CBSI Virginia Water

Ephesians 2:1-22 “Regeneration and Reconciliation”

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:00:31 +0000

The world apart from Christ is locked in strife. Ephesians describes how, in Christ, harmony is restored within individuals, between individuals, in families and communities—and it begins as each person finds peace in Jesus Christ. Paul reminded the Ephesians of their former condition with a startling statement: “when you were dead through the trespasses and sins” (2:1). The response of the father in the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) is strikingly the same: “for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:24). As far as the father was concerned, the prodigal son was dead. As far as God is concerned, the sinner is dead, and like the father of the prodigal son, God rejoices when we return to Him and are made alive.

Ephesians 2:1-22 from CBSI Virginia Water on Vimeo.

Ephesians 1:3-23 “God’s Purpose and Power”

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:39:28 +0000

God the Father “destined us in love” before He created the world that we should become His children. That relationship to God assures special privileges and is accomplished through His unique, begotten Son. God’s work is the gracious choice of a loving God and is not based at all on human merit. This great plan will be accomplished for God’s glory and to bring Him praise for His grace. Some believe that the words “chose us in him” and “destined us in love” mean that God chose some to belong to Him and some not—that He predestined some to be saved and some to be lost. But that is not what this Scripture says. The chosen ones, the destined ones, are always “in Him.” Everyone who responds to the gospel of Jesus Christ is chosen!

Ephesians 2 from CBSI Virginia Water on Vimeo.

Ephesians “Introduction”

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:28:55 +0000

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are also faithful in Christ Jesus.” In his third missionary journey, Paul had been used by the Lord to start the young church at Ephesus and now he wrote to encourage them. This letter was to minister to several churches besides Ephesus—Laodicea, Colossae, and others in Asia.

The key phrase of the book of Ephesians is “in Christ.” Paul used it twentyseven times in the epistle! “In Christ” describes the spiritual position of a believer – one who is brought into union with Christ as he receives Christ by faith.

The church, the body of Christ, must know what it is and what it is to do. Only the love of Christ in believers could make such a unity a reality, as Paul writes: “and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love….eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace….one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 3:17; 4:3-6).

Ephesians 1 from CBSI Virginia Water on Vimeo.

Philippians 4 “Unity and Charity”

admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:24:59 +0000

We live in an age of anxiety. The disease of depression affects millions. A sense of helplessness and hopelessness fills our world. Problems are many, answers few. People are searching but still have no sense of purpose, no peace, no happiness, no contentment, no joy. Many are spiritually poor, with no awareness of what is at the root of their problems. Paul declared, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances….I have learned the secret” (4:1112).

He was under house arrest, chained to a Roman guard, awaiting a possible death sentence when he wrote, “I rejoice greatly in the Lord” (4:10) and told others to “rejoice in the Lord always” (4:4). What was the secret? The goal of his life was to know Christ more and more (3:1011).

He knew whatever happened could bring him closer to the One he longed to be near, help him better know the One he knew and loved already. When your deepest desire is in tune with God’s purpose, when you take your cares to a caring God and leave them there, your ability to cope with life changes, satisfaction rises, relationships improve. All who live in spiritual poverty need to follow Paul’s example. He was a man who lived life to the fullest and had lasting joy despite his circumstances as he sought deeper fellowship with his Lord. Let Paul’s letter to the Philippians teach you how to live a joyful, content life serving the Lord.

Philippians 4 from CBSI Virginia Water on Vimeo.

Philippians 3 “Moving Towards the Goal”

admin — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:23:32 +0000

Christ is the supreme model for Paul’s thoughts, words, and actions (2:111). Paul invited believers to “join with others in following my example…and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you” (3:17). Paul wanted to exalt Christ. As believers in Christ, we also are to exalt and imitate Him (Ephesians 5:1). If we follow Christ closely, watch Him carefully, and obey Him willingly, we too will be good role models for others. This is possible only because our righteous Lord dwells in our hearts by faith in Him. You and I have become new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our new nature is “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). Just as parents’ traits are reflected in their children, God our heavenly Father gives His characteristics to us. He has made us His own, and He produces His image in us. Moving toward this goal is an inward process of being changed by the renewing of our thoughts and will as we submit to His Lordship (Romans 12:2).

Philippians 3 from CBSI Virginia Water on Vimeo.

Philippians 2:12-30 “Workers in the Kingdom”

admin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 08:16:35 +0000

Christians are to live and “work out” the salvation God has given us in Christ. Paul noted the admirable qualities produced when we are obedient to God? however, few people are willing to be servants—of God or of other people. In writing about Timothy, Paul comments, “I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 2:2021). Paul obviously did not mean there was no one on whom he could rely at all, for he then mentions Epaphroditus? but he evidently found that many Christians were immature and self-involved.

We can be as self-centered as believers in Paul’s day. However, there is hope? we don’t need to stay that way. God is willing to work in our lives, but the choice is ours. He does not force us? He simply loves us. He offers us all His resources, but we must take what He offers.

Philippians 2:12-30 from CBSI Virginia Water on Vimeo.

Philippians 2:1-11 “Christ: The Supreme Model”

admin — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:25:50 +0000

Jesus is our model of obedience and humility—in words and actions. He is also our model of exaltation—God raised Him to the place of highest honor. There is a relationship between humility and exaltation: God lifts up those who are humble. He promises that we will appear with Jesus in glory (Colossians 3:4) and one day be like Him (1 John 3:2). That is our future. Our present task is to live humbly before God and other people the same way Jesus did. He did not exalt Himself? He exalted God. And in turn, God exalted Him. God promises to do the same for us (1 Samuel 2:30).

Philippians 2:1-11 from CBSI Virginia Water on Vimeo.

Jesus is the Ultimate Beauty Treatment

admin — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:26:49 +0000

Devotional talk given by Amy on 13th March 2012.

“Jesus is the Ultimate Beauty Treatment” from CBSi VW on Vimeo.

Prayer for true beauty:

Father God,

We are so sorry for all those times that we have looked at our bodies and have criticized the perfection that you created in us. We thank you for our uniqueness and for making each one of us different so that we may enjoy being individuals.

Help us to accept our selves as you created us and when we look into a mirror help us to see the beauty our friends see in us. Help us to focus on Christ within us and to shine brightly with your love.

May we all grow old gracefully, Amen

Philippians 1:12-30 “Paul’s Personal Testimony”

admin — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:54:09 +0000

Are our lives “worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27)? As believers, we are to love, honor, and obey Him. If we truly follow Christ, He will be honored in our thoughts, words, and actions. His indwelling presence will be visible through our lives as we live and move in Him. Jesus said others will know we are His followers because of our love for one another (John 13:35). We are united, first to God and then to one another, through Jesus. He has reconciled us to God through the blood of His cross (Colossians 1:20). We have peace with God and with one another through Christ’s love and forgiveness (Ephesians 2:1318). Therefore we are to reflect His peace in our relationships. Our unity in Christ is a living testimony.

Philippians 1:12-30 from CBSI Virginia Water on Vimeo.

Philippians 1:1-11 “Introduction”

admin — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:37:21 +0000

Philippians is often called the “Joy Book” of the New Testament. Though Paul wrote from prison, he uses the words joy or rejoice 16 times. His joy depended on the Savior Himself, not on his surroundings. Paul elevates Christ for readers to see His beauty and claim His power. This letter to the Philippians thanks them for their continuing financial support, similar to a modern missionary thank you note. Paul reports on his circumstances and encourages believers to live victoriously in their situation.