for Him together- serving one another as family and fulfilling the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.  The head of the church has already spoken- when he tells us to love God and love others (Great Commandment) and to make disciples (the Great Commission).  The exciting thing about the church, if we believe that Jesus is the head of the church, is that we don't need to know what a church is supposed to be doing we just need to figure out how we best complete the Great Commission and live out the Great Commandment. Jesus is still the head of the church and the Great Commission and Great Commandment still stand.  We have our marching orders and we must obey together.  This is not a burden, but rather a wonderful blessing to be a part of what God created, leads, and loves- the church.