Week 18 Ephesians 5:21-33
Paul speaks directly to the marriage relationship: its order, its roles, and its reflection of Christ and His church. Submission is a key term for us women, one that should prompt obedience in reverence for Christ but, in our Genesis 3 fallen flesh, makes us cringe and cry out "unfair!" Sisters, this should not be so. Two BIG DEALS this week: 1. Sin is a fatal defect 2. Our marriages should reflect Christ and His bride-- and ultimately the gospel. Cited in this episode: Is Gluttony a Sin?, Got Questions Ministries, accessed June 15, 2022 [https://www.gotquestions.org/gluttony-sin.html]
12 Juli 202221min
Week 17: Ephesians 5: 1-20
Continuing in our study of sanctification, Paul tells us to "be imitators of God and walk in love." One can continue the T-chart begun in week 16 with the "don'ts," the "motive," and the "do," which are important instructions BUT always active sanctification or the outworking of salvation is rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this understanding, we know we can do nothing apart from Him, so we choose to yield to Him that He may sanctify us as we imitate Him and walk in love.
30 Maj 202223min
Week 16: Ephesians 4:25-32
Paul gives us very practical ways for us to put off our old selves and live out the new creation we are in Christ. This is not a set of rules to live by or moralism but a way of life dependent upon the finished work of Jesus Christ and the seal of the Holy Spirit. Get out some paper to make a chart-- bad/good/motive-- and follow along. Cited in this episode: Charles Hodge, A Commentary on the Epistle to the Ephesians (New York: Robert Carter and Brothers, 1858), 269–270.
9 Maj 202221min
Week 15 Ephesians 4:17-24
In this passage, Paul exhorts us believers to throw off the corrupting old self and be "renewed in the spirit of your mind." In this episode, we recognize the truth of mind renewal rather then emphasis on feelings, emotions, and experiences that some today feel is the foundation of their faith. We also take a look at this passage and our call to sanctification, recognizing only God, holy in Himself, can sanctify us and make us holy. Referenced in this episode: Sproul, RC. The Holiness of God. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1985.
28 Apr 202216min
Week 14 Ephesians 4:7-16
Unity and maturity of the body of Christ is the theme of this section, including "speaking the truth in love."
11 Apr 202217min
Week 13 Ephesians 4:1-6
Paul moves us into orthopraxy. After much teaching on who we are in Christ, both individually and as a body reconciled to Christ and to each other, Paul exhorts us to "walk in a manner worthy of the call." Paul introduces us to what this looks like and we are sanctified and we are being sanctified.
5 Apr 202219min
Week 12: Ephesians 3:14-21
The end of Chapter 3 chronicles Paul's return to the prayer he began at the beginning of the chapter. This text more or less wraps up the indicative/positional portion of the letter to move into the rest of the letter in which imperatives help us understand how then should we walked as a people saved by grace and reconciled to God and each other through Jesus Christ. Cited in this episode: Charles Hodge, A Commentary on the Epistle to the Ephesians (New York: Robert Carter and Brothers, 1858), 179. Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening: A New Edition of the Classic Devotional Based on The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, revised and updated by Alistair Begg (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2003).
28 Mars 202220min
Week 11: NAR: New Apostles or False Apostles?
In light of reading the Ephesian epistle penned by the Apostle Paul, this episode briefly explores the doctrine/study of Christ, Christology, as purported by adherents of such movements as the New Apostolic Reformation. Has the office of apostle been restored in the church? Is a new canon of Scripture being written? These are questions we must ask as we look into extra-biblical (and/or unbiblical) teachings. Cited in this episode: Paul Washer, Discovering the Glorious Gospel, Radford, VA: Heartcry Missionary Society, 2021, p. 32. Helpful to this episode and citing of Bill Johnson's When Heaven Invades Earth: Costi Hinn, “Why We Won’t Sing Bethel Music in Our Church,” Redeeming Truth, February 13, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ycLmrwY2tY.
20 Mars 202242min
