“12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.” -Philippians 1:12-14 How does... Read more
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” -Ephesians 6:10 The Christian faith is anything but weak. It’s early leaders were beaten and beheaded, marked and martyred. These were men and women serious about living for God. As Paul encouraged, they were to “Be strong in the Lord.” We can be strong in the Lord because our God is a powerful God. When he believe in Christ, his Spirit lives in us. We share in his power.... Read more
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” -Ephesians 5:1-2 What does it mean to follow God’s example? Sermons mention it, books promote it, but living it is another matter. In Ephesians 5, Paul offers some helpful insights into the practical implications of this concept. First, to follow God’s example is to be a... Read more
“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” -Ephesians 4:1 Ephesians 4 is loaded with richness. I couldn’t get past the first verse: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Since we have been so blessed by God, we are to live a life worthy of what calling? The call of Christ. The Christ who came, died, and rose on... Read more
“I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.” -Ephesians 3:7 Ephesians 2 focuses on salvation as the free gift of God. This is one of the unique blessings of the Christian faith, that we do not work to earn our status with God–it is a gift of grace through faith. Ephesians 3 highlights an additional gift–life itself: “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift... Read more
“8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.” -Ephesians 2:8-9 The number one question about salvation is how to obtain it. Every religion of the world includes a mechanism or ritual to obtain right standing or preparation for the afterlife. Christianity is unique in one key respect–our salvation is based on what God has done,... Read more
“11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with... Read more
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” -Galatians 6:9-10 Christians are called to do good. This is obvious. What is not as obvious is how to go about it. Paul offers three powerful insights in Galatians 6:9-10 for our journey. First,... Read more
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” -Galatians 5:22-23 The fruit of the Spirit is a well-known teaching from the Bible, yet one often misunderstood. Typically, we associate each of the nine traits with a fruit, or area, or life to grow spiritually. Yet the Greek word translated “fruit” can also be translated “result,” carrying the idea that these life changes are the result of God’s Spirit living in a believer.... Read more
“6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” -Galatians 4:6-7 As followers of Jesus, we often don’t realize how blessed we truly are. The same was true with the believers in Galatia. Paul had to remind them that in Christ, our... Read more
Holy Writ
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