By Sue Wroblewski
I have been thinking a lot about this first mission focused blog entry. I had hoped that I would be able to share some wisdom that I gained during the past four years of hands on outreach with Community Compassion Network or that I would be able to relay some great truth about why God wants us to be a servant hearted
church…
Instead, in my reading this week, I have been reminded of the many passages in the bible that tell us of God’s love for His people. Perhaps there is no more explicit passage than “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.”
Another interesting detail I came across was an abbreviated definition of servant; a slave bought or taken in war. According to the definition, serving is something to be done only by a slave.
This was a little confusing. As Christians, we believe that God gave his son so that we could be free…free of our slavery to sin. A little more clarity came when I was reading through Ephesians 2. Ephesians 2:4-10 gives us a clear picture of our freedom and what that means:
Yes, God gave his son so that we could be free. Instead of being enslaved by sin, God asks us to serve him not out of obligation, not in an attempt at repayment for his grace, but with gladness, using the gifts that he has given us to do the good works that he has prepared for us.
If you can, take a few moments this weekend; consider whether you are using your freedom the way God would have you use it. Have you taken note of God’s workmanship in you? What gifts has he bestowed on you? Have you found a way to apply those gifts in service?
If you would like an opportunity to get in touch with your gifts and how God has wired you to learn and serve, I would encourage you to participate in a 2 week class called Connect. The class meets the first 2 Sundays of each month in the library. The next class begins on November 2nd at 9:30 am in the library. Let me know if this is something you would like to check out.
Additionally, in November we will be asking small groups, families and individuals to consider how they might serve those in need in our community. We will all have an opportunity to make use of our gifts in celebration of the freedom from sin that we enjoy.
Have a great weekend and I look forward to hearing your thoughts about how you are using your freedom.
________________________________________________
Sue Wroblewski has been married to her best friend, Gary for 15 years. Together they have two beautiful children Anastasia (Ana) and Benjamin (Ben). The family has lived in Mt Pleasant for just over 5 years and calls MPCC their church home. Sue has been part of the Community Compassion Network since its inception 3.5 years ago. Currently Sue serves part time as the Director of Compassion Ministries for Community Church and part time as an assistant to Pastor's Scott and Brian.
I have been thinking a lot about this first mission focused blog entry. I had hoped that I would be able to share some wisdom that I gained during the past four years of hands on outreach with Community Compassion Network or that I would be able to relay some great truth about why God wants us to be a servant hearted
church…Instead, in my reading this week, I have been reminded of the many passages in the bible that tell us of God’s love for His people. Perhaps there is no more explicit passage than “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.”
Another interesting detail I came across was an abbreviated definition of servant; a slave bought or taken in war. According to the definition, serving is something to be done only by a slave.
This was a little confusing. As Christians, we believe that God gave his son so that we could be free…free of our slavery to sin. A little more clarity came when I was reading through Ephesians 2. Ephesians 2:4-10 gives us a clear picture of our freedom and what that means:
4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Yes, God gave his son so that we could be free. Instead of being enslaved by sin, God asks us to serve him not out of obligation, not in an attempt at repayment for his grace, but with gladness, using the gifts that he has given us to do the good works that he has prepared for us.
If you can, take a few moments this weekend; consider whether you are using your freedom the way God would have you use it. Have you taken note of God’s workmanship in you? What gifts has he bestowed on you? Have you found a way to apply those gifts in service?
If you would like an opportunity to get in touch with your gifts and how God has wired you to learn and serve, I would encourage you to participate in a 2 week class called Connect. The class meets the first 2 Sundays of each month in the library. The next class begins on November 2nd at 9:30 am in the library. Let me know if this is something you would like to check out.
Additionally, in November we will be asking small groups, families and individuals to consider how they might serve those in need in our community. We will all have an opportunity to make use of our gifts in celebration of the freedom from sin that we enjoy.
Have a great weekend and I look forward to hearing your thoughts about how you are using your freedom.
________________________________________________
Sue Wroblewski has been married to her best friend, Gary for 15 years. Together they have two beautiful children Anastasia (Ana) and Benjamin (Ben). The family has lived in Mt Pleasant for just over 5 years and calls MPCC their church home. Sue has been part of the Community Compassion Network since its inception 3.5 years ago. Currently Sue serves part time as the Director of Compassion Ministries for Community Church and part time as an assistant to Pastor's Scott and Brian.
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