Fall Retreat Recap

Thanks to everyone who came to Fall Retreat and made it awesome! It was by far the most students we've ever had, and if I do say so myself, the most fun! But we realize that with fall weddings, women's conferences, etc., not everyone was able to make it this past weekend. We also realize that even for those who did, the human brain is only capable of remembering little snippets of talk. So here is a summary of the teaching from the retreat:


Blessing
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. (v.3, italics added)


Spiritual blessings:

• Salvation; "He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight... In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (v.4,7)
• Adoption; "In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ" (v.5)
• A guaranteed inheritance; "Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance" (v.13-14)

Why He has blessed us so awesomely:

• It pleases Him to love us and display His glorious grace; "in accordance with His pleasure and will— to the praise of His glorious grace" (v.5-6), "in accordance with the riches of God’s grace" (v.7), "according to His good pleasure" (v.9), "in order that we... might be for the praise of His glory" (v.12), "to the praise of His glory" (v.14)
• As part of His mission to redeem the world; "He made known to us the mystery of His will... which He purposed in Christ, 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." (v.9-10)

As verse 3 suggests, in light of these blessings we ought to PRAISE GOD!! If you have a few minutes, take some time to praise God and thank Him for His many amazing spiritual blessings.

How will you be a part of God's work to bring all things in the world under Christ, to make disciples from all nations, to bless all the families of the earth?

Your friends,
The Pittsburgh Metro Cru Staff Team