August 26, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for August 26th: 1 Kings 8:1,6,10-11;Psalm 84; Ephesians 6:10-20; John 6:56-69; Theme: The armor of God Ephesians: We are reminded of what it means to be the church of God. That it is our job as a church to address the wiles of the world, to show the world that there is a new and different way to live. But the world can be very forceful, that is why we are encouraged to put on the whole armor of God to protect us. We are to be immune to all of the challenges of life, and to keep determined to the mission of God. The most important part of our armor is a relationship with God where we pray about everything. A lot of Christians are not comfortable with references to soldiers or of fighting, but we are told that we are to have the sword of the spirit. We have a right to fight for justice and righteousness in the world. 1 Kings: Solomon has fulfilled his destiny of being the king who will build a house for God. In the midst of his humanness, Solomon has shown that he has a relationship with God, and now is his chance to bring that relationship to the people of God. He is able to dedicate the temple. God reminds Solomon that God is bigger than the temple, and that temple does not completely contain the spirit of God. God also instructs Solomon to remember the immigrants and visitors who are present. To remember the God is bigger than any one people. God is present in some form in all people. So there was a place at the temple for foreigners and strangers who were in search of God. Eventually, Jesus will bring even the strangers (the gentiles) into the family of God so that we can all be equal and all stand around God’s table. Questions: What is the armor of God? How are some ways that we have to protect ourselves from the influence of the world? What are the fights for justice in our time? Who are the people that we need to allow to come to the table of God?