Podcasts about spirit ephesians

Be Filled with The Spirit (Ephesians 5:15-18).  Pastor Ron Laney, Pleasant Grove Church, Carthage, MS.  www.PleasantGrove.info   Pastor Ron's Message Notes - Be Filled with The Spirit

One Body One Spirit (Ephesians 4 v1-6) by David Antwi

In Christ Jesus the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit (Ephesians 2:21-22). What images come to mind when you hear the word ‘church'? For many, it's a building, such as the one at 61 Mohawk Road West, Hamilton, where the Immanuel congregation, which I pastor, gathers to worship God on Sundays, where we go for mid-week ministries and meetings. After all, we often refer to such a building as ‘our church'. We invest ourselves into that building and the things that happen there. Time, money, talents are all committed to ensure that things continue to run as smoothly as possible. For others, the word church summons up images of people. The ones who sit around us on Sundays. Those that we have become friends with over the years, maybe some we grew up with. Some have walked with us in tough times. Others were our teachers in spiritual things. They nurtured our faith; they helped us grow as Christians. Yet for others, church conjures up difficult images. Disappointment from being neglected in a time of need. Rejected because we walked away at one time. Shame for not measuring up. Or deep hurt from being used or abused by those in authority. Though it may seem all put together on the outside, often the church has dark stains hiding underneath the carpet. Such are the things that the word church suggests to us. Yet in today's text we are invited to view the church from a different perspective. To see what lies behind the building, beyond the people, deeper than the dark stains that deeply damage the church's witness. We are often tempted to believe that our time, talent, and treasure are what hold the church together and keeps her going. As useful and necessary as these are, it is Christ Jesus that binds and sustains the church. It is not primarily the preachers that bring in the people, it is Jesus. It is Jesus who builds his church. Even though we will continue to say, ‘my church', and ‘your church', we must recognize that these phrases are inaccurate. The church, the congregation, does not belong to us, nor to the pastors. People may come and go from our fellowship and church buildings will continue to be built and sold for other purposes. Despite the apparent transitory nature of things, Christ holds his church together. In our text, notice that we Christians are not doing anything. All the action belongs to Christ, and to God. The church is not primarily what we do, but what God does to us and for us, she is the grand work of God. Five passive verbs are used to tell us how we get included in the action: we are brought near (13), the Spirit gives us access (18), we are built upon the foundation (20), we are joined together (21), we are built together (22). When we are pulled into the action, it is God who pulls us in. Already now, despite all our imperfections and distorted power plays and wrangling over the most minor issues, we are being gathered as the temple of God; the Holy Spirit already lives within the church.  The church is much more than what meets the eye, it is more than the building and more than the people. It is the work of Christ, who is ‘growing up' a people who worship him, a people who are learning to follow his Word and Spirit, a people who increasingly live under the sway of his kingdom. People who are not static, but people who are maturing, who begin as acorns and grow to be oak trees. It is not our actions but God's that are most important in the church. There is far more to the church then what we see. Like an iceberg, we only see the tip. We see the people, the buildings, the programs, but underneath, far larger and for more important and influential is the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The church is not a building. Rather, we are the building material Christ is using to build his church. It is the place where God welcomes us home. Next time you hear the word church, imagine that. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21).

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit (Ephesians 2:17-18). Jesus is our peace. He has done it. He has destroyed the barriers and dividing walls of hostility, putting them to death in his cross. And not only the barriers that stand between us people who are often harboring hostile feelings toward one another—but also the barriers between us and God. In his flesh, he has forged all of us into one single, new humanity, and reconciled us to God through the cross.  Through our Prince of Peace, we have been brought near both to God and to one another—no matter the diversity or hostility that might still separate us. Foreigners and citizens, Catholics and Protestants, estranged family members, folks with differing political leanings—no matter: all who are in Christ have been made one and the most significant word about our relationships is spoken by him— “Peace.” This peace is a grace God has worked into us. Our calling is to work it out in our daily living. That is why later we read about lifestyle, words and actions—working this peace into our lives till it becomes natural. Jesus does not force us into this peace. He comes and preaches it. Offers it. And like a Sunday sermon—no one is obligated to take it, agree, or do anything with it. Jesus will not coerce us into working out what he has worked in by his grace. Otherwise, it wouldn't be grace, just another form of slavery. Remember that Jesus did not create peace in Jerusalem by overthrowing the Roman occupiers and taking control of the city, enforcing his kingdom and its peace on the population. Rather, he created peace by taking all their violence and hostilities upon himself as they cursed, condemned, whipped, and crucified him. In Luke's telling, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, saying “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes” (Lk 19:42).  But note what Jesus did do: he came to Jerusalem and preached his kingdom of peace. They rejected it and killed him. But peace was made all the same—it happened through the cross, through the putting to death of these hostilities. And on the other side—the possibility for a new, peace-laden resurrection life. Jesus again came and preached his kingdom of peace, even to those who had betrayed and abandoned him. Jesus continues to come preaching peace to all, both far away and near, offering his new life. The peace of Christ is on offer. Will you accept it? If we receive and believe that Jesus really has accomplished a peace between God and us and everyone else—then by the Spirit, the working out of this peace that has been worked in will transform us and all our relationships.  And, because the source of this peace is in Christ, it is an inexhaustible gift. It continually flows from his life into our lives through the power of the Spirit, and from us into the lives of others—enough of it always, to cover every new hostility and division. As Isaiah puts it in some of our favourite Advent verses: “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:7). Hard to believe. Certainly. But listen: God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21 MSG).

This week, Pastor Josh shares how the sword of the Spirit is our primary weapon against lies, deception, apathy, and indifference. He reminds us that the Bible is not just an interesting relic but a useful weapon in our daily lives as Christians seeking life faithfully.    Stay Connected with Redeemer: Website: redeemermidland.org Instagram: instagram.com/redeemermidland Facebook: facebook.com/RedeemerMidland   At Redeemer, we seek to be a Gospel-Centered, Missional Family. We sing songs to worship our Lord, we preach the Word of God from the Bible, and we love one another.   We would love to see you on a Sunday morning at 9:00 or 10:45 am at the McGraw Events Center on Midland Christian School's campus.

Message from Billy Zwart on February 2, 2025

This is the eighth lesson in Dr. Lane G. Tipton's Reformed Academy course, Calvinism: The Plan of Salvation. This lesson covers the following topics: 0:00 Jesus' Promise to Send the Spirit 3:11 Union with Christ as Spiritual 6:42 Union with Christ by Faith 10:35 Union with Christ Effected by the Word of Truth 14:37 The Spirit as Guarantee of Our Inheritance Register for this free on-demand course on our website to track your progress, download supplemental materials, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-four additional five-hour video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/calvinism-the-plan-of-salvation/ Your donations enable us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you all across the world: https://reformedforum.org/donate/ #Calvinism #salvation #reformedtheology

January 5, 2025 - Rev. Alexander S. Brown

The post Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17b – Spiritual Warfare – part eight) appeared first on The Inner Altar.

Anointed #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Anointed One's Promise: Finding Peace in His Power "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord." - Isaiah 11:1-2 (KJV) In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, we often find ourselves longing for true peace and wisdom. The prophecy of Isaiah paints a magnificent picture of the Messiah, the Anointed One who would come with the fullness of God's Spirit. This divine equipping wasn't just about power – it was about bringing transformation to a broken world. Consider how Jesus demonstrated this perfect wisdom during His earthly ministry. When faced with trick questions about taxes or marriage in heaven, He responded with such profound insight that even His critics were silenced. This same Jesus, who could silence the learned with a word, also had the tender compassion to reach out to the outcasts, the broken, and the forgotten. The promise of the Messiah extends beyond mere human wisdom – it speaks of a fundamental transformation of nature itself. Isaiah's vision of wolves dwelling with lambs and lions eating straw like oxen isn't just poetic imagery. It's a promise of complete restoration, where even the natural order of predator and prey is transformed by the power of God's peace. One of the most beautiful aspects of Christ's anointing is His heart for the poor and broken-hearted. In a world where success is often measured by material wealth, Jesus turned the tables by declaring that His good news was specifically for the poor. He came to bind up broken hearts, to proclaim liberty to captives, and to transform mourning into joy. Just as the Messiah was anointed with the Spirit of God, we too are called to walk in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. This isn't about emotional displays or religious fervor – it's about allowing God's power to flow through our daily lives, transforming our relationships, our work, and our ministry. As the apostle Paul commanded, we are to "be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18). The justice that Christ brings isn't based on limited human perception. Unlike earthly judges who must rely on what they see and hear, the Messiah judges with perfect righteousness. In a world where justice often seems elusive, we can take comfort in knowing that one day every wrong will be made right under His perfect rule. Perhaps you're walking through a season where everything seems to be falling apart. Take heart in the promise that God specializes in bringing beauty from ashes. Just as a renovation requires tearing down before rebuilding, sometimes God allows deconstruction in our lives to prepare us for something more beautiful than we could imagine. The transformation Christ brings isn't just external – it's deeply personal. When heaviness weighs on your spirit, He offers a garment of praise. Like ancient kings who were anointed with oil, He anoints our heads with the oil of joy. This isn't just positive thinking; it's a divine exchange of our sorrow for His joy. As we look forward to the ultimate fulfillment of these promises, we're called to live in their power today. Through the Holy Spirit, we have access to divine wisdom, understanding, counsel, and might. We're not waiting for some distant future to experience God's transformative power – we can walk in it now, allowing His anointing to flow through us to a world in desperate need of His touch. Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Saturday, 30 November 2024   Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Matthew 5:25   “You be quickly well-minded to your opponent, while which you are on the way with him. Lest ever the opponent, he may deliver you to the judge, and the judge should deliver you to the assistant, and into the prison, you will be cast” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus told His hearers that they should leave their gifts before the altar and go to be reconciled to their brother. Only after that should the person offering come and offer his gift. Now, He brings in a parallel thought from society to show how this precept is something that is understood even in everyday experience. He begins with, “You be quickly well-minded to your opponent.”   Here is a word found only once in the New Testament, eunoeó. It comes from two words signifying “good” and “consider,” “comprehend,” or something similar. Thus, it gives the sense of being well-minded or finding reconciliation. Here, Jesus is making a comparison to the previous thought:   First, you reconcile to your brother. You be quickly well-minded to your opponent.   Just as it is on earth towards one's opponent, so should it be towards God who watches over the state of enmity that exists between brothers. With that, He continues with, “while which you are on the way with him.”   These words correspond to the thought, “you leave, there, your gift before the altar, and you depart.” Both are in the process of doing something. The person in society is on his way somewhere while the one coming to the altar is on his way to presenting his gift. Again, Jesus is giving a real-life example of how things are so that the precept just stated is understandable to His audience. From there, He next says, “Lest ever the opponent, he may deliver you to the judge.”   In this case, the opponent is being equated to the brother who has something against the offeror of the gift at the altar. He may appeal to the Lord (being equated to the Judge in Jesus' example) in his heart, prayers, or tears. Such a precept is found several times in the law, such as –   “If you ever take your neighbor's garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. 27 For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious.” Exodus 22:26, 27   When the Judge hears the complaint and agrees with it on behalf of the offended brother, Jesus next says, “and the judge should deliver you to the assistant.”   Here is another interesting new word, hupéretés. It comes from two words signifying “under” and “to row.” Thus, it is an under-rower, meaning a crewman on a boat. This term became synonymous with a subordinate who executes orders by those appointed over him. The word will be found twenty times in the New Testament, and it is variously translated as an officer, assistant, attendant, servant, or even minister.   The judge, ruling against the offender, hands him over to his underling to execute the judgment he rendered. In this case, Jesus says, “and into the prison, you will be cast.”   The point here is that Jesus is equating the life of the man with a seared conscience to someone who lives his spiritual life in this manner. Unless he changes direction and considers his ways, he is bound to be cast out of the Lord's presence and into hell, just as the offender before the judge is cast into prison, away from those who live properly in society.   Life application: One can see the difference between those under the law and those in Christ. Under law, the possibility of condemnation exists for such a person who turns from what is proper and fails to heed what the law demands. However, Paul says this of the believer's state in Christ (those in the Spirit) as opposed to those under law (those in the flesh) –   “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:1-8   The point of Jesus' words is that unless grace is extended to the offended brother, grace will not be extended to the one who offended him. In Christ, grace is extended to the offender before he does anything. All God expects of His people is to believe the message of reconciliation that is offered through the sacrifice of Jesus.   Once that is accomplished, the person is sealed with the Spirit (Ephesians 1:13,14) and is granted new life. He enters the New Covenant and becomes a part of what God has offered for the salvation of the human soul. The law was a necessary step to understanding this. In seeing how life under the law is, one who is wise will then be impelled to seek out the grace that is poured out in the law's fulfillment, meaning the finished work of Jesus Christ.   Heavenly Father, we come before You grateful for what You have done in Christ. You have made the first move, offering us salvation without us doing anything except believing that Jesus' work is sufficient to reconcile us to You. And we do believe! Thank You for Jesus who alone has done such great things. Hallelujah for Jesus! Amen.

https://storage.googleapis.com/enduring-word-media/devotional/Devotional11042024.mp3 The post The Sword of the Spirit – Ephesians 6:16-18 – November 4, 2024 appeared first on Enduring Word. https://enduringword.com/the-sword-of-the-spirit-ephesians-616-18-november-4-2024/feed/ 0 https://storage.googleapis.com/enduring-word-me

Ephesians

Send us a textTHE FRUIT OF LOVEFruit-Full | Part 1Springcreek Church | Pastor Keith StewartSeptember 22, 2024#god #realspringcreekchurch #fruitfull #thefruitoflove #love #character #Christ #spiritualdisciplines https://www.springcreekchurch.org/This Sunday, we begin exploring the Fruit of the Spirit. These nine character qualities are a reflection of Christ Himself. The more yielded we are to the Spirit, the more others see the this fruit or evidence of His presence in us. In a sense, the first virtue, love, is more than just another dimension to the fruit of the Spirit. It represents the virtue that binds all the others together. Each of them is somehow an expression of love. Come and join us this weekend as Pastor Keith teaches us not just the importance of the fruit of the Spirit but how to begin manifesting them in your life. -----DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. We have two natures within us – what the Bible calls “the flesh” or our baser nature and a new nature made alive by the Spirit. The key to defeating the flesh is by living by the Spirit. Sadly, many people try to live the spiritual life in reverse. They try to defeat the flesh so they can live by the spirit. But that doesn't work. Why? What stood out to you in today's message that maybe you hadn't considered before or illustrated for you how walking in the Spirit helps to defeat the flesh?2. Spend some time talking about the cycle of self improvement (the chart that Pastor Keith shared). The four stages are; Try Harder, Fatigue, Quit, Guilt. Have you ever experienced this before? What was the area where you struggled? Have you broken free of this pattern? What helped you to break free?3.  In this message, we were reminded that we are only as mature as our most immature fruit. So in reading Galatians 5.22-23, of these nine virtues that reflect the character of Christ, where are you strongest and where are you weakest (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control)? It's important to remember that wherever we discover immature fruit, it reflects a failure to trust Christ in that area. As you apply that thought to your weakest virtue, how might God be trying to grow you? What wounding might exist in that area that still needs healing? Or what cultural way of thinking gets in the way of fully submitting to Christ in this way?4. Scripture clearly teaches that being filled with the Spirit is not a one time event but a daily event. Ephesians 5.18 in the original language doesn't say “be filled” (past tense) with the Spirit, but “be being filled” (present, linear tense). The process of yielded to the Spirit's filling and control is a decision we make every day. And the best way is related to the four commands regarding the Holy Spirit.Live by the Spirit (Galatians 5.16), Be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5.18), Do not grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4.30), Do not quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5.19)To live by and be filled with the Spirit, we must never grieve or quench Him. Which means being obedient to His leadership and promptings. Have you ever felt led by the Spirit to do or say something? What was it? What happened? How did it work out?5. Why do we elevate gifting over fruitfulness?6. Love is the one virtue that bonds all the other fruit together. How and in what ways have you seen God's love put on display through your life? 

The Armor of God Part 5, The sword of the Spirit Ephesians 6

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:18-20

This week on Tell Me More, the Trio is back together in studio to discuss Dr. Wiles Sermon from Sunday. It's a great episode and we are glad you are here with us!Listen to the companion sermon podcast here. Sermon Notes: Together . . . in Power! Ephesians 5:18-6:20  Theme for 2024: Together  Theme for August 2024: Together!  EPHESIANS: This letter was written by Paul from prison in Rome to the church in Ephesus and was intended to be a circular letter for all of the churches in the region. It offers a panoramic view of God's plan to “bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ” (1:10). The letter is filled with praise for the Messiah and revelation (mystery) about God's miraculous work through Him. Thus, Ephesians is known for its High Christology.  Ephesians is also marked by its High Ecclesiology. Paul points his readers to the truths about the identity and realities of the Church that God intended. This new creation (the Church) is the new Temple where heaven and earth converge and the new humanity, comprised of both Jews and Gentiles reside. God is now present in this new creation and on display through this new humanity. He will display His wisdom to the heavenly powers and blanket the earth with His glory and knowledge through the Church (Ephesians 2-3).  The Church is uniquely equipped for this grand task to live circumspect lives amidst their neighbors as testimonies to what God is doing. He will equip the Church through the presence and power of His Spirit to fulfill this role to His glory (Ephesians 5-6).  Satan will not take all of this lying down! He will oppose the work of God on every hand. Consequently, we must be clothed with power from on High to live as the Messiah's people in every arena of our lives!  Remarkably, the union of heaven and earth, the miracle of the new humanity is to actually be on display in our homes! We are to reflect the glory of God in and through our marriages. God created the institution of marriage (Genesis 1-2). He uses the imagery of marriage to convey His relationship with Israel in the Old Testament. Every Christian marriage is intended to be a reflection of the relationship that Christ has with His Church. “Tinker with it at your own peril” (N.T. Wright).   Christians are to be marked by mutual submission as one sign of being filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-21).  A Christian home is characterized by an appropriate level of order and clarity. Marriage is a heaven/earth partnership between a man and a woman, each participating in the partnership willingly and lovingly as unto Christ. Men and women are different, uniquely designed by God (Genesis 1:26-28) and both created in His image. Marriage is not just a partnership intended for mutual fulfillment (though this does happen), it is intended to be a reflection of the mystery of the union of Christ and His Church! Non-Christians should gaze at Christian marriages with wonder, curiosity, and amazement!

Have you ever wondered how being filled with the Holy Spirit affects your daily life and relationships? In today's episode, we'll explore Paul's practical instructions from Ephesians on living wisely. From making the best use of your time to nurturing godly marriages and families, discover how the Holy Spirit's influence can transform your walk, your decisions, and your relationships. Join us as we delve into how to live under the Spirit's influence every day.

St. Paul exhorts us to not be deceived by the empty words and things of the world but be filled with the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit sings! Learn how singing is a part of who we are as the children of God, and why all theology finds its true home in praise to God and love for one another. ----- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

St. Paul exhorts us to not be deceived by the empty words and things of the world but be filled with the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit sings! Learn how singing is a part of who we are as the children of God, and why all theology finds its true home in praise to God and love for one another. ----- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Sunday Morning Expositional Message

Ephesians 5:19-21

rockhillbc.com

Ephesians 6:10-20. From the "Armor Up! Strong to stand. Ready to fight." sermon series. Preached by Jody Killingsworth.

Family Matters: Honoring ParentsDeuteronomy 5:16; Ephesians 6:1-3 “Honor your father and your mother…” Deuteronomy 5:16 3 Questions: 1. WHAT does it mean to honor my parents? Honor: “to be heavy, WEIGHTY” 2. WHY should I honor my parents? Because it is RIGHT. (Ephesians 6:1) ·Because it is WRITTEN. (Ephesians 6:2) Because it brings BLESSING. (Ephesians 6:3) 3. HOW do I honor my parents? “…be filled with the Spirit…” Ephesians 5:18b As a child, I honor my parents by OBEYING and RESPECTING them. As a teen, I honor my parents by LISTENING and TALKING to them. As a young adult, I honor my parents by ACCEPTING and APPRECIATING them. As an older adult, I honor my parents by AFFIRMING and CARING for them. Takeaway:Identify one intentional ACTION you can do to HONOR your parents.

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If you're curious about how to become a follower of Jesus, visit: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/MeetJesus (this is an EXTERNAL resource, not owned by the Morning Mindset. Please do not leave messages for Carey there. See below for contact info). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SUPPORT OUR WORK: (not tax-deductible) -- Become a monthly partner: https://mm-gfk-partners.supercast.com/ -- Support a daily episode: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/daily-sponsor/ -- Give one-time: https://give.cornerstone.cc/careygreen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: EPHESIANS 6:18-19 - praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,  ROMANS 8:26-27 - Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONTACT US AT: Admin@MorningMindsetMedia.com

Joshua Solowey | 07.07.24 | ethoschurch.org

Talk 34 Mark 11:11-33 The ‘cleansing' of the Temple Welcome to Talk 34 in our series on Mark's Gospel. In this talk and the next we'll be looking at Mark 11:11-33. This passage contains two stories – the cursing of the fig tree and what is often referred to as the ‘cleansing' of the Temple (although I shall suggest that this is not the best description of what Jesus was doing). The fact that these stories are interwoven in the text and that they both happened within the same 24-hour period strongly suggests that they have a common theme.   As we shall see, it's possible to see both these events as two enacted parables announcing the termination of the temple as a place of worship and God's rejection of Israel because of his anger that they have rejected his Son, something which is backed up by the parable of the tenants which immediately follows in 12:1-12. Today we'll concentrate on the temple. Next time we'll consider why Jesus cursed the fig tree. But first, let's outline the story.   Verses 11-14. Jesus curses a fig tree because of its lack of fruit. Jesus and the apostles are staying in Bethany, possibly with Martha and Mary. On the way into Jerusalem Jesus is hungry and seeing a fig tree in leaf he goes to find out if there is any fruit on it. Finding nothing but leaves he says, May no one ever eat fruit from you again. And, jumping to verse 20, we see that the fig tree has withered from the roots. But first, we have verses 15-19.   Verses 15-19. Jesus cleanses the Temple. When he reaches Jerusalem, Jesus goes into the temple and drives out the people who are buying and selling there. He overturns the tables of the money changers and won't allow anyone to carry merchandise though the temple courts. He reminds them of what God has said in Isaiah 56:7 – My house will be a house of prayer for all nations – and, quoting Jeremiah 7:11, adds, But you have made it a den of robbers. This angers the Jewish religious leaders and they start to look for a way to kill him. In the evening Jesus returns to Bethany.   Verses 20-25. Jesus teaches a lesson on faith from the fig tree which has withered. The next day, as they're going back into Jerusalem Peter points out that the fig tree Jesus cursed is withered. Jesus replies:   Have faith in God, I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.   We'll be looking at this in more detail next time, so now verses 27-33.   Verses 27-33. Jesus is challenged by the Jewish leaders. They arrive back in Jerusalem and Jesus is confronted by the Jewish religious leaders who challenge him over what he has just done in the temple. By what authority had he done it? Jesus avoids answering their question but counters with another one. Was John's baptism of divine or of human origin? Realising that whatever answer they gave could lead them into criticism, they say, We don't know. So Jesus replies, Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.   So, having now outlined the passage, let's begin by considering the significance of Jesus' actions in the temple.   The significance of Jesus' actions in the temple To understand this fully we need to look back into the Old Testament. If you know your Bible well, you will know that there were in fact three temples built in Jerusalem: ·      Solomon's Temple, which was Israel's first temple ·      Zerubbabel's Temple, built to replace Solomon's Temple after its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar ·      Herod's Temple, the temple at the time of Jesus. However, the purpose for which the original temple was built remained the same, and we can learn much about this from Solomon's prayer of dedication in 1 Kings 8:12-61.   A place for God to dwell for ever (v13) Although Solomon's purpose was for the temple to be a place for God to dwell in, he knew that God couldn't be contained in a building, however magnificent it might be. Note what he says in verse 27: The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!   And in verse 30 he recognises that heaven is God's dwelling place: Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive (cf. vv. 39,43, 45).   But what perhaps Solomon didn't understand was that God's ultimate plans were not for a physical temple made by men (Acts 7:48), but for a spiritual temple comprised of God's people themselves (1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 2:21-22, 1 Peter 2:4-10). More on this later.   A place for the Name of the Lord (vv. 17,18, 19, 20, 29,43,48) What does Solomon mean when he talks about building a temple for the Name of the Lord? In Bible times a name was not just a label, but something intended to represent the true nature of the person holding that name. The Name of the Lord has been defined as God himself, actively present, in the fulness of his revealed character.   And in the Psalms his name is linked with his righteousness, faithfulness, salvation, holiness, goodness, mercy, love, truth, and glory. If the temple was to be a place for God to dwell in, a place for the Name of the Lord, it must be a place that stood for and demonstrated all these divine qualities.   A place of prayer for all the peoples of the earth (vv. 28, 29, 30, 33, 38, 41-44, 48, 49) From the number of references to prayer in 1 Kings 8 it's clear that prayer was to be its primary purpose. Indeed, God himself was to say later through the prophet Isaiah:   My house will be a house of prayer for all nations (Isaiah 56:7).   Note that it was not only to be a house of prayer, but a house of prayer for all nations. This aspect of Solomon's purpose in building the original temple is expressed in his prayer that God would even answer the prayers of foreigners and do whatever they ask of him so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel… (vv41-43) and may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other (v. 60).   So Solomon's purposes in building the temple were that it should be:   A place for God to dwell in for ever A place for the Name of the Lord A place of prayer for all nations – a place where people might come to know the Lord.   But it's clear from Jesus' actions that these purposes were being frustrated by the Jewish people. Foreigners were treated with contempt and fleeced by the money changers. The qualities associated with the Name of the Lord were entirely absent. It was certainly not a fit dwelling place for God. And Jesus was right to be angry. Anger is not sin. It's right to be angry about sin.   But were these the only reasons for his actions? Was he really cleansing the temple? Or was he perhaps declaring by his actions that the time for the temple was about to come to an end? In Mark 13:2 he certainly predicted its destruction, something which was literally fulfilled in AD 70. Could this have been the significance of his cursing the fig tree? We'll come to that next time, but today let's consider how God's plans for the temple relate to Jesus himself, and then to his church.   Jesus as God's temple As we bear in mind God's original purposes for his temple, we see that these are wonderfully fulfilled in Jesus himself. If the characteristics of the divine nature were not being displayed in the temple as they should, they most certainly were in Jesus, in whom dwelt all the fulness of deity in bodily form (Colossians 2:10). Jesus embodied all that the Name of Yahweh stood for. He was God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16 KJV). Jesus himself was the true temple. If that sounds strange, bear in mind that in Matthew 12:6, referring to himself, Jesus said, In this place is one greater than the temple. He also referred to his own body as the temple (John 2:19-21).   All the purposes of the temple were fulfilled in the coming of Jesus. With his death, about to take place in less than a week, the temple was to become redundant, its veil torn in two from the top to the bottom. The middle wall, the barrier that separated the Gentiles from the Jews was destroyed (Ephesians 2:14). We need no longer look to the temple for the answer to our prayers. It's not in the temple, but in Jesus that we have the answer. Because of his sacrificial death on the cross, all who believe, both Jew and Gentile, have access to God through Jesus.   The church as God's temple Despite Solomon's prayer that the temple he had built would be God's dwelling place for ever, God himself never intended the temple in the Old Testament to be permanent. It was a prophetic symbol of Christ himself and of his church. Listen to what Paul says to the Corinthians. Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16).   And he tells the Ephesians that all who believe in him, whether Jew or Gentile, are:   Members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-22).   And 1 Peter 2:4-10 describes Jesus as the living stone, rejected by men, but precious to him, and tells us that we too, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood. We are his chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation… we are now the people of God.   And 2 Corinthians 6:16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."   What a privilege. We are the temple. But privilege always carries with it responsibility. We need to learn lessons from the mistakes God's people made of old. But let me first remind you of what we have said so far. I have suggested that, rather than cleansing the temple (i.e. making it fit for purpose), Jesus was actually expressing his anger at the way the temple had been defiled by the people of his day and that by his action in driving them out he was declaring an end to the temple which was shortly to be destroyed. It was no longer fit for purpose. It was no longer the dwelling place of God, no longer a place that represented all that his Father stood for, no longer a house of prayer for all nations where all the people of the world might come to know the Lord.   I have suggested that during his time here on earth the Lord Jesus himself was the true temple, the dwelling place of God, one who did represent and manifest all that the Father stood for, and that since his departure to heaven it is his purpose that the church, which is his body should fulfil the same role. The question is, are we? Or is it possible that we too are defiling God's temple?   Are we defiling God's temple, the church? Let's be clear. We're not talking about a church building. We're talking about the company of God's people, the church. Each of us needs to examine our heart on this matter, but it might help to call to mind some of the areas where some of the early Christians sometimes failed:   ·      Thinking of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5), are there times when we are not always strictly honest with each other? ·      Thinking of the Corinthians, are we defiling the temple by our divisions, especially over church leaders? ·      Are we sometimes guilty of failing to put the needs of others before our own as the Corinthians were at the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11)? ·      Is there sexual immorality among us as there was with them (1 Corinthians 6)? ·      Are there idols in our lives (2 Corinthians 6:16)? If we really want our gatherings to be times where   ·      we experience God's holy presence ·      where the Name of the Lord and all that he stands for is honoured and exemplified ·      where we can expect our prayers to be answered ·      and where people of all nations may come to know the Lord let's examine our hearts and put right anything that might hinder the church from being the temple God intends it to be. In both Old and New Testaments there were serious consequences for defiling the Lord's temple. But, thank God, if we confess our sin, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we really want it, our church can be just what God wants it to be. May it be so, for the sake of his Name.      

an expository sermon on Ephesians 5:15-21 preached by Pastor Jordan Atkinson on May 26, 2024

Sermon by Davy Lee on May 12, 2024. 

Tom Watts Series: Experiencing the Sprit Ephesians 3:14-19; 5:15-21 St John's Downshire Hill - Sunday 05th May 2024, 10:30pm

March 17, 2024

Inclusion is the fruit of the Spirit | Ephesians 2:11-18God's divine embrace extends to the far off, yes even you. Once we realize this, we also realize that we are called to be an active part of that embrace, seeing, including, and loving the ‘other

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This week Pastor Mike Sohn from the globe church continues our series through Ephesians. Exploring Paul's instructions on how to live the wise, godly, Spirit-filled life.

How on earth can a prophet being asked to be hit in the face connect with the life of a believer today? What action steps do we live in after 1 Kings 20? Well, Emma Dotter explains how the whole point of this rouse was to show the king of his own disobedience. Are you actively aware of the ways that you fall short?   Additional Scriptures that are used in this episode: Deuteronomy 20:12-14, “But if it takes no peace with you, but makes war against you…”  1 Samuel 15:22-29, “The Lord looks at the heart.”   1 Kings 22:6, “Groups of false prophets exist.”   Deuteronomy 18:18, Jeremiah's 14:14, Ezekiel 13:1-3, “Requirements of True Prophets  Acts 7:51, “Resisting the Spirit”  Ephesians 4:30, “Grieving the Holy Spirit.”  Galatians 5:22-23, “Fruits of the Spirit.”  Grab a Join The Journey Journal that coincides with this part of the Join The Journey Reading Plan: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7TCKPR1/ref=sr_1_14crid=3MDHUUF0FW85G&keywords=join+the+journey+volume+2&qid=1686688452&sprefix=join+the+journ%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-14  Join the Journey Jr. https://www.jointhejourney.com/jr/5781-do-you-remember-god-s-promises-to-abraham

In this episode of Pray the Word on Ephesians 2:22, David Platt teaches us about God's design for the community of believers.