tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888357024078722852024-03-10T21:23:09.673-06:00Directional Bible MinistriesA teaching ministry that is called to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1617125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-59246366249865230132023-12-09T13:04:00.005-06:002023-12-09T13:04:40.994-06:00Preaching to Those That Already Know<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir_ZpwcRmJFk7gDc3Qhg6v4RMx22a_zaNzmoNg27fmyM1NC8RbXmkq0xzsLLSAovWCW7TuO5X4uNH0iVDuKlAoTkI2nbkJzcAdKr1e9mSagPFdiJdDXFbvswaKp-fgzq-RIDpCj7i1eBnoa30MdiGerWFBJt2r5XRtARVJaNRSlS8km9BHFoj1ZEQQmgA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir_ZpwcRmJFk7gDc3Qhg6v4RMx22a_zaNzmoNg27fmyM1NC8RbXmkq0xzsLLSAovWCW7TuO5X4uNH0iVDuKlAoTkI2nbkJzcAdKr1e9mSagPFdiJdDXFbvswaKp-fgzq-RIDpCj7i1eBnoa30MdiGerWFBJt2r5XRtARVJaNRSlS8km9BHFoj1ZEQQmgA" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Sometimes it can be intimidating to preach to elders. After all, they probably already know the doctrine you studied (and possibly more). How do you preach to the more spiritually mature than you?</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With this knowledge: preaching does not require you know more than someone else. Preaching requires you care about what you are saying. Anyone who knows truth and cares about it can preach. The goal of preaching is to get others to care about what they already know. This requires more care, not more knowledge. If you don’t care, then you should not be preaching to anyone. If you can’t answer the question of why it matters, then it is not important enough to preach. Not everything you know is worthy of your care.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">When you grow in understanding, you should also be growing in care for what others may already know: the cross, Jesus, the Bible, grace, etc. This is exactly where we need more solid preaching. The most known things in the Bible are often the most important. What is lacking is people caring enough about them to live by them and preach it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Don’t worry about your audience already knowing what you are saying. Say it again, and this time explain why it is important and why it matters. You’ll find yourself energizing the doctrine that is already known by others. This is called preaching.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">You are caring about the wrong things if you only care about teaching people what they don’t know. Care enough to preach about what they already do.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">For all the preachers,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Justin "preach it!" Johnson</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Grace Ambassadors </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-42069867913521455582023-07-26T08:47:00.001-06:002023-07-26T08:47:31.460-06:00Ephesians | Session 29 | 6:11-24<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In our final study in the series today, we find Paul giving his concluding words and greetings to the Ephesians. His final words include encouragement for them to be strong in the Lord put putting on the whole armor of God, and his final greetings are regarding Tychicus who delivered the letter and someone he considered to be a faithful minister in the Lord.<script>!function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u1fmxz"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");</script>
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Rumble("play", {"video":"v2zw0o8","div":"rumble_v2zw0o8"});</script> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 11: <i>Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. </i></b>To be strong, the Ephesians are told that they are to put on the armor of God. Paul uses the analogy of the clothing that was worn by the Roman Centurion. His warning was that it was the only way that they were going to <i><b>be able to stand against the wiles of the devil</b></i>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 12: <i>For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. </i></b>The point was that our struggle is not against our fellow man. Yes, we are all the race of man. We are all men. (I say that for those who struggle with that concept today by politicizing this fact.) Instead, our struggle is <i><b>against principalities, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places</b></i>. All of these entities are not in the physical, but in the spiritual realm. That does not mean that our fellow man can not be our enemy, but that what drives them is ultimately in the spiritual realm. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 13: <i>Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. </i></b>With that in mind, we must take up our spiritual armor if we are to withstand them as that a spiritual enemy can not be defeated by physical means. Of course, armor implies defense and <i><b>to withstand</b></i> means to set or stand against. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">So, when is they evil day? Albert Barnes says that it is any day that we are assaulted. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 14-17: <i>Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: </i></b>No doubt Paul by now was intimately familiar with the attire of a Roman soldier since he found himself chained to one on a few occasions. His point was that without truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, and the word of God, it would be impossible for them to walk worthily, circumspectfully, or to redeem the time. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 18: <i>Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; </i></b>And of course, prayer is needful always. Just as a side note, I have yet to meet a Marine or a soldier who did not acknowledge a supreme power, e.g., supreme commandant, especially in times of uncertainty. Nothing like staring the possibility of death in the face to make one reach out to something bigger than himself. This is often referred to as foxhole religion. Trust me, the chapel service is always full before things are about to get interesting! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 19: <i>And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,</i> </b>Now Paul asks for prayer for his own ministry in proclaiming <i><b>the mystery of the gospel</b></i>. What is the mystery of the gospel? It is the grace gospel which is an individual salvation compared to the kingdom gospel which was a national salvation. It will be taught until the rapture of the Body of Christ, and then the kingdom gospel will once again be taught. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 20: </b><i><b>For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. </b>He says that i</i>t is because of the mystery of the gospel that he is in chains. His prayer request was that in spite of his chains, he would continue to speak boldly as he should. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It is interesting that he didn't ask to be released. He was more focused on his eternal calling than his temporary condition. He also might have been thinking of his upcoming appearance before Caesar. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verses 21-22: <i>But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. </i></b>Tychicus was the one that carried Paul's letters to the Ephesians (2 Timothy 4:12), and the Colossians (Colossians 4:7). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verses 23-24: <i>Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.</i></b> Paul's final words to the Ephesians. </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-85147723122390453922023-07-14T10:33:00.005-06:002023-07-14T10:34:48.765-06:00Ephesians | Session 28 | 6:1-10<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In our study today from Ephesians 6:1-10 we see Paul still addressing the issue of submission, but now focuses on the relationships between children and parents, fathers and children, servants and masters, and masters and God.<script>!function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u1fmxz"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");</script>
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Rumble("play", {"video":"v2x83my","div":"rumble_v2x83my"});</script></span><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Chapter 6</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 1: <i>Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. </i></b>Okay, wives need to be submissive to the leadership of their husbands, husbands need to love their wives unconditionally, and now children need to obey their parents. Why? - Because it is right. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The phrase <i><b>in the Lord</b></i> is interpreted differently. 1. Some say that it means as long as their commandments are with those of the Lord (Albert Barnes). 2. Others will say that the phrase simply means that it is necessary on the part of the child as an act of obedience toward the Lord (David Guzik). The next verse will seem to confirm the latter. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verses 2-3: <i>Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.</i></b><i> </i>Now Paul refers back to Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16 where the commandments were given. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Interestingly, Christians usually divide the Ten Commandments as the first four are toward God and the last six are toward man while the Jews divide the first five are toward God and the last five are toward man. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 4: <i>And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. </i></b>Now he turns his attention back to fathers regarding their children in relationship to their roles as leaders in their homes. His warning is about harsh leadership. This type of leadership can lead to anger which can cause bitterness and rebellion in their children. <i><b>Provoke</b></i> means to exasperate or frustrate. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Fathers should be cultivating a loving relationship by example that can be emulated (Colossians 3:21), because they are the earthly reflection of their Heavenly Father. Broken homes have made this concept increasingly misunderstood. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 5: <i>Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; </i></b>Now he turns his attention to servants. The word is better translated as slaves. Despite what the liberals say, Paul was not condoning slavery, but merely speaking to it as an established institution. It was a fact of life and his encouragement to them was for them to be obedient as with the children earlier, but adds with fear and trembling. Why? - Because masters had the ability to exact retribution.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Instead, they were encouraged to obey with singleness of heart as unto the Lord. Barnes said, "Fidelity in whatever situation we find ourselves is acceptable service to the Lord." He also pointed out that it is easier to serve God than man. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 6: <i>Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; </i></b>They are encouraged to serve faithfully at all times, not just when the master if watching. Fidelity dictates obedience at all times. It was to be their testimony. Those who failed to do so were only menpleasers while God wants God pleasers. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Albert Barnes said of this, "we render acceptable service to God when we perform the services which are demanded of us in the situation in life we find ourselves, however humble that may be." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 7: <i>With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: </i></b>The understanding here is that God is in charge and no matter where we are in life, we must trust that, and be faithful in it. Anything else, is not fully trusting Him. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 8: <i>Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. </i></b>Here is the promise for those who take heed to Paul's counsel. Of course, none of us are guaranteed reward in this life, but we are in the next (2 Corinthians 5:10). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 9: <i>And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. </i></b>Here is the warning to masters, that while they are watching their servants, God is watching them. Colossians 4:1 says practically the same thing, <i>Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven</i>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Neither is there respect of persons with him</b></i> means that God does not show favor regarding position or rank. The foot of the cross is absolutely level with no VIP seating (Romans 2:11). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 10:<i> Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. </i></b>Final thoughts. They all need to be strong in the power of his might. I believe his point is that it would be difficult for wives, husbands, children, slaves, and masters to do without the Lord's help. Reminds me of Zechariah 4:6 which says, <i>Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts</i>. </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-90315008692086703452023-07-12T13:03:00.005-06:002023-07-12T13:47:26.103-06:00Ephesians | Session 27 | 5:28-33<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Our study today comes from Ephesians 5:28-33 where we conclude Paul's discussion about the relationship between Christ and his body by way of comparison with the marital relationship.<script>!function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u1fmxz"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");</script>
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Rumble("play", {"video":"v2wfo5a","div":"rumble_v2wfo5a"});</script>Verse 28: <i>So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. </i></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Remember as we are reading through this that Paul is going to say in verse 32 that he is talking about Christ and the church and is merely using the marriage relationship as the example. So, we must pay attention to the interpretation before worrying about the application. </span><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I believe this verse is a reference to the one flesh mentioned in Genesis 2:24 which says, <i>Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh</i>. Albert Barnes says of it, "If a man wishes to promote his own happiness, he had better begin by showing kindness to his wife". He also said, "A man's kindness to his wife will be more than repaid by the happiness that she imparts". <i><b>He that loveth his wife loveth himself</b></i> means that when you love your wife, you benefit yourself. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 29: <i>For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:</i></b> We all do what is in our own best interest. Therefore, it is in our own best interest that our wives are cared for! It's like the old adage, "Happy Wife, Happy Life"! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 30: <i>For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. </i></b>The Lord loves the members of his body. The application is that the man should love his wife in the same way. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 31: <i>For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. </i></b>The verse seems to be an earthly illustration of the relationship that God has with his church. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 32: <i>This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. </i></b>This verse explains the previous ones (verses 22-31). Context seems to dictate that. Keep in mind that the issue is still unity and he is just using marriage as an example. That being said, some commentaries seem to ignore this verse. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">One said, "It would be easy to think that the Genesis 2:24 passage (also quoted by Jesus in Matthew 19:5) only speaks about marriage. Paul wants us to know that it also speaks about the relationship between Christ and the church.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Another said, "This is true in regard to the pattern of the first man and the first woman. Woman was made at the beginning as the result of an operation which God performed upon man. How does the church come into being? As the result of an operation which God performed on the Second Man, His only begotten, beloved Son on Calvary’s hill. A deep sleep fell upon Adam. A deep sleep fell upon the Son of God, He gave up the ghost, He expired, and there in that operation the church was taken out. As the woman was taken out of Adam, so the church is taken out of Christ. The woman was taken out of the side of Adam; and it is from the Lord’s bleeding, wounded side that the church comes.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Albert Barnes comes the closest when he said, "This, it seems to me, is an explicit disclaimer of any intention to be understood as affirming that the marriage contract was designed to be a “type” of the union of the Redeemer and his people. The apostle says expressly, that his remarks do not refer to “marriage at all” when he speaks of the mystery. They refer “solely” to the union of the Redeemer and his people. How strange and unwarranted, therefore, are all the comments of expositors on this passage designed to explain marriage as “a mysterious type” of the union of Christ and the church! If people would allow the apostle to speak for himself, and not force on him sentiments which he expressly disclaims, the world would be saved from such insipid allegories as Macknight and others have derived from this passage. The Bible is a book of sense; and the time will come, it is hoped, when, freed from all such allegorizing expositions, it will commend itself to the good sense of mankind. Marriage is an important, a holy, a noble, a pure institution, altogether worthy of God; but it does not thence follow that marriage was designed to be a type of the union between Christ and the church, and it is certain that the apostle Paul meant; to teach no such thing."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 33: </b><i><b>Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. </b></i>It all comes back to love and submission.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-12907476970705566182023-06-27T10:55:00.003-06:002023-06-27T13:34:25.377-06:00Ephesians | Session 26 | 5:26-27<p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>In our study today from Ephesians
5:26-27 we address the issue of who is speaking, the difference between
interpretation and application, and that these verses are not talking about
water baptism or that the church is the Bride of Christ.</span>
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<span> </span></span><p></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Verse 26: </span><b><i><span lang="X-NONE">That he might sanctify and cleanse it with
the washing of water by the word,</span></i></b><b><i><span lang="X-NONE"> </span></i></b><span>According to the previous verses,
the he here is a reference to Christ. This brings a bit of a different
interpretation to everything that he has said since verse 22. As we will see in
verse 32, the entire context is Christ's relationship to his church with
marriage as an example. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The point is that Christ was
willing to lay down his life so that the church could be sanctified and
cleansed. </span><span>Of course, application can
certainly be made regarding the husbands responsibility toward his wife also. </span><span>It is his spiritual duty as the
leader of his home to see to the spiritual well being of his bride.</span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>How this to be done? - </span><b><i>with
the washing of water by the word</i></b><span>. In order words, it must be done as we
are saturated with the Word of God. There is no other way.</span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>I want to make two points
regarding the latter part of this verse: </span><b><i>with the washing of water by the
word</i></b><span>. 1. It has nothing to do with water baptism. 2. These verses
cannot be used to make a doctrine for the Body of Christ being also the Bride
of Christ. The words Bride of Christ are nowhere to be found in the Bible. The
Bible makes it perfectly clear that the New Jerusalem which will be inhabited
by Israel is the bride.</span></span></p><p class="Normal"><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">God’s Marriage to Israel</span></b></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Let's take a closer look since I
know that many are shocked by this bit of information. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span lang="X-NONE">a. God made a covenant and a promise to
Israel (Gen</span><span>esis </span><span lang="X-NONE">22:16-18, Exo</span><span>dus </span><span lang="X-NONE">19:5-6</span><span>; </span><span lang="X-NONE">16:8, 15, 32, 60).</span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span lang="X-NONE">b. God married himself to Israel with the
covenants (Jer</span><span>emiah </span><span lang="X-NONE">2:2-5,</span><span lang="X-NONE"> </span><span lang="X-NONE">31:31-32). </span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span lang="X-NONE">c. Israel was unfaithful to the covenant and
God divorced (Jer</span><span>emiah </span><span lang="X-NONE">3:8-14, 20-22).</span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span lang="X-NONE">d. A promise of restoration after the divorce
(Hos</span><span>ea </span><span lang="X-NONE">1:9</span><span>; </span><span lang="X-NONE">2:2, 5-8</span><span>; </span><span lang="X-NONE">2:11-12</span><span>, </span><span lang="X-NONE">18-23). </span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span lang="X-NONE">e. No rest until Jerusalem is established
over all the earth (Isa</span><span>iah </span><span lang="X-NONE">62:4-5). </span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span lang="X-NONE">f. God is faithful to keep his covenant with
Israel (Isa</span><span>iah </span><span lang="X-NONE">54:4-8, 12-14).</span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span lang="X-NONE">g. The re-marriage is complete in the kingdom
come: the bride is the city (Rev</span><span>elation </span><span lang="X-NONE">21:2</span><span>; </span><span lang="X-NONE">9-21).</span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span lang="X-NONE">h. Jesus came preaching the coming kingdom:
be ready, prepare (Mat</span><span>thew </span><span lang="X-NONE">9:15</span><span>; </span><span lang="X-NONE">25:1-10).</span></span></p><p class="Normal"><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Without Blemish</span></b></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Verse 27: </span><b><i><span lang="X-NONE">That he might present it to himself a
glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it
should be holy and without blemish. </span></i></b><span lang="X-NONE">As Christ desires to present a church without blemish to
the Father, so to the man should seek the same for his wife. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span lang="X-NONE">Trust me, a man loving his wife in this way
will not have a problem with her submitting to his leadership. </span><span>I have found that when I wife
begins to pull away from her husband's leadership, it is because she is
doubting his love for her.</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p>
</p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-89726357913859307462023-06-16T10:46:00.000-06:002023-06-16T10:46:02.134-06:00Ephesians | Session 25 | 5:22-25<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In our study today from Ephesians 5:22-25 we take a look at that controversial concept of submission, what it really means, why it is needed, and how God made us to fulfill different roles.</span></p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><script>!function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u1fmxz"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");</script>
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Now he begins to show what true submission looks like practically.
This submission, as with any other, is to be done as unto the Lord.
I find it interesting that so many decry the plight of the woman in the West in yet they live and walk in the most free societies in history.
This is because Christianity has made them equals and not property. </span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Women's Liberation has gone too far in my opinion in that they are now destroying themselves.
God's plan for men and women are simply different and the more we pull away from that plan, the worse it will become for all of us. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Obviously, Paul would not have mentioned this if he had not deemed it to be an issue.
Actually, it started in the Garden of Eden with Eve when she decided that God and Adam were not acting in her best interest. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Interestingly, men are never told exclusively in Scripture to submit, but to love.
Why? - I can only assume that men have problems loving and women have problems submitting.
In actuality, it only works when both play their parts.
Of course, that notion is not popular today and the divorce rates, broken families, and single motherhood bare this out. </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">God has established natural order whether we like it or not, and there are consequences when it is not followed (1 Corinthians 11:3-9; Colossians 3:18; Titus 2:5).
Any culture that rejects this will be to their own peril whether they believe it or not. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 25: <i>Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;</i></b>
Now Paul turns his attention to husbands where he tells them to love their wives just as Christ does the church by giving himself for it.
In like manner, the husband should be willing to lay his life down for his wife.
</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-24848629034391902302023-06-14T11:53:00.001-06:002023-06-14T11:56:13.273-06:00Ephesians | Session 24 | 5:14-21<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In our study today from Ephesians 5:14-21 we see Paul encouraging believers to wake up, walk carefully, and realize that the time is short and the days are evil.</span></p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><script>!function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u1fmxz"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");</script>
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Awake and Arise </b></span></span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 14: <i>Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.</i></b>
Who said it? - Apparently, the Lord did from the context.
This must be something that Paul received by revelation because nothing is said in the Old Testament that I can find.
It seems to be an encouragement to the one who is spiritually asleep. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 15: <i>See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,</i></b>
He then gives an encouragement for them to walk carefully in wisdom and not foolishness.
The idea is to take special pains to guard against sins he mentioned above. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 16: <i>Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.</i></b>
Literally to rescue our time and not waste it.
Why? - Because the days are evil and their are too many temptations around us everyday to do the opposite.
In other words, we are to make the most of the time that we have and not squander it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 17: <i>Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.</i></b>
Wherefore means "on account of this."
In other words, he is still adding on form the previous verses about time and evil, i.e., wise up and see what the Lord is doing around us and not become distracted. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 18: <i>And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;</i></b>
Drunkeness should be avoided, but instead we should be filled with the Holy Spirit.
To be drunk goes against verse 15 regarding walking circumspectly and not as fools. Drumkeness is also addressed in Galatians 5:21; Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 23:29-33. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verses 19-21: <i>Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.</i></b>
These verses list the things that should be the result of being filled with the Holy Spirit. They include: 1. <i><b>Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs</b></i>. The point is that being filled with the Spirit results in a desire to worship God.
2. <i><b>Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord</b></i>.
The resulting worship will come from the heart.
3. <i><b>Giving thanks always</b></i>.
It will result in an attitude of thanks. It has been said that God has not stopped being gracious, we have just stopped being thankful. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Lastly, </span><span>Paul says something that is very controversial in our society today that balks at the idea of submission. </span><span>4. </span><i><b>Submitting yourselves to one another in the fear of God</b></i><span>. </span><span>The word submit means to accept or yield to a superior force or authority.
It is really what I call deference.
Deference refers to a certain amount of respect or esteem that we give to others.
Our culture is quite honestly not very good at it today and I believe it is one of the reasons our society is failing.
He will continue to build on this principal in chapter 6. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Notice that he concludes the verse with all of these things need to be done <b><i>in the fear of the Lord</i></b>.
One commentator puts it this way, "a believer's continual reverence for God is the basis for his submission to other believers." Proverbs 9:10 says that <i>the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom</i>.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-89657472280770903912023-06-09T07:47:00.004-06:002023-06-10T10:19:05.586-06:00Ephesians | Session 23 | 5:5-13<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In Ephesians 5:5-13 Paul continues to address how followers of Christ should walk, the vices and sins that they should stay away from, and how to respond to those who are not doing so.</span></p><script>!function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u1fmxz"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");</script>
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No Inheritance </b></span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 5: <i>For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.</i></b>
Paul seems to be making a reference to verse 3.
He is not questioning their salvation, but their behavior.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">The verse gets a little confusing at <i><b>nor covetous man, who is an idolater</b></i> for me.
Barnes says of this, "the covetous man bestows on money the affections due to God" and uses Colossians 3:15 where Paul said almost the same thing, <i>Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry</i>. </span><span style="font-family: times;">The point is that the worship of material wealth is just as idolatrous as the worship of a piece of wood or block of stone.
And of course, idolaters have no <i><b>inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God</b></i>. </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The reasoning is that you either worship God or the god of this world.
Jesus said that no man can serve two masters in Matthew 6:24. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Be Not Partakers </b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Verse 6-7: <i>Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.</i></b>
This verse seems to be targeted at someone specifically that was spreading this stuff.
Paul has dealt with the issue before in when he said to the Romans </span><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them</i> (</span><span style="font-family: times;">Romans 16:17). He wrote to Titus </span><span style="font-family: times;"><i>A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; </i></span><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself</i> (Titus 3:10). And finally to the Thessalonians <i>And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. </i></span><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother</i> (</span><span style="font-family: times;">2 Thessalonians 3:14-15). </span><span style="font-family: times;">We in the Body of Christ need to stay away from confront, rebuke, and stay away from these people. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Sometimes in Darkness </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verses 8-9: <i>For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)</i></b>
He now reminds them that at one time they, Gentiles, were in darkness, but no longer as they have now come to the light and need to walk as such.
Notice that verse 9 is parenthetical.
He seems to be referring to the fruits of the Spirit that he is going to list in Galatians 5:22-23. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>What is Acceptable </b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Verse 10: <i>Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
When we walk in the light we are proving or showing what is acceptable which are the things that are good, righteous, and true.</i></b><i> </i>
The verse is similar to Romans 12:2 when he wrote </span><span style="font-family: times;"><i>And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><b>Verse 11: <i>And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.</i></b>
Albert Barnes said, "Instead of fellowshipping with the darkness, we need to reprove it."
This verse does not mean necessarily verbally, but with our lives and influence.
That only happens as we are walking in the light.
Our lives should be a standing rebuke to the sinful world around us. Paul wrote of this to the Corinthians </span><span><i>Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? </i></span><i>And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? </i><i>And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. </i><i>Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, </i><span><i>And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty</i> </span><span>(2 Corinthians 6:14-18). </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Done in Secret </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 12: <i>For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
It is a shame to even talk about the things that are done in the dark.</i></b>
I have heard far too many testimonies that did just this.
The miracle is not what He saved us from, but that he even saved us at all. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 13: <i>But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.</i></b> The things that are reproved are the works of darkness mentioned in verses 8-12.
The light is whatever is used to manifest it.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-82439395884428978392023-06-08T11:03:00.010-06:002023-06-10T10:43:52.749-06:00Ephesians | Session 22 | 4:31-5:4<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Our study today is taken from Ephesians 4:31-5:4 where Paul continues to speak of practical matters for the believer regarding how not to grieve the Holy Spirit in our relationships with others and ourselves.</span></p><script>!function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u1fmxz"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");</script>
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Put it Away From You </span></b><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 31:</b> <i><b>Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:</b></i> This verse presents a bit of challenge because of the last three words, <i><b>with all malace</b></i>.
Is he saying that the ones before it should not be done with malice or simply listing malice as another vice?
Malice by definition is to do something with ill-will or with the intent to hurt the other party.
Well, how can any of the afore be done without malice? (<i><b>Clamour</b></i> speaks of brawling).
Or is it saying that the last vice of evil speaking (slander) should not be done with ill intent?
Can you speak evil or slander someone without ill-intent? I don't think so. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Even as God Hath Forgiven You </span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 32: <i>And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.</i></b> Instead, Paul says that it is better to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, and forgiving just as Christ has forgiven us.
Which leads right into the next chapter.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Chapter 5 </span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">As Dear Children </span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 1: <i>Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;</i> </b>Paul continues to be practical.
The word followers means imitators.
In other words, we are to be imitators of God as dear children.
Just as a child would imitate their earthly fathers, so they should imitate their heavenly Father. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Walk in Love </span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 2: <i>And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.</i></b>
Notice that the believer is to walk in the love that Christ had for us.
Christ is to be our standard (2 Corinthians 10:12). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The rest of the verse demonstrates how much Christ loved us in that he and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God.
We are to walk in that same love.
That is a tall order for sure. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">As Becometh Saints </span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 3: <i>But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;</i></b>
Now he lists sins that should not be named among believers. Fornication includes all sexual sins. Other translations translate it as immorality. Uncleanness speaks of impurity. Covetousness means holding or desiring more or greed. These things should not be named among them <i><b>as becometh saints</b></i>.
Becometh can be translated as fitting or proper.
Believers should not be involved in these things, period, full stop. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Giving of Thanks </span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 4: <i>Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.</i></b>
Filthiness is obscene and speaks of the portrayal of sexual matters.
Foolish talking is just silly talk or buffoonery.
Jesting is turning words in a negative sense or twisting in a vulgar sense. We would call it today innuendo which is very prevalent. Not convenient simply means appropriate. In other words, we should not be doing the afore mentioned things because they are inappropriate for one who professes to believe in Christ. Instead, of doing those things, we should be giving thanks.
Barnes says of this, "Instead of filthiness, foolish talk, and jesting, we should be using that time in the service of God.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-34108165670187675362023-06-07T08:50:00.003-06:002023-06-10T10:42:42.770-06:00Ephesians | Session 21 | 4:22-30<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In our study today we find Paul continuing with practical application for the Body of Christ. This includes how we are to put off the old man that walked in his former lusts, put on the new man that walks in the Spirit, and the results that should follow.</span></p><script>!function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u1fmxz"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");</script>
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Put Off the Old Man </b></span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verses 22-23: <i>That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;</i></b>
His point is that the believer who has learned Christ, heard him, taught by him, and come to the understanding that the truth is in him, should live differently and not according to their own deceitful lusts (1 John 2:15-17).
Notice that the lusts are deceitful because they cause us to do things that we would not otherwise do.
His point is that we we should not live like we used to armed with this newfound knowledge
Instead, we are to be renewed in the spirit of our minds.
Why? - Because the former was corrupt.
The word renewed is to be renovated or reformed (2 Corinthians 4:16; Colossians 3:10). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Put On the New Man </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 24: <i>And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.</i></b>
I can't help but notice that the renewing and the putting on of the new man requires action on our part.
I have found that nothing in this walk merely happens by osmosis.
Osmosis is the process of gradual or unconscious assimilation of ideas, knowledge, etc.
Our walks with the Lord does not happen like that at all.
It must be acted upon or predetermined. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Members of One Another </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 25: <i>Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.</i></b>
Wherefore means in lieu of the afore mentioned.
Having put on the new man, we must put away lying, speak the truth, because we are members of one another now.
To be honest, I do not see a lot of the latter today; i.e., speak the truth. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Let Not the Sun Go Down </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verses 26-27: <i>Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.</i></b>
This verse is not saying that we are not to be angry, but to not let it lead us into sin by letting the sun go down on it, thereby giving place to the devil in our lives.
The verse follows verse 25 which spoke of speak truth to every man because we are members of one another.
The point is that we are not to let our anger boil over and get worse. Instead, we are to put away lying and speak every man truth with his neighbor. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Do That Things Which is Good </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 28: <i>Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.</i></b>
Paul uses the example of thievery to make his point about the change that should have taken place in the believer.
This is encouraged so that help can be extended to others instead of theft.
Again, the context is the body that is <i>fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth</i> (verse 16). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>No Corrupt Communication </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 29: <i>Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.</i></b>
Another example of how we as believers should act.
Again, these actions do not save us, but they should be the biproduct of our salvation and our putting on the new man (verse 4:24). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Also, our words to others should be edifying and not destructive, and I know that this can be done if we are walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) and putting on the new man. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Grieve Not the Spirit</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 30: <i>And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.</i></b>
In 1:13, it speaks of a sealing as well.
There is also a sealing mentioned in Revelation 7 that protects against physical harm.
This sealing is obviously not necessarily from physical harm because it is a spiritual one and speaks of eternal security.
Anyone who tells you that you can lose your salvation is not rightly dividing.
You can't justify that teaching reading the Paulene epistles. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-51430012860061708252023-06-04T08:39:00.003-06:002023-06-10T11:36:51.393-06:00Ephesians | Session 20 | 4:12-21<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Our study today is from Ephesians 4:12-21 where we see the Apostle Paul talking about the reason for the temporary ministry gifts were to bring unity into the Body of Christ until the revelation of the mystery was completed and how that it should bring not only unification, but also maturity to the Body.</span></p><script>!function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u1fmxz"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");</script>
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Perfecting of the Saints </b></span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 12: <i>For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:</i></b> The stated goal of these gifts was for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
Those who hold that these were given to the Kingdom church only will use the word saints as proof.
Again, the view would be that God gave these gifts to the kingdom church to lay the groundwork for the Body of Christ.
I do not agree with that view.
It means exactly what it says in my opinion. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Unity of the Faith </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 13: <i>Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:</i></b>
Again, the point of the gifts was unification of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man which would have been accomplished at the completion of the Paulene epistles which describes exactly what the new man/creature is (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:15; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10)
It was only after Paul had written the last of his letters to Timothy that the Body of Christ had the completed word of God. I believe that this is what <i><b>unto a perfect man </b></i>is referring to.
The perfect man or complete man is a mature believer who correctly understands the teaching of Scriptures, especially those written by Paul for the Body of Christ as that he was the only one who addressed the Body of Christ. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">No More Children </span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verses 14: <i>That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;</i></b>
As such, we be <b><i>no more children, tossed to and fro</i></b> and confused by <i><b>every wind</b></i> of false teaching that comes our way.
And of course, these false teachings are brought by men who use sleight of hand and craftiness, for the purpose of deceiving the untaught.
I believe in context, the men were and still are mixing Law and Grace, i.e., confusing the Body of Christ with spiritual Israel, etc.
In 1 Timothy 4:1, Paul says that these men are giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Truth in Love </span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 15: <i>But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:</i></b>
Instead, as mature believers, we should speak truth to the lies in love and continue grow in our walks and relationship with Christ who is the head of the body.
Christ is the head and we are his body (Colossians 1:24).
That's right, we are the Body of Christ. Many say that the Body of Christ is also the Bride of Christ. Unfortunately, those words are not even found in the Bible. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Fitly Joined Together </span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 16: <i>From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.</i></b> As his Body, we are fitly joined together and supported by every joint as we effectively work together, which leads to edification for everyone in love. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Walk Not As Others </span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">From verses 17-32, Paul gives practical instructions regarding how believers should walk in this knowledge. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 17: <i>This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,</i></b>
Now he focuses on the believing Gentiles and warns them, in lieu of all that he has previously stated, they should not walk as other Gentiles, in the vanity of their mind.
Vanity means inutility or of no use. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Alienated From the Life of God </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">And he goes on to say of the unbelieving Gentiles...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verses 18-19: <i>Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.</i></b>
He goes on to describe these Gentiles as doing so because their understanding has been darkened, and consequently, they have been alienated from the the life of God because of their ignorance and blindness to the truth.
The latter part about <i><b>giving themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness</b></i> is a reference to sexual sins and other vices and reminds me of what Paul spoke of in Romans 1:18-25 when he said <i>For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; </i><i>Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. </i><i>For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: </i><i>Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. </i><i>Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, </i><i>And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. </i><i>Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: </i><i>Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.</i> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">No So Learned </span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verses 20-21: <i>But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:</i></b> He is now comparing those who are vain in their thinking (verse 17) with those who have learned Christ. The NIV translates it <i>come to know Christ that way</i>.
In other words he is speaking to those who heard him, and have been taught by him. Of course, this today happens through the Word.
As such, we know that truth is in Jesus. He said as much in John 14:6.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-45104330909132103512023-05-30T10:23:00.001-06:002023-06-10T13:58:43.197-06:00Ephesians | Session 19 | 4:11<span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Today we find ourselves in Ephesians 4:11 where Paul is talking about the ministry gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.<script>!function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u1fmxz"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");</script>
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<span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 11: <i>And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;</i></b>
These are some of the gifts that were given unto men.
Some are quick to point out that these are not gifts, but positions that were given to administer the gifts.
By definition, apostles laid the foundation, prophets foretold and forthtold, evangelists had the gift of evangelism, pastors oversaw a flock, and teachers taught the Word. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The question is, "Who were these people?"
Is he referring to the apostles and prophets of the Old Testament?
To answer this, we need to remember what we studied in Ephesians 2:19-20 where it says, <i>Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; </i>
Like I said earlier, this is either saying that the church was built upon the foundation that was laid by the Old Testament prophets and the teachings of the Twelve like most in the church believe or it means that the church was built upon the foundation of some other prophets and apostles.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Well Ephesians 3:1-5 says clearly that the Old Testament prophets and apostles did not know what Paul knew regarding the mystery. So, how could the church, the Body of Christ, be built on them?
Paul also mentioned these guys in 1 Corinthians 12:28 when he said, <i>And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. </i></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">If they are truly indeed not the same, who were these prophets and apostles that Paul was talking about?
Whoever they were, it would seem they were the same ones he was speaking of here in Ephesians 4:11. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Apostles just means sent ones and they are mentioned in Ephesians 2:20 and Ephesians 3:5.
Prophets are seen throughout the early church (Acts 13:1; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 1Corinthians 14:29-32).
Again, it would seem that he could not be speaking about Old Testament prophets and apostles.
If indeed not, these were some new type of grace apostles and prophets, who according to the verse 13 were appointed until we all come to <i>the unity of faith</i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">So, the next question is are they still around today?
I am of the mind at the moment that these offices were discontinued after the completion of the Paulene epistles which is what Paul was referring to when he said <i>until we all come to the unity of the faith</i> in verse 13. One writer says regarding this, "Jesus gave gifts for a while unto the Body of Christ during its infancy to take it to full maturity. When the word of God was completed then that which was in part were done away with just like he said in 1 Corinthians 13:8-13." </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">He is referring to what Paul wrote when he said to the Corinthians that </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i>Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. </i></span><i style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. </i><i style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. </i><i style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. </i><i style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. </i><i style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. </i></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">His point about <i>that which is perfect</i>, which has always been controversial, is that when it does come, </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">the gifts would be done away with because they will no longer be needed.
I've heard that it is a reference to the Second Coming. Of course, when Jesus comes those positions or offices will no longer by needed. I have heard that it is a reference to the eternal state and, of course, at that time they will not be needed either. And I have heard that it is a reference to the completion of the Scriptures. </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Of course, while the first two are still yet future. we already have the Scriptures. </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The word <i>perfect</i> actually means having reached its end or complete. It is the Greek word <i>teleios</i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With that said, that can't be referring to the actual canonization of Scripture which happened between AD 393 and AD 397at the Councils of Hippo and Carthage. That was merely when the twenty-seven books of our New Testament were deemed authoritative by the church. Instead, the completion of Scripture occurred when the last Paulene letter was penned by the apostle in AD 66-67. That would have been 2 Timothy. Of course, most say that the Epistles of John and Revelation were the last to be written. I disagree with a late date for those books due to their purpose and content. They had to have been written before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. That is another study for another day. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Back to these ministry gifts, there is disagreement all around. Some contend that all of them ceased because Paul says that the only positions in the church are elders and deacons in Timothy and Titus.
They also point to the word gave as past tense and therefore transitory.
2. Some contend that only the first two ceased because once the entire revelation was completed, there was no longer any need for the apostles and prophets.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-56077749515314804592023-05-23T11:14:00.003-06:002023-06-12T05:47:41.709-06:00Ephesians | Session 18 | 4:8-10<span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>In our study today from Ephesians 4:8-10, we take a closer look at a passage that is oftentimes misunderstood. We are reminded that context is key to the true interpretation of any passage of Scripture.</span><script>!function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u1fmxz"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");</script>
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<span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 8: <i>Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.</i></b>
Paul now quotes from Psalms 68:18.
Remember that the context is the gifts that he just spoke of in the previous verses.
As such, whatever he is quoting is to make his point about said gifts. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The context of the psalm is in the future when when Christ will reign after taking back what belongs to him.
The phrase led captivity captive in these verses speak of him triumphing over his enemies by the resurrection from the dead (Ephesians 1:18-22).
Paul is drawing from the Roman Triumph which was a celebration of the success of a military commander.
On the day of his triumph, the successful general would wear a crown of laurel and an all-purple, gold-embroidered triumphal toga picta ("painted" toga), regalia that identified him as near-divine or near-kingly.
In some accounts, his face was painted red, perhaps in imitation of Rome's highest and most powerful god, Jupiter.
The general rode in a four-horse chariot through the streets of Rome in unarmed procession with his army, captives, and the spoils of his war and at Jupiter's temple on the Capitoline Hill, he offered sacrifice and the tokens of his victory to the god Jupiter.
The order of the procession would be the captive leaders, their allies, and soldiers (and sometimes their families) usually walking in chains; some were destined for execution or slavery. All this was done to the accompaniment of music, clouds of incense, and the strewing of flowers. This is most likely what Paul was talking about in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Others have pointed out that Paul did not quote the passage precisely.
The Psalmist actually said <i>thou hast received gifts for men</i> while Paul said and <i><b>gave gifts unto men</b></i>.
So one says received while the other gave.
He could be saying that what Christ received, he was now giving, i.e., grace gifts (verse 7, 11).
Again, the point and the context is gifts. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Now, for years, I have taught that those captives being referred to were those who were in paradise who had died before the resurrection.
Not so sure about that view now.
He seems to be referring to his enemies instead. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Lower Parts of the Earth</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verses 9-10: <i>(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)</i></b> It must be noted that these verses are parenthetical.
That means that verse 8 runs directly into verse 11.
This verse simply speaks of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
Unlike what the apostles creed says, Jesus did not descend into Hell, but Sheol; the place of the dead (Luke 16:19-31).
Hell is where men go after the judgment, the Lake of Fire, and that has not happened yet, therefore, it was empty then and it is empty now.
The first to be thrown into hell will be the Antichrist and the False Prophet (Revelation 19:20) and then the devil himself (Revelation 20:10).</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-73476847039374829462023-05-19T13:10:00.003-06:002023-06-12T13:04:56.096-06:00Ephesians | Session 17 | 3:20-4:7<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In our study today from Ephesians 3:20-4:7 we see Paul giving a doxology at the end of chapter 2, inviting us to walk deserving of our calling, describing how and why, and assuring us that God has given us everything we need to do it.
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Exceeding Abundantly </b></span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verses 20-21: <i>Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.</i></b> This is a doxology which is defined as a spontaneous exclamation of praise.
Apparently, Paul got a little beside himself as some would say. It is interesting that the words <i><b>exceeding abundantly</b></i> is one word in the original and only used by Paul.
It literally means to an extent which cannot be expressed. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Chapter 4 </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Prisoner of the Lord </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 1: <i>I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,</i></b> Just as in Paul's other epistles, he transitions from the doctrinal to the practical with the word therefore (Romans 12:1; Colossians 3:5). </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">In other words, now that you know the mystery, the manifold wisdom of God, this is how you should live. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The word <b><i>beseech</i></b> means to call or invite.
The word <i><b>worthy</b></i> is <i>axios</i> which means to deserving or due reward.
The word <i><b>vocation</b></i> speaks more of a calling than a career as it is commonly used today. Paul also uses the word </span><i style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>therefore</b></i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> a lot to express in lieu of all that I have previously stated. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>Unity of the Spirit </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>Verses 2-3: <i>With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.</i></b>
In these verses he goes on to tell them five things regarding walking worthy.
It is to be done in: 1. lowliness (humility); 2. meekness (gentleness); 3. longsuffering (patience); 4. forbearing (self-control or refraining); and 4. endeavoring (concerted effort). And he concludes that it is possible because of the common love and the bond of peace that we share. </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The word <i><b>bond</b></i> speaks of a uniting principle. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>One Body and One Spirit </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>Verses 4-6: <i>There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.</i></b>
In these verses he goes on to tell them seven reasons why they should walk worthy.
These include because there is only <b><i>one body, and one Spirit</i></b> (2:18, 22); <b><i>one hope of your calling</i></b> (rapture/return, Titus 2:13, the point is that it should be unifying); <b><i>one Lord, one faith, one baptism</i></b> (Galatians 2:16); <i><b>one God and Father who is above, through, and in you all</b></i>.
In other words, we are in this thing together.
There is no second body, Spirit, calling, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father.
Any faults in the church today is man's fault and not God's. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>Given Grace </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>Verse 7: <i>But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.</i></b>
The point is that God has given every believer his favor for each of us to live as we ought to and to walk worthy (verse 1).
Does this mean that he has given more to some than to others?
I believe that he is simply saying that every one of us have been given enough grace to fulfill God's purposes and callings in our lives (Romans 12:3; John 1:16). </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-17494861222256609312023-05-13T15:05:00.003-06:002023-05-13T15:05:54.296-06:00The Dual Natured Kingdom<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpflV933zBU5LJadYB2D1NISJNfnKIUtZ2Kajvm4dreomlAlSB8USktpMk7WqbdVyv9fTkpRj3uGYKkun40cyJxBADuVOEWbf161rnDQot9NeHLl5S5sypZSHAnH-g8gg0lxEsxTDYUtUR9HquMNxJTifIWQjAUDGG5qYnZqwc102E3T8ocdCTWgor/s450/202747276-golden-city-in-the-sky-christian-illustration-concept-of-new-jerusalem-ai-generated.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpflV933zBU5LJadYB2D1NISJNfnKIUtZ2Kajvm4dreomlAlSB8USktpMk7WqbdVyv9fTkpRj3uGYKkun40cyJxBADuVOEWbf161rnDQot9NeHLl5S5sypZSHAnH-g8gg0lxEsxTDYUtUR9HquMNxJTifIWQjAUDGG5qYnZqwc102E3T8ocdCTWgor/s320/202747276-golden-city-in-the-sky-christian-illustration-concept-of-new-jerusalem-ai-generated.webp" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">There is a teaching in the church today that is called the Dual Natured Kingdom. It is the Kingdom that Jesus spoke of is here spiritually, but not yet physically. In other words, the church has the spiritual realities of the promises Kingdom that was given at Pentecost, but not yet the physical. Some refer to it as "almost, not yet". </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The results of this faulty teaching are pretty obvious according to Dr. Randy White. They include:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">1. The Bible speaks only of an earthly, physical, and fraternal Kingdom. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">2. This teaching fails to distinguish the Body of Christ from the Kingdom leaving the two to be conflated. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">3. This teaching requires that the realities of the "spiritual" Kingdom be experienced today, i.e., authority, dominion, miracles, etc. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">4. The biproduct of this teaching is the ecumenical social justice movement that is now prevalent in most mainstream denominational churches.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">5. The Roman Catholic Church was the first to embrace this teaching and must stand on it or they would cease to exist. </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-44637513333523831982023-05-12T11:13:00.002-06:002023-06-13T06:08:34.143-06:00Ephesians | Session 16 | 3:14-19<span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>In our study today from Ephesians 3:14-19, Paul offers a prayer for strength in the inner man, that Christ would dwell in their hearts by faith, that they might be rooted and grounded in love, understanding, and the love of Christ.
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Verses 14-15: <i>For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,</i></b> For this cause implies that since Paul now knows the manifold wisdom of God (verse 10) and his eternal purpose (verse 11) now, he bows his knees in prayer to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named and asks the following in verses 16-19. Guzik points out that our prayers are much more effective when we know what we are praying for according to the purpose and will of God. </span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">On a side note, the Bible has enough prayer not on the knees to show us that it isn’t required, but it also has enough prayer on the knees to show us that it is a good thing as well. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Inner Man </span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 16: <i>That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;</i></b>
His prayer is that they might be strengthened with might, but according to the riches of his glory in the inner man by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 16:13). So, his desire is that they are continually strengthened abundantly according the working of the Holy Spirit in the inner man (Romans 7:22; 2Corinthians 4:16). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The inner man is said to be the heart, mind, and soul, as compared to the outer man.
Just as the outer man needs to be cared for, so does the inner.
Albert Barnes said, "the inner man needs a constant supply of grace. Every Christian needs grace given each day to enable him to bear trials, to resist temptation, to discharge his duty, to live a life of faith." I believe this requires action on our part as that it does not come naturally, i.e., Galatians 5:16. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Illustration:</b> An old Indian Chief, of an American Indian tribe, had just come to a new faith in Jesus, because of the regular visits to his tribe by an early American preacher. As the preacher continued to make his visits to the tribe, he continued to instruct the Chief in the workings of his new faith. One day, as the preacher came to visit, he asked the new Believer, "Well, Chief, how's it going?" The Chief replied,.. "... Two Dogs inside, a Small Dog & a Big Dog, always fighting." So, the preacher asked, "Well, which dog is winning?" To which the Chief replied,.. "The one that I feed." Again, we choose which dog we feed every day. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Dwell in Their Hearts by Faith </span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 17: <i>That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,</i></b>
This is a continuous thought from verse 16 implying that if you they did verse 16, Christ would dwell in their hearts by faith and they would be rooted and grounded in love, and be able to... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 18-19: <i>May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.</i></b>
In other words, it is only then that they would be able to understand (comprehend) with all the saints the breadth, length, depth, and height of the love of Christ. Of course, none of us can attain to that in this life, but it is no reason not to try.
After all, it is necessary if we would ever desire to be filled with the fulness of God.
That means to be filled to capacity with Jesus.
Who wouldn't want that?
Well, it doesn't come by osmosis!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-39594544263603790232023-05-10T09:53:00.003-06:002023-06-16T13:35:00.428-06:00Ephesians | Session 15 | 3:9-13<span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>In our study today from Ephesians 3:9-13, we see Paul stating that his purpose in life was to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery to the extent that even the principalities and powers in heavenly places would know, the phrase faith of him, and his desire that they should not not feel sorry for him, but realize that everything that he was going through was actually for them.
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Verse 9: <i>And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:</i></b>
Interestingly, translations differ regarding the translation of the fellowship of the mystery. The English Standard Version translates it <i>plan of the mystery.</i> The New American Standard translates it <i>administration of the mystery. </i>The Revised Version translates it <i>dispensation of the mystery</i>. </span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Paul's ministry statement here is twofold.
To share the gospel of grace with was committed to his trust.
And, to make all men see the fellowship of the mystery concerning Jew and Gentile in one new man (the Body of Christ), which had been hid in God from the beginning.
One commentator said that the mystery was hidden from Satan so that he would go through with the crucifixion.
In other words, if he had known the mystery that lay on the other side, the salvation of the Gentiles, he would not have pushed for it (1 Corinthians 2:6-8). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 10: <i>To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,</i></b>
Now everyone knows the manifold wisdom of God regarding Jew and Gentile.
Now even the principalities and powers in heavenly places know. Some commentators infer that this is speaking about earthly rulers and powers, however, it clearly says that these are in heavenly places.
He will talk about these again in Ephesians 6:12. He is saying that now, even the heavenly realm knows. Again, I reference 1 Corinthians 2:6-8.
I am reminded of what Peter said in 1 Peter 1:10-12. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">F.F. Bruce said, "The accomplishment of this eternal purpose of God’s has not in view only those who enter into the good of it on this earth. The triumph of his grace in overcoming an otherwise insurmountable barrier and uniting the two sections of mankind in Christ holds instruction for the inhabitants of the celestial realms." He also mentioned 1 Corinthians 11:10 as a proof text. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The manifold wisdom of God has the idea of intricacy, complexity, or great beauty. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 11: <i>According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:</i></b>
The dispensation of grace has always been in God's eternal purpose.
That doesn't mean that God overruled man's will, but that he knew.
Again, the message of the Twelve was always known, but the message of Paul was unique, but in God's eternal purpose. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 12: <i>In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.</i></b>
Notice the boldness and access that we now have is the result of the faith of him.
It is our faith in his faith that brings about salvation (Philippians 3:9; Romans 3:22; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 2:20)
If it were not for his faith, ours would not matter.
Sadly, other translations totally miss this.
ESV our faith in him (cf. above verses)
NIV through faith in him
NAS through faith in him
Believe or not the NET gets it right when it accurately translates because of Christ's faithfulness. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 13: <i>Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.</i></b>
This is a reference back to verse 1.
In other words, he is saying, "Do not feel sorry for me."
The verse literally means, don't faint, or be discouraged by my trials for you, because they are to your glory.
In other words, all that he went through was for them.
He said something similar to the Colossians in Colossians 1:24.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-4089843267473712842023-05-10T09:50:00.005-06:002023-06-13T09:34:25.991-06:00Ephesians | Session 14 | 3:6-8<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In our study today in Ephesians 3:6-8, Paul continues his explanation that believing Gentiles and Jews are now in the same body and partakers of the same promise, and he expresses his gratitude that God still chose to use him who was formerly a blasphemer to preach it.</span></p><p><br /></p><script>!function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u1fmxz"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");</script><div id="rumble_v2jezri"></div>
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Verse 6: <i>That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:</i></b>
This is the mystery! Jew and Gentile in one body.
No where in the Bible was this event foretold, i.e., Hebrew Scriptures. </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">This </span><i style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>But Now</b></i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> (Ephesians 2:13) period in which we live was never spoken of until Paul. </span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verses 7-8: <i>Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;</i></b>
Paul's point is that his ministry to the Gentiles with the mystery was the result of the gift of the grace of God that was given to him by <i><b>the effectual working of his power</b></i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I believe that gift of the grace of God was his salvation while some would say that it was the actual grace gospel that he is referring to.
I do know that Paul was a blasphemer and that according to Matthew 12:31 his only way of salvation would have had to have been grace. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I also believe that he was indeed the first (1Timothy 1:11-16). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What does he mean that he is the least of all saints?
I believe that he makes this statement because of the persecution that he inflicted on the kingdom church (1 Timothy 1:11-16) and the fact that God would still choose to use him to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Again, I believe that he is referring to the mystery, that until revealed only to him, and thus, unsearchable (Colossians 1:26-27).
</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-65093792021433123102023-04-30T18:04:00.002-06:002023-06-13T09:55:26.898-06:00Ephesians | Session 13 | 3:3-5<span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>Today we take a closer look at Ephesians 3:3-5 where Paul discusses the mystery that was only revealed to him as he had mentioned "afore in a few words", various views on that statement regarding dispensational theology, and briefly conclude with who the "holy apostles and prophets" are with whom he says that he revealed it to.
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Verses 3-4: <i>How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)</i></b>
I have come to know that if you do not correctly understand the mystery as revealed to Paul, and its significance, you will never know how to rightly interpret or understand your Bible, and will walk in a constant state of confusion. Normally, it doesn't take me more than a few minutes to determine if someone understands it. </span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Twelve only received the mysteries of the kingdom according to Matthew 13:11.
That is totally different from the mystery that Paul received that had been kept secret since the world began (Romans 16:25; Colossians 1:26). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Notice the parenthetical (as I wrote afore in few words).
He is most likely referring to Ephesians 1:9 and Ephesians 2:19, but, he could have also been looking back to Galatians 1:15-16.
There are those who hold what is called an Acts 28 position which says that Paul did not have the mystery revealed to him during the Acts Period.
Therefore, anything he wrote during that period did not contain it, i.e., Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, and Thessalonians.
Therefore, only Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, Philemon, Timothy, and Titus apply to the Body of Christ. Those who hold this position say that Paul preached the Kingdom Gospel in the Acts Period and the Grace Gospel after the Acts Period. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 5: <i>Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; </i></b>
Again, Paul is clearly saying that what he received was not what was given to the Twelve, or anyone else for that matter.
And now it has been revealed through Paul to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit (Ephesians 2:20). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> Some commentators will refer to Peter at this point as having received the same revelation back in Acts 10:9-20 before going to Cornelius' house.
Sure, Peter's vision was that the Gentiles were in, but that was not the same revelation that Paul had received that they would do so outside of the law and completely by grace. We know this because Peter preached the kingdom gospel to Cornelius and continued to do so for the rest of his life.
Unlike the grace gospel, the kingdom gospel required baptism, repentance, and adherence to the law.
They were not the same.
"Things that are similar are not the same."</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-90525783052842548692023-04-23T19:13:00.008-06:002023-06-14T13:59:49.050-06:00Ephesians | Session 12 | 3:1-2<span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>In our study today from Ephesians 3:1-2 we see Paul explaining that he was a prisoner of Jesus Christ because of the message that he taught regarding Jew and Gentile now being one in the Body of Christ because of the dispensation of grace that had been given to him. We also take a closer look at dispensationalism, define it, and compare it to covenantalism.</span><script>!function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u1fmxz"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");</script></span><div id="rumble_v2hh1jg"></div>
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Chapter 3 </span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 1: <i>For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,</i></b>
For what cause? - The fact that he was teaching that Jew and Gentile are now one in Christ (verses 4-6). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Interestingly, while Paul was physically a prisoner of Rome, he viewed himself as a prisoner of Jesus Christ instead (Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:1, 2 Timothy 1:8). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">He goes on to say that his imprisonment was for you Gentiles.
And his mission as a prisoner was to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16).
Guzik says that Paul knew that Jesus was the Lord of his life and not the Romans: he was Jesus' prisoner. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Dispensationalism </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 2: <i>If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:</i></b>
This is a very important verse in that it mentions the very thing that our Reformed brethren deny: dispensationalism.
The word simply mean administration, economy, or stewardship; and it was given by Revelation to Paul (verse 3).
It is also used in 1 Corinthians 9:17; Ephesians 1:10; and Colossians 1:25. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Moses and Paul </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Interestingly, the character most similar to Paul in the Bible is Moses is that both received new revelation in Arabia (Galatians 4:25; Galatians 1:17) which was the beginning of a new dispensation: Law and Grace. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Two Basic Methods </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It must be recognized that while God does not change, his ways of dealing with man has and these are called dispensations.
There are basically two lenses today through which to interpret the Bible: Covenantalism and Dispensationalism. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">At the risk of oversimplifying both, the difference between the two is that Covenantalism interprets the Scriptures through the lens of covenants, i.e., Adamic (Gen 1-3), Noahic (Gen 6-9), Abrahamic (Gen 12), Mosaic (Exo 19), Davidic (2 Sam 7), and the New Covenant (Jer 31-34). On the other hand, Dispensationalism sees the Scripture through dispensations which are defined as a particular means by which God deals with man and creation during a given period in redemptive history. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">At first they might sounds pretty similar, but R.C. Sproll, of Ligonier Ministries further explains it this way when he said, "Dispensationalism differs from Reformed covenant theology in a number of ways, but the most significant is this idea of two peoples of God. Covenant theology affirms that there is one people of God and thus continuity between the people of God in the Old Testament and the people of God in the New Testament. Covenant theology is not, as some dispensationalists assert, “replacement theology” because in covenant theology, the church is not technically replacing Israel. The church is the organic continuation of the Old Testament people of God. The oneness of the people of God is evident by an examination of several New Testament texts, e.g., Romans 11." The immediate that I see with this summation is that Romans 11 is not dealing with the Body of Christ, but the blessings that the Gentiles received when the natural branches were broken off. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Naysayers </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Some distractors will say that Dispensationalism did not originate until the nineteenth century with John Nelson Darby and subsequently popularized by the Scofield Bible.
However, I believe that the early church was dispensational to begin with, e.g., Dispensationalism Revisited. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Again, Dispensationalism is a method of interpreting history that divides God’s work and purposes toward mankind into different periods of time.
In the most popular view, there are seven dispensations which include: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>1. Innocence </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This period covers Genesis 1:28-30 to 2:15-17.
It began with creation and ended when they they disobeyed by eating the forbidden fruit and were expelled from the garden.
It lasted only until innocence was lost. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>2. Conscience </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This period covers Genesis 3:8 to 8:22.
It began with the first sin and ended with the flood.
So it covered Adam and Eve's eviction until the flood.
It demonstrated what man will do if left to his own will and conscience. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>3. Human Government </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This period covers Genesis 9-11. It began post flood and ended at the Tower of Babel.
It was during this time that God laid down the law of capital punishment and told man to scatter and fill the earth.
They didn't and instead decided to built a tower to their solidarity and pride (Genesis 11:7-9).
God stopped it by confusing their language and forcing them to scatter into language groups. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>4. Promise </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This period covers Genesis 12:1 to Exodus 19:25. It began with the promises made to Abraham and continued with the patriarchs (Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph) and end with the Jewish Exodus from Egypt under the leadership of Moses. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>5. Law</b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The commonly accepted period covers Exodus 20 to Acts 2. The fifth dispensation is called the Dispensation of Law and lasted until it was suspended at the crucifixion for most, but I would argue that it was suspended after the rejection of the Kingdom by the nation instead. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>6. Grace </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The commonly accepted period for this sixth dispensation is Acts 2 to Revelation 20:3 and the Millennial Kingdom.
However, I would argue that it began with the conversion of Paul in 1Timothey 1:15-16. I would also argue that it end at the rapture of the Church. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The time in which we live was never in view in Old Testament prophesy.
I refer to this period as the postponement because the clock stopping ticking between the 69th and 70th week (Daniel 9:24). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Randy White makes some very good points about the dispensation in which we live.
1. It offers individual verses national salvation.
2. It is unrelated to the Kingdom.
3. Is has a Savior rather than a Messiah or King.
4. Its salvation does not require works and does not allow works because it is fully a gift of God.
5. It is available to anyone, anytime, anywhere. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">7. Millennial Kingdom</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This period began at the Second Coming and ends with the Great White Throne Judgment.
The old world is destroyed by fire, and the New Heaven and New Earth of Revelation 21 and 22 will begin which some call an eighth dispensation (or ninth). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>To You-Ward</b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Notice also that this dispensation of grace had been given to you-ward.
F.F. Bruce points out that this marks out his Gentile readers as the recipients of this grace.
Again, Paul was the only apostle that could make this claim.
He repeats it several times throughout his writings (cf. v.8; Romans 11:13; Romans 12:3; Romans 15:15-16; 1 Corinthians 9:17; Galatians 1:15-16; Galatians 2:8-9; Colossians 1:25; 1 Timothy 1:11; and 1 Timothy 2:7).</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-61040174616673823992023-04-15T14:22:00.004-06:002023-06-15T11:19:58.642-06:00Ephesians | Session 11 | 2:16-22<span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In our study today from Ephesians 2:16-22, we take a look at how by removing the enmity between Jew and Gentile, God has made one new man. Therefore the Jew and Gentile are now fellow citizens in the household of God. We also take a look at who the prophets and apostles are that he refers to.
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Verse 16: <i>And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:</i></b>
Now both Jew and Gentile make up one body called the Body of Christ.
This is the result of us both being reconciled to God by the cross.
The enmity having been slain (v.15). </span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verses 17-18: <i>And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.</i></b>
Jesus came to preach the message of peace to those which were afar off (Gentile), and to them that were nigh (Jew).
Now they both have access to the Father, unlike before when only the Jews had access. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 19: <i>Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;</i></b>
He is still building off of what he had said in 2:11-12.
In other words, now that the enmity has been removed and the Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners, they are now <i><b>fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God</b></i>.
Contextually, this is clearly saying that Jew and Gentile have been made one in the Body of Christ.
Why would he say that? - Because it wasn't true before that (Mat_15:21-28). </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Also, it is not saying that the church has now been made a part of Israel. Nope. Never. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Incidentally, that is not what Romans 11 was saying either.
The Body of Christ is not in view in that chapter but Gentiledom as a whole. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>Built Upon the Foundation </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>Verses 20-22: <i>And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.</i></b>
These verses can only mean one or two things.
1. The church was built upon the foundation that was laid by the Old Testament prophets and the teachings of the Twelve, or...
2. The church was built upon the foundation of some other prophets and apostles. </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Ephesians 3:4-5 says clearly that the Old Testament prophets and apostles did not know what Paul knew regarding the mystery, so it can not be talking about them. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Who were these prophets and apostles? It would seem they are the ones who is going to speak of in Ephesians 4:11-13.
If that is the case, these were grace apostles and prophets, who according to the text were appointed until <i>we all come to the unity of faith</i>.
I am of the mind at the moment that these offices were discontinued after the completion of the Paulene epistles.
That being the case, these were also the ones that he was referring to in 1 Corinthians 12:28 as well.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-54768401491659315182023-04-15T14:21:00.008-06:002023-06-15T11:43:29.088-06:00Ephesians | Session 10 | 2:10-15<span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In our study today from Ephesians 2:10-15, we find Paul describing how the Body of Christ is God's workmanship that was created in Christ and it was made possible when the law ordinances was removed making both Jew and Gentile one.</span>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hHhsfGGCiPQ" title="YouTube video player" width="520"></iframe> <div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>His Workmanship </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 10: <i>For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.</i></b>
Every body knows verses 8-9, but not this one.
His point is that, we, as the Body of Christ that is saved by grace through faith are his workmanship.
We are his workmanship! He made us! We are the new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 2:14). </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">As such, we were created in Christ Jesus the moment we trusted the Gospel and became the new man (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10). </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The other similar approach to the verse is that the Body of Christ, the one new man, is what God is building today and that is his workmanship. </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Either one is correct in the one is singular and the other plural. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i><b>Unto good works</b></i> is what God is doing through us.
They are not our works, but his that he does through us (Romans 3:12; Colossians 1:6). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Now some will say the opposite, spring boarding off of 1 Corinthians 3:9-10, when Paul speaks of himself as a wise master builder, and we are doing the good work of building the church today by reaching the world for Christ with the gospel.
Even so, it is God doing it through us. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>In Time Past </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>Verses 11-12: <i>Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:</i></b>
Now he turns his attention back to the Gentiles who in time past were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
This is the state of Gentiles prior to Christ.
Why? - Because they were not included in the covenants that God had made with Israel.
The only way for a Gentile to get into Israel's blessings were for them to be proselytized (Esther 8:17).
Of course, this is no longer required today because of the blood of Christ that we will see in the next verse. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>The Error of Covenant Theology</b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">To me, these verses fly in the face of covenant theology that teaches there is only one people of God instead of Jew and Gentile.
There was and is an obvious separation and that is what he is explaining in these verses.
Again, we all approach the Scriptures with a filter that has been given to us.
If you were raised or at least exposed to one form of hermeneutic, you have a filter that can hinder you from approaching Scripture with an open mind.
Instead, we approach the Bible with a preconception and therefore just seek to prove it.
In other words, we see what we want to see. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 13: <i>But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.</i></b>
Again, this verse is still speaking of the Gentiles who were far off, but have now been made nigh by the blood of Christ.
In other words, our status has changed from being far to nigh because of Christ's work on the cross and the blood that he shed to that end.
This is the gospel or reconciliation as shared by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Understand that in time past, for a Gentile to be saved, they had to recognize that they were outside of the nation, and could only be brought in by proselytization via circumcision and keeping the law of Moses just like the nation.
But not now. Now, both Jew and Gentile come to God the same way through faith alone, apart from the works of the law.
As such, verse 14. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 14: <i>For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;</i></b>
Christ brought about peace between the Gentiles and God removing the middle wall of partition that was between us.
Remember in the Old Testament that God separated his people from the rest (Exodus 11:7; Numbers 23:9).
The only physical mention of this wall is the one that separated the court of women from the court of the Gentiles.
Josephus mentions this wall as having been three cubits high.
A cubit was the distance between the elbow and the tip of the middle finger.
That would make the wall about 4.5' tall and the penalty was death if crossed.
Whether a spiritual wall or a physical wall, the point is that it is gone now and Jew and Gentile are reconciled to God in the same way through faith in Christ. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 15: <i>Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;</i></b>
This is a continual thought from verse 14.
Having abolished means to bring to nought or bring to an end.
Christ did this in his flesh which is referring to the crucifixion.
The enmity speaks of the cause of separation. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What caused the separation between Jew and Gentile? - <i><b>The law of commandments contained in the ordinances</b></i>.
Explain. The law actually placed a separation between the Jew and the Gentile.
It actually served to alienate the nation of Israel from the rest.
They were a set-apart people who saw themselves as the favorites of God in that they held the oracles of God (Romans 3:2).
They had the only way to salvation and if you a Gentile wanted in, they had to become one of them.
But when Christ came, by his death he abolished all of that and made in himself of twain one new man, so making peace. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The law of commandments mentioned here is not a reference to moral law, but ceremonial, i.e., sacrifices, festivals, fasts, etc.
cf. positive and negative commandments.
It was the positive commandments that set Israel apart and caused occasion for the animosity between them and the Gentiles. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i><b>For to make in himself one new man</b></i> speaks of the two becoming one in the Body of Christ so making peace.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-77067059439418004262023-04-15T14:18:00.007-06:002023-06-15T13:11:50.554-06:00Ephesians | Session 9 | 2:6-9<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Today we find ourselves in Ephesians 2:6-9 where the Apostle Paul declares that we have been raised with Christ to sit in heavenly places, so that one day he will show the exceeding riches of his grace toward us, and reminds us that our salvation was purely by grace and not anything that we could have done to deserve it.</span></p>
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Verse 6: <i>And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:</i></b> </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">As such, we have been raised up together, and made to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">This is the position of the Body of Christ.
The promises for Israel are earthly while those for the Body are heavenly. </span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I see significance in the fact that he says that we are in heavenly places in Christ and not with Christ. We are in heavenly places now, but will some day by with him (Philippians 3:20). </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Les Feldick is very good at pointing out our place in Christ.
The Body of Christ, Jew and Gentile, are now in Christ, but one day we will be with Christ. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 7: <i>That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.</i></b> Still building on the previous verse in some day in the future we will not only be in Christ but with Christ when he ultimately shows <i><b>the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus</b></i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verses 8-9: <i>For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.</i></b> We, the Body of Christ, are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, as such none of us have the right to boast. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I do believe that the faith being referred to here goes back to Galatians 2:16 which is a reference to the faith of Jesus Christ.(Philippians 3:9).
It is his faith that is the gift of God to all who believe in his death, burial, and resurrection (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Grace is Not Exclusive </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">It is also worthwhile to mention that grace is not exclusively to this dispensation.
God has always shown grace since the beginning.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-5063389511680429662023-03-21T17:33:00.008-06:002023-06-15T20:52:28.356-06:00Ephesians | Session 8 | 2:1-5<span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>In our study through Ephesians today, we break into chapter two where Paul reminds us that even though we used to walk according to this world in our trespasses and sins, and obeyed the desires of our flesh, now we have been made alive in Christ because of his great love toward us.</span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><script>!function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u1fmxz"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");</script></span><div id="rumble_v2bg8yq"></div>
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Chapter 2 </b></span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 1: <i>And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;</i></b>
The word quickened means to be made alive.
Just as he was made alive, so we too.
However, notice what it is in italics in the KJV.
It literally says, And you, who were dead in trespasses and sins.
He is reminding them of where they once were.
In other passages, Paul points out that we were blind (2 Corinthians 4:3-4), slaves to sin (Romans 6:17), aliens (Ephesians 2:12; Ephesians 2:19), children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3), under the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13), i.e., nothing good.
Also notice that he says in trespasses and sins.
Trespass speaks of willful disobedience and sins speak of simply failure to live up to the standard. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 2: <i>Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:</i> </b>
The emphasis is that dead people walk according to the course of this world and according to the prince of the power of the air.
His point is that people who have been made alive no longer do either (Colossians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
The children of disobedience are the lost.
The Greek indicates that these have no faith. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 3: <i>Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.</i></b>
He is saying that all of us in time past lived according to the lusts of the flesh (1 John 2:16) and fulfilling its desires, and were just as much children of wrath as the heathen were (Isaiah 53:6; Romans 1:21-25; Romans 3:9-12; Romans 5:12-19). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It has been said that while a dead man might feel comfortable in a coffin, a live man does not.
When we were spiritually dead in our trespasses and sins, it was all we knew, but now that we have been made alive, it is no longer comfortable.
Children of the day no longer feel comfortable walking in darkness (Ephesians 5:8; Ephesians 5:11). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Verses 4-5: <i>But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)</i></b> But God has to be two of the greatest words in all of the Bible.
He loved us anyway and in spite of ourselves.
I have heard it said that God does not love me because of who I am but in spite of who I am. </span><span style="font-family: times;">This also reveals that God's motivation was love toward us: love (Romans 5:8). </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Quickened</b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Notice it says that he hath quickened us together with Christ.
That means to be made alive.
It is also used in verse 1.
Paul again seems to be pointing out the power of God as evidenced in the resurrection and his exaltation to the right hand of God that he just mentioned in chapter 1:19-23. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Mercy and Grace</b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Notice that he mentions both mercy and grace meaning they are not the same thing.
Mercy is not getting what you deserve while grace is getting what you don't deserve. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>By Grace are Ye Saved</b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Notice also in parenthesis he says <i><b>by grace ye are saved</b></i>.
In other words, Paul wants them to understand that their salvation was completely unmerited and was not the result of anything that they had done.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-888835702407872285.post-76122242733460754632023-03-16T14:24:00.008-06:002023-06-15T13:53:11.362-06:00Ephesians | Session 7 | 1:18-23<span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In our study today we take a closer look at Paul's prayer, break it down, and discuss what it means to us, Christ's place of honor, heavenly places, principalities and powers, and the world's future subjection to him.</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><script>!function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u1fmxz"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");</script></span><div id="rumble_v2ax7cn"></div>
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Verse 18: <i>The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,</i></b>
Paul's prayer that he prayed for the ones who had faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all saints (verse 15) was that through the knowledge of God they would would have the spirit of wisdom and revelation (verse 17) and that their eyes now in verse 18 would be opened to the hope of his calling and the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. </span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">His first prayer was that they would be enlightened to know what is the hope of his calling.
Notice that it says his calling and not ours.
Many commentators seem to miss this part.
Bullinger says that his calling is our sonship mentioned in verses 4-5 (Ephesians 4:4).
Barnes says, "The meaning here is, that it would be an inestimable privilege to be made fully acquainted with the benefits of the Christian hope, and to be permitted to understand fully what Christians have a right to expect in the world of glory. This is the first thing which the apostle desires they should fully understand." </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">His calling seems to not only include our sonship, but also everything that comes along with it, i.e., adoption and the riches of his inheritance is in the saints. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Guzik says that it is a future that includes resurrection, eternal life, freedom from sin, perfected justification and glorious elevation.
That is God's calling for us and Paul wants us to know this.
To know God is the key to the highest form of knowledge!
The writer of Proverbs says that it begins with a fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 1:29; Proverbs 2:2-5).
Pretty much explains the complete ignorance in our culture today and the abject failure of our education system!
There is no knowledge without the fear of the Lord. </span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>His Exceeding Greatness </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verses 19-20: <i>And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, </i></b>His prayers continues in that he wants us to know God's exceeding greatness of his power that he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in heavenly places. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">His greatness can be found in what He brought about in Christ by raising him from the dead and setting him at his right hand and he wants us to know that kind of power.
How can we know it? Perform miracles? or just know that God can do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us as he will say in 3:20. </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">He wants us to know that that same God is working on our behalf!
The same God that raised Christ from the dead is also working in and through our lives!
Again, he will expand on this in Ephesians 3:16-20. </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">F.F. Bruce said of this, “If the death of Christ is the supreme demonstration of the love of God… the resurrection of Christ is the supreme demonstration of his power.” </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>Place of Honor</b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Notice that after God raised him from the dead, he then set him at his own right hand.
The right hand is the position of honor (1 Peter 3:22).
Clarke adds that the right hand is historically the place of not only honour, but friendship, confidence, and authority.
Heavenly Places
Interestingly, Ephesians is the only book that uses the term heavenly places and that four times, here and Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 2:6; and Ephesians 3:10.
Paul's point is that we who are in Christ are also in heavenly places.
Understand that our promises as the Body of Christ are celestial while those made to Israel are terrestrial.
We are not them and they are not us. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Far Above Everything Else </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verse 21: <i>Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:</i></b>
He mentions these principalities and powers three times in this letter.
These are referring to angelic beings, both good and bad.
The statement also seems to be referring to a ranking system that we do not totally understand.
But what is clear, is that Jesus has been raised above them.
One commentator said, "We do not need to know all of the officers of the king's court to know who the king is." </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Head of All Things </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Verses 22-23: <i>And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
As such all things are under his feet. </i></b></span><b style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i>Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. </i></b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">This means that all things are in subjection to Christ.
Of course, one day it will be subdued completely (Psalms 2:6-9; Revelation 2:27; Revelation 12:5; Revelation 19:15). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>Words in Italics</b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Also notice that there are a lot a italics in this verse.
Remove them and it clearly says <i><b>And hath put all under his feet, and gave him the head over all to the church</b></i>.
It clearly states that he is the head of the church.
The church is the mystery that was revealed to the Apostle Paul (Ephesians 5:32) and Christ is the head of it, not the groomsman as many say.
He is not going to marry his own body.
I will speak to this more later, but for the moment, the words Bride of Christ are no where to be found in the Bible.
The Bible makes perfectly clear in Revelation 21:2 that the holy city, new Jerusalem is the bride.
If you need further evidence, read the next verse. </span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0