Podcasts about christ ephesians

CHRIST HONORED RELIGIOUS FREEDOMThere is no conflict between biblical principles and the civic principle of religious freedom. In fact, it is precisely because the United States was founded on biblical principles that religious freedom exists. Only governments rooted in Judeo-Christian  values allow such broad freedom. Most Islamic, Hindu, and Buddhist governments do not allow religious freedom; therefore, countries such as Pakistan, India, and Tibet are, as a whole, intolerant of other religions. Atheistic governments, such as the former Soviet Union, have also proved to be antagonistic toward free religious expression.The concept of the freedom of religion is biblical for several reasons. First, God Himself extends a “freedom of religion” to people, and the Bible has several examples. In Matthew 19:16-23, the rich young ruler comes to Jesus. After a brief conversation, the young man “went away sorrowful,” choosing not to follow Christ. The salient point here is that Jesus let him go. God does not “force” belief in Him. Faith is commanded but never coerced. In Matthew 23:37, Jesus expresses His desire to gather the children of Jerusalem to Himself, but they “were not willing.” If God gives men the freedom to choose or to reject Him, then so should we.Second, the freedom of religion respects the image of God in man (Genesis 1:26). Part of God's likeness is man's volition, i.e., man has the ability to choose. God respects our choices in that He gives us freedom to make decisions regarding our future (Genesis 13:8-12; Joshua 24:15), even if we make the wrong decisions. Again, if God allows us to choose, we should allow others to choose.Third, the freedom of religion acknowledges that it is the Holy Spirit who changes hearts, not the government (John 6:63). Only Jesus saves. To take away the freedom of religion is to empower human government, with its fallible rulers, to determine the eternal destiny of every soul. But Christ's kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), and no one becomes a Christian by government fiat. We are made Christians by the grace of God through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). What the government does or does not do has no relation to the new birth (John 1:12-13; 3:5-8).Fourth, the freedom of religion concedes that, in the final analysis, it's not about religion; it's about relationship. God does not desire an external form of worship but a personal relationship with His children (Matthew 15:7-8). No amount of government control can produce such a relationship.The framers of the Constitution were God-fearing men making a sincere attempt to establish a new nation on biblical principles, including equity, justice, and liberty. One of the liberties they recognized as “inalienable and sacred” was the freedom of religion. Praise the Lord for such wisdom.Alexanderaalfano@lawalfano.com+1 (305) 450 8550 

Sweet Mama, whether it's toddler tantrums or teen outbursts, we all face those moments when our child's emotions feel bigger than we can handle.

Join us for a milestone celebration as Pastor Abbie Sawczak guides us through a powerful message about what it truly means to build our lives on Christ as our firm foundation! In this special Sunday at the Table service, we're not just wrapping up our journey through the Sermon on the Mount - we're celebrating becoming a sovereign church and welcoming our very first members! Discover why our church name comes from Matthew 7:24 and what it means to create the culture of Christ in our daily lives.Pastor Abbie unpacks Jesus' timeless illustration of building on rock versus sand, reminding us that storms are inevitable - but when we build on Jesus, we can withstand anything life throws our way. She challenges us to examine our foundations and invites us to embrace a community that's about giving rather than gaining, where we lay down our lives for the sake of the gospel.Bible References:Matthew 7:24-28 (Building on the Rock)Matthew 5 (The Beatitudes)Psalms 18:21 Corinthians 12:12-31 (The Body of Christ)Ephesians 5:1-2John 15 (Abiding in Christ)

Ephesians 4:21-24 New Living Translation   21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

One of the reasons Jesus died on the cross was to tear down the walls of hostility, not only between God and mankind, but between all humankind. Join us as we look at how and why Jesus did this for us. Visit: abideatascadero.orgEmail: info@abideatascadero.orgInstagram: @abide.calvary_atascFacebook: @AbideCalvaryAtascadero

Pastor Trent Griffith preaches from Ephesians 5:22–32, reminding us that loving Christ means loving what He loves—and Christ loves His church. True devotion to Jesus is shown through loving, serving, and sending the church. In a world prone to “dechurching,” we're called to remain rooted in Christ's body and engaged in His mission.

Message from Matt Stubbs on 22/06/2025

Transformative Truth:  Divine love is revealed and expressed by Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Paul prays (1) That God might strengthen us with power through his Spirit in our inner being (Ephesians 3:6-17a) (2) That we might have power to grasp the limitless dimensions of the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:17b-19) Divine Love is revealed and expressed by Father, Son, and Holy Spirit First, to live with an ever-increasing awareness of Divine Love, Consider: Triune love Exists    Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Deuteronomy 6:4) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.  2 Corinthians 13:14 WBC doctrinal statement He (God) is inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all honor, confidence, and love. He eternally exists in three persons, who are equal in every divine perfection, and who execute distinct but harmonious roles in the work of creation, providence and redemption. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.  1 John 4:8  "It is common when speaking of the Divine happiness to say that God is infinitely happy in the enjoyment of Himself, in perfectly beholding and infinitely loving, and rejoicing in, His own essence and perfection..."  (Jonathan Edwards) And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;  and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:16-17 Second, to live with an ever-increasing awareness of Divine Love, Consider: Triune love is Expressed "His self-giving affection for his image-bearing creatures and his unselfish concern for their well-being, that leads him to act on their behalf and for their happiness and welfare "  The God who is love - is the Father who sends his Son.   For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly (Son) Romans 5:6 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Father) Romans 5:8 And when he (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.... (John 16:8 ) Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  John 3:5  You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14, NLT Third, to live with an ever-increasing awareness of Divine Love, Consider: Triune love is Extended In other words, the shape of the Father-Son relationship (the headship) begins a gracious cascade, like a waterfall of love: as the Father is the lover and the head of the Son, so the Son goes out to be the lover and the head of the church. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you," the Son says (Jn 15:9). And therein lies the very goodness of the gospel: as the Father is the lover and the Son the beloved, so Christ becomes the lover and the church the beloved. That means that Christ loves the church first and foremost: his love is not a response, given only when the church loves him; his love comes first, and we only love him because he first loved us (1 John 4:19) Divine Love is revealed and expressed by Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Message from Andrew Hayes on 15/06/2025

Lead Pastor, Pat Mulcahy continues our sermon series, "Ephesians: We Are God's Poem — In Christ".

Message from Tim Lynn on 08/06/2025

Ever feel trapped by the limits of time and circumstances? What if your true story, your real identity, began before time itself? In this powerful episode of The Drive Bible Podcast, we explore the mind-bending and life-changing doctrine of God's timelessness.Discover how God exists outside of the time and space He created, and why this theological truth is incredibly practical for your daily life. Anchored in our key verse, Ephesians 1:4, we unpack what it truly means that God "chose us in Him before the foundation of the world." This isn't just abstract theology; it's the foundation for unshakable peace, profound security, and a redefined identity that can't be shaken by your present struggles.If you want to move from living based on what you can see to living based on the eternal, unseen reality you belong to, this episode is for you.

Learn Christ (Ephesians 4v20) by David Antwi

Message from Jono McKeown on 01/06/2025

Many Christians today tend to have very low views of the Church. In fact, many people treat the Church like a pesky side effect of coming to Jesus. They want all the benefits that Jesus provides, without all the mess of belonging to the Church. But the Bible shows us a much different picture of the Church than we often hear. The Bible often makes reference to the Church as the Bride of Christ, and Ephesians 5:25 says that Christ "loved the church, and gave himself up for her." It also the Church which Christ said that he would build and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. No other institution has shares in either the promises or the presence of Christ like the Church. And here in this passage we see even more how essential the Church is to the life of a Christian. Paul uses this idea of the "body of Christ" as a metaphor for the church, and in that we see that to Christ and his Church are inseparably united. In other words, we can't have one without the other. We can't be united to Christ without also being united to his Church.This sermon was preached by Jackson Hankey at River City Church in Fargo, ND, on 4/24/2025.

  Understanding Christian Identity and the Power of Prayer based on the book of Ephesians and related scriptures. Key Themes: Gratitude and Thanksgiving: The importance of expressing thanks to God in all circumstances, recognizing the source of all blessings. Freedom and Sacrifice: Acknowledging the sacrifices made for earthly freedom and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus for spiritual freedom. Divine Health vs. Healing: A desire to live in continuous divine health rather than moving from one healing to the next. Standing on Truth and Fighting for Beliefs: The necessity of holding firm to God's word despite opposing thoughts, feelings, or circumstances. The Power of Giving Thanks (Eucharisto): Connecting the Greek word for thanksgiving to grace and joy, and highlighting Jesus' practice of giving thanks before miracles. God's Abundance and Compassion: Illustrated through the feeding of the multitude, emphasizing focusing on what is available rather than lack. Victory Over Death (Physical and Spiritual): Demonstrated through the resurrection of Lazarus and the understanding of Christ's power. The Significance of Communion: Remembering Jesus' sacrifice and giving thanks for the freedom and new covenant established through his body and blood. Raising the Next Generation: The importance of older believers supporting families and teaching children God's word. The Church at Ephesus as a Model: Examining a historically significant and initially strong church, noting its characteristics and eventual decline in "first love." Christian Identity in Christ: Focusing on the spiritual realities and blessings believers possess through their union with Jesus as described in Ephesians. The Power of Confession and Declaration: Using voice-activated faith to bring spiritual realities into physical manifestation. The Workmanship (Poema) of God: Seeing believers as God's perfect and complete creations in their spirit. Paul's Prayers in Ephesians: Highlighting specific prayers for enlightenment of understanding/imagination and comprehension of the love of God. The Power Working Within: Recognizing the resurrection power of Christ dwelling in believers. Most Important Ideas/Facts: Gratitude as a Core Principle: The speaker repeatedly emphasizes the centrality of thanksgiving in the Christian life. "Such a heart of gratitude today." This is presented as a key to accessing God's promises and experiencing his glory. "Eucharisto is the original Greek word used that means thanksgiving. In each instance, Christ offers thanksgiving before a miracle is performed." Gratitude is linked to glory and receiving things from God. Identity in Christ is Found in Scripture, Particularly Ephesians: The main focus of the latter part of the briefing is on understanding who believers are in Christ, drawing heavily from Ephesians. This identity is presented as a spiritual reality that needs to be accessed and lived out. Ephesians is described as the "most powerful book in the New Testament" for new Christians because it reveals "how God sees you. You see your identity. You see your authority. You see your position in heaven." The speaker highlights several aspects of this identity: Blessed with all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3): "He has blessed us. It's done. It's past tense... Everything that Jesus died for is your spiritual inheritance. It's all there. It's in your spirit. We want to access it." This includes prosperity, peace, joy, deliverance, and healing. Chosen, Holy, and Blameless (Ephesians 1:4): "You're chosen. You're holy. You're blameless before the foundation of the world." This is God's perspective on believers, regardless of their current state. Adopted into God's Family (Ephesians 1:5): "This is aba daddy. He adopted you into his family... you had the same rights as every other child." Accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6): Using the Greek word "Charito," meaning highly favored or blessed by God, highlighting the same status as Mary. "You are God's beloved... God loves you not based on what you good thing you did or what bad thing you did. His love love is absolute and constant." Redeemed and Forgiven (Ephesians 1:7): Emphasizing that redemption and forgiveness are received through the blood of Jesus, not obedience, and are according to the "riches of his grace." Forgiveness is presented as continuous and covering all sins (past, present, future, omission). Obtained an Inheritance (Ephesians 1:11): "Your inheritance is everything Jesus did for you. The gifting, the anointing he put in you, his favor in your life, his desire to give you divine health." Sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13): The moment of salvation, where the Holy Spirit "vacuum-acked and sealed your spirit. Everything you ever need is already there." Raised Up and Seated in Heavenly Places with Christ (Ephesians 2:6): This position signifies being "seated above all powers, principalities, and spirits of darkness," leading to an identity that is "invincible," "more than a conqueror," and an "overcomer," not a victim. God's Workmanship (Poema) (Ephesians 2:10): Believers are the "masterpiece of God's creation," seen by God as "perfect, complete, lacking nothing" in their spirit. Possessing the Fullness of Christ (Colossians 2, referenced): The reality that "the fullness of Christ is already in you," meaning "Onethird of you is Jesus. Jesus and the Holy Ghost living within you." Accessing Spiritual Realities through Faith and Confession: The gap between the spiritual realities of identity in Christ and the believer's experience is bridged through renewing the mind with God's word and speaking declarations based on faith. "Now, the rest of our life is trying to activate everything God deposited inside of you. Getting your mind into agreement with your spirit. How do you do that? Well, you renew it by God's word." "Getting your body under submission. These are things that God wants us to do." "Faith is voice activated." Confessing "I am blessed" or reciting identity statements brings them to life. Philemon 1:6 is highlighted: "that the communication the expression the way you speak about your faith may become affected that word is powerful dynamic transformative by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus". The Power of the Resurrection Working Within Believers: The same power that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in believers, enabling them to do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we think or ask (and imagine)." This power is connected to operating in Christian identity and fulfilling God's purpose. Overcoming Negativity and Focusing on Truth: The speaker shares personal anecdotes about battling negative diagnoses and thoughts, emphasizing the importance of not repeating them and instead focusing on God's word and promises. "You go to the doctors... they start throwing out all these diagnosis, and you just don't want to let them stick. See what I'm saying? You don't repeat them. You don't own them. You acknowledge something, but you don't let it stick." Martha's focus on the "lack" (Lazarus stinking) when standing before Jesus is used as an example of negative focus to avoid. The media and the world are described as "very dark stuff" and "very evil," contrasting with the truth of God's word. The Purpose of the Body of Christ and Ministry: The church community is essential for support, teaching the next generation, and helping believers overcome difficulties through prayer and prophetic gifts. The example of older women giving moms a break to teach children is mentioned. When individuals are struggling, "you need help from another Christian to pray you through." This is a purpose of the body of Christ "to lift you out of that problem and bring you into freedom." Prophetic gifts are seen as having the purpose "to set you free and to set you back on track for what God's doing." The Nature of God's Love: God's love is described as absolute, constant, and not dependent on human performance. It is a love that "lavishes" itself on believers, seeing them as beloved as much as Jesus. This love is both theological and experiential. Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3 is to comprehend "the width and length and depth and height of the love of God." Experiencing God's love through salvation, healing, deliverance, etc., leads to thankfulness. Conclusion: The message strongly emphasizes that Christian identity is not based on performance but on what God has already accomplished and deposited in believers through Jesus Christ. This identity, described in detail using passages from Ephesians, includes being blessed, chosen, holy, blameless, adopted, accepted, redeemed, forgiven, possessing an inheritance, sealed by the Holy Spirit, seated with Christ, and being God's masterpiece. Accessing and experiencing these spiritual realities is achieved through renewing the mind with God's word, speaking declarations of faith, and cultivating a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving. The power of God, specifically the resurrection power, resides within believers, enabling them to overcome challenges and fulfill God's purposes. The church community plays a vital role in supporting believers in this journey.

Recorded live on Sunday, April 27th, 2025.

Message from Jono McKeown on 25/05/2025

Growing Up Into Christ (Ephesians 4 v14-24) by David Antwi

Gifts of Christ (Ephesians 4:7) by David Antwi

Throughout the Old Testament we find many promises of a great Messianic King who would bring about a great and everlasting kingdom. For example, in the book of Genesis we see in God's promises to Abraham that there would be a king that comes from him. In Genesis 49:10 we see that this king would come from the tribe of Judah and that the scepter would never depart from him… Elsewhere, in Isaiah Ch. 9, we read of a coming "Prince of Peace," and Isaiah says that "the government (the kingdom) shall be upon his shoulder," and that "of the increase of government and of peace there will be no end." That he will "rule on the throne of David and over his kingdom."Even further, we read in Daniel 7, in a vision of the coming Son of Man, that "to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples and nations and languages would serve him: his dominion would be an everlasting dominion and his kingdom would be one that shall not be destroyed." But who is this great King? In Ephesians 1:20-21, the Apostle Paul sees the risen Christ as the fulfillment of many Old Testament passages about the Messianic King and specifically as the fulfillment of Psalm 110. He says that the risen Christ has now been "seated" (enthroned) at the right of God in the heavenly places, where he is "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named." The risen Christ has inaugurated the kingdom of God that was spoken of in the Old Testament and he has been granted "all authority in heaven and on earth." (Matthew 28:18). Tune in to this episode to learn more!This message was originally preached by Jackson Hankey at River City's Thursday morning Bible study on 4/17/2025.

Big Idea: Christ has equipped His church to build up His church.

The War Is On: Are You Close Enough to Christ to Win Brother Larry's message centers on the biblical call to “draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). He challenges believers to move beyond merely agreeing with Jesus to obeying Him (Luke 6:46). Drawing near requires willingness, truthfulness, sacrifice, and faith (Romans 12:1–2; Hebrews 10:22). He reminds us that although we may fail at times (1 John 1:8–9), God's grace is always available through our great High Priest Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:14–16). However, we must not presume upon that grace by willfully sinning (Romans 6:1–2). Instead, as Isaiah did when he saw the holiness of God (Isaiah 6:1–5), we should humble ourselves and let God's presence reveal who we truly are. Drawing near means ongoing spiritual warfare, but victory is assured through Christ (Ephesians 6:10–12, 1 John 4:4).

Did you know that every person and everything in creation comes from God and belongs to Him? He is the Father of ALL—even those who haven’t realized it yet. Though many live in spiritual blindness, sin, and delusion, their true identity in Christ has already been established by grace. The question is—will they awaken to this reality? John 1:3 declares: “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being.” God’s relentless love and purpose embrace all creation, and His plan is to reconcile ALL things through Jesus Christ! In this powerful revelation, you’ll discover:
 * Why God is the Creator & Sustainer of ALL things (Colossians 1:16-17)
 * How ALL people are God’s children—whether they realize it or not (Malachi 2:10, Ephesians 3:14-15)
 * What it means for God to bring ALL THINGS together in Christ (Ephesians 1:9-10)
 * How to awaken to your true identity in Him
 * The power of reconciliation through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) Your inclusion in God’s love is already true OF you—now it’s time to awaken to it and experience it for yourself! What has partnering with God unlocked in your life? Share your stories in the comments, and let’s celebrate how He is working through us all! Don’t wait—click now and experience the breakthrough God has for you! Special Opportunity:
FREE “Protect Your Purpose Masterclass”: https://catherinetoon.com — don’t miss this chance to align with your God-given calling! Resources to Bless You: * "Marked by Love, Revised & Expanded Edition" (#1 Best Seller!): https://bit.ly/3UGeJBI * Get God, Male & Female? on Audible: https://amzn.to/49hzCIM * FREE “How to Hear God” eBook: https://bit.ly/3cTNb49 * FREE Chapter from Marked by Love: https://markedbylovebook.com/free-chapter/ * Explore more resources: https://catherinetoon.com Your support changes lives! Partner with us to spread this life-giving message. Your tax-deductible donations help reach more people: https://catherinetoon.com/support/. Stay Connected and Share God’s Love! * Facebook: @CatherineToonMD * Instagram: @catherinetoon * Twitter: @CatherineToonMD * YouTube: @CatherineToon, MD Like, Share, and Subscribe to support this message of hope. Every click helps spread God’s love to a hurting world. Thank you!

Preached in 2020. For more resources for knowing and loving God's word, visit bcnewton.co

Listen as Gyle continues teaching on the book of Ephesians!

Preached in 2020. For more resources forknowing and loving God's word, visit bcnewton.co

Preacher: Michael Beck Gracenet Community Church

The hymn we study this weekend was written by Timothy Dwight, a Reformed pastor and teacher at the time of the founding of our country. He was the grandson of revivalist, Jonathan Edwards, and a scholar by his own right. He was known by George Washington, and the President of Yale University.  This is the only hymn that we have by Dwight in our hymnal, and sadly, some of the greater verses have been dropped out of other hymnals to make in more palatable to modern sensitivities (notably verses 3 and 6). It is found in the "Communion of Saints" section of our hymnal and is full of Biblical imagery for the church. The church, or the communion of saints, all believers, is referred to as "her" based on the picture of the church as the Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5). The hymn is a reminder that every Christian is a part of the whole of God's church. We are connected, not only to God, but also to one another. Because of this we join together in prayer and praise and encourage and support one another with our prayers as well as support. It is also through the visible church that the LORD imparts His gifts to His people through the "blest communion" and the Word by which God make rich promises to us of forgiveness and life, and in response we make promises to Him to be faithful to Him and in our use of His gifts. We dare not abuse His altar either by neglect or by aggression against Him or His people.  The hymn points us to Jesus as our Redeemer, as True God, our Savior and the victory He has secured for us over our enemies. So we declare His word of Truth in confidence of His return on the Last Day and our joyful reunion with Him and all His people for eternity! Isaiah says “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). As sure as we are that God's Word of Truth will last, we can also be certain that the church will finally inherit the eternal life Jesus came to win.  Join us this weekend as join together with our fellow believers to rejoice in God's gift of the CHURCH, both the fellowship that we have with Him through His Word and Sacraments, and the fellowship that He had created between believers united in faith and confession. What great blessings are ours! May the LORD bless your hymns of praise and thanksgiving to the True God this weekend!

Aaron Ku Series: The Right Side of History Romans 13:11-14; Ephesians 4:17-5:21 St John's Downshire Hill - Sunday 30th March 2025, 6:00pm

We are commanded to put on the whole Armour of God in order to stand our ground in the victory of Christ (Ephesians 6:13). Then Paul describes 6 pieces of Armour in v14-17: (1) the Belt of Truth, (2) the Breastplate of Righteousness, (3) the Gospel Shoes, (4) the Shield of the Faith, (5) the Helmet of Salvation, and (6) the Sword of the Spirit. Then v18 describes a 7th item of our Armour – the Lances of Prayer: “praying always with all kinds of prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” Standing firm in our defensive Armour means that we are ready to launch our offensive long-range weapons – the Lances of Prayer. First, we study the Lance of Praise, which binds and silences the enemy (Psalm 8:1-2, Matthew 21:16, Psalm 149:6-9). Secondly, we study the Lance of the Sacrifice of Thanksgiving - thanking God in advance for the fulfilment of His promises and the manifested victory, based on His revealed character (faithfulness). This should be our lifestyle (Hebrews 12:15), and it prepares the way for God to show (manifest) His salvation (Psalm 50:23). Derek then illustrates the place and power of this Sacrifice in (1) the Feeding of the 5000 (John 6:11,23), (2) Jonah's deliverance from the great fish (Jonah 2:9-10), (3) Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:23-34), and (4) God fighting for Israel in the time of Jehoshaphat (2Chronicles 20). Finally, we study the Lance of the Prayer of Binding and Loosing in the Name of Jesus, where we use the Keys of the Kingdom to enforce Christ's finished work and completed victory on earth (Matthew 16:18-19, 18:18). We can bind and loose on earth, whatever Christ has already bound or loosed in Heaven through the New Covenant.

We are commanded to put on the whole Armour of God in order to stand our ground in the victory of Christ (Ephesians 6:13). Then Paul describes 6 pieces of Armour in v14-17: (1) the Belt of Truth, (2) the Breastplate of Righteousness, (3) the Gospel Shoes, (4) the Shield of the Faith, (5) the Helmet of Salvation, and (6) the Sword of the Spirit. Then v18 describes a 7th item of our Armour – the Lances of Prayer: “praying always with all kinds of prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” Standing firm in our defensive Armour means that we are ready to launch our offensive long-range weapons – the Lances of Prayer. First, we study the Lance of Praise, which binds and silences the enemy (Psalm 8:1-2, Matthew 21:16, Psalm 149:6-9). Secondly, we study the Lance of the Sacrifice of Thanksgiving - thanking God in advance for the fulfilment of His promises and the manifested victory, based on His revealed character (faithfulness). This should be our lifestyle (Hebrews 12:15), and it prepares the way for God to show (manifest) His salvation (Psalm 50:23). Derek then illustrates the place and power of this Sacrifice in (1) the Feeding of the 5000 (John 6:11,23), (2) Jonah's deliverance from the great fish (Jonah 2:9-10), (3) Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:23-34), and (4) God fighting for Israel in the time of Jehoshaphat (2Chronicles 20). Finally, we study the Lance of the Prayer of Binding and Loosing in the Name of Jesus, where we use the Keys of the Kingdom to enforce Christ's finished work and completed victory on earth (Matthew 16:18-19, 18:18). We can bind and loose on earth, whatever Christ has already bound or loosed in Heaven through the New Covenant.

Transcript:Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective. Arguably, the Bible speaks of the church more as an organism than an organization. The Church is the very life of Christ—His breath, His Spirit, His Word giving the church its being and vibrancy. To the degree that the church is filled with Jesus's Spirit (see Ephesians 5:18 and Galatians 5:16-24), to that degree it is fulfilling its purpose and bearing fruit. However, this is not to say Christ has given no organizational structure for the church. Of course, He has. Christ gave “the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:9 ESV). But even the responsibility of these leaders is often given in organic (“body of Christ”) or agricultural terms. The church leaders are workers in God's field or vineyard—sowing the seed of the gospel, watering and tending its growth as hard-working farmers (2 Timothy 2:6). They are not so much manufacturing disciples, as they are applying good farming techniques and trusting God to cause the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). Similarly, church leaders are to shepherd the flock of God (another agricultural reference), following the manner of the Good Shepherd, laying down their lives for the sheep (John 10; 1 Peter 5). The upshot of all this is that we must be serious-minded about submitting ourselves to those God has appointed for our care. God never intended the church to be a “free-range farm.” No! We need to be present when the church meets, submitting ourselves to one another (Ephesians 5:21), not wandering like lost sheep, doing our own thing. We need to do our best to remain firmly planted in the structures God has provided through our local churches, not uprooting ourselves with every wind of change. God has appointed the structure of the church and its leaders for our good. Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective. “What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.”~1 Corinthians 3:5-17 (ESV)

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Are you truly aware of the incredible privileges that come with being a child of God? In this powerful devotion, we dive into the gift of adoption—a blessing that changes everything! Drawing from Galatians 4, Romans 8, and Ephesians 1, we uncover the eternal benefits of being heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

Immeasurably More // FramedEphesians 3:14-20 (ESV)“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.”Here is Paul's Prayer• I pray that from His unlimited resources, He will empower you with inner strength - with deep fortitude - by his spirit.• As we trust in Him, Christ will take up residence in us (not just drop by every now and then).• Then our roots will grow down into the depth of God's love and will keep us strong.• And when it comes to understanding that love - may we know the scope of it and experience it. In this letter, Paul has continuously pointed us and all people to the generosity of God in Christ. • Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed with every Spiritual Blessing in Christ• Ephesians 1:7-8 - Riches of Grace - lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding • Ephesians 1:18 - Riches of His Glorious Inheritance • Ephesians 2:5 - God is Rich in Mercy• Ephesians 2:7 - Incomparable Riches of His Grace• Ephesians 3:8 - Unsearchable Riches of ChristThis is Paul's prayer and mine for us today…That we may know, and in turn experience, and then lean in to and ultimately live out of this vast love of God. This love is expressed in John 3:16-17 (ESV)“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”This love is defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (ESV) “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.”This love is given dimension here in Ephesians 3• Infinitely long and high and wide and deep - more so than we can ever understand fully…• And Paul says the love of God is “too great for us to understand fully.”• There is nowhere we can go that we are out of the scope of his presence and therefore nowhere we can go where we are out of the scope of his love, for “God is love” (1 John 4:8 and 16) and as the psalmist says in Psalm 139 “where can I go from your presence.”• Are we willing to allow this love of God to encapsulate us - to frame us - to define us? If not why not? Guilt, shame, doubt, etc.Are we willing to allow this love to transform us?When we take a look at people around us, we don't have an excuse to look at people outside of this frame. Are we willing to love even as we have been loved (John 13:34)? The love of God for humanity is infinitely long and high and wide and deep.So… here's a searching question for each of us…Who do we need to reframe? Where do we need to start?May our love and the way we live be the testament to the love of Christ and may his love lived out through us be the agent of transformation in our world. Our part really is to be awake to these truths, willing to live in and practice these truths and expectant of God to do the immeasurably more than we can even begin to imagine!

Topics: Judgment Day, Rewards in Heaven, Crowns in Scripture, Hebrews 9:27, Christ in You (Colossians 1:26-27), Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Parable of the Vineyard Workers (Matthew 20:1-16), Judgment Based on Jesus' Work, John 5:24, The Great White Throne Judgment, Revelation 20:11-15, The Bema Seat Judgment Explained, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Reward of the Inheritance (Colossians 3:23-24), Misinterpretation of "Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant" (Matthew 25:21), Servants or Friends (John 15:15), Judgment of Unbelief in Christ and Working According to the Law (Romans 14:12), Context of 2 Corinthians 5:10, Finality of Christ's Sacrifice (Hebrews 9:15), Symbolism of Crowns, James 1:12, Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8), Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:4), Meaning of Casting Crowns (Revelation 4:10), 1 Corinthians 9:25, Jesus Alone is King (Hebrews 2:7), Sufficiency of Christ's Blood, Hebrews 13:5, Salvation by Grace Not Works, Futility of “Earning” Rewards, Isaiah 64:6, Role of Faith in Judgment, Judgment of Unbelievers, Revelation 22:12, Eternal Security in Christ, John 10:28, Rewards vs. the Gospel, Perfection of God's Love (1 John 4:18), Judgment of Sin Already Paid, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Misuse of James 3:1 about Teaching, Refinement of Incorrect Teaching, 1 Corinthians 3, Role of Works in Christian Life, Assurance of Our Salvation, Jesus' Death as the Basis for Inheritance (Hebrews 9:15), Meaning of Being Co-Seated with Christ (Ephesians 2:6), Judgment of Believers vs. Unbelievers, Role of Faith not Performance, Christ as the Reward, Colossians 2:10, Futility of Human Effort for Rewards and Crowns, Not Judged for Sins Because Jesus Was JudgedSend Matt a text about this episode!Support the showSign up for Matt's free daily devotional! https://mattmcmillen.com/newsletter

Christ has ascended! While Christians give a lot of focus to the death and resurrection of Christ, we nod our heads at His ascension. Yet, contained in the ascension of Jesus is His exaltation, coronation, and a revelation of His majestic supremacy! Join Nathan Johnson in this study of Ephesians 4:8–10 as we examine Paul's parenthetical statement about the majesty and preeminence of Christ Jesus in the context of Him giving gifts to the Church. He has ascended!------------» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Nathan, Eric, Leslie, and the team at Ellerslie in one of our upcoming discipleship programs – learn more at: https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/» Receive our free “Five Keys to Walking Through Difficulty” PDF by going to: https://ellerslie.com/subscribe/» For more information about Daily Thunder and the ministry of Ellerslie Mission Society, please visit: https://ellerslie.com/daily» If you have been blessed by Ellerslie, consider partnering with the ministry by donating at: https://ellerslie.com/donate/» Discover more Christ-centered teaching and resources from Nathan Johnson that will help you grow spiritually by checking out his website at: https://deeperchristian.com/