Imago Dei Church

05/31/2026

01/25/2026

Imago Dei services canceled today, January 25. Love to you all. Stay warm!

10/06/2024

Still struggling with sound issues but will still do live video

09/29/2024

Sorry, no recording today. We are having microphone issues. 😏

09/17/2024

Washing Daily with the SOAP of God's Word
S.O.A.P. (SCRIPTURE, OBSERVATION, APPLICATION, PRAYER)
Doing 1 chapter a day
SOAP – September 16, 2024

SCRIPTURE – What scripture did you read, give a key verse.

Philemon
8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love.

OBSERVATION – What does this scripture say? what did you see in the text that impacted you?

-Paul writes to Philemon, a Christian brother and to the church that meets at his home
- Grace and Peace! Grace gives peace. No grace no peace.
- Thankful for his faith and love, partner in gospel
- he gives Paul joy and encouragement
- As leader, he could order, but prefers to appeal to love
- Talks to Philemon about Onesimus who just became a Christian
- Onesimus is a slave to Philemon who escaped and fled to Rome, met Paul
- Paul says the runaway slave is useless to Philemon, but is now useful as a Christian
- Paul is not advocating slavery, but living within the laws of the land.
- Paul would like Onesimus to help him, but does what is right by law, and appeals to a fellow follower.
- Onesimus is now not just a slave but a dear brother
- Paul calls on Philemon to welcome Onesimus as he would welcome Paul
- Paul accepts responsibility for what it has cost Philemon
- He is asking Philemon to care for Onesimus as he does
- Paul uses some gentle persuasion and some reverse psychology
- Paul says he wants to come for a visit

APPLICATION – how will you apply that to your life today

A loving appeal is often better than an authoritative command. It is much better to deal with each other in love even if we have a disagreement. Even though legally Philemon had full authority to deal harshly with Onesimus, Paul appeals to him as a brother. Legal does not always mean moral or Christian.

PRAYER – Write out your prayer to God using this scripture.

Lord, let us love each other, despite station, rank, or position. Let us deal lovingly with one another, to love with the same love you give to us.

09/04/2024

Washing Daily with the SOAP of God's Word
S.O.A.P. (SCRIPTURE, OBSERVATION, APPLICATION, PRAYER)
Doing 1 chapter a day
SOAP – September 4, 2024

SCRIPTURE – What scripture did you read, give a key verse.

1 Timothy 5
24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

OBSERVATION – What does this scripture say? what did you see in the text that impacted you?

-Treat people with respect
-Care for widows in need, family should care for their own
-If we don’t care for our own family, we are not living the faith
-young widows are not to be put on the list
-counsel young widows to marry and not be open to slander
-care for those you can and let the church help widows really in need
-elders who direct church affairs are worthy of double honor-
-workers deserve wages
-reprove elders who are sinning publicly, but must have two or three witnesses
-keep pure
-some sins are obvious and good deed are obvious, some are seen down the road.

APPLICATION – how will you apply that to your life today

It is good to care for your own family. Widows are put on the care list only when they cannot be cared for by family or others. Encourage young widows to remarry and not be open to slander or lust. Elders are worth the wage to care for the church. People’s deeds find them out, both good and bad. Sin finds us out, good finds us out. Do what is right.

PRAYER – Write out your prayer to God using this scripture.

Lord, let us care for those who are in need and love them. But also help us all to be wise and care for our own families. It is the loving thing to do. Help me to always remain pure and see the good that people are doing and direct those who are not to follow Godly paths.