July 18, 2021

Breaking Open the Scripture Scripture for July 18th: 2 Samuel 7:1-14, Psalm 89:20-37, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 Theme: The Unity of the Church; Song: Just a Closer Walk with Thee TFWS 2158 Ephesians: What is it that makes a group of strangers a team, a team a community, and a community a church? Well according to the book of Ephesians – Jesus Christ. There have always been fundamental differences within the people of the book, the body of Christ. At the beginning the fundamental difference where the people who were from the same culture that Jesus was from, and everyone else – the Jews and the gentiles. They started out as different, it took Jesus to say that we should put aside our differences and to live in unity. The author of Ephesians says that we come upon that unity by learning to build a house. A house that only God can build. The writer (who is probably not Paul) says that the foundation of our house is reading the bible and the teachings of Jesus and the disciples. Christ is building the church into a place where God lives on earth. That is a huge responsibility on those of us who dare to even come into the building – the church. 2 Samuel: Speaking of building a house – this scripture is about David wanting to build a house for God. He has held onto the tabernacle and has now settled in Jerusalem. As he is establishing his rule, he also wants to make sure that everyone knows that God is the head of his life. But the prophet of God – Nathan tells him that he is not the person intended to build that house. Now is not the time for God to be couped in the 4 walls of a structure. He needs to be free to move with the people. He wants to remain in a temporary tent that can be moved as needed. And yet he tells David not to despair, only will his son build the permanent structure – but the house of God will be evident in his rulership. There will always be somebody on the throne of David. Christ inherits that position. Christ builds the church to be the permanent house of God. Questions: How do you achieve unity with people you do not agree with? How does Christ bring different people together? What is your favorite church building? Why? How do you build a church?