Terry Scheuffele

Life Group Kick-Off is this Sunday!

This Sunday, September 8, is the kick-off for our 2024-2025 Life Group Ministry! We will have a potluck meal following AM worship for those who are in our Life Groups or who want to know more about Life Groups. You will have opportunity to sign up for a Life Group or start your own! Please plan on coming and participating in our Life Groups this year.

This is Life Group Potluck, but is not restricted to new groups or group members. It is for our current life groups and those who are thinking about joining a group. Please bring a full meal to share with others.

Life Groups are a vital part of our discipleship strategy at the Boise Church! We believe in the “three-legged stool” approach to discipleship :

1) large groups (worship assemblies);

2) medium size groups (Bible classes and fellowships); and

3) small groups (1:1 mentoring, Evangelistic Bible studies, and Life Groups). All three are vital because of their goals, function, and group dynamics.

Life Groups are a powerful way to grow! The assemblies of the early church (Acts 2:42-47), public and private, produced three kinds of growth:

1) Spiritual – “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship,”

2) Relational – “All the believers were together and had everything in common,” and

3) Numerical – “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Life Groups are a way we can S.H.A.R.E. our Christian walk together. Life groups allow us to:

S – Serve One Another (Galatians 5:13 Serve one another in love);

H – Heal Life’s Hurts (2 Corinthians 1:7 Because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort);

A – Apply God’s Word (Luke 11:28 Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it);

R – Relate to Others (Acts 2:44 All the believers were together and had everything in common); and

E– Evangelize (Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey  everything I have commanded you).

I’ll say more in my lesson Sunday.

We are always on the lookout for Life Group leaders and hosts to open their homes to a group. The latter requires no training at all – only a willingness to fellowship with other Christians. Life  group leader training is available. I can arrange this with you and schedule a time for you to participate in a small group Bible study where you can see firsthand the Serendipity method of group  dynamics.

Please plan on staying for our fellowship Sunday and learning more about our Life Group program.

God Bless! Joey

What Team Are You On?

Monday, August 26th, Danny Jansen made major league baseball history when he became the only player ever to start a baseball game as a member of one team and finish it as a member of the  opposing team. How is that possible? The game actually started on June 26th. The Toronto Blue Jays, his previous team, was playing the Boston Red Sox. Janson was up to bat with a 0-1 count  when the game was called for rain. It was rescheduled for August 26th, but not before Jansen was traded to the Red Sox on July 27th. When the game resumed, Jansen was behind the plate for the  Red Sox as catcher making him the only player to play for both teams during the same game.

My lesson Sunday morning deals with another change of allegiance, but on a significantly larger scale and certainly more serious than a ball game. Consider Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:17-24.

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of  impurity, with a continual lust for more. 20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put  on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

The Ephesians had changed teams. Formerly, they were owned by the Gentile Old-Selves, but their contracts were bought out by the Christian New-Selves. They had changed owners and thereby  their allegiance. That’s why Paul said they should not live any longer as the Gentiles do – futile thinking, darkened understanding, separated from God, ignorance, hardened hearts, given over to sensuality, impure, and with a continued lust for more.

Once under contract to their new owner, Christ, they learned they should put off their old selves and deceitful desires and put on their new selves – new in their attitude, created to be like God in  true righteousness and holiness. That’s quite the change.

It would have been traitorous and disloyal for Jansen to return to his at bat for the Blue Jays or step behind the plate again as their catcher. He is on a new team now with a new allegiance.  Similarly, for a Christian to return to his or her old ways or return to the opposing team would be a betrayal of Christ and an affront to the price paid for them.

What team are you on? I’ll say more in my lesson.

Joey

To Bring Unity To All Things

Ephesians 1:8b-10 (NIV 2011) With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into  effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

It was the purpose of God from the beginning to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. This is a major theme in both Ephesians and Colossians. Sunday, my lesson will ask the questions, “What does this mean?” and “What does it matter to us?”

What does this mean? These verses presuppose a fractured cosmos — a universe that has been broken by sin and disobedience to God. This brokenness has separated God from human beings and human beings from one another. However, the brokenness does not end there. The very cosmos itself has been affected and has been diverted from God’s original purpose and subverted by evil. This brokenness has affected the heavenly realm as well—fallen angels, demons, principalities, and powers of evil. Even God’s heavenly family has been fractured as these beings have worked to thwart his plan.

Unity in this text is a dynamic equivalence translation of a complex theological concept. The word in Greek is avnakefalaio,w (anakephalai ah o). It means to sum up like adding a column of numbers or summarize in the sense of getting to the point of an argument. Paul is affirming that Jesus is the answer, the focal point, and goal of God’s eternal purpose. In Jesus, God is bringing everything to its resolution. God and humanity will be reconciled.  Humans with be united with one another. The righteous will be saved and the wicked subjugated and vanquished. The entire cosmos will be renewed and released from its bondage to corruption.

What does this matter to us? Well obviously a fractured cosmos affects us—especially in our relationships with God, one another, and our subjection to death and disease in this present world. However, we can be reconciled to God and one another through Christ and inherit a renewed heaven and earth. I’ll say more in my lesson.

Joey

Before & After Pictures

I really love before and after pictures. Social media seems to really love them, too. I suppose it is an expression of nostalgia for the “good ole days.” I have a particular interest in photographs of old places, cities, movie locations, etc. It is fun comparing what has changed or what is still the same over 10, 20, 50, or even 100+ years ago. The same is true for people; its fun to see how young, thin, and beautiful people looked so many years ago.

My text Sunday is from Ephesians 2:1-10 and it regards the before and after pics of the church in Ephesus.

Ephesians 2:1-10 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we  were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions– it is by grace you have  been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his  grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith– and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– 9 not by works, so that no one can  boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Notice, the before shot: dead in transgressions and sin, following the ways of the world, following the rulers of the kingdom of the air, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature, and objects of  wrath.

The after shot is much better: made alive with Christ, saved by grace, raised up with Christ, seated with him in the heavenly realms, God’s workmanship, and created in Christ to do good works.

Their story is our story as well. Because of Jesus, we are very different people than we were! I’ll say more in my lesson.

Joey

The Enthronement of Christ

Ephesians 1:19-23  That power is like the working of his mighty strength,  ²⁰ which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,  ²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  ²² And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,  ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

As we discussed last week, Paul prays the Ephesians will understand the power that is at work in them (1:19a). In the second half of that verse he describes the nature of that power; it is like what God exercised in Jesus when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand. He then expands upon the Enthronement of Christ in terms of its scope and what it means “for the church.” 

The Enthronement of Christ was a popular messianic theme. Psalm 110:1  The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” Jesus applied this Scripture to himself (Matthew 26:64) and Peter uses it at the climax of his sermon on Pentecost to conclude Jesus is Lord and Christ (Acts 2;34-36).

The Enthronement of Christ is significant “for the church” because it points to the defeat of the “rulers, …authorities, …the powers of this dark world and …the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12) and their subjugation under the feet of Christ (1:22).

Paul makes it clear that his victory over evil spiritual beings is our victory because we have been “seated with him.” Ephesians 2:6  God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.  The powers of evil have been subjected “for the church.” Our victory is assured!

Joey

Immeasurably More than All We Ask or Imagine

Ephesians 1:15-19 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.  17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your  heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

Ephesians 3:14-21 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you  with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together  with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge– that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Paul deviates from his customary introductory formula in this letter by inserting the eulogia (we spoke of this last week) before his thanksgiving and prayer for the recipients of the letter.  Ephesians 1:15-19 begins the thanksgiving and prayer and Paul concludes it in Ephesians 3:14-21.

The emphasis of the prayer is that God would fill them with the Holy Spirit so that they may know experientially (not just intellectually) Jesus, his love, their inheritance, and the power of God at  work in them. As with the eulogia, these intercessory requests are of particular import for new Christians. In discussions with our newer Christians, I have found they are particularly interested in  this experiential knowledge and are somewhat disappointed that we older Christians, do not seem to be.

I’ll say more in the lesson, Joey

This And That

What about that Olympic Opening Ceremony?!! I’m sure you’re sick of hearing about it now.  Never be surprised when pagans act like pagans. Many are now claiming that it was not their intention to parody The Last Supper; however, that seems to conflict with earlier claims.  What appears to have really happened is they intended to juxtapose images of the Festival of Dionysius with Da Vinci’s The Last Supper to emphasize a LGBTQ+ message of inclusion and now they are backtracking because of the uproar.  It is not an uncommon strategy to undermine conservative, biblical teaching that conflicts with their goals. Regardless of intent, the entire spectacle was offensive. Again, Never be surprised when pagans act like pagans.

I am surprised with some Christians.  As I have said before, I follow a lot of social media circles that deal with religious matters.  Two things have disturbed me this week: 1) How much hate and vitriol that has been poured out on these LGBTQ+ activists and 2) How many Christians have defended the message of inclusion or downplayed the Festival of Dionysius.  We are called to love our enemies, but God has never asked his people, out of love, to approve of what he, himself has declared to be an abomination. In 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, Paul commands us not to judge sinners without the church, but those within. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, he further explains how God will be the judge of pagans.  In chapter 10, Paul warns about pagan feasts and calls them demonic—meaning the actual worship of demons.  There is a message of inclusion in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; however, it applies to those who have been washed and sanctified (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). The message of inclusion centers around the Lord’s Supper and God’s sanctified people.

                                                                                               Joey

To the Praise of His Glory

Ephesians 1:3-14 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the  creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will– 6 to the praise of  his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment– to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were  included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing  our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession– to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 1:3-14 is one long rambling sentence in Greek. Scholars used to ponder why Paul used such poor Greek style in this letter. Eventually, parallels were found in other Greek writings that  identified Paul’s style as benefactor language.

The patron/client relationship was a significant element in Greco/Roman culture. The patron (a superior, financially or in status) would gift (charis, grace) the client (an inferior – person, city, or  group) with a lavish gift (money, buildings, opportunities, etc.). The client would be expected to express thanksgiving to their benefactor in some form. Often this would be a long, rambling, public  praise (eulogia, eulogy, blessing).

This is how Paul prefaces the letter to the Ephesians with blessing upon blessing for THE Benefactor that made it all possible. In return, the Ephesians were to be “to the praise of his glory.”

I’ll say more in the lesson, Joey

Harassed and Helpless

Matthew 9:35-38 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Jesus’ preaching ministry was characterized by preaching the “good news of the kingdom.” That good news consisted, in part, of his destroying the power of the devil. That is why his ministry also included healing sicknesses and diseases. Whether directly or indirectly, these were caused by satanic power wreaked upon a world under the dominion of sin.

In describing Jesus to Cornelius, Peter referenced the nature of Jesus’s work, Acts 10:38 He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil….

When Jesus saw the crowds he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless. He was moved to help. The word compassion does not begin to show the force of the strong emotional word used here. It was an emotional gut reaction; his heart went out to them. He felt their pain in his heart!

It was not just from the direct action of the devil that they were harassed and helpless. Indirectly, his power is exercised through tragic circumstances, broken hearts, grief, destructive false  philosophy, deception, guilt, oppression and the thoughtless, selfish, or evil actions of others.

They were like sheep without a shepherd. They had no one (humanly speaking) to guide them, protect, or care for them. God uses people to help others. That’s the reason workers are needed for the harvest.

I’ll say more in my lesson, Joey

Jesus Is Enough!

John 1:11-18 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–  13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'” 16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.

Jesus possesses complete and infinite fullness of all that is good, glorious and blessed. Upon salvation, he shares this fullness and abundance with all those who believe. Jesus is enough! He gives  us everything we need. All that we might strive for in life to fill that emptiness is nothing compared to his actual provision.

However, sometimes we might not feel full. Even after salvation, we might still feel something is lacking. What can I do to enjoy the fullness of Christ?

• Check your feelings. Feelings can lie. Faith trumps feelings.
• Understand, we can’t DO anything to add more of Christ’s fullness to our lives. We are complete. We can’t earn his fullness.
• Know that to desire more of Christ’s fulness, when he has already given us everything, reveals discontentment with his provision and spiritual immaturity on our part.
• Meditate regularly on all Christ has given you and his promises.
• Thank God for his blessed provision of all things in Christ.

I’ll say more in my Lesson, Joey