Podcasts about Ephesus

It’s easy to lose track of time without realizing where it went. A few minutes on social media becomes an hour, notifications interrupt meaningful conversations, and endless content competes for our attention. Technology can be a helpful tool, but when our phones, screens, and constant stream of information begin controlling our attention, they can quietly pull us away from God, our families, and the people and purposes He has placed in front of us. Ephesians 5:15-16 calls us to walk wisely and make the best use of our time. Redeeming our time doesn't necessarily mean eliminating technology—it means becoming intentional about what receives our attention. When we create space to pray, read Scripture, invest in relationships, and serve others, we begin using our time for something greater than simply staying busy or entertained. God has given us the gift of time, and we can ask Him for the wisdom and self-control to spend it in ways that honor Him and help us live faithfully. Highlights Why smartphones, social media, and constant information can quietly steal our time and attention What Ephesians 5:15-16 means when it calls us to make the best use of our time How technology can become a distraction from God, family, and meaningful relationships Practical ways to develop healthier screen-time habits and greater self-control Why intentional time with God should be protected from digital distractions How fasting from technology can help reset our attention and priorities Encouragement to redeem the time God has given us for His glory and the work He has called us to Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Redeeming, Not Wasting, Our Time By: Emily Rose Massey Bible Reading: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV). As a millennial, I find myself reflecting upon a time before the technological boom we seem to be facing, specifically before AI, smartphones, and social media. I remember taking a walk or riding my bike after school without the anxiety of accidentally leaving my phone at home. I remember the excitement of turning in my disposable camera from the school dance and then looking through my friends’ photo albums when I was hanging out at their house. I remember soaking up the most mundane moments without feeling the need to document them. Some of that could very well be what it was like to be younger, but I cannot ignore how much the simplicity of life has become more complicated and distracted with these portable devices that seem to control us and steal our time. About six months ago, I started to feel convicted about the lack of self-control regarding my screen time with my phone, so I purchased a little device that literally turns your phone into a brick when your phone hovers over it, depending on how much you want to limit its functionality. You can customize specific functions and apps that you want to limit, and for me, it was quite simply shutting down my social media usage. After six months of using this limiting device, I can see how it has helped me create healthier habits that have helped me prioritize my time more wisely. Instead of my phone controlling me, I have been able to start controlling it and using it as the tool that it is. My prayer to the Lord is “I want to be found faithful.” I have asked Him very frequently how I can use my time to glorify Him and be a fruitful disciple of Jesus. The Apostle Paul lovingly warns the church at Ephesus: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV). Intersecting Life & Faith: If the days were evil during Paul’s day, they most assuredly are evil today! Although our cellphones, tablets, laptops, etc are not evil, I do believe we need to be cautious as to how much time we are devoting to them. We need to be aware of where we are directing our focus. We need to be attentive to what is capturing our attention that may be causing us to make unwise choices. For me, the distraction from my phone was keeping me from intentional time with my sons and causing me to become captured by covetousness and discontentment with the swath of influencers pushing product after product. As we live in the great information age, we are bombarded with opportunities to fill our time and our minds with so many things that can so easily replace our time of fellowship with the Lord, as well as distract us from the very thing He has called us to do: make disciples! Perhaps you may not have an issue with technology distracting you from the Lord- praise God! Stay strong and be an accountability partner for those around you who are easily pulled away from the things of God because of the ever-increasing information age and the age of social media influencers promoting materialism and vanity. But if you are like me (a stay-at-home/work-from-home mom) and you are finding yourself with limited time to spend with Jesus in prayer and the Word, I challenge you to ask the Lord if there is something you can arrange in your schedule to allow better time management. Also, ask Him if He would like for you to fast (technology, that is), something that could be causing division between you and Him. Devote specific time every day to spend some quiet time in fellowship with God and reading your Bible, without your cellphone or iPad within reach- turn them off during that time and perhaps put a timer on the most-used apps that you access throughout your day. You might just need extra help with self-control, like me! Be thankful for the benefits of the tools and global connections that technology brings us, but don’t allow technology to rob you of your connection to Jesus or distract you from all the blessings He has put right in front of you. We have been given the precious gift of time here on this earth; let’s not waste our time but redeem it all for God’s glory! Further Reading: Matthew 6:33 Hebrews 12:1-2 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Join Neil Epler for an in-depth Bible study on the book of Ephesians, focusing on themes of being chosen and adopted by God through Jesus Christ. This session explores Paul's letters and teachings, providing insight into the historical and spiritual context of Ephesus. Discover the significance of redemption, grace, and the unity of believers in Christ.

Revelation 2 challenges us to see that the greatest danger to our faith may not be rebellion, but slowly drifting from our love for Jesus while continuing to do all the right things. Through the church in Ephesus, Jesus reminds us that our obedience, service, and sound doctrine mean nothing without love, inviting us to repent, return to our first love, and make Jesus the center of everything we do.

Timothy has been left in Ephesus with an intimidating assignment: confront false teachers, restore order, and guide a divided community without Paul beside him. Why did Paul trust this relatively young leader with such a difficult task and what does their story reveal about the real purpose of 1 Timothy? In this episode, we meet the two men behind the letter and uncover the central question that will guide the entire series: What happens when the truth of the gospel begins to shape the way God's people actually live together?Before we can understand 1 Timothy, we need to understand why it was written. This opening session of our study introduces the two men behind the letter and explains the situation that made the letter necessary. What you find here will change the way you read every chapter that follows.In this episode:Why 1 Timothy belongs to a special category of Paul's letters called the pastoral epistles and what makes them different from his other lettersHow Paul went from being the church's most determined persecutor to its most tireless missionary, and what his conversion on the road to Damascus actually meantWho Timothy was before Paul found him, why Paul chose him, and how their decade-long partnership shaped Timothy into someone Paul could trust with a troubled churchWhy the church in Ephesus was in crisis and what Paul hoped one young leader could do about itThe two major themes that hold the entire letter together: godliness and the conduct of believers in the household of GodHow Paul organized his instructions to Timothy around five distinct charges, one at the end of each major section of the letterSeries: 1 Timothy: Fight the Good Fight

Send us a message!We start Ephesians by tracing Paul's history with Ephesus and then reading chapters 1 and 2 as a focused picture of what God has done for us in Christ. We end by challenging ourselves to rethink peace as reconciliation and to take seriously what it means to be Jesus' body on earth.• the origin story of the Ephesian church in Acts 19 and the clash with Artemis worship and occult practices • Paul writing from house arrest in Rome and why the prison letters carry urgency and heart • how Ephesians is structured around what God has done and how we respond • spiritual blessings, adoption, redemption and the Holy Spirit as the seal of our inheritance • “by grace you are saved through faith” as the center of identity and assurance • Gentiles brought near, hostility killed and a new unified people formed in Christ • the church as Christ's body and why unity matters for mission • Jehovah Shalom and peace as God's declared end of conflict • reflection questions on living as a member of Jesus' body  At outloudbible.com, you can find free resources to help you study the Bible. And while you're there, send us a message to say hi, or start a conversation about having us at your church or event. If Outloud Bible has been a valuable part of your understanding of the Bible, please consider supporting the ministry by visiting outloudbible.com.Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Dr. Justin Dancer continues our series through Acts focusing on Acts 19:1-10.What are you aiming at in life? In Acts 19, Paul arrives in Ephesus and encounters a group of disciples who believed in repentance and were waiting for the Messiah, but had never heard of the Holy Spirit. When Paul explained the fullness of the gospel, they received it with open hearts and were baptized in the name of Jesus. Their story raises an important question for all of us: is it possible to have most of the truth and still be missing the center of it? Scripture is clear that when a person places genuine faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within them as a seal and guarantee of salvation. Beyond salvation, the Christian life is meant to grow. Paul's aim was not only for people to know Jesus but to be rooted, established, and filled with the very fullness of God. The question worth sitting with today is not just whether you are saved, but whether you are growing.

Changing the numbering system to be more suggestive of a bracket. Sixtus is the third one seed, if you will. Image: Sandro Botticelli, 1480, Pope Sixtus II Popes names Sixtus (originally Xystus): St Sixtus I 117 or 119 to 126 or 128 Martyr St Sixtus II 257 to 258 Famous martyr, in the Roman Canon St Sixtus III 432 to 440 Sixtus IV 1471 to 1484 Sistine Chapel named for him Sixtus V 1585 to 1590 Great reformer of the Papal States and Curia   Sixtus or Xystus I: the earliest pope we have covered so far, in the very uncertain period of the second century, during the reign of Hadrian. The chronicles that look back to this time do not agree on the dates of his ministry and otherwise only record a few vague details. He is supposed to have placed the chanting of the Sanctus at its present place in the Mass, right after the Preface; he is also recorded to have been martyred, although nothing seems to be preserved about the event.   Sixtus / Xystus II: pope during the persecution of Valerian in the third century. His brief reign saw a reconciliation with St. Cyprian and churches in Africa and Asia Minor, which had been requiring heretics to be rebaptized. The persecution was stepped up in August 258 and Pope Xystus was beheaded with four deacons in a cemetery where he was celebrating Mass; two more deacons were executed the same day; the last and most famous deacon, Lawrence, survived a few days to be captured and according to legend roasted to death. Pope Sixtus to this day is mentioned in the full version of the Roman Canon of the Eucharistic Prayer.   Sixtus / Xystus III: prior to his election as pope, a correspondent with St. Augustine. Approved the acts of the Council of Ephesus and rededicated the restored basilica of St. Mary Major. This historical period included continued disputes with both Pelagians and Nestorians. Defended and maintained papal supremacy over Illyricum. Succeeded by Leo the Great.   Sixtus IV: pope of the late fifteenth century. Born of poor parents; became a Franciscan and a notable theologian. Unfortunately once pope he became a traditional nepotist and involved the Papal States in wars to put his nephews in charge of Florence and Ferrara, and wars of this nature continued to absorb papal attention through the beginning of the Reformation. He opposed and annulled the decrees of the Council of Constance and was successful in turning the Church away from conciliarism. He was a great builder and is said to have made Rome much more livable, helping continue its recovery from the Avignon period of the papacy. He reorganized and essentially refounded the Vatican Library and most famously built the Sistine Chapel.   Sixtus V: also of poor birth and Dalmatian ancestry, whose family had fled from Turkish expansion; supposedly a swineherd as a boy. Also became a Franciscan and rose to prominence in that order, also for a time appointed to the Inquisition in Venice. Accompanied the future Gregory XIII to Spain to investigate claims that the Archbishop of Toledo was a heretic, and the two did not get along. During Gregory XIII's long reign he was sidelined. Similarly to his time as an inquisitor, he proved to be an effective but severe and even brutal ruler of the Papal States. He had perhaps ten thousand to thirty thousand brigands to deal with and nearly exterminated them. He put the papal finances in order and built many useful and beautiful buildings, but seems to have taxed the economy into a stupor. Of particular significance, he created fifteen Congregations to organize the cardinals and created much of the current structure of the Curia. He caused editions of the Septuagint and the Vulgate to be printed, although his edition of the Vulgate is not considered to be of high quality, and even at the time was recalled and corrected in 1592 due to many errors already recognized. He was supposedly on the point of forcing the Jesuits to change their name from the "Society of Jesus" and change some of the rules of the order when he died. For a change he was actually notably non-nepotistic.   Why Sixtus VI: A cardinal would take this name in order to revive the memory of Sixtus II (and I), recognizing that the Church in so many parts of the world faces persecution on a massive scale. That by itself might be enough. The early modern era Popes Sixtus, especially Sixtus V, might contribute to the idea especially if 1) the cardinal is a Franciscan and 2) he plans to address the Vatican finances and the organization of the Curia at large.  

Jason Mann shares in our series, Acts. This week we look at Acts 19:1-20.

With season 1 and 2 complete we move into Acts: Season 3. The narrative shifts to Antioch and the focus is on Paul - previously called Saul - as he shares the gospel in Gentile areas. ___ At the end of season three we wrap up Acts 19 with the impact of the Gospel affecting the economy in Ephesus. The way of Ephesus is threatened and those making the most money off of her worship of Artemis are in fear of losing their abundance.

What do you pray for? Paul's prayer for the church in Ephesus challenges us to look beyond simply asking God to change our circumstances and instead pray that the eyes of our hearts would be opened to know Him better. May we see the hope of His calling, the riches of His inheritance, and the immeasurable greatness of His power -- and learn to pray differently: "God, open the eyes of our hearts."Our regular service is at 10am on Sundays. We are located at 304 E. Austin Ave in Hutto, TX. Can't make it in person? You are welcome to join us live on Facebook or YouTube. If you need prayer or you just need someone to talk to please reach out to us at prayer@huttocommunitychurch.org.HCC Website - HCC Facebook - HCC YouTube

A silversmith's profits are threatened by the gospel, so he starts a riot. What is money revealing about your idols?Before the crowd in Ephesus ever shouted about worship, Demetrius the silversmith was already talking about profit. In this message from Acts 19:21-41, Pastor Talaat McNeely traces what happens when the gospel does not just change what a city believes, but changes what that city buys, builds, and protects. This one is for anyone building a business, a brand, or a dream, and wondering whether money or mission is really sitting in the driver's seat of their life.In this episode, you will discover:Why the loudest reaction in Ephesus started as a threat to profit long before anyone mentioned worshipHow to spot when what looks like conviction is really just fear of losing what already worksWhy chasing every open opportunity is not the same as chasing what God actually assigned youThe real story behind why Pastor Talaat and Prophetess Tai walked away from their company, His and Her Money, to plant Purpose City ChurchOne simple question to ask when you cannot tell if money or mission is really driving youThis message walks through Acts 19:21-41 in the New Living Translation.If this one challenges you to check what is really driving your decisions, hit subscribe or follow so you never miss a message from the Unstoppable series.Purpose City Church, Aurora, IL. We would love to have you join us in person or online. Follow along and learn more at https://www.purposecitychurch.com/

1 Timothy #3: God's Messy Children (1 Timothy 1:12-20) Rob Woodrum (8/30/26) Download We're going to continue our series in 1 Timothy this Sunday, reading 1 Timothy 1:12-20. In our text last week, Paul launched his war on error, describing how the leaders in Ephesus had lost their way and were corrupting the message of the gospel. The things that he highlighted gave us clues about what was happening with these leaders. They were reading into genealogies to create some sense of elevation for themselves…a claim to a higher calling and closer position to God.Since they were making themselves out to be special…Paul bares his own past, and shows what kind of person he had been, and how suitable he considered himself to be a minister of the gospel. What does he say about his own background in light of his present calling, in v12-17?In light of leaders trying to elevate themselves, what do you think Paul is trying to get across here? V15 gives one of the most brilliantly succinct summaries of the gospel and it's message to the world. A person could spend a lifetime contemplating that verse, and all of it's implications. Timothy, the one the letter is written to, was a young man Paul had been mentoring. He's very likely only in his early 20's at the writing of this letter. This tells us something about how GOD goes about making someone qualified for the work of His kingdom…and it's a far cry from the expectations we normally like to place on people.Paul finishes off the chapter by calling out two guys by name, Hymenaeus and Alexander. We don't know anything about them. Hymenaeus is mentioned again in 2 Timothy 2:17, and the “cancerous” teaching they endorse has to do with the claiming that the resurrection at the end of the age had already happened. The implications of that message could take believers down many different rabbit holes…even to the point of abandoning their hope in Christ. Paul “hands them over to Satan”…that is, he's not going to try force them into truth…if they want to ally themselves with the enemy of God's plan, let them go for it. But he has a reason for letting them go…a goal he's hoping to see accomplished. What is that goal, in v20? What does that tell us about our hopes, even for those who seem to have lost their faith?The Church isn't a haven for really good people to get together in and pat themselves on the back for how much better they are than everybody else. The church is full of messy people who've been rescued by the unrelenting love of God through Jesus. I hope you can join us as we dig into this section on Sunday!Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

As Paul says goodbye to believers in Ephesus, he reflects on this ministry career, and leaves the next generation of leaders with encouragement to guard and protect God's flock.

Tom Logue - August 30th 2026 Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome Home: Restored Church(00:00:34) - A Moment of Remembering the Grace of God(00:02:41) - Prayer for the Church of Ephesus(00:03:50) - Who We Are(00:06:04) - The Gospel(00:07:32) - The Family and the Church(00:08:38) - Religious Value 7: Dependence(00:12:52) - John 15: Christian Dependency(00:15:16) - Jesus' disciples(00:16:30) - Stay with Jesus(00:21:18) - God's Word on Oversight and Leadership(00:22:36) - God's Plan for You(00:27:15) - Are You Living a Self-Reliant Life?(00:32:07) - Six Signs That You're Not Self-Reliant(00:36:23) - Self-Reliance Results in Withering(00:42:55) - John 15: A Masterclass on Prayer(00:49:05) - Jesus Modeled Dependency(00:54:17) - The Spirit of God Who Raised Jesus From the Dead(00:57:24) - Don't Get Drunk With Wine(01:00:41) - Imagine What Your Life Would Look Like If You Were Under the Spirit(01:04:42) - We Invite the Spirit of God to Our Gathering(01:07:56) - Prayer Time for the Day

It’s possible to be busy doing good things—even serving God—while slowly losing our passion for Jesus. In Week 1 of Letters to the Seven Churches, we look at Jesus’ message to the church in Ephesus and His call to remember, repent, and return. Christianity is a relationship before it’s a responsibility, and everything we do should flow from our love for Christ. myjourneychurch.com

Keeping us down is impossible because we're UNSTOPPABLE with the gospel. Unstoppable Volume 5 is part 5 in a study through the book of Acts where we are getting a front row seat on how to spread the gospel like the early church.   In this message, Pastor Andy will teach about GOSPEL DISRUPTIONS as seen in Acts 19:20-41 where the powerful spread of the word of God in Ephesus triggered a massive public riot led by local silversmiths who feared that their idol-making trade would go out of business because of the mass amounts of people starting to follow the gospel and reject idols.

Send us Fan MailToday we're concluding Ducks in a Row: Reordered Loves, our series examining what happens when good things find themselves in the wrong order in our hearts.In Week 3, First Love, Jono Contestabile takes us to Jesus' words to the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2:1–7.On the surface, this church was doing everything right. They worked hard. They persevered. They cared about truth. They endured hardship in Jesus' name.But underneath all that activity, something had shifted.Jesus tells them: “You have forsaken the love you had at first.”It's possible to maintain the activities that love once taught us long after love is no longer what's motivating them.So how do we recognize when our affection for Jesus has shifted—and how do we return?Remember. Repent. Repeat.And ultimately, remember where our love began:“We love because He first loved us.”Join us for worship, communion and the conclusion of Ducks in a Row: Reordered Loves.

Kristina and Elissa talk about the difference between John's baptism and Jesus' baptism, and about Paul's experiences during his years in Ephesus.

Dcn. Harrison Garlick hosts a full house to discuss the short, strange, forgotten dialogue of Plato's Ion, subtitled "On the Iliad." 10 Question Written Guide on Plato's IonVisit our website for more information!Plato's Ion opens with a victorious rhapsode who claims to speak more beautifully about Homer than any other human being. Socrates grants the premise that a true rhapsode must not merely recite but interpret the poet's thought to his hearers—and then tests whether that excellence is a techne, a teachable art that should apply across all poets who treat the same subjects.Ion fails the test. He is “asleep” except when Homer is mentioned. Socrates therefore offers another account: poets and rhapsodes work not by craft but by divine mania. The Muse is a lodestone, and poet, reciter, and audience form a chain of possession. Ion recognizes himself at once. On stage he is outside himself, and he can move twenty thousand hearers to tears and terror (with a subtle nod in the dialogue about the desire to make money...).The dialogue then presses the distinction between speaking beautifully and speaking correctly. On charioteering, medicine, and the other arts present in Homer, the expert—not the rhapsode—speaks rightly. Unwilling to admit he has no art at all, Ion seizes the last remaining claim and declares himself the best general. The identification is absurd, and the conversation nearly collapses. Socrates leaves him a choice: to be called unjust, or divine. Ion takes the latter. Skill and inspiration remain unreconciled. What the short work has done is place poetry, possession, and the education of the city on the table—and prepare the larger judgment of the poets that the Republic will make.Chapters00:00 - Welcome to Ascend and overview of the episode's purpose01:05 - Introducing Ion and the returning and first-time guests02:29 - Erik Rostad explains Book of Titans and his lifelong reading project06:28 - First reactions to Ion and its perplexing character07:11 - Preliminary framing: subtitle, translation, and why the dialogue matters10:10 - Ion's claim to be the finest speaker on Homer11:44 - What techne means in this dialogue20:00 - Does Ion really claim knowledge, or only beautiful performance?23:50 - Ion's claim that no one else speaks more finely on Homer28:37 - The question of poetry as a better educator than philosophy31:03 - Ion admits he dozes off when other poets are discussed38:45 - The magnet metaphor and the chain of divine influence44:32 - Is divine inspiration irrational, or can it be a real source of truth?55:31 - A third sense of possession: skill, demonization, and being subsumed into beauty60:15 - Ion says he watches the crowd and adjusts for money and effect62:49 - Does Ion have a real art, or is he just managing audience response?70:29 - The charioteer, the physician, and whether Socrates is being fair72:26 - Does philosophy itself become a narrow specialty in the same way?76:03 - Why actors may be excellent performers but poor explainers of their craft78:10 - Socrates as a guide toward self-recognition of Ion's actual techne87:25 - Plato as storyteller and the philosopher's need for a better story90:20 - Storytelling, parables, and the pedagogical power of narrative92:37 - Plato's self-reflection on his own art and craft94:36 - The unresolved tension between inspiration and skill99:44 - Closing thanks KeywordsPlato's Ion, On the Iliad, Ion of Ephesus, rhapsode, Homer, Iliad, Odyssey, technē, techne, divine inspiration, mania, theia moira, magnet metaphor, lodestone, Muse, speaking beautifully, speaking correctly, kalos, orthos, Socratic dialogue, forgotten Platonic dialogues, aporetic dialogue, poetry versus philosophy, education of the city, Republic Book 10, poets as imitators, Allan Bloom, Thomas Pangle, Roots of Political Philosophy, Debra Nails, Dr. Frank Grabowski, Thomas Lackey, Jack Drury, Erik Rostad, Book of Titans, Ascend the Great Books Podcast, rhapsodic contest, Asclepieia, Epidaurus, generalship, polymathy, Plato as dramatist.

In this sermon, Curtis considers Paul's farewell words to the church in Ephesus

Keeping us down is impossible because we're UNSTOPPABLE with the gospel. Unstoppable Volume 5 is part 5 in a study through the book of Acts where we are getting a front row seat on how to spread the gospel like the early church. In this message, Pastor Brandon will teach us how to go all in with your faith in Jesus as seen in Acts 19:1-20 where we see Paul's ministry in Ephesus during his third missionary journey.

Jesus told the church in Ephesus that they were still doing faithful work, but they had left their first love. It is possible to keep serving and praying while something inside grows cold. Chris understands that tension. In this episode, he talks about the season when his prayers felt like they were hitting the ceiling and the spiritual habits that once helped no longer felt effective. Rather than treating that wall as proof of failure, Chris offers a way to face it honestly, stop trying to outperform it, and let God and trusted people meet us there. Speaker: Chris Cary Message: Hitting the Wall Date: August 23, 2026 Scripture: Revelation 2:4-5; 2 Timothy 1:6; Psalm 103:2-3; 1 John 1:9; Acts 1:8, 14 Next steps, prayer, and connection: https://bit.ly/m/lifechurchia Website: https://www.lifechurchnow.org/ Give: https://www.lifechurchnow.org/give

With season 1 and 2 complete we move into Acts: Season 3. The narrative shifts to Antioch and the focus is on Paul - previously called Saul - as he shares the gospel in Gentile areas. ___ As ministry progresses in Ephesus, people start to recognize the power of God on Paul's life and want to be involved. Some try to impersonate - and get embarrassed. And other choose to identify their imperfections - and get blessed.

1 Timothy #2: Paul's War On Error (1 Timothy 1:3-11) Rob Woodrum (8/23/26) Download This Sunday we'll be continuing in our new study of 1&2 Timothy. We'll be reading chapter 1, v 3-11.After his quick greeting, Paul jumps right into correcting teachers in Ephesus (through Timothy whom he sent there in order to get them re-established), warning them that they're veering off the path Paul originally pointed to. What are some of the things he warns against in v4? So…we might start thinking: “what's the big deal Paul? Why is doctrine such a sticky issue with you? What does it matter what some people believe?” We live in a day and age when doctrinal views and philosophies are fired at us as fast as water from a fire hydrant – so those kinds of questions seem appropriate. As we examine Paul's words, how does v4 evaluate the results of what's being taught in Ephesus? What does that tell us about the importance of maintaining a healthy doctrinal understanding?The issue seems to be a slide into mysticism, and another attempt to introduce the Old Testament law into New Testament living. Who does Paul say the the law is for? How do we understand this, in light of Paul's message of salvation and life in Jesus Christ?Should be an interesting foray into a very timely epistle, I hope you can join us this Sunday!Click here for a pdf version of the teaching slideshow.

Paul stayed in Ephesus longer than anywhere else, and his message triggered a massive, culturally disruptive spiritual awakening in a city deeply saturated with superstition, sorcery, and witchcraft.

In Week 1 of our Lampstand Letters series, we hear Jesus' message to the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2:1–7. Jesus sees their work, recognizes their perseverance, and commends their commitment to truth. Yet He also identifies something deeply important that they have lost: their first love.This passage reminds us that faithful activity and sound doctrine are not substitutes for affection for Jesus. Jesus is jealous for our affections. He desires not simply our service, our commitment, or our knowledge, but our hearts.As we begin the Lampstand Letters series, we are challenged to examine whether our lives are marked by both faithfulness to truth and a growing love for Christ. Jesus calls His church to remember, repent, and return to the love that shaped us in the beginning.For more information about Integrity Church, visit our website, http://liveintegritychurch.orgConnect with us on social media throughout the week to stay up to date on events and things happening at Integrity!Instagram: @integrity_churchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveintegrity/

The proclamation of Jesus inevitably results in conflict with idolatry, whether in Ephesus or Vermont. So, we should not be surprised by ugly opposition to the gospel but continue proclaiming and embracing Jesus as Lord of all.

August 16, 2026 - Sunday AM Bible Class In this episode from the class "Challenges the Early Church Faced," Neal unpacks Acts 19–21 to identify obstacles the early church encountered during Paul's third missionary journey and draws practical lessons for today. The session covers Paul's extended ministry in Ephesus (three years), his pattern of reasoning and persuading in the synagogue, and the moment he withdraws to the Hall (School) of Tyrannus when faced with hardened hearts. Listeners will hear close reading of Acts 19:8–10 and discussion of how gospel preaching meets stubbornness, ignorance, and resistance to change. The class also examines extraordinary signs and competing beliefs: Luke's account of miracles, handkerchiefs and aprons bringing healing, and the dramatic episode of Sceva's seven sons attempting exorcism in Jesus' name. The lecture traces how Paul's encounters shift from Jewish opposition to Gentile superstition and idolatry, and how early Christian witness collided with local religious practice and professions. Money and profession emerge as a central challenge when the gospel undermines lucrative trades—highlighted by the Demetrius-led uproar in Ephesus and the report of costly books and shrines being burned (valued at 50,000 silver pieces). The discussion connects those events to modern tensions between vocational interests, cultural identity, and wholehearted commitment to Christ. Throughout the episode Neal engages class participants on practical questions like when to persist and when to move on, how to build common ground (appealing to shared Scripture), how to reason persuasively (Isaiah 1:18; 1 Peter 3:15), and how to handle fellowship concerns (Romans 14; 2 John). The class is invited to address comparative-religion issues and how to respond to world religions in our context. Expect a mix of expository teaching, real-time Q&A and pastoral application: historical overview of Paul's journeys, close textual study of Acts 19–21, examples of resistance (hard hearts, competing beliefs, economic pushback), and concrete guidance for modern evangelism, apologetics, and church fellowship. This episode is for listeners wanting biblical insight into opposition the early church faced and practical tools for faithful ministry today.   Duration 40:48

Introduction: Why the Resurrection Means Everything (1 Corinthians 15:12-34): The resurrection SHAPES my FAITH. (1 Cor 15:12-28) IF There Is No Resurrection: PREACHING the Gospel: Meaningless. (1 Cor 15:12-14a) FAITH in Christ: Meaningless. (1 Cor 15:14b) Your BIBLE : Blasphemous. (1 Cor 15:15) Your SIN : Not forgiven. (1 Cor 15:16-17) Believers who have DIED : Gone forever. (1 Cor 15:18) CHRISTIANS : The worst. (1 Cor 15:19) The resurrection STOPS my FEAR. (1 Cor 15:29-32) The resurrection SELECTS my FRIENDS. (1 Cor 15:33-34) Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Unified and Purified: The Resurrection Means Everything Jeff Miller Download Audio Transcript 00:05Open up your Bibles with me please to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. While we're turning there, just ask that you would please take a moment to pray for me, to be faithful to communicate God's Word accurately and clearly, and I will pray for you that your heart would be open to receive what it is that God has said in His Word. Deal? All right. Thank you both.00:34Let's pray. Father, we thank You for Your Word. We're asking now that You would eliminate any distractions in our minds and our hearts, that we would focus solely on what it is You've communicated to us. Father, lay on our hearts the importance of this Word because of who said it.01:04that we're not here to talk about my opinion or some old preacher's opinion. We're here to talk about what you have said in your word. So I pray that that would drive the attentiveness that we give to what it is you've said here, Father. We thank you in advance for what you're going to do. We pray in Jesus' name that all of God's people Amen. Amen. Alright. Who here is a golfer? Raise your hand if you're a golfer. Some of you are shy about it. I'm sorry, is it a secret? I see some of you. Yes, it's a secret. Come on, raise them high. Raise them proud. Who's a golfer? Even if you play golf. You don't have to be on the PGA.02:06Do you know? I've never played golf a day in my life. I'm not against golf. I've just never played it. When I was in high school, I was going over to my friend's house, and he was in his, it was actually his grandparents' house, and he was in the backyard hitting golf balls into the woods, just whoosh, whoosh. So I show up. He's like, hey, I'm almost done. I'll be with you in a minute.02:34So I don't golf. I'm just like do-do-do-do-do-do. And I look, and in the tree, like where the branches split, there was a wiffle ball in the tree. I'm like, I wonder how that got there. So I pulled this wiffle ball out, and I was shocked at how heavy it was for its size. Very intriguing. I can tell you're intrigued by it. I certainly was. So he's hitting the golf balls, and I said, hey, check out how heavy this ball is. And I tossed it to him. And he was like, ha-ha. And he took a swing. Let me tell you what I think he thought was going to happen. I think he thought he was going to hit that wiffle ball like into the woods, launch it in midair like baseball style, right? So I'm like, hey, check out how heavy this ball is. I threw it. And he's like, whew. And he swings and the ball hits the middle of the golf club, like the shaft.03:34and it explodes.03:37And he's standing there holding the handle.03:39And his eyes were like as big as silver dollars.03:42He's like, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.03:45I'm like, what's the matter?03:47He's like, this was my grandfather's brand new driver.03:55And I found out later it was very expensive.03:58I don't know.03:58I don't play golf.03:59I told you that.04:00But he's like, I'm like, what's the problem? He's like, this was his brand new driver. And I'm like, his driver? I said, is that important? And he's like, is that important? It's the most important club. And he got in all kind of trouble and we all laughed. Well, he didn't, but we all did. Like, why did I tell you this? That story.04:31Because here's the thing, in golf world, I was completely oblivious to the most important thing. I didn't know. I didn't know. The driver, it is important, right? It's important. Okay, all right. It is important. I was clueless. And you know, fast forward a few decades, let's get out of golf world, let's get in church world, the principle still stands, I think.04:59There are so many people in church world that are ignorant of the most important thing. And the most important thing, biblically, is this idea of resurrection. And we talk about it in church, and there are people that are like, is that important? Like, it is the most important thing. Resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15 is all about resurrection.05:29And the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and this is by no means any kind of exaggeration, but the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most significant event in the history of the world. It's the central teaching of the church. And because Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead, the Bible says his followers too will resurrect from the dead.05:59just a few minutes ago. Dead to self. Alive. Raised in Christ. Understand that when we talk about resurrection, it's not just like this metaphor or this poetic concept. It's real. This is literally your eternal state of being. You will resurrect. So you have to know what the Bible says.06:29says about this, and you have to believe this.06:34So on your outline today, I encourage you to take some notes, but why the resurrection means everything.06:41It means everything.06:45Number one, we're going to do some theology today.06:50Number one is the resurrection shapes my faith.06:54It shapes my faith.06:56Everything that we believe in this church is tied into this idea of resurrection.07:07It shapes my faith. We started this last week. Paul talked about the evidences that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.07:13He talked about the grace that we receive, the gift of God.07:18And now when we get to this section, Paul actually plays a what-if game concerning resurrection. Paul says hypothetically, hypothetically, what would result if there were no resurrection?07:35What would result if Jesus didn't rise from the dead?07:41What would that mean?07:42What would be the significance for us, church, if Jesus didn't rise from the dead?07:47I mean, imagine the scene.07:49Imagine the scene.07:51Jesus Christ, mocked, humiliated, crucified, dead, taken from the cross, put in the tomb. Three days later, the women show up and the stone is still there. The guards are still there. The guards are like, move along, move along ladies. And Jesus is in the tomb and He stayed in the tomb.08:21What if there was no resurrection of Jesus Christ? What if? That's what Paul gets into here. Look at verse 12, 1 Corinthians 15. He says, now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.08:51has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain. Stop there. On your outline, if there is no resurrection, the first thing Paul says, if there is no resurrection, preaching the gospel is meaningless. Think about that. Preaching the gospel is meaningless. You are totally wasting your time here this morning. You got up and got your church clothes on and you drove here for what?09:21studying this. That was a complete waste of time. I wasted much of my week. You wasted your Sunday morning coming here today. You're wasting your time right now just listening to me blather on and on and on about what? Every sermon, every Bible study, every small group, every Christian book, every Christian podcast, every Christian conference is a complete waste of time and money if there's no resurrection.09:52Why are you here? So preaching the gospel is meaningless. Letter B, faith in Christ is meaningless. Look what he says. Rest of verse 14, he says, and your faith is in vain. If there's no resurrection, your faith is in vain. Who's your faith in? My faith is in Jesus. Oh, okay. Well, if Jesus died and stayed dead, what's so special about him? He's just in a a long list of religious leaders that showed up, said some profound things, died, and is in his tomb. Just like everybody else. There's no resurrection. Oh, by the way, Jesus throughout his ministry clearly proclaimed that he would die, and he said he would rise from the dead. So, if there's no resurrection, Jesus Christ is either crazy or he's a liar. And that's your faith? Your faith is in that one?10:52Let us see your bible is blasphemous your bible is blasphemous look at verse 15 he says we are even found to be misrepresenting god because we testified about god that he raised christ whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised your bible is blasphemous all of the apostolic teaching your new testament It's blasphemous. If Jesus didn't raise from the dead. Because all of these apostles preach a message and they wrote about a message and we're reading their message today that God raised Christ. It's the central thing in the entire New Testament. And we're sitting here dissecting it. For what? If Jesus didn't raise from the dead. I mean, if Jesus didn't raise from the dead, we have to ask, well, okay, if they were wrong about that, What else are they wrong about? Maybe we should just throw out the whole New Testament. So your Bible is blasphemous. Letter D. If there is no resurrection, if there is no resurrection, your sin is not forgiven. Your sin is not forgiven. Look at verses 16 and 17. He says, for if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised, Christ has not been raised. Your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Oh boy. You know, someday you're going to die and you're going to stand before the God who created everything and you're going to have to give an account of your life. You're going to have to give an account for all of the wrong things that you've done. Your wrong attitudes, your harsh, mean words, your actions, your thoughts. You're going to have to give an account to the creator of the universe.12:52And you don't have any excuse or any hope if there's no resurrection.12:59Because your sin is not forgiven.13:02Letter E.13:06This doesn't get more comfortable, by the way.13:11Believers who have died, I mean it will, but just not yet.13:15Believers who have died are gone forever.13:18Believers who have died are gone forever.13:20Look at verse 18. He says, Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.13:31Fallen asleep, he's talking about they died, right?13:35So what about those who have believed in Jesus Christ and they died?13:38Guess what?13:39They're gone forever.13:40You're never going to see them again.13:42I have done a lot of funerals over the last almost 30 years.13:46Can you imagine?13:47No resurrection?13:48That's what I do.13:48I stand by the casket.13:50Hope you enjoyed your time with them because you're never going to see them again. It is over. If there's no resurrection, they're gone. And letter F, Christians are the worst. The worst. Look at verse 18. He said, I'm sorry, verse 19, excuse me. He says, If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are, of all people most, to be pitied.14:38Like, if Jesus just gives us some sense of contentment and fulfillment in this life, but does nothing for us after we die, He's like, we should be pitied.14:47We are miserable, pathetic people. We devoted our lives to what? We planted this church for what? We send missionaries all over the world for what? A dead prophet. You are lame. Oh, but look at verse 20.15:19He says, but in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. Verse 20 makes all the difference. Verse 20, it's the game-changing verse here. You see, He stops, enough of the hypothetical stuff at this point. He stops the what-if thing. He says, here's the reality. Jesus Christ, did rise from the dead. So, that means your outline here, since Jesus Christ did rise from the dead, you can state all of those points in the opposite and they would be true. This is reality. Because Jesus Christ rose from the dead, preaching the gospel is not meaningless. No, no, no, no. Opposite. Preaching the gospel means everything.16:17This is literally a message of life and death. If Jesus rose from the dead. And he did. So this is the message of eternal life. Oh, and because Jesus rose from the dead, take the second one. Turn it opposite. Faith in Christ means everything. It doesn't matter what you do, who you know, how much you've accumulated in this life. In the end, in the end, there's only one thing that matters. Do you know Jesus Christ? Because faith in him means everything.16:49Letters see your Bible. Letters see your Bible. Let's not blasphemous because Jesus did raise from the dead. The message of the gospel is true. Your Bible is God's communication to you. Everything you need to know for life and godliness. God has given us all things through His Spirit, through His Word. We got it. Stating letter D in the opposite, your sin is forgiven. Jesus Christ takes your sin.17:17sin away. You are pronounced not guilty. There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Sin is no longer an issue because Jesus rose from the dead. Believers who have died believing in Christ, you're going to see them again someday. See, the opposite is true because Jesus rose. His people were alive. Think of that glorious reunion.17:47You know, there's a lot of people in heaven I can't wait to track down. Yes, I'm going to, Jesus first, right? Exaltation of the Son of God first, but I got to tell you, there's a lot of other people I'm so looking forward to seeing again someday. And then Christians, because Jesus rose, you're not the worst. And I'm really sorry if I hurt your feelings when I said that earlier. But that's what He said. You're not to be pitied.18:17And I don't feel right saying, well, you're going to be envied, because that's not our posture either. But just objectively, we are people in good position because we have believed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have eternal life. The resurrection is the foundation of all of our theology. It shapes everything we believe.18:47Look at verses 21 through 22.18:50Because he's going to get into...18:51This is like the most deep and succinct explanation of theology that I think might be in the whole Bible right here.19:02Look at verses 21 and 22.19:05He says, For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.19:17For as in Adam, that's Adam and Eve, Garden of Eden, that Adam, for as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. This is just Theology 101. Man, Adam brought death. When Adam sinned against God in the Garden of Eden, brought sin and death into the world. That's why the world is in the shape that it's in. That's why we are in the shape that we are in. We live in a world of sin and death. Adam brought that. The man Adam brought death, but the man, the last Adam, Jesus, brought life. He came to restore the life that we forfeited in the first Adam.20:17So we're talking about resurrection. You're like, okay, okay. So when does resurrection happen? Okay. Enough of the teaser here. When does it happen? Well, he tells us here. Look at verse 23. He says, but each in his own order, Christ, the first fruits, then at his coming, Those who belong to Christ, then comes the end. Stop there for a second. Own order. He says each in his own order. He's like, there's a sequence here. We're talking about resurrection. And he says Christ is the first fruits of resurrection. Then, he says then, resurrection is going to happen to, he says it in the text here, those who belong to Christ.21:17to Christ. People who have received Christ will resurrect. You're like, okay, when will that happen? He tells us right here. Did you see it? Did you see it? At His coming. At His coming, He's talking about the rapture. And next week's message is all about the rapture. So you definitely don't want to miss that. But He's saying at the rapture of Christ, those who belong to Him will resurrect. And He says, Then comes the end. Like, the end. What is the end? Well, again, he gives us a great paraphrase here. Pick up in verse 24. He says, then comes the end when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.22:19The last enemy to be destroyed is death.22:25For God has put all things in subjection under his feet.22:32But when it says all things are put in subjection it is plain that he is accepted who put all things in subjection under him.22:43When all things are subjected to him then the Son Himself will also be subjected to Him who put all things in subjection under Him, that God may be all in all. See, this passage takes us into eternity. What's he talking about here? Just very simple, right? These are broad strokes. This is like an overview of the book of Revelation. Here's what he's saying. He says, after every enemy is defeated, the redeemed are gathered together, and the bride of Christ is complete. Then Jesus returns the bride and himself to the Father. So that God is all in all. And you're like, well, thank you for the theology lesson. But what does that have to do with me?23:47Everything. Everything. Everything. Yes, this explains the origin of sin and death. This explains the necessity of resurrection. This explains why believing in the resurrection is absolutely essential. This explains where everything is ultimately heading. But, It means something today. It means something today about who you are and how you act and what you think and what your attitude should be today. It means everything today. And you're like, well, can you be a little more specific about that? Absolutely. Follow the text. Resurrection means everything because, number two, the resurrection stops my fear.24:47The resurrection stops my fear. Look at verse 29. Paul says, otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? They're like, wait, what? You know, there's a lot of people They say this is the hardest verse in the New Testament. And you can do the homework. There are dozens and dozens and dozens of interpretations. Like what in the world is he talking about here? Well, I want to show you something in the language and then show you something in the context. And I believe that Maybe it's not as hard as we make it out to be. It says here, notice he says, baptized on behalf of the dead. Now your Bible, if you have a different translation, it might say baptized for the dead. Your Bible says something like that? Okay, well, the Greek word is identical to the English word for. Okay?26:17Now, let's talk about English for a second, because the Greeks used their "for" in the exact same way. And when we use, we use the word "for" for everything. But the meaning of it changes drastically. And it always depends on the context, always. Always depends on the context. That's a little word, but it changes everything.26:47If I said to you, I'm going to the store for bread, you know what I mean, right? I am going to the store in order to obtain bread, right? But if I said to you, I took an aspirin for my headache, see the word for no longer means in order to obtain. I did not take an aspirin in order to obtain a headache. That would be silly, right?27:18I took an aspirin as a result of having a headache. You see, for, it's the context. I didn't go to the store as a result of having bread. I went in order to obtain. I took the aspirin as a result of having, and the context always makes the difference. With that in mind, look at the next two verses to see what the context is. What's he talking about? How is he using the word for, baptized for?27:47the dead. Look at verses 30 and 32. He says, Why are we in danger every hour? Some translations have and at the beginning. And why are we in danger every hour?28:01I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus, our Lord, I die every day.28:09What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus?28:15If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die. You see the context? The context is persecution. Because in the first century, in the first century, when you were baptized, you were marked for death. By publicly identifying with Jesus Christ, marked for death. Paul here is talking about people who were getting baptized because they came to Christ from the influence of someone killed for their faith. Meaning the living person was baptized for because of the dead. You're like, how can the death of a faithful person inspire How can that be? Do you remember Charlie Kirk? We just saw this. We just saw as a result of his faithfulness and death, we saw a spiritual awakening. And it's not up to me to determine how many of those people truly came to Christ and how many just became interested in spiritual things. God sorts that out. That's not my job.29:45how somebody being faithful and giving his life for his faith in Christ can inspire others to step up.29:55Here's Paul's point.29:58If there is no resurrection, why would anybody get baptized?30:04Why would you stand for Christ?30:06Why would you die for Christ if there is no resurrection?30:09Why would you do that?30:11And then he just simply illustrates that with his own life.30:13He says, look, I die every day. Every single day of my life, I'm living out my death. Why would you do that, Paul? Because I believe that I'm going to resurrect someday. So if there is no resurrection coming to Christ, then standing for Christ is idiotic because it brings persecution. You might as well live it up, eat and drink for tomorrow we die.30:45But, when I really believe Christ resurrected, when I really believe that someday I'm going to resurrect, it changes how I live.31:01Sharing the gospel, serving Him and His church, serving others in the name of Jesus, it all matters for eternity, so it doesn't matter what it costs me, even my life.31:16No fear.31:19That's what he's saying. The resurrection stops my fear.31:23No fear. Remember back in the day, some of you are way too young to remember this. Remember back in the day when if you had a pickup, you had a no fear decal on the windshield? How many people remember the no fear?31:35Remember that? Okay, some of you do.31:43It's a real easy sentiment when there's nothing to fear. Right? Because we say that in the church, right? No fear! I'll stand for Jesus no matter what! Yeah, well, you know, before 2020, it was so much easier to claim you have no fear, because you could sit in the church and you had nothing to fear. I was thinking a lot about that. Remember, again, some of you might be too young to remember, and I might be showing my age here, but do you remember COVID? Do you remember COVID? Do you remember COVID? Those glory days when the store would hang big pieces of plastic?32:37Between you and the cashier. And then the cashier would proceed to touch all the things you just touched and then hand them back to you after she touched them. Remember that? Fun times. COVID did so much damage. We watched churches close. We watched Christians buy into fear. Do you know how much venom was spewed at me from people who left our church? Because how How dare we? How dare we? We should close the church. I was rebuked. But you know, with all the damage that happened as a result of COVID, there have been a lot of amazing things that God has done as a result. And here's one good thing that happened with COVID. You know, when we stand here and say, I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid. Well, it showed us who really meant it.33:40Do you really believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Do you really believe that? Then you'll serve God without fear. Without fear. What's the worst thing anybody can do to me? Kill me. You can't threaten me with heaven. Bring it. No fear. The resurrection stops my fear. Then finally, Number three, the resurrection selects my friends. He says, do not be deceived. Bad company ruins good morals. Do not be deceived. Paul's like, stop lying to yourself. Bad company ruins good morals. Understand this. Please hear me.34:37a whole nother big long word study. But when he talks about bad company, he's talking about people you are very, very closely associated with. Your BFFs. Okay? That's what he's talking about here. Bad company ruins good morals. Don't lie to yourself. Bad company ruins good morals. Alright? Alright? And you're like, wait, wait, wait. That seems like an awfully random proverb to just drop.35:07up in here, doesn't it? Paul's like, resurrection, resurrection, resurrection, Proverb! Like, wait, wait, wait, what? What happened? Where did that come from?35:17That's a random thing, isn't it? No, it's not. Here's why. Listen, Paul says that theology is caught, not just taught.35:34You are influenced by.35:39And you become like the people that you're closest to.35:44That's just the way it is.35:47I want you to think about the people that you are closest to in your life.35:52You're just like them.35:55Look around at your friends.35:57If your friends are all knuckleheads, guess what you are?36:05If your closest friends are not believers, you're going to start embracing their values and their ways of thinking and their ways of talking, and you're going to start living just like them if you're not already.36:19And that's contrary to the way of living God has called us to.36:25Bad company ruins good morals.36:27I don't have to give much of a sales pitch here because you know it's true. You know it's true. When you hang out with your unsafe friends, don't you find it so much easier to complain right along with them? You're a Pastor Taylor servant about complaining, but you're with them and they're all complaining and you just kind of get swept up in it. Now, yeah, everything stinks to you too. You're complaining. When you hang out with your unsafe friends, do you gossip with them? I don't normally like to talk about rumors that I heard, but boy, they're just unloading. I've got to share the stuff that I think I heard. Crude remarks and jokes, you know, when you're with the guys and all the perverted nonsense. We just go right along with it. Let me tell you some jokes that I've heard. Bad company ruins good morals. You're like, wait, wait, wait, but Pastor Jeff, shouldn't we evangelize? Yeah. Listen, we're to reach the lost, not get our theology from them.37:28or learn habits from them.37:32Look at verse 34.37:35He says, Wake up from your drunken stupor as is right and do not go on sinning.37:44For some have no knowledge of God.37:46I say this to your shame.37:51He's like, Wake up.37:52Stop sinning.37:54You're acting like people who don't know God.37:57Shame on you.37:59Those we are most closely associated with are going to have the biggest impact on us. Today, did you notice the tables when you came in? Did you notice all these tables? You know what those are for? It's small group sign-up day. And I am begging you to get in a small group. Surround yourself with people who are going to push you to Jesus.38:27Instead of dragging you away from them. Do you believe in the resurrection? If you do, you can't live like those who don't know God. You can't live like you did before you came to Christ. And Paul says you can't even keep the same closest unsaved friends.39:00The resurrection selects my friends.39:06We can have our worship team join us back up here on the platform.39:10I'd like you to bow your heads.39:16You know, we, in this service, we saw, we witnessed three brave young ladies Make a public confession. Make a public declaration. Now it's your turn. To make a declaration. Just keep your heads bowed. And in light of this passage, the first declaration you need to make is this. I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Can you say that? Say that in your heart to God. Say that in your heart to God. And if you're not there, like God, please manifest the truth.39:54of your word in my heart by your spirit. I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and I believe everything that that means.40:08In light of the text, the second thing I want you to say to the Lord today, this week, the rest of your walk, I have nothing to fear.40:21This life, this body, is temporary. Heaven is eternal. My resurrected body that we're going to be talking about over the next couple of weeks, my resurrected body is going to be eternal. I have nothing to fear here whatsoever.40:40Can you say that in your heart before the Lord because of you, because of your promise? I have nothing to fear.40:53Then finally, Can you confess this in your heart? Before the Lord. God, you have called me to identify with the church, not the lost. And yes, we are to witness, we are to evangelize, we are to invite people to come and see. But when we identify, with people who don't know you.41:29It's going to have an effect on us.41:32God, you've given us a huge warning right here in your word.41:35Bad company ruins good morals.41:41So can you confess that in your heart before the Lord?41:43God, I want to identify with the church, not the lost.41:54Father, we thank you.41:59And it's, I guess, easy to have the positive peer pressure in this room to say these things.42:06But I pray, Father, that these truths from your word would resound in our hearts and minds.42:13That our lives, our very lives revolve around the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.42:23that we don't live in fear of anything except for the fear of the Lord. Father, we would find our greatest friendships to be other people who have made the great confession of Jesus Christ. Glorify your name, Father, in your church. We pray in Jesus' name.42:49Amen. Small Group DiscussionRead 1 Corinthians 15:12-34What was your big take-away from this passage / message?Explain 1 Cor 15:29. How do “the dead” influence people to be baptized?How can you keep friendships with nonbelievers without being influenced by them?BreakoutPray for one another.

As Fran arrives at her office this Tuesday, she's just logging in to her computer when her coworker walks in and shuts the door behind him. This signals to Fran that something is up but what?   “Hi, John,” Fran says, “have a seat. What's up?”  “Thanks, Fran. Well,” John begins, “this is kinda touchy, and I need to ask you to keep it between you and me if you don't mind—okay?”  “Wow, sounds serious. What is it?” Fran asks.  “You know the proposal you helped me with last week for the commercial real estate company? After you helped me figure out what the bid should be, my boss thought my numbers were too high. So, he told me to cut them by 30% because he said we really needed some new accounts to make our numbers this quarter,” John said.  “Goodness!” Fran says. “That's a huge cut. So, did your manager tell you the company would support your reduced numbers, and you could do the work for those numbers?”   “No, just the opposite. My boss didn't clear this with anyone else. He said we could come up with some excuses afterward to explain why we had to raise our prices, but we just had to win this account,” John explains.  “Well, the reason he didn't get it approved is because he knew he wouldn't get it approved. We trimmed those numbers as much as possible and he knew it,” Fran responds. “Did you agree to do it, John? Tell me you didn't.”  John hung his head and got very quiet. “I had to, Fran. What could I do? He said if I wasn't willing to cut the numbers, he'd give the account to someone else. After all I did to get them to let us bid on their account—I wasn't going to let that happen,” John replied.   “And you've already given them the proposal?” Fran asks.  “No, but the presentation is tomorrow, and I am really worried. My boss wants to go with me. He's afraid I will lose the account, I guess. I know this is wrong, and it will backfire. Now I just feel trapped. That's why I wanted to ask you what I should do?”  Fran pauses to take this in. Why does John want her input on this? She recognizes this could get risky, so she quietly sends up an emergency prayer, “Lord, what do you want me to say? Please give me wisdom.”  “John, why did you think I could help you with this? I'm just curious,” Fran asks.  “Because you are the one person here I know would do the right thing. I mean, you always seem to be confident of what is right and what is not, and I just thought maybe you would have a suggestion of how I could somehow change my boss's mind and still not lose this account. I mean, I know you're a really religious person so, well, that's why I asked you.”  Fran thinks a moment. She figures this is a time to speak truth in love—in kindness—and not to be afraid of the consequences.   “Thanks for that, John. I don't think of myself as religious so much as I'm just a Christ-follower, and I really try to do what Jesus would want me to do. John, first, let me ask you this: Do you think you could get the account with the right numbers?” Fran asks.  “I really think so,” John says. “You and I talked about it, and we both felt we were giving them an exceptional value for their project. I think I could sell it honestly, but now—now I don't know.”  “Okay, you've asked my opinion, so I'll tell you what I would do if I were in your shoes. Then you must decide if you're willing to do it. Fair enough?” Fran asks. John nods and she continues. “Doing the right thing is always the right thing to do, John. It's that simple. So, you must decide if you're willing to stand up for what you believe is the right thing. As you have noted, you believe your original proposal is accurate and fair and competitive, right?”  “Yes,” John agrees.  “It's not like you didn't do your homework or you aren't trying your best to win this new account. So, if I were you, I'd go to your boss and say that. I'd tell him you are confident you have a very good chance to get the account with the original numbers, but you're very uncomfortable in presenting numbers you know aren't realistic. So, you tell him you'll make the presentation tomorrow if he agrees to your original proposal, but if not, he'll have to find someone else.”  “Fran, he'll be furious. He'll probably fire me or something. I don't know if I can do that,” John is obviously frightened at Fran's suggestion.  “Okay,” Fran says. “Then you've made your choice to do what you believe to be wrong in order not to make your boss angry and perhaps even lose your job. Is that what you're telling me?”  “Well, I wouldn't put it that way, Fran,” John stammers.  “What way would you put it, John?”   “I don't know. I just don't know,” he replies. “You really think I should stand up to him?”  “It's your choice, but maybe he would respect you if you did. I don't know. You may be right. He could try to fire you. You just have to decide if you're willing to do the right thing or not,” Fran says.   The conversation ends. John says he'll think about it and leaves her office.  Fran stops to pray: “Lord, I don't know why John came to me for advice, but I did the best I could. Please give him courage to do what is right and protect him, Lord.” And with that she finishes her work for the day and heads home to be with her kids.  The next day, about mid-morning, John's boss, Bruce, storms into Fran's office obviously livid. “Fran, you told John to refuse to do what I told him to do, is that right? Now he says he won't give the presentation today the way I told him to, and I'm left holding the bag. We're likely to lose this account because of you, Fran. Who do you think you are, giving advice to John who works for me, telling him to refuse to do what I told him to do? You're not his manager; he doesn't report to you. If we lose this account today, Fran, I'm holding you responsible, and you will pay the price.”  “Bruce, I didn't tell him what to do. He asked what I would do, and that's what I told him. I had no idea whether he would take my advice or not,” Fran says.  “Well, evidently he listens to you and not to me, so he's going to give the presentation his way today. I think it will be a disaster and if it is, you haven't heard the last of this,” Bruce says and storms out the way he stormed in.  Did Fran do the right thing? As a believer working in a world that doesn't necessarily value honestly and integrity, should she have just shifted the decision to John and let it go? Was it right for her to offer her advice?   When we declare we are followers of Jesus Christ, there are times when doing the right thing can be very costly. What would you have done?   To the new believers in Ephesus, the Apostle Paul wrote: I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called (Ephesians 4:1 ESV). Those are our marching orders today as well. And if you go into a secular workplace each day, it can present you with some difficult decisions.  Walking worthy of your calling—walking worthy of the Lord—means you desire to do what Jesus would do. To say what he would say. To respond the way he would respond. And to do that, you have to maintain a close daily walk with Jesus. You have to spend time in his Word and prayer and keep your mind focused on walking worthy.  Some time ago a friend of mine faced a walking worthy decision. Her manager asked her to lie for her—to tell a client something that was not true. This manager was not easy to work for and was not liked in the organization, but she was smart and successful. So, my friend Beth knew if she refused to lie, it would not go well. But Beth said there really was no decision; it was clear she could not lie and that's what she explained to her manager. She tried to find some alternative way to handle it, but her manager was upset. She made life miserable for Beth for quite a while but Beth walked worthy of the Lord.  Frans story ends here. We don't know whether this boomerangs on John and Fran. When we act with integrity—when we do what we think Jesus would have us do—we do so out of obedience and love for Jesus, whether we suffer for it or not. Peter wrote: But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God (1 Peter 2:20). So, don't forget when you face issues of integrity and honesty, it is commendable before God even if you suffer for doing the right thing. 

The post Let’s travel to Ephesus and Galatia. appeared first on Key Life.

In this sermon, Curtis looks at the trouble Paul runs into in Ephesus

What if the key to true spiritual strength isn't trying harder to summon inner power, but admitting you don't have what it takes and leaning entirely into God's grace? This week on Off Script, Neil and Scott kick off the fall season by introducing the new series Discipline and unpacking what it practically means to get stronger in your faith. They dive into the historical background of Ephesus—from its massive pagan idol worship to public book burnings—and expose how modern idols like image management, empty religion, and power show up right here in central Kentucky. The guys break down why true spiritual discipline isn't about legalism or willpower, but about building daily habits alongside a community before the storm hits so you can stand firm when life gets tough. The Challenge This week, take the 30-day discipline challenge: commit to reading the Bible, praying, and moving your body (like taking a 10-minute walk without your phone or headphones) every single day. Before you start, take a quick inventory of your mental, physical, and spiritual life so you can track how small, consistent daily inputs transform your outputs over time. Join right now at challenge.southland.church. Hosts: Neil Gregory and Scott Nickell What We Discuss • Why Scott chose to teach a bold, raw sermon on fall kickoff weekend instead of relying on "cotton candy and pony rides" • The historical background of Ephesus, Artemis worship, and why the gospel sparked a massive public book burning  • Identifying the modern idols of central Kentucky: image management, empty religion, and power • The exhaustion of trying to borrow someone else's faith versus having a personal relationship with Jesus • Countering the culture's self-help narrative with the raw reality that you don't have what it takes—but Jesus does • The three pictures of spiritual discipline in Scripture: the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer • Why "sharing in suffering" is best done in a band of brothers rather than isolating yourself like prey on Animal Planet • Imagining what would happen in our local community if Christians were less distracted and more disciplined • The heart behind launching a 30-day discipline challenge during fall routines instead of waiting for New Year's resolutions • Practical tips for the 30-day challenge: pairing Bible reading and prayer with a 10-minute walk in God's creation (challenge.southland.church) ⸻ About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Pastor Mike Langlois joins to break down the letter to the church in Ephesus from Revelation Ch 2 and discuss how churches slowly lose their first love and how to recover spiritual affection.

THE BATTLE OF ACTS - 08.17.2026 - #967 BestPodcastintheMetaverse.com Canary Cry News Talk #967 - 08.17.2026 - Recorded Live to 1s and 0s Deconstructing World Events from a Biblical Worldview Declaring Jesus as Lord amidst the Fifth Generation War! CageRattlerCoffee.com SD/TC email Ike for discount https://CanaryCry.Support   Send address and shirt size updates to canarycrysupplydrop@gmail.com Join the Canary Cry Roundtable This Episode was Produced By:   Executive Producers Chelsea S*** Sir LX Protocol Baron of the Berrean Protocol*** Nancy, An Awake (& Lonely) Boomer***   Producers of TREASURE (CanaryCry.Support) Rebecca T, Monica, Palmer C   Producers of TIME Timestampers: Jade Bouncerson, Morgan E Clankoniphius Links: JAM   SIR IKE MEGA BOX GIVEAWAY - Rating/Review, screenshot, send to Sir Ike CanaryCrySupplyDrop@gmail.com   ANTARCTICA 22:19 Antarctic fungi offer new hope for Alzheimer's drug discovery (Malay Mail)   NEPHILIM UPDATE 31:19 Extinct human remains found on seafloor fuel claims of real-life biblical giants (DailyMail)   EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS 46:38   WITCHCRAFT 1:02:33 Witch World: Queer Occultism Blooms in the Desert (Art Forum)   Jewish witchcraft isn't as weird as it sounds (Forward)   RE-ENCHANTMENT 1:51:59 The Daily Magical Life of Mesopotamia (Collector) Acts 8:9-24 : Simon Magus wanted to pay for the power of the Holy Spirit Acts 13:6-12 : Bar-Jesus the Magician (Elymas) is Blinded by the Holy Spirit Acts 16:16-18 : Slave Girl Oracle is exorcized, losing money for her masters Acts 19:18-20 : The Magicians of Ephesus burn their grimoires Acts 19:23-41 : The Craftsmen of Idolatry Riot  Ephesians 3:9-10 : When Paul writes to the congregation of ex-magicians in Ephesus, he says that their salvation is now    PRODUCERS 2:50:57 END 3:02:42

Send us Fan MailAugust 16, 2026      Week 3While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus.  There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:1-2Depend on the power of the Holy Spirit.So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 NIVFor the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:17What you feed grows.   What you starve dies.Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. Galatians 6:8Whatever fills you, leads  you.You have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. Romans 8:12-13 NLTFollow the prompting of the Holy Spirit.Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25If your faith isn't challenging you, it's not changing you.God's best for you is found outside your comfort zone .The Holy Spirit may not always make sense, but it will always make a difference .Discussion Questions:What stood out to you most from this week's message? Why?What do you think it practically means to “walk by the Spirit” in everyday life?Galatians 5:17 describes a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. Where do you most commonly experience that internal tug-of-war?Why is telling a trusted, mature believer about a struggle often such an important step toward freedom?Where might God currently be asking you to move outside your comfort zone? Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today's message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

TLCC

1 Peter 5:1-4So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.Acts 20:17,28Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.Colossians 1:18And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.Ephesians 1:22-23And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.Acts 6:1-4Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.Philippians 1:1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:1 Timothy 3:8-13Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.Romans 16:1I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae,Titus 1:5-7This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,Acts 20:17Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.Acts 14:23And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.1 Timothy 3:1-7The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.Hebrews 13:7Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

With season 1 and 2 complete we move into Acts: Season 3. The narrative shifts to Antioch and the focus is on Paul - previously called Saul - as he shares the gospel in Gentile areas. ___ Now on his third mission trip, Paul comes back to Ephesus to find 12 men who were committed to a life of purity and repentance but lacking the power of the Holy Spirit.

Those in authority, for example, Govt Ministers, are surrounded by advisors who debate situations and counsel those in power on the best policies to follow.  Tragically there have been some examples of human wisdom, or lack of it, that have been quite tragic.  We have an example in our 1 Kings reading today; a new king seeks advice on what policy he should follow, but really he has made up his mind and so seeks advisors to give him an answer that appeals to him. This king is Solomon's son Rehoboam.  He first “took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father” [12 v.6]  Their advice was to lighten the heavy tax burdens Solomon had put on the people – as they had requested and all will be well.  But next we read, “He abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him…” [v.8] Their advice was the opposite!  “And the king answered the people harshly …” [v,13]  We wonder if they had too much confidence in the promises made to David, thinking, surely his grandson can dictate what the people should do? Rehoboam was 41 when he ascended to the throne – and should have been mature.  He surely knew the promises God had made to his grandfather, and, we suspect, had a false expectation as to how they would work themselves out in his generation. He did not humble himself before God to learn and do his will. God knew his heart; he knew the disaster that would soon befall him.  Rehoboam went boldly up to the northern tribes, but soon, he  “hurried to mount his chariot and flee to Jerusalem.” [v.18].   We can see the lessons that this incident provides for us.  Where do we go to seek counsel? We know the answer!   But we must not make the mistake of so many, in searching Scripture looking for the kind of answer we want in relation s to some issue, so that we can seem to ‘confirm' our belief in something we want to believe.  It is this desire that has led to so many churches coming into existence.Let us meditate on the example of Paul and his words to the elders at Ephesus.  “I do not count 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…. I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” [Acts 20 v.24,27]  We need the “whole counsel of God” – that is why we need to read – and reflect on what we read – from God's word every day, each year reading all the words that he has caused to be recorded and preserved –  the lessons from Jeremiah being particularly relevant – as is tomorrow's chapter in Mark about the return of Christ “after that tribulation” . 

1 Timothy #1: An Introduction to 1 Timothy (1 Timothy 1:1-2) Janelle Greene & Rob Woodrum (8/16/26) Download Back in 1979, David Macaulay wrote and illustrated Motel of the Mysteries, an imaginative picture book of an archeological find in the far flung future of 4022. In the ancient country of Usa, archeologist Howard Carson finds the remains of an ancient motel buried beneath many feet of earth and debris. It's a fun exercise in acknowledging the challenges of making sense of artifacts from an ancient world. He sees the “do not disturb” sign hanging on a doorknob and assumes he has discovered a royal burial chamber. He decides the T.V. was an ancient worship device through which the primitives communicated with the gods. Stuff like that.It really highlights the challenges we as Bible readers face in trying to grasp the meaning of some Scriptures. We are very far removed by time and culture from the original audience, and it requires diligent exploration of the time and culture of the ancient world in which the Scriptures emerged. That's something we're going to think about this Sunday as we begin a new series in the books of 1&2 TimothyBoth the letters to Timothy as well as Titus have become known as the “pastoral epistles”, because they written to specific church leaders with instructions about leading and church structure. Some people assert that their only real purpose is to set up church policy and government, but I beg to differ. It seems to me, that while the regulation of leaders and doctrine brackets the whole work, the real import of the message is staying on target with the Gospel which should effect our lives with REAL change. That is, change that gets evidenced in the lives we live. This week as we introduce the book, we'll be reading chapter 1 v 1-2, and we'll introduce Paul and Timothy and talk about the ancient city of Ephesus, in hopes that we can lay the groundwork that provides a better understanding of some “difficult” aspects of these ancient letters.I hope you'll join us this Sunday at 10 AM as Janelle and I introduce these amazing letters.Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

* You can get the sermon note sheet at: https://family-bible-church.org/2026Messages/26Aug16.pdf * Soon after Marcia and I were saved by the grace of God through Jesus Christ, we began to memorize God's Word. Through the discipleship of Woody and Della Proffitt, we were encouraged to memorize books at a time. The Lord led Marcia and I to memorize Paul's epistle to the Philippians. It quickly became clear why - as it has truly dominated my thinking for the past 42 years. Marcia and I had chosen James 1:22-25 as our life verses as a couple when we were given a new heart in Christ. But, as I memorized and meditated upon Paul's testimony and words to this church, his pursuit became my pursuit - to know Christ! For too many years, I knew about Jesus. Now, having experienced His grace and mercy, and the peace which passes understanding, I wanted to KNOW Him! * Interestingly, this is the first time that I will be teaching through this book during a morning worship service. I spent a long time teaching through it during Sunday School in 1997 and 2010. Otherwise, it has been that precious letter which God has used predominantly to help me change the way I think. * Paul's letter to the Philippians was written approximately only 12 years after his initial visit there and the planting of the church. On that visit, Paul and his companions had led Lydia and her household to Jesus, they had cast out the demon from the fortune teller slave, and they had led the Philippian jailer's family to the Lord. We are not told how long Paul and his entourage were in Philippi ... but it appears that they were there for only a couple of months at most. Acts 16:12 states "we were staying in that city for some days." And then, verse 18 states that the slave girl who was possessed with a spirit of divination pestered Paul for "many days." Paul then visited Philippi briefly a couple of years later after the riot in Ephesus (cf. Acts 20:1-6). * In this short letter, we have an exhortation for the church to remain unified in their focus on Christ and seeking to make His known to those in their sphere of influence. * Today, the goal is to consider the background and overview of the book. * This message was presented by Bob Corbin on August 16, 2026 at Family Bible Church in Martinez, Georgia.

We hear Jesus' letter to the church in Ephesus and face the uncomfortable truth that strong doctrine and hard work can still hide a cold heart. We trace the path back to spiritual vibrancy by letting worship lead our work, returning to our first love through remembering, repenting, and returning. • The setting of Ephesus as a spiritually dark, idol-saturated city • Jesus' authority as the one who walks among the churches • The church's strengths: toil, endurance, discernment, rejection of false teaching • The central rebuke: abandoning the love they had at first • Why facts and activity cannot replace devotion, illustrated through relationships and Scripture • A clear response plan: remember, repent, return • The warning about losing the lampstand as losing kingdom influence • A picture of renewed first love that fuels joyful service and mission If you feel like you're going through the motions, this is your invitation to come back to the heart of worship. If this encouraged you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

Twelve men in Ephesus had never even heard there was a Holy Spirit, yet when Paul told them the truth about Jesus that they hadn't heard, they obeyed with no deliberation, no waiting for a sign. Then the Spirit worked in remarkable ways. Keeping “in step with the Spirit” is not a moment of power but a life of simple obedience and frequent repentance. Neither is complicated, but neither is easy. We can can't sustain obedience on our own, which is why repentance is “all the life of the believer,” and why Jesus Christ the righteous stands as our advocate every time we fail.

Sermon in a Sentence: "When Jesus is our first love, everything else finds its proper place."Action Steps/Application: Remember, Repent, Return

Making Christ Vivid: Love? Letter to EphesUS (Revelation 2:1-7) Buddy Liles Download

Spiritual change among the inhabitants of Ephesus city had resulted in significant social change. In the previous text the new believers brought the equivalent of 12.5 million dollars in pagan books and items and burned them as an act of repentance. As you might guess, Satan was not happy, and the people who belonged to Him were incensed. As so, like many times before, they formed a mob. But their mob ultimately proved to be powerless, as even the city officials vindicated the Christians. In this sermon, we see that the greed, rage, and schemes of man are nothing compared to the power of God.

Here is Acts 19, a real spiritual awakening was happening in Ephesus, and make no mistake – When almighty God is moving, Satan and his minions are set back on their heels. What we will see during this time of spiritual awakening is how Christ and His gospel prevailed mightily over the forces of spiritual darkness that were previously concentrated in this city, and likewise, how the Holy Spirit led the new believers there to walk in sincere repentance of their worldliness.

As the Apostle Paul returns to Ephesus on the first leg of his third missionary journey, he encounters 12 disciples of John the Baptist. Through His interaction with them, we learn the real meaning and significance of Christian baptism. As Paul continues his ministry of the gospel in Ephesus, we also learn the importance of godly endurance.