Entering the Weekend with Christ

Hi everyone,

Discipleship is a journey that calls us to choose life, to align our hearts and minds with the way of Christ.  It's a commitment to follow Jesus not just in words, but in action, to let His love transform us from the inside out.  This Sunday, we will explore what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, drawing inspiration from the lives of Joshua and the early Christians, as well as the teachings of Jesus Himself.  We also hear of putting on the full armor of God...which takes a bit more than a cup of coffee from Mr. Coffee!

Pastor Tim

"God has led you to the desert, and spoken to your Heart."

Mount of Olives Lutheran Church

3546 E. Thomas Rd

Phoenix, AZ 85018

602-956-1620 office

The Bread of Life: Choosing Life with Christ

Joshua's Challenge: Choose Life

In Joshua 24, Moses gathers the people of Israel together one last time before his death. He reminds them of God's faithfulness throughout their history, from their deliverance from Egypt to their conquest of the Promised Land. Then, he presents them with a stark choice: "Choose this day whom you will serve...whether the gods your fathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).   

Joshua's challenge echoes throughout the ages. We too are called to choose whom we will serve. Will we follow the idols of this world, or will we commit ourselves to the living God? The choice is not merely intellectual; it's a matter of the heart. It's about recognizing that God alone is worthy of our worship, our love, and our obedience.

The Armor of God: Spiritual Warfare

In Ephesians 6, Paul exhorts us to put on the armor of God, to equip ourselves for spiritual warfare. This armor is not physical; it's spiritual. It includes truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

Why do we need such armor? Because we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). These forces seek to undermine our faith, to distract us from God's purpose for our lives, and to lead us astray. But with the armor of God, we can stand firm and resist their attacks.

The Bread of Life: Abiding in Jesus

In John 6, Jesus feeds the 5,000 with a few loaves of bread and fish. Then, He teaches them about the true bread of life, which is Himself. He says, "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him" (John 6:56).

To abide in Jesus means to remain connected to Him, to draw our strength and nourishment from His presence. It's like a branch remaining connected to the vine. When we are connected to Jesus, we receive His life, His love, and His power.

Conclusion

Discipleship is a lifelong journey that requires constant choice, spiritual equipping, and abiding in Jesus. It's about choosing life over death, putting on the armor of God, and receiving the bread of life. As we follow Jesus, we will experience His love, His grace, and His transforming power.