The Undead…

Hi Harvest South Bay!
Many thanks to Reni who organized and everyone else who participated in the Carnival this last Sunday (Joe especially!). May God use the contacts we made that day to expand His Kingdom!

Here are the announcements and notes from last week’s service!
Byron

Operation Christmas Child
The Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child 2009 National Collection Week is November 16-23.  Begin to collect empty shoe boxes and gift items (school supplies, toys, hygiene items, hard candy, mints, gum, t-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips). For more info, contact Stephanie Liu.

EFC Winter Retreat
Dec. 31-Jan. 3
Registration is open for those interested in attending the EFC Winter Retreat at Pine Summit (Big Bear). Early registration ($175) is due Oct. 18 and can be done online at:

http://www.efcchurches.org/wr/2009

The Undead
Live Big: Ephesians 2:1-10

Background (Eph 1:15-23):
The people of Ephesus lived in fear of the supernatural and were highly superstitious. This is the motivation for Paul to ask God to open their eyes to the power of Christ: that Jesus was seated above every name that is named, especially the demonic forces that were familiar to the Ephesians.

Two Reminders of our Identity In Christ

1. We are Not Dead Anymore.: We are now made spiritually alive. We need to come to a realization of our life with Christ so that we no longer live as if we were dead: afraid, lacking communication with God, powerless.

2. We are Alive With Christ.: The main point that Paul wants to drive home when calling us “alive” is that we are now seated with Christ  in the heavenlies- we share the power that Christ has in being seated above all powers that oppose Him.

Weekly Application Exercises
1. Ever take a personality test of any kind? What were the results? How often do you think about what those kinds of tests say about you and who you are? Memorize Eph 2:1 (simple!) and Eph 2:4, 5 (harder!) and reflect on them when pondering what God says about who you are.

2. Catalogue what forces keep you from being bold for Christ. If Christ has seated us above our fears, how will that impact our behavior this coming week?