Sermons and Biblical Studies

EPHESIANS 4:14–16 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. (Ephesians 4:15) The ascended Christ has given gifts to the church, and the leaders of those gifts are the pastors and teachers. Every member of the church is a gift, and … Continue reading “GROWTH IN TRUTH AND LOVE”

EPHESIANS 4:7–13 It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists … (Ephesians 4:11) God is one, but God is also three. This is a mystery, and we can never understand it fully. God is one, but God is also a society. The image of God, which … Continue reading “CHRISTIAN DIVERSITY”

EPHESIANS 4:7–13 This is why it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captives in His train and gave gifts to men”. (Ephesians 4:8) We don’t pay enough attention to the doctrine of the ascension of Christ. Most of us think of it only as Jesus’ going up into heaven after He was finished … Continue reading “THE GIVER OF GIFTS”

EPHESIANS 4:1–6 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4–6) Paul has told us to be humble, gentle, and patient. Now he … Continue reading “CHRISTIAN UNITY”

EPHESIANS 4:1–6 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (Ephesians 4:1) The incredible riches of the divine Fatherland are made available to believers. Paul ends Ephesians 3 with a prayer of ascription to God; that is, he ascribes praise to God. … Continue reading “POWER TO BREAK PRIDE”

EPHESIANS 3:14–21 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name (Ephesians 3:14–15). Commentators are divided on the question of what Paul means when he writes in Ephesians 3:14 that he kneels before the Father. It could refer to prayer or to the … Continue reading “THE DIVINE FATHERLAND”

EPHESIANS 3:7–13 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 3:10). Not only is the mystery (the secret of God) published by a prisoner, but it is also published by a man who is “less than … Continue reading “HISTORY-CHANGING MYSTERY”

EPHESIANS 3:1–6 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of the Gentiles … (Ephesians 3:1). Paul was not the first servant of God to be imprisoned for declaring God’s truth. Joseph, who carried God’s word to the Egyptians, was for a time imprisoned. Similarly, Daniel and his friends took … Continue reading “POWER IN PRISON”

EPHESIANS 2:19–22 Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). The Bible reveals that God is interested in architecture. Exodus 25–31 devotes about 150 verses to detailing the furniture and architecture of the tabernacle, while Exodus 35–40 devotes over 200 verses to describing how … Continue reading “THE KING’S PALACE”

EPHESIANS 2:13–19 [He destroyed the barrier] by abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations (Ephesians 2:15). Last Friday we discussed the barrier that God set up between His people and the world and how this was expressed in some of the God-given ceremonial laws of the Old Testament. We saw that … Continue reading “DISTORTING THE LAW OF GOD”