Who Do We Unify With? (Ephesians 4:4-6)
Paul has just finished telling us to “put up with” each other’s differences for the sake of Gospel unity. However, just who are we supposed to cooperate with? Where is the line drawn?One BodyThere is only One Church, the Body of Christ. Christ has never been divided into Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, etc. We are to forbear with and strive for unity among all true Christians.One SpiritAll Christians have the indwelling Holy Spirit. How can the Holy Spirit in me reject…
How to Have Unity (Ephesians 4:1-3)
Paul the prisonerPaul begins this section by reminding the Ephesians that he is in prison for the very things he is teaching them. He is not someone who is asking them to do something that he is unwilling to do. He knows what he is asking them to do. He knows what it will cost them; and he knows it is worth it.Walk worthy of the callingIn light of God calling us to new life, we need to live in…
Racial Reconciliation – Part 5 – (Ephesians 3:1-6)
Paul’s ministryGod opened Paul’s eyes to see His eternal purpose, one covenant people comprised of both Jews and Gentiles. It is this revelation that resulted in Paul being imprisoned for his friendship with the Ephesian, Trophimus. It is this revelation that has made him the Apostle to the Gentiles. This revelation was not just revealed to Paul but to the other apostles and prophets as well.A mystery in plain sightThe fact that God would include the Gentiles as a part…
Racial Reconciliation – Part 4 (Ephesians 3:1)
In order to better understand Ephesians, we must first turn to why Paul is imprisoned and the circumstances leading up to his arrest in Acts 21-22.Rumors upon his return to JerusalemPaul was returning to Jerusalem with money for the poor Jewish believers there. This money had been collected from different Gentile churches (1 Corinthians 16.) When he arrived in Jerusalem the elders tell him that the Jews have heard rumors that he has rejected Judaism and the Bible. They wanted…
Racial Reconciliation – Part 3 (Ephesians 2:20-22)
As Paul continues to address the racial tension between Jews and Gentiles he has told us in verse 19 that in Jesus Jews and Gentiles are on the same standing before God and part of the same family.The house is built on the Apostles and prophetsPaul now uses the idea of a household as a building to drive home his point. Like all the many parts of a house are brought together to build a dwelling place so now all…
Racial Reconciliation – Part 2 (Ephesians 2:16-19)
As we saw last week, Paul is now addressing racial reconciliation, specifically between Jews and Gentiles. He has told us that Jesus is our peace, and that Jesus has broken down the wall between us so that now anyone has access to God through Jesus and your race or ethnicity does not matter. God judges us on the basis of Christ, not race.One body reconciled to GodGod had a two-fold purpose in the death of Christ. He reconciled us to…
Racial Reconciliation – Part 1 (Ephesians 2:11-15)
BackgroundIn order to understand this passage we must know a little of the historical context in which Paul is writing. He is writing to a church that is comprised largely of Gentiles with a few Jewish believers in it as well. At the time of his writing, Jews despised Gentiles and refused to associate with them. Even Gentiles who converted to Judaism were not completely welcomed. The Jews erected a wall in the temple that separated Jewish worshippers from Gentile…
Paul’s Prayer (Ephesians 1:17-18)
Wisdom Paul knows that God is a good Father Who gives good gifts to His children. Because of this He asks the Father to give the Ephesians wisdom. He wants them to understand the world around them and how God has ordered it. He wants them to know how to conduct themselves in this world and make wise decisions in light of what God has revealed. Revelation of Jesus He then prays that God might reveal to them knowledge of…
What Does the Bible say about Gossip?
What does the Bible say about gossip? How serious is this sin? How do you stop someone from sharing gossip with you? How do you share a prayer request without gossiping?
What Truly Matters (Ephesians 1:15-16)
Wherefore In light of the spiritual blessings that are in Christ Paul draws a conclusion: faith in Christ is what matters. If we truly believe in the spiritual blessings that are in Christ we will seek only one thing, genuine faith in Christ. Inheritances, the economy, popularity, family relationships, acceptance by our neighbors, financial success, business success, etc. does not really matter if there are spiritual blessings in Christ. What we value shows a lot about what we truly believe.…