ephesians 2 | More Than Dodgeball

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: Created in His Own Image

“So God created human beings in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27) God has made each of us beautiful even with our imperfections. Imperfections enhance our beauty when they are embraced. Seeing the beauty in your imperfections comes by seeing you as God sees you.

It is not I who live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20).
I have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and transferred into the Kingdom of God (Colossians 1:13).
I have been washed in the blood and all of my sins have been forgiven (Ephesians 1:7).
I have been made right with God through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).
I am the temple of the Holy Spirit; I do not belong to myself (1 Corinthians 6:19).
I am raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).
I receive the free gift of righteousness and reign as a king in life through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).
I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).
I have the peace of God which transcend all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
He who lives in me is greater and mightier than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).
I have been chosen by God. I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4).
I have stripped of my old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. I put on my new nature and am renewed as I learn to know my creator and become like Him (Colossians 3:9-10).
I receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God and the eyes of my heart are flooded with light so that I can know and understand the hope to which He has called me (Ephesians 1:17-18).

This only briefly touches on the many wonderful words God speaks about you. Speak these words, believe them, and you will live them. There is power in agreeing with what God says about you.

Ashley Fordinal is the Children’s Church volunteer at Family Life Church in Sulphur Springs, TX.

Add Comment April 13, 2013

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 189

Weekend Teaching Series: Before and After: a study through Ephesians (series premiere, week 1 of 3)
Sermon in a Sentence: The person that I used to be and the person I am in Christ.
Service Length: 66 minutes

Understandable Message: This weekend AC taught for the first time in HSM – he walked students through Ephesians 2 and how we were before Christ and the life-change that happens at salvation. He did a great job explaining sin, the traps of Satan and salvation by God’s grace. The highlight of the weekend was when he had a student come up and share the story of her life, including a recent departure from God’s path that cost her things she could never get back. Her story clearly illustrated the amazing grace of God and how

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: This weekend was really straightforward with lots of welcoming students, a fun recap of our recent Rwanda mission trip and our 80′s skate night from this past Friday.

Music Playlist: Somebody That I Used to Know (A capella cover), Here For You, Majesty, What Would I Have Done, Savior of the World

Favorite Moment: Cayla sharing her story was incredible – made the whole message come to life. Incredible testimony to God’s grace!

Up next: Before and After (week 2 of 3)

Add Comment July 19, 2012

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 136

Weekend Teaching Series: Thread (summer camp registration kickoff weekend 1-0ff)
Sermon in a Sentence: You are God’s masterpiece.
Text: Psalm 139:13-16
Service Length: 66 minutes

Understandable Message: This weekend we brought in this summer’s HSM camp speaker to promote this summer’s big event in HSM. We had picked Ron Merrell and were so excited to have him teach what has now become the official registration kickoff weekend. Now, we’ve never done a weekend like this before, and honestly hadn’t heard or seen much from Ron so it was a risk. To some degree, this was going to be a preview of summer camp. It was awesome! Ron is a great communicator and students were introduced to his heart and passion for Christ. Students walked away challenged about their identity in Christ and many were already buzzing about HSM Summer Camp. Mission accomplished, great weekend.

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: This week had some fun on stage with a game of “Let’s Make a Deal” and a cover of a OneRepublic song. We had lots and lots of balloons (goes along with the summer camp theme) and a huge camp signup/info table. Lots of student greeters and energy, especially considering we were coming off the week break from Easter.

Music Playlist: OneRepublic opener, Our God, Divine and Holy, Your Love is Enough

Favorite Moment: I think we just established a new tradition in HSM – the summer camp kickoff weekend. Really inspiring and awesome, proud of the team and excited for our students. The only way it could have been better was if we had the summer calendars to handout, too (my fault, I’m a little behind from vacation still). I spent some of the weekend up in big church doing the announcements and promoting summer camp registration to parents, too.

Up Next: How to Raise Your Parents (series premiere, week 1 of 3) [read the whole series are here]