 | ||
March 14, 2025 | ||
Dear Church Family, Sometimes getting up out of bed can be hard. Other times, though, it can be exciting. Much of it has to do with what we’re expecting from the day ahead. When we’re excited about the plans for the day, it’s easier to get out of bed. We dress and prepare ourselves for the day and anticipate what lies ahead. At the end of Romans 13, Paul compares our current lives as believers to waking out of sleep and looking forward to Christ’s return. Sleep and darkness are often metaphors for sinful living, while daytime or light represent living godly lives in fellowship with the Lord.
A couple things hit me from this image. First, when you wake up, you think about what lies ahead. As Christians, we should always keep Christ’s return at the forefront of our minds. What an amazing reminder that each day is one day closer to our salvation! Make sure that you live today in light of that truth. Second, it would be foolish to go about our day dressed in our pajamas. Have you ever seen someone walking around the store or outsider dressed that way? It’s out of place and doesn’t make sense for the daytime. Paul’s point is that sinful living doesn’t make any sense for those who are born again, living for Christ, and waiting on His return. What clothing are you still wearing from your life before Christ. Paul encourages us to “cast off the works of darkness.” Third, we need daytime clothing for daytime living. What kind of clothes should we put on? I love Paul’s answer, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” What does that mean and what does it look like in our lives? We were clothed with Christ when we were saved. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27 ESV). First, putting on Christ means reminding ourselves where our righteousness comes from. Living out of that righteousness, not trying to earn it. Second, putting on Christ means allowing Christ to transform every part of our lives, inside and out, into the image of Christ.
When people see us, they should see Christ. Where do people need to see more of Christ in your life? Live today facing forward towards the day, not backward towards the night. –Pastor Dave ———————————————————————————— What’s Happening at Gospel Life:Youth Group: Join us this Sunday, from 5-7 pm, at the Bronleewes’ house. We’ll have dinner, games, worship, and continue our new study, “Tackling Tough Questions.” Outreach Prayer & Planning Meeting: Please pray for God to give us open doors of outreach into our community. We’ll come together on March 23rd at 6 pm at the Bronleewes’ house to seek God, as we plan and pray.Baptism: Are you interested in getting baptized? Baptism is an important step in our Christian life. It’s a special picture of death to life and symbolizes the new life we have in Jesus. We are declaring publicly the decision we have personally made to follow Jesus. We are planning an upcoming baptism, so please let Pastor Dave know if you’d like to be part of it or if you have any questions about baptism. Life Groups: If you’re interested in joining a life group, we have several to choose from. You can check them out here: https://gospellifebiblechurch.churchcenter.com/groups/small-groups Request Prayer: It’s important for us to be praying for each other as a church! If you ever need prayer, we would love to come alongside you. You can always turn in a prayer request on Sundays using the Connection Card, but you can also submit a prayer request online at any time: This Coming Sunday: Train Yourself for Godliness – This Sunday we’ll continue our series through the book of 1 Timothy, titled “Foundations for the Household of God.” In 1 Timothy 4:7-10, Paul reveals that godliness is of value in every way. We’ll look at why it’s so valuable and how we can train ourselves in it. | ||
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ
