Mark 11:1-7; John 12:12-19: The arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem just prior to Passover during the third year of His ministry was very special. Rather than walk into Israel’s capital city as another religious pilgrim celebrating the festival, He rode into town to the cries of “Hosana! Blessed is he who comes in the name […]
Ephesians 4:25-32; Paul clearly defines the difference between living “your former way of life“, which he identifies as the “old self“. and putting on the “new self“, which is “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness“. The apostle lays out several behaviors that do not align with a spirit indwelled believer in […]
Ephesians 4:17-24; After diverging a bit from his focus on Christian living in 4:1, Paul returns to his instruction by stating, “you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking”. He continues by precisely defining those negative behaviors, which he calls the “old self”, and contrast that with the […]
Ephesians 4:11-16; Paul elaborates on the “grace” of Christ that is given to the church by defininng a group of gifted individuals that form the foundations of the Church. He notes that Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers are given to “equip his people for works of service”. Paul then defines the prominent difference between […]
Ephesians 4:1-10; Following three stout chapters of deep theological instruction, Paul shifts focus to the matter of practical Christian living. He begins chapter 4 with the exhortation, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received,” then lays out the foundations of a genuine Christians walk of faith. Included in […]
Ephesians 3:14-21; Paul concludes the first half of his letter to the church in Ephesus with a profound prayer. He petitions the Lord for strengthe and power through the Holy Spirit so Christ msy dwell richly in the heart of believers. The apostle also requests that the church come to understand the full measure of […]
Ephesians 3:1-13; After relating the profound truth that God has called both Jews and Gentiles to be one new people in the church (chpater 2), Paul continues by elaborating upon the “mystery” that he received by revelation from God in chapter 3. Paul’s commission as a preacher of the gospel of Christ came from God’s […]
Ephesians 2:11-22; Paul follows up his powerful teaching on the nature of God’s gifts of grace and faith through salvation in Christ from Ephesians 2:1-10, with another profound contrast. Gentile believers were once “far away” from the Lord because they were not His chosen people. Israel was the means by which the nations should have […]
Ephesians 2:1-10; After laying the groundwork of God’s Sovereignty in choosing believers as adopted sons and daughters with amazing spiritual blessings, Paul prayed for the church to have illumined hearts to know Him better. Again utilizing extended Greek sentence structure, Paul then explains the magnitude of God’s grace and mercy in bringing depraved sinners deserving […]
Ephesians 1:15-23; Paul concludes his benediction-greeting with a reoort of his active prayer support for the Ephesian church. The favorable report he received about them included love for God and fellow saints in Christ. He then reveals his desire for them to know more of God through the working of the Holy Spirit and headship […]