Podcasts about Ephesus

On the External the Church of Ephesus seems to be a model church, but, when we read Christ's words we see that the church had a deeper internal problem. This church left their first love. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1388/29

Read the article here: https://www.academia.edu/143657264/_To_the_saints_which_are_at_Ephesus_Retrieving_the_Classic_Christian_Consensus_on_the_Intended_Audience_of_Ephesians_in_Bible_League_Quarterly_No_502_July_September_2025_24_33

On the External the Church of Ephesus seems to be a model church, but, when we read Christ's words we see that the church had a deeper internal problem. This church left their first love. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1388/29

How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast.  If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, click here:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robskinner     Transcript for How to Become a Loving Person Pam and I just moved to Boston from Tucson, Arizona.  We lived there for 13 years.  We planted the church there and created so many memories.  The last month we were there, we were busy packing up and saying goodbye to people.  It's hard to condense thirteen years into a few goodbyes.  You know what was most important to Pam and me?  Knowing that I loved the people there and that they loved me.  When I heard people share how I had helped them and loved them, that's all that mattered.  There were many things people shared that I had forgotten about.  They were often small things, but they were big to those people.  Coming here I decided to have a simple focus, to love.  That's the goal. What's your goal?  ·       Make friends? ·       Find a romantic relationship ·       Make a difference? It's easy to remain unconnected with people even when you are surrounded by them.  Let's figure out how to grow in love: Let's read 1 Timothy 1:3-6 3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God's work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk.  Paul is advising Timothy how to lead the church in Ephesus.  He tells him to command people to stop wasting time with empty words, false doctrine, gossip and backbiting.  He says the goal of this command is love.  Love provides the environment that advances God's work.  If you've ever been in a dysfunctional family or church, you know how God's work gets sidelined when love takes a backseat to controversy. Love is too general of a goal to approach directly.  It really has to be broken down.  How do you become a more loving person?  How do you experience more love in your heart?  How do you change and grow into a person who is surrounded by loving people? Paul explains that love is like a tree that grows when it's in the soil of a pure heart, good conscience and a sincere faith.  Let's break that down: ·       Love Comes From A Pure Heart Proverbs 4:23-27, Above all else, guard your heart,     for everything you do flows from it. 24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;     keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;     fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Give careful thought to the[c] paths for your feet     and be steadfast in all your ways. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left;     keep your foot from evil. The Bible says guard your heart because everything you do flows from it.  When you allow poison into your heart, it kills the love that wants to grow there. The first way to keep your heart pure is to watch what you say.  Keep your words positive, faithful and upbuilding.  Paul was pointing out the “meaningless talk” and empty words of the Christians.  How are you doing in what you say?  Are you loving people with your words or tearing them down? One decision Pam and I made before we left Tucson was that we were going to encourage every person specifically who came to church. We spent several midweek services praising and thanking every member and person who was attending.  There were people in the audience who we had conflicts with.  There were a few people who we had funny feelings toward and they felt the same toward us.  But we decided to only praise and encourage.  It was amazing.  My feelings for those people changed and when they had a farewell party for us, they were so loving and kind. Take a minute to say something positive about the next person you run into.  Whether you are at work, the gym, in class or at home, deliberately take a second to say something encouraging to the next person you bump into.  It can be as simple as “I like your shirt” or “I'm glad you're here” but make a decision to use your words for good if you want to have a pure heart. The second way to develop a pure heart is to 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;     fix your gaze directly before you. Be careful what you are looking at.  It's hard to be loving when you have no boundaries for what you allow your eyes to see. ·       Shopping ·       Money ·       Sex The summer after I graduated from high school, I was dating a girl who had won a miss teen America pageant.  Needless to say, she was pretty.  But I got distracted.  Instead of focusing on her, I got focused on buying a 1965 Volkswagen.  I paid $1,100 for it and then the same week I bought it, the engine blew.  I spent that summer working full time to buy and then rebuild it.  I was so obsessed with that car, I would work 24-hour shifts at the fairgrounds picking up trash to earn money.  My eyes were on the car and not my girlfriend.  Guess what happened?  She dumped me for someone who was willing to pay attention to her.  What are you focused on?  Where are you eyes looking?  It's hard to love when your eyes are focused on the wrong thing.   ·       Love Comes From A Good Conscience When you guard your heart and start cultivating a pure heart, it leads to a good conscience.  You start feeling peace of mind.  It's hard to feel loving when you know that what you believe and the way you are living are in conflict.  You feel like a fraud and a faker.  If you'd like to improve your peace of mind, take some time to talk to someone about what's going on in your life.  There are always going to be gaps in our life and doctrine, acknowledging those gaps goes a long way toward creating a good conscience and closing the gap. When's the last time you talked to someone about what is bothering your conscience?  You know what is the hardest call to make?  The call to let someone know that you aren't perfect, that you blew it and that you made a mistake.  I was just reading Seneca this morning and he said, “Why does no one admit his failings?  Because he's still deep in them.  It's the person who's awakened who recounts his dream, and acknowledging one's failings is a sign of health.”  I have a discipling relationship with someone that I talk to regularly.  I hate it when I've got a sin I need to confess and talk about.  Whether it's lust, something stupid I said, whether I was sharp in my tone with Pam or any other thing, I don't want to make that call and talk to the person.  But my conscience bothers me.  I don't have a good conscience.  But what Seneca is saying is encouraging.  The fact that my conscience does bother me shows that I am spiritually alive and sensitive.  I'd be in real trouble if I didn't feel the need to deal with my sin.  Seneca goes on to say, “With afflictions of the spirit, though, the opposite is the case:  the worse a person is, the less he feels it.” ·       Love Comes From A Sincere Faith Paul is pointing out the difference between love and empty talk that masquerades as religion.  God is looking for disciples who show express their faith by practicing love not empty talk.  My life previous to Jesus was empty words.  I wasn't loving and I didn't have a genuine and sincere faith.  My friends would be surprised when I offered to help them or serve. When you focus on planting seeds of purity, good conscience and sincere faith love will follow. Jesus is the ultimate example of this passage.  His heart was pure, his conscience was good and his faith was sincere.  It revealed itself through love and sacrifice: Romans 5:6-8, 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Every week at church we remember the one person who consistently hit the goal of loving.  He showed it by giving his life for those who aren't.  That's why Jesus told us to take time to remember his life and death every week.  It reminds us how much we are loved and inspires us to be more loving.  Look what Seneca, the stoic philosopher wrote: Happy the man who improves other people not merely when he is in their presence but even when he is in their thoughts! And happy, too, is the person who can so revere another as to adjust and shape his own personality in the light of recollections, even, of that other. A person able to revere another thus will soon deserve to be revered himself…Choose someone whose way of life as well as words, and whose very face as mirroring the character that lies behind it, have won your approval. Be always pointing him out to yourself either as your guardian or as your model. There is a need, in my view, for someone as a standard against which our characters can measure themselves. Without a ruler to do it against you won't make the crooked straight. Wouldn't it be awesome to be a consistently loving person?  How amazing it'd be to be known as an extremely loving person.  Let me remind you of some steps to building a loving heart: ·       Watch your words ·       Watch your eyes ·       Be honest with your life ·       Get around people who are going in the right direction ·       Build a sincere faith and learn the truth

Fr. John Whiteford's sermon from August 17, 2025.

In part 8 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened at the 5th Ecumenical Council - The 2nd Council of Constantinople. In this episode, you'll learn about the schisms that occurred after the Council of Chalcedon, the fall of Rome and the Western Roman Empire, and the rise of the Eastern Roman Empire (aka the Byzantine Empire), as well as the decisions at the 2nd Council of Constantinople. HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST* Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.* Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).* Invite Justin to speak at your next event. Inquire at whycatholic@substack.com.SOCIAL LINKS* Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.* Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube.* Follow Justin on Facebook.SOURCES:* Details and map of the fall of the Western Roman Empire* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly* The First Seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787): Their History and Theology by Leo Davis* New Advent: Henoticon * Byzantine Empire: Map, History, and Facts* History of the Popes Podcast (Series on West Meets East - beginning with episode 52)* History of the Popes Podcast (Episode 74: Everyone Hates Vigilius)* The Tome of Pope Leo I* Episode 113: The Great Popes* New Advent: 2nd Council of Constantinople* Papal Encyclicals Online: 2nd Council of Constantinople* New Advent: Three Chapters* Pontifacts: 61. Vigiliius* Pontifacts: Council Episode - The Second Council of ConstantinoplePREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea* Episode 148: The First Council of Nicaea (325)* Episode 149: From Nicaea to Constantinople* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)* Episode 151: The Council of Ephesus (431)* Episode 152: The Council of Chalcedon (451) Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

8. CompelApollos did not preach solely to dispense information. He passionately proclaimed the truth in order to convince his hearers and convert them to the way of God's truth:Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. (Acts 18:24–28)9. DisciplePaul understood the continuing and cumulative effect of multiplication; so he heartily commended it to Timothy, the third of five generations up to that time (Christ, Paul, Timothy, faithful men, and others):And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Tim. 2:2)10.TrembleIsaiah exemplified a humble believer who took God and his word very seriously (see Isa. 6:1–13):But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. (Isa. 66:2)This article is adapted from Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Biblical Truth edited by John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue.For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. Every weekday at 8:00am you can listen to The Gospel for Life on 94.1 The Voice in the Treasure Valley, Idaho, USA. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them. Phone: (208) 991-3526E-mail: thegospelforlifeidaho@gmail.comPodcast website: https://941thevoice.com/podcasts/gospel-for-life/

Episode Synopsis:For those of us who regard Paul as one of the primary figures in all of the New Testament, it is hard to comprehend a time when the apostle was under siege to the extent we find in 2 Corinthians.  His authority was being challenged, and he was being compared to men whose rhetorical ability and charismatic gifts surpassed his own.  Paul must open his letter to the Corinthians by defending both his apostolic office and authority against a group of false teachers who had infiltrated the church in Paul's absence.  The strained relations between Paul and the Corinthians must be remedied and the Corinthians need to deal with the presence of the false teachers who have done so much harm during Paul's absence.  Paul reminds the Corinthians that the Lord draws near in times of suffering.  In fact, God uses suffering to further his purposes for Paul as well as the Corinthians.  In the midst of it all, God is indeed “the God of all comfort.” Paul recounts his difficult time in Asia Minor (specially while in Ephesus) facing death at the hands of an angry mob.  The apostle felt as though the sentence of death was hanging over his head, but this forced him to rely not on himself or anything within his power, but to instead trust God to deliver him from such deadly peril.  In turn, Paul directs the Corinthians to do as he had done–seek the God of all comfort–and trust that he will turn around the current situation in Corinth so that the church continues its witness to the pagans around them.  Paul even appeals to the Corinthians to pray to this effect since this is God's means of blessing them while at the same time enabling Paul to continue his work.Paul addresses the importance of boasting in the right way and for the right reasons–so as to oppose those in Corinth who were boasting about personal achievement, status, a false spirituality, and who thought little of Paul by way of comparison.  Paul hopes that the Corinthians understand that his conscience is clear.  He has done those things he has said he will do.  He has done nothing for personal gain, but only that which furthers the gospel and which brings blessings to God's people.  To see this work continue, the Corinthians must reject worldly wisdom but look toward the grace of God which is revealed solely in the person and work of Jesus Christ.For show notes and other recommended materials located at the Riddleblog as mentioned during the Blessed Hope Podcast, click here: https://www.kimriddlebarger.com/

Guiding Question: How can the church prepare for what's next while faithfully handing off leadership to the next generation? Summary Description: In this heartfelt and visionary message, Robert Lewis shares his final sermon as a staff member of Fellowship Bible Church. Using a marathon analogy and drawing from 2 Timothy 4, he frames the transfer of leadership as a necessary and strategic “handoff” to the next generation. Like Paul entrusting Timothy to lead the church at Ephesus, Lewis charges the younger leaders at Fellowship—particularly Tim Lundy—with the responsibility of preaching the Word and fulfilling their ministry with conviction and endurance. This message is both personal and prophetic. Lewis reflects on 25 years of ministry, celebrates the strength of the church, and lays out five key cultural and ministry trends that the next generation must address to ensure the church remains vibrant and faithful. Outline: Marathon Analogy – A race requires preparation, guidance, and the right pacing. Paul and Timothy (2 Timothy 4) – The sacred handoff of leadership and mission. The Reality of Decline – Every thriving church has a shelf life without renewal. Five Cultural and Ministry Trends: Massive church closures due to generational shifts. A move toward small, high-quality churches. A demand for doctrinal clarity and authentic leadership. The rise of homegrown, non-seminary ministers. A renewed focus on evangelizing children and teens. Personal Reflections and Departure – Robert Lewis formally announces his transition to Global Reach and commissions Fellowship's next generation. The Final Charge – Preach the Word. Fulfill your ministry. Die with no regrets. Key Takeaways Effective leadership transitions are intentional, spiritual, and urgent for the future health of the church. The church must adapt to cultural and generational changes without compromising doctrinal clarity or mission. Small churches can be powerful when combined with excellence and community. The future of the church depends on equipping everyday believers for ministry. The most strategic evangelism today is aimed at youth, given their openness and under-reached status. Finishing well means living with “no regrets” and passing the baton with confidence and hope. Scriptural References 2 Timothy 4:1–8 – Paul's solemn charge to Timothy and reflection on finishing well. Acts 20:18–32 (paraphrased) – Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders, adapted by Lewis to say goodbye to Fellowship. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (implied) – Recognizing seasons and times for transitions. Recorded 3/6/05

In this message, we explore Jesus' sobering words to the church in Ephesus—a faithful, doctrinally sound church that drifted from its first love. Through this powerful call to return, we're reminded that no matter how far we've wandered, the invitation from God still stands: “Return to Me with all your heart.”

Acts 20:17-38 English Standard VersionPaul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:18-29 Thyatira was not a magnificent city in antiquity and was relatively obscure compared to Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum.  It was known for the manufacture of purple dyes and the making of cloth.  In Acts 16, the first convert in Philippi was Lydia, a seller of purple fabrics, from the city of Thyatira (Acts 16:14). The commendation of the church in Thyatira is glowing and emphatic.  “I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first” (Rev 2:19).  But there was a serious problem in the church.  There was an influential woman (she is referred to as ‘Jezebel' in Rev 2:20) who had encouraged some of the people in the church toward acts of immorality.  The church was tolerating her and these practices.  In spite of the sterling qualities within the church, its purity had been compromised.  The church in America today faces the same struggle.  Moral purity is increasingly difficult to maintain, due to blatant sexually-charged messages everywhere.  Pornography is a multi-billion-dollar business in the US alone.  Let us guard our heads and hearts, lest we compromise the church's purity and effectiveness.  Let us, like Job, make a covenant with our eyes so we will not dishonor God and we will not deaden our hearts by what we see (Job 31:1).  “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word” (Psa 119:9).

As we continue following the progress of the gospel in Ephesus, we see fruitful ministry, pretenders, and a riot. #miracles #salvation #bookburning #riot #Jesus #God #faith

In Acts 17:6, some nonbelievers plainly state the perception of Christians in their time: “These people turn the world upside down!” What a statement! And what a far cry from how the good news is experienced today. In this message, Pastor Joel examines a story from Acts 19 about how Paul, preaching the good news in a city called Ephesus, disrupted two of the main things that people relied on in their everyday lives: magic and idols, which at the end of the day are just means to control our worlds. What do we rely on today that is like magic and idols, and how might the good news of Jesus disrupt our reliance on them? This message is aimed at getting you to think about that question.

Creeds, councils, and confessions are helpful, but unlike Scripture they are fallible and reformable in the light of scripture. The Bible alone is God-breathed, infallible in all matters of salvation, and centered on Christ.Through the councils, the Church defended the truth of God's against error: Nicaea upheld Christ's divinity against Arianism, Constantinople affirmed the Spirit's deity, Ephesus rejected Nestorianism, and Chalcedon declared Christ fully God and fully man. Other councils confronted heresies that distorted the faith, always pointing back to Christ.Sola Scriptura reminds us that God's Word is unique in nature and in authority. It is our final standard of truth.This teaching takes us on a journey of the creeds in church history, what they addressed and why they are important. be blessed as you listen to this teaching.

A reading of St Paul's first Letter (Chapter 13) to the Corinthians, the Christian community that he had founded at Corinth, Greece. In the year 55 C.E. while in Ephesus, Paul wrote this inspired letter, now known as 1 Corinthians. Among other things, he encouraged the Christians in Corinth to reject false teachings, to remain united, to shun immorality, and to strengthen their faith in the resurrection. Music: David Schombert - 'Lagoon'

A Review of Ephesians 1:1-14We have received a spiritual blessing, that is, our salvation through Jesus ChristOur salvation comes by the grace of God, not by any worth that we might bring to the table. God chose us before the foundation of the world, with the purpose of making us holy and blameless, demonstrating that we did nothing to contribute to our salvation, and God provided the sacrifice we needed to be saved and sanctified.Out of God's great love for us, he planned our adoption into his family. We now have sonship or daughtership and God as our Father. This demonstrates God's love for us, our value in Jesus Christ, and the promise of an inheritance.Also, in 1:7-10 we say the redeeming purpose of God. Through the overwhelming graciousness of God, he redeemed our lives through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.Then he promises us an inheritance that is sealed and kept by the Holy Spirit. 1. Paul is celebrating all God has done in the church of Ephesus.Ephesians 1:15–16 Giving thanks is a common theme in Paul's letters to other believers. His letters often start with warm greetings and gratitude for the work of the church or God's work in them.For these things, Paul gives thanks in his prayers, but Paul doesn't pray ordinary prayers.TWO REASONS PAUL GIVES FOR GIVING THANKS:The faith of the Ephesian Church in the Lord Jesus.Paul was not the first person to bring the good news of Jesus to Ephesus, but he found a small group of believers there already, and he found they needed further teaching and a baptism that included the Holy Spirit. The change in the Ephesian church was so radical that it led to riots in Ephesus. Throwing away their idols. Paul also had been away from these believers for some time, and now is in prison, so he is hearing updates of their faith.Saints are not a special group of believers but all of God's believers. Throughout the OT and NT, the Hebrew and Greek words for saint are used to refer to believers.Psalm 16:3, Psalm 34:9, Acts 9:3, Romans 1:6–7, Romans 8:27The love of the Ephesian Church toward all the believers.In this area of Asia Minor or what we would call Turkey - The churches depended on generosity between each other.Philippians 4:10–23 HOW DO WE AS BELIEVERS SHOW LOVE TO ONE ANOTHER?Taking care of one another.Giving to one another - benevolence, blessing box, and helping hands ministryDisaster reliefMontana and VermontGuatemala - homes, churches, and now a crusadeIndia - the church was built to be dedicated.2. Remember to whom we are praying.Ephesians 1:17 The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory . . . Again, Paul is using this title of God and Jesus that emphasizes their relationship. Piper points out that Jesus's connection to God in this way reminds us that Jesus is our mediator. Jesus makes it so that we can approach God - or the throne of Grace. The Father of Glory - the only time Paul uses this exact wording but what does it mean? Father of Glory?1 Corinthians 2:8, Romans 6:4Many people struggle with this concept of God being at the center - and being worthy of worship. But there is none greater than God. Our lives should reflect his glory.3. What is Paul asking God to do for the Ephesians Church?Ephesians 1:17-19
Similarly, Colossians 1:9–11That God would give them . . . The spirit of wisdom . . . And of revelation . . . in the knowledge of him,This wisdom is more than just factual knowledge but a sense of understanding how to apply what we know from the Bible about Jesus and our calling to live a holy life.2 Timothy 1:7 And it is how God has revealed Himself to us through His word so we can know him. General revelation v. special revelation.. . . Having the eyes of your heart enlightened . . . Open the eyes of my heart as compared to what happened in the Garden of Eden. 2 Corinthians 4:4–6, Romans 1:21–22, Romans 2:1–5, Colossians 3 . . . That you may know . . . The hope to which he called youThe riches of his glorious inheritance in the saintsThe immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe4. By God's Power He is at work in our lives, in creation, and in the heavenly places.Ephesians 1:19–23 His Great Might.He worked in Christ :Resurrection PowerPhilippians 3, Job 19:25, Romans 8:34, 1 Peter 1:3, John 11:25–26 Sovereign PowerEphesians 3:20, Hebrews 10:12–14 Paul uses language that refers to OT passages:Isaiah 40:25–26, Psalm 147:4, Psalm 8 From Adam to Israel to the 2nd Adam - God is at work bringing all things back in order under the Lordship of Christ and as head of the church. LAST QUESTION: HOW DO WE PRAY THIS PRAYER? Ephesians 1:15-23. No Ordinary Prayers: The Greatness of God in Paul's Prayer

In part 7 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened at the 4th Ecumenical Council - The Council of Chalcedon. What happened when the theological sheriffs Cyril of Alexandria and John of Antioch died? How did the Second Council of Ephesus almost become the fourth ecumenical council? And what major theological debate did the Council of Chalcedon decide on that is accepted by almost all Christian sects? HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST* Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.* Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).* Invite Justin to speak at your next event. Inquire at whycatholic@substack.com.SOCIAL LINKS* Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.* Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube.SOURCES:* Map of the Roman Empire in the 5th Century* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly* The First Seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787): Their History and Theology by Leo Davis* History of the Popes Podcast (Series on West Meets East - beginning with episode 52)* The Tome of Pope Leo I* Episode 113: The Great Popes* Episode 111: Papal Infallibility* New Advent: Robber Council of Ephesus* New Advent: First Council of Chalcedon* Papal Encyclicals Online: Council of Chalcedon* Early Christian Schisms - Ephesus, the Robber Council, and Chalcedon - Extra History - Part 4* Charlie Kirk on Mary as the Solution to Toxic FeminismPREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea* Episode 148: The First Council of Nicaea (325)* Episode 149: From Nicaea to Constantinople* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)* Episode 151: The Council of Ephesus (431) Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

This week, guest pastor, Ben Stuart, continued our sermon series on The Fifth Act by preaching on Acts 19 and the impact of Paul's ministry in Ephesus. Paul's time in Ephesus invites us to ask: how does the Gospel take root and expand in a powerful and influential city—and how can we mirror that in New York? When we give God our unrivaled affections, His Gospel goes out in power. Pastor Ben encouraged us to release idols we cling to for comfort and control through confession and repentance, and allow our delight in God to transform our lives and impact the world around us.

Send us a textThe first church listed in chapter 2 is the church in the city of Ephesus.  This would be the church Timothy was involved with and John would return to after his exile.  Their church was solid but the love of God was shelved and they are called to repent.  

Todaywe are talking about the riches that we have in Christ Jesus. Sometimeswe think of the wealthiest people on earth such as Elon Musk being worth over$430 billion and Jeff Bezos, the owner and founder of Amazon, over 200-plusbillion dollars, and other wealthy people. The top five billionaires in theworld altogether—their wealth is over a trillion dollars—and we go, wow,wouldn't we like to have that? Well, my friend, I am telling you, you havesomething better than that. You have eternal riches.  Thefact that Paul is writing about wealth would be significant to his readers,because Ephesus was considered the bank of Asia. One of the seven wonders ofthe world, the great temple of Diana, was in Ephesus, and was not only a centerfor idolatrous worship, but also a depository for wealth. Some of the greatestart treasures of the ancient world were housed in this magnificent building. Inthis letter, Paul will compare the church of Jesus Christ to a temple and willexplain the great wealth that Christ has in His church. Paul is saying to us, "BE RICH!" Thatis what Paul says in verse three: “Blessed be the God and Father of our LordJesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlyplaces in Christ.” Our riches are not in a passing world, a temporaryworld, the temporary wealth of this world. Our riches are found in the eternalperson of Jesus Christ Himself. We have His riches. We are co-inheritors withHim of all the riches of God. Our Father in heaven owns it all.  TheHoly Spirit is mentioned many times in this letter, because He is the one whochannels our riches to us from the Father, through the Son. Not to know anddepend on the Holy Spirit's provision is to live a life of spiritual poverty.No wonder Paul began his Ephesian ministry asking some professed Christians ifthey really knew the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7). We might ask professedChristians today, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Ifthe answer is no, then you are not saved." "Now if any man havenot the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His" (Romans 8:9). Unless youhave the witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:15-16), you cannot draw on the wealthof the Spirit. Inthese first verses of this chapter one of the guarantees that we're going tosee of our salvation and our eternal inheritance in Christ is based on the factthat we have been given the Holy Spirit (vv.11-14). In the Old Testament,promises were made to Israel that they would be blessed with prosperity, withwealth, with land, with material things. But my friend, the blessings that arepromised to the believer are eternal blessings. We're not called to be blessedwith riches physically. The prosperity gospel preachers are deceitfullymisleading many today to believe that God has promised us material wealth now.Actually Jesus promised us poverty and suffering now if we truly follow Him.  Ourriches In Christ are not in the sweet by and by. We are rich and blessed inChrist spiritually speaking right now! In Philippians 3, Paul said, "Icount all things but loss for the glory and the riches that I have in ChristJesus… that I might know Him and the power of His resurrection." Ourriches are found in the fact that we have the promise that “our God willsupply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians4:19). “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians4:13).  Myfriend, today we have the power, the ability, and the desire to please God forheavenly riches, heavenly things, and heavenly results. You can't take yourmoney to heaven with you, but you can take people to heaven with you that youinfluence and impact with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Today,you are rich in Christ. You've been born into tremendous wealth in Christ. Youare seated with Him in the heavenlies even right now. GodBless!

Jesus calls the first church to remember and return to their first love. 

Lesson 14Acts 18:12-19:41. Paul faced opposition wherever he went. The silversmiths of Ephesus were angry because of his preaching. As people turned to Christ, they lost their fascination with the goddess Artemis and the silversmiths' business suffered because of it!To learn more about Michele and to support this international ministry please visit https://intheword.com

Acts 20:17-38 English Standard VersionPaul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 1:1-3 Keywords give us the ability to be “found” online if we know what we’re searching for. In a Christian’s quest to build the church, Paul provides a host of power-packed terminology to guide his favorite church plant in Ephesus towards becoming complete in Christ by being united to his church and looking for blessing. Sermon Points: The Utility of Blessing The Location of Blessing The Fountain of Blessing

What does it mean when God grants us grace? It's not something He owes us, as if we earned it. Why would God want to care for sinful humanity? Hear what Gary Little, one the GPC Elders, has to say as he digs into the Apostle Paul's greeting to the Christian church in Ephesus as well as Christ's admonition to the church in Laodicea.

Last week we read about Apollos, and how he was well versed in the scriptures, yet was also lacking in his understanding of the gospel. Today as we begin chapter 19, we see a similar and perhaps related story of a group of twelve disciples in Ephesus who likewise are missing something. And Paul adds to their understanding and blesses their lives.

An outpost is "a small military camp some distance from the main force, used especially to guard against surprise attacks." And we come to discover our own purpose by remembering that Trinity was once an outpost in every sense of the word -- remote, isolated from other churches, vulnerable, and yet with a clear (even military-style) spiritual purpose. We still are! And for the next few weeks, we'll find our identity in the stories of 1st-century churches. Today, we begin with the church in Ephesus – a church that Christ commends, but with one warning: the people are at risk of losing the love/enthusiasm/commitment they had at first.

We have talked about God's graceand how important it is that we experience God's grace before we can experienceHis peace—peace with God. The Bible definitely teaches that we'reat enmity with God before our salvation. We're enemies of God. We're alienatedin our minds by wicked works away from God (Colossians 1:21), and we needreconciliation.  Justnow the world is looking for peace in the Ukraine in the Middle East. But there will be no peace without the Man of peace.That's Jesus Christ. And I can tell you one day He will bring peace to thisworld. Jesus said to His disciples, "Let not your heart be troubled.You believe in God, believe also in Me" (John 14:1).   Ourhearts are yearning for peace. Your heart yearns for peace. There's somethingmissing inside because you literally are not at one with the Father in heavenwho created you, your Creator God. You've been alienated from Him by sin thatyou were born with in your heart. And there's only one way to make peace, andthat's through the blood of His cross. That's why Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore,being justified by faith," remember we talked about grace and faith.  Paulwrote to the “faithful in Christ” at Ephesus, those who have a savingfaith. And when you have a saving faith in the blood of Christ on the cross ofCalvary, you can then enjoy His peace. You're at peace with God only throughthe sacrifice and the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. Paul wrote, “Therefore,being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our LordJesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).  Peacewith Godis what we need and what we are longing for. No more war, no more enmity, nomore separation. We're reconciled to God. And it says He reconciles all thingsto Himself in Colossians 1:20, “And having reconciled all things to Himself,having made peace by the blood of His cross”. It's only through the bloodof His cross that you can experience by faith this wonderful peace with God.Have you ever come to the cross? Have you ever come to Christ through Hisblood?  InEphesians 2:13-17 Paul wrote, "But now in Christ Jesus, you who oncewere far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himselfis our peace, who has made both one and broken down the middle wall ofseparation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is the law ofcommandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new manfrom the two, thus making peace, that He might reconcile them both toGod in one body through the cross, therefore putting to death the enmity. AndHe came and preached peace to you who were far off, those who are nownear”. Myfriend, Paul was saying that the Jews were near, (they had the law of Moses),but the Gentiles, we were far off, but we are all separated from Christ. But inChrist, we are brought together, and we have peace. Oh, today this is peacewith God. But then there is also the peace of God that passes allunderstanding. Read Philippians 4:4-9. Those first verses there that talk aboutbeing at peace with God because we yield everything in our lives to Him. Wesurrender our will. We surrender our possessions. We surrender everything toHim. And we can then enjoy the peace of God that passes allunderstanding. And then think on these things that are pure and holy and lovelyand kind and good and gracious.  Youcan live a life of peace. That's why John 14:27 means so much to me when Jesussaid, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, (The verypeace He had with His Father), not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Letnot your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Troubledhearts, fearful hearts can come to reconciliation with God through Christ inHis blood on the cross and find that peace that passes all understanding andthat peace that takes away the enmity with God.  Godbless you today as you experience and enjoy grace and peace throughfaith in Christ Jesus.

Ephesus was a place where God did miracles, sparking riots among idol worshipers. To the Ephesians, Paul wrote one of the most profound prayers ever spoken over the Church. Join America Pray Now Assistant Director, Ken Miller, as he unpacks Paul's prayer to the Ephesians and reveals its relevance for us today.-----------------------America Pray Now publishes a magazine on prayer that is free of charge and can be delivered directly to your home. You can sign up for this magazine on our website at https://americapraynow.com/magazine/In addition to our weekly podcast, we meet in 16 different cities every month to pray in person. Most of our in-person prayer meetings are in Virginia, and we also have meetings in Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware, and North Carolina. See our website for times and dates at americapraynow.comEnjoy the Podcast? Let us know! Email us at podcast@americapraynow.com

Iremember when I was a child growing up in a family that was very poor. I tell you what, my friend. The moment I found Jesus Christ as a 19-year-oldteenager, I became the richest person in the universe in Christ. And that'swhat Ephesians is about: knowing and understanding the riches of the glory theHis inheritance that I have in Jesus Christ. And that's why these three versesare so powerful to help us begin to understand what we need to learn and knowfrom this book.  Verse1 tells us that Paul is an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and thathe is writing this epistle “to the saints who are in Ephesus andfaithful in Christ Jesus.” The word saints there is a very importantword. It's a word that's used at least nine times in the book of Ephesians. Theword saint actually means “one who has been set apart”. Somebody that's beensanctified. Somebody that's been made holy. The moment you received JesusChrist, you were set apart for by the Holy Spirit for Christ and for His glory(Romans 6:3).  Imean all the riches in Christ were set apart for you in Christ at that moment.And so when we trust Christ in a sense we're taken out of this world and we'replaced in Christ in a heavenly world, we can enjoy heaven on earth. We do nothave to wait for the sweet by and by. And you were set apart to go to heavenone day. It's so sad that many of us do not understand or recognize the richeswe have in Christ.  Itkind of reminds me of the story I read recently of Hetty Green who lived from1834 to 1916. When she died she was worth over $100 million. In our moneytoday, that would be $2.5 billion. She was called the witch of Wall Street. Inthe Guinness Book of World Records, she's called America's greatest miser. It'sreported that she ate cold oatmeal because it cost to heat it. She ate mostlypies that cost 15 cents. She was said never to turn on the heat or use hotwater. She wore one old black dress and undergarments that she changed onlyafter they had been worn out. She did not wash her hands and she rode in an oldcarriage. One tale claims that Green spent half a night searching her carriagefor a lost stamp worth two cents. Another asserts that she instructed herlaundress to wash only the dirtiest part of her dresses, the hems, to savemoney on soap. The sad thing is she had a son that had to suffer a legamputation because she delayed in taking so long looking for a free clinic thathis case became incurable.  Howsad. But a sadder fact is the fact that there are so many Christians that areliving miserable lives because they do not know about and understand the richesthey have in Christ. I've often said the most miserable people in the world arenot lost people. They're enjoying the pleasures of sin for the few moments theymight have with it. It's the Christian who can't enjoy those pleasures of sinany longer because of the convicting power of the Holy Spirit in their lives,but they have never begun to comprehend the great riches they have in Christ.  That'swhat we're going to be talking about these next few days in Christ. In Christ.Matter of fact, the phrase “in Christ” is used, some 15 times in the book ofEphesians. We are “in Christ”. Oh, if we could only begin to understand that. Peterput it this way in 1 Peter 1:3-5: “Blessed be the God and Father of our LordJesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to aliving hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to aninheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reservedin heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvationready to be revealed in the last time.” Itrust today you will begin to recognize and know the riches of His glory of theinheritance that you have in Christ.  Godbless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

Thursday, 14 August 2025   And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. Matthew 12:27   “And if I, I eject demons in Beelzebul, your sons – in whom do they eject? Through this they, they will be your judges” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus told the Pharisees that if Satan were to cast out Satan, he would have divided himself. If so, his kingdom could not stand. Now, with a kind of “in your face” question for His accusers, Jesus emphatically asks, “And if I, I eject demons in Beelzebul, your sons – in whom do they eject?”   In this question, the “sons” are those who sit under the authority of the Pharisees, specifically meaning their disciples. There are two main points to consider in this question. The first is that their disciples must have claimed that they cast out demons. Otherwise, Jesus would not have even bothered with the question. Therefore, it is certain that they claimed this power.   Second, Jesus does not say they actually did it. Rather, He is affirming that they practiced the casting out of demons. An example of Jews doing this is found in Acts 19. Other than being a priest, it doesn't say what position their father held, be it a Sadducee or Pharisee, but the matter is documented by Luke –   “Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, ‘We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.' 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?' 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds.” Acts 19:13-18   People like this made claims that they were able to cast out demons. Jesus has established through His question that He knows the Pharisees' disciples made such claims. If this is so, the claim would be that they did it under God's authority. However, if the argument of the Pharisees was that Jesus was casting out demons by Beelzebul, then their own disciples must be allied with Beelzebul.   They have now placed themselves in an impossible trap. Therefore, they have to either retract their claim, which will then validate Jesus' ministry, or they will have to restate their claim and simply acknowledge that Jesus' authority is of God. If they don't, “Through this they, they will be your judges.”   The words are again emphatic. The claims and actions (whether real or fake) of the disciples bear witness against the words of the Pharisees. Either they are really casting out by God's help and thus Jesus is as well, or they are faking it and are charlatans. Either way, they cannot be casting out by Beelzebul because if they were, Beelzebul would have divided himself and fallen.   Life application: The Pharisees must have known that their disciples were falsely casting out demons. Having seen Jesus casting them out and realizing that what He was doing was true and effective, it cast on them the certain knowledge that He was able to do something they could not do. Therefore, they projected their failings on Him by adding an unsupportable accusation.   This, therefore, is essentially the fallacy known as projection. In essence, their thinking is as follows:   We are not really casting out demons. It is just a Benny Hinn show to dupe the masses. We see Jesus really casting out demons. However, we are (surely!) on God's side. Therefore, He must be doing this at the hand of Beelzebul!   However, because they are lying about their abilities, they are actually doing the work of the devil, because their lying certainly isn't of God. Therefore, they project their own failing on Jesus by ascribing His successes to Beelzebul.   This is a common practice among wicked people. They are corrupt, and yet they take what they are doing and ascribe it to their foes. As a modern example of this, which occurs daily in the US, the democrat party and individual democrats do exactly what they accuse their opponents of doing. In doing this, they project their own failings on those with whom they are at variance.   Unfortunately, shallow people who are unable to clearly process the events as they occur will often accept the words of such people without attempting to reconcile the words against the actions. It is a sort of brain-dead state where their hatred of a person or ideal completely blinds them to the reality in which they exist.   Much of this is a result of a lack of critical thinking, which is no longer taught in schools. Without the ability to see and then rightly process what is actually going on, subjective feelings become a person's hold on reality. As they already cannot properly process reality, they have nothing but enmity welling up in them toward whoever is being falsely accused.   Jesus used critical thinking when dealing with the Pharisees. He was able to cut through their unsupportable accusations and shine the light back on those who made them, exposing their hypocrisy.   To rightly understand the accusations of the left, listening to well-trained critical thinking people such as Thomas Sowell, Victor Davis Hanson, Dennis Prager, and others will help you process what is really going on in the minds of the left.   The same is true in Christian circles. Be willing to listen to sound teachers who have taken the time to learn Scripture and rightly process when someone is giving an invalid argument from it. What God says and does is logical. Nothing illogical will issue from Him. Therefore, when something is illogically presented, even if it sounds right at first, it cannot be.   “With Him are wisdom and strength, He has counsel and understanding.” Job 12:13   Lord God, give us wisdom and understanding to rightly process Your word. Help us to possess this in the world around us as well. There is so much unclear thinking out there. Give us clarity of thought, discernment, and the ability to critically evaluate what is presented so that we can then rightly consider and act on what we are told. Amen.

Mary: Intimate Witness to God's Love Incarnate by Louis McCall Louismccallinternational.com https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Intimate-Witness-Gods-Incarnate/dp/B0DVJ5SZ86 Mary is about the mother of Jesus and the arc of her development from a peasant teenager to an icon in the church, to a bold witness of the Gospel who journeys from Jerusalem to Samaria, to the mostly Gentile church in Antioch of Syria, and finally to Ephesus, a major metropolitan city of Asia Minor. This book tells the story of Mary in the style of a memoir while still being faithful to the canon of scripture in the hopes that women who seek to have their voices heard in a male-dominated society will find inspiration and strength. Also, that all readers will gain a new appreciation for the challenges and fears of Mary, her own need for a savior, and her development into an eyewitness for God's love through His Son Jesus Christ. Mary shows how one woman can start out simply and yet become a giant of faith and a model of womanhood.

Paul pray forthe church at Ephesus during their time of tremendous persecution they wouldknow how blessed they were in Christ. Today we want to give a little backgroundhistorically of this church and the reason Paul wrote this letter.  Nowas you read these first verses of this chapter, you find verse number one, Paulis the writer of this epistle. And we need to remember that the Apostle Paulwrote at least 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament. And he wrote them asletters, as epistles to churches or to individuals that he knew. Nine of theseletters were written to churches. Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians,Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Four of theseletters were written to individuals. First and Second Timothy and Titus andPhilemon.  Weknow that Paul wrote most of his writings over a period of about 15 years. Fourof Paul's letters are what are called the Prison Epistles. They were writtenbetween AD 60 and AD 62 when he was in prison in Rome under house arrest (Acts28:30-31). He sent these letters from prison by four different men to thesechurches and one individual. Tychicus took the letter to Ephesus (Ephesians6:21). Epaphroditus from Philippi took the letter to the Philippians (Philippians4:18). Epaphras was from Colossae and he took the epistle to the Colossians.And then Onesimus who was a slave that Paul led to the Lord while he was in prison,was the one who took the letter back to Colossae where Philemon lived and deliveredhis letter to him. Nowas you read these letters and you read what Paul was going through during thistime, Paul was in prison. He was suffering. He was maybe facing immediatedeath. But we know that basically Paul was released for a period of time and laterwas sent went back to Rome under Nero's rule and there he was executed around AD67.  Thebook of Acts records at least three missionary journeys that Paul tookthroughout the Roman Empire. It was on the second missionary journey that hewas on that he went through Ephesus (Acts 18:19). He stayed only a short timebut two years later while he was on his third missionary journey he stayed inEphesus for at least two years and during that period of time it tells us thatall of Asia heard the gospel (Acts19:1-20) Later when Paul was on his way toJerusalem in Acts 20, he met with the elders of the church there at Ephesus andencouraged them to stand strong in the midst of persecution.  Later,when Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and then sent to Rome a prisoner is when hewrote this letter to the church at Ephesus. They were going through a difficulttime of persecution that was happening throughout the Roman empire and Paul waswriting a letter to help them. There's three words that stand out in this firstchapter I think are so important. Faith, Hope and Love.  Inverse one Paul talked about they were faithful in Christ Jesus. In verse15, Paul said, “he heard of their faith”, and “their love for allthe saints”. Obviously despite the hard time they were still exercising theirfaith and their love but then Paul said that he was praying “that they wouldknow the hope of their calling (v. 18). Faith, hope and love, three greatwords. Paul later to the Corinthians would say, "Now abide these three,faith, hope, love" (1 Corinthians 13:13). You can gage the strength ofyour Christian life on the amount that you have of these three spiritual connectionsto the Lord. When everything falls apart around you these three things will keepyou going! Myfriend, that's what you need when you're going through difficult, terribletimes. You need to know your position in Christ, the riches of His glory thatyou have in Him despite the circumstances around you. Keep your eyes on Jesus.He is the only hope that you can have that will bring you real security.  Today,how strong are your faith, hope and love? Godbless!

“Did the Early Church Have Deaconesses?” This episode explores the role of women in the early Church, including discussions on the Council of Constantinople and whether the Council of Jerusalem should be counted among the ecumenical councils. We also delve into Arianism’s connections to modern groups and the significance of the Council of Ephesus. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 18:30 – The Council of Constantinople 24:40 – Do we count the Council of Jerusalem among the first councils? 29:07 – Pope Leo announced reintroducing Deaconess based on Church History? Were there Deaconess in the Early Church? 31:59 – What the basic stuff to know about the Council of Nicea? 33:19 – Arianism sounds like Jehovah's Witnesses? 35:20 – Why did the council of Ephesus do? 40:10 – I feel like there is a popular opinion that the church was united up until 1054. But at the Council of Ephesus and Council of Calcedon there was a split by assyrian church of the East and oriental orthodox Church. Is this an argument that the church wasn't always Catholic? 45:00 – What is Nestorianism? 47:35 – Who are the heroes of the Council of Ephesus?

After a standard greeting to the church at Ephesus, Paul seems to overflow with joy and thanksgiving over the rich blessings of God offered to the believer through the gospel. The entire passage seems to effervesce with gratitude and jubilant praise. Notice, too, how much of this is centered on Christ and on God the Father. God is the main actor of the passage; in other words, it is God's work for God's glory. We'll hear the phrase “in Him” repeatedly, and three members of the triune Godhead are present. This God of power, glory, and honor has subjected everything under Christ's feet, and has appointed Christ as head over everything for the church. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In part 6 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened at the 3rd council - The Council of Ephesus. Now that Arianism was finally dying out, what was the major debate happening among Churches? How did tensions between the major hubs of Christianity play a role in the theological divisions? And how did the understanding of the Blessed Virgin Mary help settle this Christological debate? HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST* Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.* Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).* Invite Justin to speak at your next event. Inquire at whycatholic@substack.com.SOCIAL LINKS* Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.* Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube.SOURCES:* Map of the Roman Empire in 5th Century* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly* The First Seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787): Their History and Theology by Leo Davis* History of the Popes Podcast (Series on West Meets East - beginning with episode 52)* Council of Ephesus | Church Councils Explained (Part 3)* New Advent: First Council of Ephesus* Papal Encyclicals Online: Council of EphesusPREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea* Episode 148: The First Council of Nicaea (325)* Episode 149: From Nicaea to Constantinople* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381) Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

What kind of life does God use to multiply His mission? In Acts 20:17–24, the Apostle Paul speaks directly to the leaders of the church in Ephesus—not with lofty titles or empty words, but with a life marked by faithfulness. This message explores how God works through real people with real testimonies—people who lead with humility, serve with compassion, speak with courage, and trust Him no matter the cost. If you've ever wondered what it means to truly live for something bigger than yourself, this message is for you.-----To learn more about who we are and how you can get involved at ALC, follow this link: https://abundantlifebirdsboro.com/new-here/Support the show

In this sermon, Corporate Worship Pastor Jonathan Galvan of Redeemer Church in Midland, Texas, examines Christ's messages to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, focusing on the Church of Ephesus. While commending the church for their good works, patient endurance, and commitment to sound doctrine, Jesus criticizes them for losing their first love. Galvan emphasizes the importance of love for God and others, urging the church to remember, repent, and return to their initial fervor.   Stay Connected with Redeemer: Website: redeemermidland.org Instagram: instagram.com/redeemermidland Facebook: facebook.com/RedeemerMidland   At Redeemer, we seek to be a Gospel-Centered, Missional Family. We sing songs to worship our Lord, we preach the Word of God from the Bible, and we love one another.   We would love to see you on a Sunday morning at 9:00 or 11:00 am at 3601 N. Lamesa Rd in Midland, Texas. 

Acts 20:17-38 English Standard VersionPaul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

The letter to the church in Ephesus

“In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:16 NLT) Keep in mind that as the apostle Paul was writing his letter to the Christians at Ephesus, he was chained to a Roman guard. He had plenty of time to observe Roman armor, including the shield. The Roman shield was made of wood—rectangular in shape and about four feet high and two feet wide. The shield was especially useful in long-range warfare. Prior to an actual hand-to-hand engagement with the enemy, a Roman soldier often would encounter a barrage of flaming arrows coming from all directions. The primary purpose of this barrage was to demoralize and confuse the soldier. To protect themselves from the onslaught of fiery arrows, Roman soldiers would put their shields together, creating a protective barrier for all of them. Their shields provided protection above and beyond what their breastplates could provide. The shield of faith provides similar protection in our spiritual battles. The devil will direct his flaming arrows toward Christians. They could be arrows of immorality, hatred, pride, envy, covetousness, doubt, worry, or any other kind of sin. They will be delivered primarily in the realm of our thoughts. He will barrage us with his flaming arrows at strategic times, like when we decide to read the Bible or go to church. Flaming arrows will come our way during times of trial and hardship. It’s during these times that you hold up the shield of faith—not the shield of feelings, not the shield of emotions, but the shield of faith. You base your faith on what God has done for you, not on how you feel at a given moment. Emotions come and go. Sometimes you feel great, and sometimes you don’t feel anything. It’s then that you learn to use the shield of faith. One way to use your shield is to remind yourself that every fiery arrow the devil launches can be extinguished. The apostle Paul wrote, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT). When you sense that you’re being fired upon, double down on your faith in God. Spend time in His Word. Ask Him to show you the way out of the line of fire. In Roman warfare, the shield was used most effectively in conjunction with fellow soldiers. By holding their shields together, they gave one another more protective coverage. The same principle applies to spiritual warfare. We may be able to protect ourselves alone, but we get more protective coverage when we unite with fellow believers. When we spend time with other believers, in worship and in fellowship, our unity gives us greater protection in our spiritual battles. Our fellow believers can pray for us, come alongside us, encourage us, and hold us accountable. Together, our shields of faith can withstand anything our enemy fires at us. Reflection question: What are some of the fiery arrows the devil shoots at you? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim’s hotel room seemed extra dark at night. What if he got up at night and slipped and fell because he couldn’t see? But when Tim did get up, he was surprised to see a bright light shining from underneath the bed—lighting his path. A motion sensor had activated it. The light only worked, however, if he got up and started to walk. The Bible says we’re to walk with intent in God’s light. As Paul told the new believers in Jesus at Ephesus, “Follow God’s example . . . and walk in the way of love” (Ephesians 5:1-2). But what does it look like to walk that way? First, as we step into Christ’s loving light, we turn from our sins—immorality, impurity, idolatry, and coveting. “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,” Paul said, “but rather expose them” (v. 11). In the city of Ephesus, where pagan worship thrived, the apostle’s words would direct the new believers there. “At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (v. 8 esv). He added, “The fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.” So, “find out what pleases the Lord” (vv. 9-10). The benefit? The light of Jesus “will shine on you” (v. 14), lighting your path. “Look carefully then how you walk,” Paul concluded (v. 15 esv). Walking confidently in Christ’s light, we’ll bless others as we point them to Him—the source of true Light.

Full Text of ReadingsTuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 408The Saint of the day is Dedication of Saint Mary Major BasilicaThe Story of the Dedication of Saint Mary Major Basilica First raised at the order of Pope Liberius in the mid-fourth century, the Liberian basilica was rebuilt by Pope Sixtus III shortly after the Council of Ephesus affirmed Mary's title as Mother of God in 431. Rededicated at that time to the Mother of God, St. Mary Major is the largest church in the world honoring God through Mary. Standing atop one of Rome's seven hills, the Esquiline, it has survived many restorations without losing its character as an early Roman basilica. Its interior retains three naves divided by colonnades in the style of Constantine's era. Fifth-century mosaics on its walls testify to its antiquity. St. Mary Major is one of the four Roman basilicas known as patriarchal churches in memory of the first centers of the Church. St. John Lateran represents Rome, the See of Peter; St. Paul Outside the Walls, the See of Alexandria, allegedly the see presided over by Mark; St. Peter's, the See of Constantinople; and St. Mary's, the See of Antioch, where Mary is supposed to have spent most of her later life. One legend, unreported before the year 1000, gives another name to this feast: Our Lady of the Snows. According to that story, a wealthy Roman couple pledged their fortune to the Mother of God. In affirmation, she produced a miraculous summer snowfall and told them to build a church on the site. The legend was long celebrated by releasing a shower of white rose petals from the basilica's dome every August 5. Reflection Theological debate over Christ's nature as God and man reached fever pitch in Constantinople in the early fifth century. The chaplain of Bishop Nestorius began preaching against the title Theotokos, “Mother of God,” insisting that the Virgin was mother only of the human Jesus. Nestorius agreed, decreeing that Mary would henceforth be named “Mother of Christ” in his see. The people of Constantinople virtually revolted against their bishop's refutation of a cherished belief. When the Council of Ephesus refuted Nestorius, believers took to the streets, enthusiastically chanting, “Theotokos! Theotokos!” Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

During a persecution of Christians under the Emperor Decius, these seven Christian youths hid themselves in a cave outside Ephesus. When they were discovered, their persecutors sealed them in the cave to die; but God instead sent them a miraculous, life-preserving sleep. There they rested for about two hundred years. In the time of the Emperor Theodosius the Younger (408-450), a heresy that denied the bodily Resurrection of the dead began to trouble the people. The Emperor prayed God to reveal the truth to the people. At this time, some shepherds removed the stones blocking the cave in order to build a sheep-pen. They discovered the seven youths, who awoke in full health and told their miraculous story. The miracle was told throughout the empire, and the Emperor himself came to Ephesus and spoke with the youths. A week later, they again fell asleep, this time in death.