Not-So-Foreign Exchange.

This week our reflections will be based on this past Sunday's sermon, which was preached by Pastor Deon. He and several other clergy and friends have been visiting us over last week, and they will be returning to their homes in South Africa this week. It has been a great blessing to meet them and to receive spiritual instruction from them.

Pastor Deon spoke from Ephesians 5:1-7, on imitating Christ. Let's begin with a recap of some of the insights he shared as a pre-sermon mini-message.

• One of the key problems of the church around the world is that we have a form of godliness, but lack the power that is present in authentic relationship with Christ.


• The mandate is not merely to believe in Jesus, but to live out our beliefs in a way that draws others to Him.


• We are called to shift our behavior: Christianity is not a venue for spectators. Authentic Christianity is accomplished in our participation in the work of Christ.

Pastor Deon, in many ways similar to our own Pastor Sam, used alliteration to help us with remembering the message. Please join us as we spend the next three days reflecting on his sermon points.