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Meant for More Than Sitting in the Stands (Eph. 4:7-12, 14-16)

Chris Altrock – February 21, 2010

 

A recent book includes two studies on why people choose a church.[i]  When people who don’t normally attend a church start attending and then are asked why they started attending, they give these four answers: they like the preaching, they agree with the church’s doctrines, the church members are friendly, or a church member witnessed to them.  When people who do normally attend church services are asked why they attend, they give these four answers: they agree with the church’s doctrines, they see how church members care for each other, they like the preaching, or the church members are friendly to them.

 

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Meant for More Than Just Us (Eph. 4:6)

Chris Altrock – February 7, 2010

 

While traveling recently to the Philippines, I was reminded of the human tendency to create boundaries.   

  • For example, at the Memphis International Airport there is a clear boundary regarding where you can and cannot park.  You can park in long-term lots and short-term lots.  But you cannot park in the drop-off zone near the entrance to the airport.  Security guards at the drop-off zone ensure that you can barely get out of the car before they whistle for your loved one to move the vehicle.  You can park there (short-term and long-term lots), but you cannot park here (drop-off zone).  Thus, the morning of our trip, we bid a quick farewell to Beverly Ralston who deposited David and me at the drop off zone at the airport.
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Meant for More Than Just Me (Eph. 4:1-6)

Meant for More Than Just Me (Eph. 4:1-6)

Chris Altrock – January 31, 2010

 

In 1937, a researcher at Harvard University began a study on what factors contribute to well-being.[i] The research team selected 268 well-adjusted male Harvard students.  Researchers studied these individuals for 72 years to determine what affected their levels of health and happiness.  The study tracked a number of factors, including physical exercise, cholesterol levels, marital status, use of alcohol, smoking, education levels, and weight.  Over the period of 72 years, several directed the research. For the last four decades, the director has been George Vaillant. In 2008 someone asked Dr. Vaillant what he had learned about human health and happiness from these 268 men. Here’s what the doctor revealed: “The only thing that really matters in life are your relationships to other people.”  Perhaps the most significant thing they found by following 268 men for 72 years was this: the only thing that really matters are your relationships to other people.

 

This is our second week in a series which explores Eph. 4.  Last Sunday we spent time in the first verse of chapter four.  This morning, we are striving to hear from God in Eph. 4:1-6.  It is a text in which Paul focuses on the importance of our relationships: 1I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Eph. 4:1-6 ESV).

 

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