Archive for June 2023
Philippians 1:12-20: Selfish Ambition
2 Kings 4-5, Psalm 119:113-120, Luke 5:1-11, Philippians 1:12-20 Philippians 1:12-20: What do you do when people say nasty things about you, attack you, or criticize you? What do you do when someone takes the work that you have been doing and behind your back undermines it and attempts to take that work away from you? In such…
Read MorePhilippians 1:1-11: Thanksgiving and Prayer
2 Kings 1-3, Psalm 119:105-112, Luke 4:38-44, Philippians 1:1-11 Philippians 1:1-11: Paul writes with great joy concerning the people at Philippi. This joy of Paul’s overflows into thanksgiving, and then into prayer. What is it that Paul is so joyful about? He gives thanks with joy because of their partnership in the gospel (1:5). They had believed in Christ and…
Read MoreEphesians 6:10-24: Armor of God
1 Kings 21-22, Psalm 119:97-104, Luke 4:31-37, Ephesians 6:10-24 Ephesians 6:10-24: This is a much-loved part of the Bible, and for good reason. It shows us how it is that we are to fight the spiritual battle. What is the right method? First, it is not our power or our might but God’s power and his might. We…
Read MoreEphesians 6:1-9: Monday to Saturday
1 Kings 19-20, Psalm 119:89-96, Luke 4:13-30, Ephesians 6:1-9 Ephesians 6:1-9: How are we who want to follow Jesus meant to do so at home and at work? These two critically important areas of the Christian’s life are often neglected, meaning that people either do not know how or are not motivated as to why they need to…
Read MoreEphesians 5:22-33: The Mystery of Marriage
1 Kings 17-18; Psalm 119:81-88; Luke 4:1-12; Ephesians 5:22-33 Ephesians 5:22-33: This is one of those passages that has often been misinterpreted, and perhaps more often completely ignored. What is it that Paul is saying? The key is to understand, first, the wider parameter and picture that Paul has in mind throughout. So he says, “This is a…
Read MoreEphesians 5:1-21: Six Practical Steps to Follow Jesus Today
1 Kings 15-16, Psalm 119:73-80, Luke 3:21-38, Ephesians 5:1-21 Ephesians 5:1-21: What does God require of us? Here Paul outlines in 6 practical steps what it means to follow Jesus today. First, we are to “follow God’s example” (5:1). But note, we do so as “dearly loved children” (5:1). That is the way to root our commitment to…
Read MoreEphesians 4:25-32: Six Practices of Holiness
1 Kings 13-14, Psalm 119:65-72, Luke 3:1-20, Ephesians 4:25-32 Ephesians 4:25-32: We saw that the model of holiness that Paul here is teaching involves “putting off” the old way of living, and “putting on” the characteristics of Christlikeness. This is not possible to do unless we have the power of Christ within us. That is, we must be…
Read MoreEphesians 4:17-24: Three Steps to Become Holy
1 Kings 12, Psalm 119:57-64, Luke 2:41-52, Ephesians 4:17-24 Ephesians 4:17-24: How do you become holy? What is God’s method for your sanctification? First, let me define terms. By “holy,” I mean becoming more like Christ. Holiness has the sense of “set apart.” It is something special. So when you hear the word “holy” don’t think “restrictive, narrow…
Read MoreEphesians 4:1-16: Five Principles of Unity
1 Kings 11, Psalm 119:49-56, Luke 2:21-40, Ephesians 4:1-16 Ephesians 4:1-16: How do we maintain and further the unity of the church? Five principles of unity emerge from this amazing section of Paul’s teaching. First, focus on the calling that you have received. Our unity in Christ is furthered as we reflect on Christ and what he has…
Read MoreEphesians 3:14-21: A Prayer of Great Power
1 Kings 9-10, Psalm 119:41-48, Luke 2:1-20, Ephesians 3:14-21 Ephesians 3:14-21: What a prayer! What do we learn from this prayer of Paul’s? We learn that the gospel motivates praying. “For this reason.” What reason? The reason is the truth and power of the gospel. A people that love the gospel will be a praying people. We learn…
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