Good Friday morning to you! I’ve been out of town this week, but I got back late last night. I’ve been up in Cincinnati, Ohio for my Pastor’s Coaching meeting. It was a great week of learning and encouragement with a group of about 20 other Pastors from around the country. But it’s always great to be home. And to all you Cincinnati food lovers, yes, while I was there I did have Skyline Chili, LaRosa’s Pizza, and Graeter’s Ice Cream. Honestly, I’ll take Charleston’s food scene any day!
We’re halfway through our study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians on Sunday mornings. Up until now, the focus of the letter has been mostly doctrinal, a study of our identity, of who we are in Christ. But this Sunday, beginning in chapter four, Paul moves to the application of that truth. In other words, on the basis of who we are, this then is how we should live. In fact, I love how he opens the chapter, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Live a life worthy of your calling!
But how do we do that? What does that look like? Fortunately he give us a glimpse of that in verse 2, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” The word that’s translated “humble” there is a word that the Greeks and the Romans laughed at and mocked. This was not a virtue in the Roman world of the first century, and it’s definitely not in 2025 either. But we’re not of this world are we? So what does it mean? It’s the opposite of pride and arrogance. It’s considering others (Philippians 2) as more important than myself. We’re to clothe ourself in it, making the choice to put it on daily, according to Colossians 3:12. So a worthy walk involves humility.
It also involves gentleness. Gentleness isn’t weakness. It’s not being a doormat. It’s being willing to clothe my strength with consideration for you and how this is affecting you. It’s power under control.
It also involves patience. The word translated “patience” actually comes from two Greek words, one of which means, “lengthy, far away, or at a distance.” The other one means anger. So patience is being willing to keep anger at a distance. We do really well with this one until we’re forced to go to Wal-Mart. Anybody ever feel like anger is getting real close to you, like it’s right there in certain situations? Well patience is being willing to keep that at a distance, to not allow it to overwhelm your thinking or decision making.
And then finally he says that living a life worthy of our calling involves “bearing with one another in love.” The phrase “bearing with one another” means to tolerate, literally, to put up with. In fact, the NLT translates it, “making allowance for each other’s faults.” It’s a fantastic concept, something that you and I need from each other on a daily basis. But how do we do that? Notice the last word in verse two – “love.” It takes love. What does love do? “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” Love is a choice and a commitment. Make the choice and the commitment today to live a life worthy of your calling! Coastal, I love you! I love being your Pastor! And I love living for Jesus with you! I can’t wait to see you and your friends on Sunday!
MUCH LOVE,
Pastor Chris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Downtown Charleston “Hotdog Ministry”: We will be grilling and serving hotdogs to the homeless and hungry downtown! TODAY, Friday, October 24th; Friday, October 31st, 4pm-6pm. Meet at Coastal.
JFM Fellowship Activity & Devotion: A fun project for kids! We’ll serve at Joseph Floyd Manor (JFM), a public housing facility in Downtown Charleston, playing BINGO with the residents. Monday, October 27th, 1pm-2:30pm. Meet at JFM.
Sewing Project: Sewing experience not required! Come and acquire a new skill while helping others in the community. This team of volunteers will work on zippered pouches, lap quilts, and blankets. Meet at Coastal on Wednesday, October 29th; Wednesday, November 5th, 5pm-8pm.
Food Pantry Sort & Stock: Coastal feeds an enormous amount of people. Come to the church and help keep our Food Pantry organized (and have a lot of fun while you’re at it)! Thursday, October 30th; Thursday, November 6th, 11:30am-1pm.
Clothing Team: Come help sort & organize all the clothes we distribute! Friday, October 31st; Monday, November 3rd, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
Saturday Serve: The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month. The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, November 1st. We meet in the Auditorium at 8:30am, Project Leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we go out and serve!
As always, if you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday or sign up now on our website. If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones. - Coastal Young Adults have several events coming up:
– Bonfire! We will be hosting a Bonfire right down the road from the church on Friday, November 7th! There will be dinner, games, and time to celebrate the close of the month! Join us at 3876 New Hope Road at 6pm.
– Young Adults’ Retreat! We are going to Folly Beach on November 14-16! We will have worship and devotions brought to us by key ministry leaders in our church. We will have direct access to the beach, plenty of space for games and group activities, and all of your meals are provided. This is all included in the $60 cost! Go online and reserve your spot! - Membership Class: Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Sunday, November 9th, from 5pm-8pm, in the Chapel. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card (let us know if you need childcare). Dinner & childcare provided!
- CSM Serve Weekend – TODAY, October 24–26 (Friday-Sunday)! This is a major yearly event. Serve Weekend is a powerful event designed to help students learn what it means to serve and love like Jesus. Students will participate in worship, teaching, a community tailgate, and time in host homes. It’s a ton of fun and an event our students really look forward to. Your student won’t want to miss this! THE ENTIRE WEEKEND COSTS JUST $75! Drop-off: TODAY, Friday evening, 5pm @ Coastal. Pickup: Sunday after 3rd service. The full itinerary is available upon registration. You can register by clicking this link.
- Coastal Blood Drive: Literally give the gift of LIFE! We still need donors for our community blood drive happening at our next Saturday Serve – Saturday, November 1st, 8:30am-1:30pm, at the church. Click on this link and sign up today!
P.S. Baptism is a public profession of a believer’s faith in Christ. On Saturday, November 22nd, at 10am, we will be hosting a “polar plunge” Beach Baptism at Folly Beach County Park. There will also be opportunities to be baptized in all 3 of our services on Sunday, November 23rd. If Baptism is your next step, indicate on your Connect Card or sign up online.
