Ephesians 4:20 That was not what you learned about Christ! Friend, the original readers of this letter were falling into the same problems we fall into, namely taking on the ways of the world to such an extent that their lifestyles are little different than the non Christians around Read more…
Ephesians 4:19 They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more. When I was younger, I had an aversion in even considering my non Christian friends as callous and promiscuous. For, they were, after all, Read more…
Ephesians 4:18 They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. The word picture painted here exposes the horror that the non Christian faces each day of his life. And yet, Read more…
Ephesians 4:17 Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts. There is a connection between how we live and how we think: futile thinking yields purposeless living. And, Paul is giving us a sober Read more…
Ephesians 4:16 He makes the whole body fit together and unites it through the support of every joint. As each and every part does its job, he makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Love is the glue that should be holding our churches together. Read more…
Ephesians 4:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, What would happen today in our government: if we spoke the truth to one another…in love. If we, instead, of tearing others down, we did our Read more…
Ephesians 4:14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; All this harkens back to v. 11, where we read that God gave us Read more…
Ephesians 4:13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Friend, our churches are being equipped by God Himself to make a Read more…
Ephesians 4:12 His purpose was to equip God’s people for the work of serving and building up the body of Christ This 5 fold ministry needs to work together: So consider this: Apostles show us the importance of being a community of believers Prophets stir us up as we listen Read more…
Ephesians 4:11 He gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. Christ gave these ministries to the church. We would do well, then, to foster our people’s skills who have these gifts So, Let’s look at these ministries: Apostles are those who are sent to Read more…