In our message, STANDING FOR GOD (Eph. 6:10-13), we started to look at the Lord’s “Final” words for us in the book of Ephesians.
Because Christians have been “delivered from the power of darkness… into the kingdom of… His love” by grace through faith, we inherit not only all the love of God but also all the hate of the devil (Col. 1:13-14; Eph. 2:1-9, etc.). We are therefore commanded to “be strong in the Lord and the power of His might” (Eph.… Continue reading
In our message, GOD SHOWS NO PARTIALITY (Eph. 6:5-9), we looked at a third relationship in which the Lord asks Christians to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Not only are husbands and wives to be continually filled with the Spirit as well as parents and children, but slaves and masters also are called to fulfill their roles in a way that honors the Lord (Col. 3:22-4:1, etc.). The principles here in God’s Word applies to any kind of employees and employers as well (1 Cor.… Continue reading
In our message, THE FIRST COMMANDMENT WITH A PROMISE (Eph. 6:1-4), we continued to look at how being filled with the Spirit manifests itself in family relationships. Not only did God establish marriage “at the beginning,” He also established the family and is concerned about restored relationships (Matt. 19:4-6; Mal. 2:15-17; 4:6, etc.). The family unit is a stabilizing and preserving element in nations- much like the church is (Gen. 1:27-28; Eph. 2:18-20, etc.).
In the family, designed by God, “children [are to] obey [their] parents… for this is right” (Eph.… Continue reading
In our message, MARRIAGE- CHRIST AND THE CHURCH (Eph. 5:22-33), we looked at how being filled with the Spirit manifests itself in marriage.
Marriage was established by God “at the beginning,” and it is a covenant- not a contract- “a great mystery” on display for all to see reflecting God’s love to those who will come to Him by grace through faith (John 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9; 5:31-32; Matt. 19:4-6, etc.). The Bible shows us all people “image” God, whether they know Him or not, and this is true also in marriage (Gen.… Continue reading
In our message, WALK IN WISDOM (Eph. 5:15-21), we see God calls us as His children to be alert… to be awake. As children of the light, we are to “walk circumspectly” in this world (Eph. 5:15a; 2 Pet. 1:19; Ps. 119:105, etc.). Circumspect comes from two Latin words that means to be looking around. The Greek word carries the idea of precision and accuracy. The words “See then” in verse 15 show us God is referring to what He just said in verse 14- to paraphrase…
In our message, FORGIVE AS CHRIST FORGAVE US (Eph. 4:28-32), we continued to look at God’s call to the church to “put off” that old nature whenever we see it in our lives and instead “put on” Christ (Eph. 4:22-24; Rom. 6:11; Gal. 6:14, etc.).
Practically speaking this means not “lying” or becoming “angry” in a sinful way- because such vices are ways the devil can develop a “place” in our lives with which to lead us into further sin (Eph.… Continue reading
In our message, PUT ON THE NEW HUMANITY (Eph. 4:17-27), we continued to look at God’s call to the church to follow Him as His disciples. Not only are Christians to “walk worthy” of Christ by making every effort “to keep the unity of the Spirit” with the gifts Jesus has provided us with, we also are to NOT walk as we did before we were saved (Eph. 4:17).
Lost people, God reminds us, “walk… in the futility [or vanity] of their mind” (Eph.… Continue reading
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:18-20
In our message, EVERY PART DOES ITS SHARE (Eph. 4:11-16), we continued Paul’s discussion on gifts from Christ to the church. The Bible says, “to each” Christian, the risen Jesus has given at least one gift (Eph. 4:7-10; 1 Cor. 12:7, 11, Rom. 12:3-8, etc.).
To lay “the foundation” of the church, Jesus first made “some to be apostles” (Eph. 2:20; 3:5; 4:11a, etc.). Apostles wrote much of the New Testament (NT), performed miracles, had to see Christ in resurrected form and told others about Him from their eyewitness accounts (Acts 1:21-22; 9:40; 19:11-12; 1 Cor.… Continue reading
In our message, ENDEAVORING TO KEEP GOD’S UNITY (Eph. 4:1-10), we moved from doctrine to our walk with Christ. Ultimately, what we believe determines how we will behave.
The Bible says here, “Therefore…”- that is in view of all that has been said in Ephesians chapters 1 through 3, God begs us “to walk worthy” of Him and His kingdom (Eph. 4:1; Rom. 12:1-2, etc.). The word “worthy” in the Greek is axiōs, and means ‘equal weight.’… Continue reading
