Lessons from a church in Gainesville, Florida.
This is a challenging text because it is hard for us to relate to the concept of "masters" and "slaves." However, this was a common relationship in the first century, even in the Lord's church. Submission may not be easy to understand but it's the will of our Father. It's also His character. That's right! Our Lord is a submissive King. Join us as we dig into this passage and make it applicable to our lives.
Following in the steps of our Savior means learning to submit as our Savior submitted. It may be hard to fathom, but the One with all power freely gave up His "rights" for the sake of others. He shows us how to love by showing us how to submit to one another. In this text, Paul uses the marriage relationship to illustrate the submission of the church to our Lord. Get ready to be challenged!
The Apostle Paul continues his "walk" sermon. Now he is encouraging Christians to "walk in wisdom" by being filled with the Spirit and not the foolishness of the world. The "Walk" Sermon Walk in good works - 2:10 Walk in a worthy manner worthy of your calling - 4:1 Walk not as the Gentiles - 4:17 Walk in love - 5:2 Walk as children of light - 5:8 Walk in wisdom - 5:15
Christians have been transformed from darkness into light. Let's learn to walk as children of light in a world that desperately needs powerful examples of God's goodness
“Let no one deceive you” Paul clearly defines what is not pleasing to God.
Ministry relies on a body built by faith and love
Nothing is more pleasing to the Lord than a life devoted to becoming a "sweet-smelling sacrifice" to Him. Join us today as we discuss this wonderful metaphor of Christian service. Let's "imitate our Father."
There is no more excellent reason to walk in holiness and an attitude of forgiveness: "As God in Christ forgives you."
Don't just talk the talk, walk the walk! That's Paul's message throughout chapters 4 and 5. This new "walk" is a lifestyle that comes with learning the will of the Lord. The Worthy Walk of those in the Church 4:1 - Walk in a manner worthy of the calling 4:17 - You must no longer walk as the Gentiles 5:1 - Walk in love, as Christ loved us 5:8 - Walk as children of light 5:15 - Look carefully then how you walk, not as the unwise but the wise
Grace brings everyone to Christ by liberating all of us from the captivity of Satan, sin, and death. But freedom is just the beginning of His grace, He also gives us great purpose by giving us gifts of service within His church. Paul wants us to think of the church as a body. Each member has great value and each member is greatly needed by all the other members. The church has three main objectives: 1. Equip saints 2. Work of ministry 3. Edification of the members
Does it matter what we believe about Jesus and the church? Paul says it does! Christians share a... - Common mission - "worthy walk" (vs 1) - Common attitude - "humble, patient, bearing with one another in love" (vs 2) - Common Doctrine - the "ones" of our faith (vs 4-6) This common doctrine is what sets Christians apart from the world and all the religions of the world. These "ones" are not suggestions. They are absolutes. These truths are at the foundation of His church.
It's time for some practical application of the truths revealed in the first three chapters. Chapter 4 begins with a noted, "Therefore," designation as Paul transitions to the "responsibilities" in our relationship with the Lord and others. It's about our "walk" in the Lord. We seek to "walk"-in... Unity (4:1-6) Holiness (4:17-32) Love (5:1-7) Light (5:8-14) Wisdom (5:15-21) Let's continue to walk together through the transforming Letter to the Ephesians.
The "love of Christ" surpasses knowledge, yet Paul seeks to explain it to us. It's his prayer for all Christians, that we may comprehend the magnitude of our Lord's love. This love is multidimensional (height, width, length, and depth) God of power - 1:19 Rich in mercy - 2:4 Lavishing in grace - 2:7, 3:7 Rich in wisdom 3:10 Let's study how His power and love work in us so that we may be "filled with all the fullness of God."
There is a great mystery in Paul's epistle and among our men in the podcast. Mark Sr. lost the Bible that he has had for more than 60 years. Join us as we continue to discuss the grace of Paul's ministry. Hopefully, for Mark and his Bible, the ending will be just as merciful and joyous.
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