Who Needs Encouragement? + This Sunday at Immanuel
Good morning Immanuel! Let’s make this a day where we give grace to others.
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Eph. 4:29)
Truett Cathy (founder of Chick-fil-A) was fond of saying, “How can you tell if someone needs encouragement?” His answer was, “they are breathing.” I believe that is also true for every Christian, whether they eat chicken or not.
The Apostle Paul first addresses our natural tendency: letting corrupt talk come out of our mouths. Corrupt talk is rotten, like fruit left out too long. We wouldn’t put rotten fruit in our mouths, and Paul urges us not to let it come out of our mouths. Just as putrifying fruit is distasteful, our rancid words are just as vile.
Instead, we use our words to build up others–giving them exactly what they need at that moment. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold” (Prov. 25:11). This type of encouragement reflects the grace of God. And when we give the grace of God to others, we receive it at the exact moment. For some, speaking grace is like a foreign language. But we can become fluent in the language of grace with a bit of practice.
Dear family and friends, let’s be grace-giving, hope-building, faith-daring encouragers today. It’s not difficult, and it costs nothing. Start with one person today.
October 9, 2022 - This Sunday At Immanuel
Sunday Morning
Pastor Sam Allberry will continue our Ephesians sermon series from Ephesians 1.
If you will be visiting Immanuel for the first time or are new, feel free to scan the QR code hanging on the back of any chair to fill out our connection card!
Growing & Connecting
9 am: Studying the Bible Together led by Tom Cox in the Staff Lounge (ongoing)
9 am: First Word (Genesis 1-11 seminar) led by Russell Moore in the Cafe
9 am: Student Seminar led by Vince Greenwald in the gymnasium (ongoing for grades 5-12)
10:45 am: Session 2 of Next Steps will be led this week by Ton Cox in the Staff Lounge (ongoing)
Discover Luncheon immediately following the 10:45 am service in the Cafe. The last day to RSVP is Saturday.