Bible In Order Podcast

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How can Christians recognize false teachers when so many people claim to teach the truth? Philippians 3 gives two serious warnings—and points believers away from confidence in outward religious practices, material success, and earthly things.

In this teaching through Philippians chapter 3, David looks at Paul’s warning about those who put confidence in the flesh, the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ, the danger of teachers focused on material wealth, and what it means to live as citizens of heaven while pressing toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul had religious credentials, zeal, and outward accomplishments, but he counted them all as loss for the sake of Christ. His focus was not money, status, comfort, or building a ministry. His focus was knowing Christ, becoming like Him, and preparing himself and others for the life to come.

This chapter also gives Christians an important standard for recognizing teaching that has become focused on earthly things instead of holiness and the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

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What does it really mean to have the mind of Christ, put others before yourself, and “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”?

In Philippians 2, Paul connects Christian unity, humility, obedience, and spiritual maturity to the example of Jesus Himself. Christ did not cling to His position, but humbled Himself, became obedient even to death, and was ultimately exalted by God.

In this chapter, we look at what that example means for followers of Jesus today.

David explores why believers are called to walk in love and unity, what biblical humility actually looks like, why putting others first does not mean allowing abuse, and how Jesus provides the model for laying down our own agendas.

You’ll also hear an important discussion of Philippians 2’s command to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Rather than treating Christianity as something merely claimed, Paul calls believers to bring their salvation to its full expression—to bear fruit, live differently from the surrounding culture, and shine like lights in a dark world.

In this episode:

Walking in unity and love with other believers
Considering others more important than ourselves
What biblical humility does—and does not—mean
Jesus emptying Himself and taking the form of a servant
Why Christ’s obedience led to exaltation
God as a rewarder of those who faithfully seek Him
What “work out your salvation” means
Living without complaining and arguing
Shining like lights in a crooked generation
Following Jesus by laying down our lives
The call to radical, Scripture-shaped Christianity


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Philippians 1 contains some of the New Testament’s most familiar verses—but familiarity can make it easy to miss their context.

In this teaching on Philippians 1 explained, David looks at a verse commonly found on greeting cards, a verse often used as encouragement without considering who Paul was writing to, and what may be one of the most overlooked verses in the New Testament.

Paul’s prayer for the believers in Philippi was that their love would abound more and more with knowledge and discernment. He wanted them to approve what is excellent, live lives worthy of the gospel of Christ, and remain focused on Christ even through suffering.

This chapter also gives important context to familiar words such as, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion,” and, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

But Philippians 1:29 introduces another truth that can be much easier to overlook: Paul says it has been granted to believers not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for His sake.

In this episode, we explore:

Paul’s prayer for believers in Philippians 1
Why Philippians 1:6 needs to be understood in context
What Paul meant by “to live is Christ and to die is gain”
What it means to live worthy of the gospel
Why faith is a gift from God
Why Paul describes suffering for Christ as something granted to believers
How Acts 5 and Romans 5 help us understand suffering, perseverance, character, and hope


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Taking Bible verses out of context can create false assurance, confusion, and vulnerability in the way Christians understand spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6 gives us a much fuller picture of what it means to stand firm and put on the armor of God.

In this chapter, Paul continues his teaching about relationships, obedience, authority, and how believers should treat one another before turning to the spiritual battle every Christian faces. The armor of God is not presented as a mystical ritual. The belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit point to practical realities that shape how we think, speak, live, and respond to the lies of the enemy.

In this study of Ephesians 6 explained, we look at:

What it means for children to obey their parents “in the Lord”
The responsibility parents and those in authority have toward others
Paul’s instructions concerning servants and masters
Why our struggle is not against flesh and blood
What the armor of God represents
How truth protects us from deception
How faith extinguishes the flaming darts of the evil one
Why the helmet of salvation protects the mind
How the Word of God functions as the sword of the Spirit
What spiritual warfare looks like in everyday Christian life

Spiritual warfare does not have to be mystical or mysterious. It involves knowing the truth of God, rejecting lies, living righteously, walking in faith, and becoming well versed in the Word of God.

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Some passages of Scripture are difficult because they confront the assumptions of the culture around us. Ephesians 5 is one of those chapters—especially when Paul writes, “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.”

But that command does not stand alone. Ephesians 5 begins with a call to imitate God, walk in love, pursue holiness, live as children of light, make wise use of our time, and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

In this study of Ephesians 5 explained, David walks through the larger context of the chapter before addressing Paul’s teaching about husbands and wives. Biblical submission is not permission for abuse, and biblical leadership is not permission for selfishness. Husbands are commanded to love their wives as Christ loved the Ecclesia and gave Himself up for her.

This chapter also challenges every believer to examine how we are living: our speech, relationships, hidden sins, priorities, use of time, and devotion to the Word of God.

Key themes include walking in love, holiness, exposing darkness, biblical submission, husbands loving sacrificially, marriage, sanctification through the Word, and preparing ourselves for the return of Jesus.


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There are two false teachings many Christians believe today, and Ephesians 4 challenges both of them.

Paul’s teaching about the body of Christ, apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, teachers, ministry, unity, and spiritual maturity gives us a much bigger picture of what the church is supposed to look like. It also raises important questions about whether apostles and prophets still function today—and whether everything necessary has already happened for the return of Jesus Christ.

In this teaching through Ephesians 4, David looks at what it means to walk worthy of our calling, maintain the unity of the Spirit, understand the “one baptism” Paul describes, and recognize why Jesus gave different roles to the church.

But here’s what most people miss: according to Ephesians 4, leaders are not supposed to do all the ministry themselves. Their role is to equip the saints for the work of ministry.

This chapter also challenges believers to put off the old self, be renewed in the spirit of our minds, forgive instead of holding grudges, speak the truth in love, and use our words to build others up.

In this episode:
What Paul means by walking worthy of our calling
Why Christian unity matters
What “one baptism” means in Ephesians 4
Why Jesus gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers
Whether apostles and prophets are still needed today
Why every believer is called to ministry and service
What spiritual maturity looks like
Why David challenges the teaching of an “any-moment” return of Christ
How anger and unforgiveness can give opportunity to the devil
Why our words should give grace to those who hear

If you want to grow with other believers who are serious about Scripture, biblical community, and living out their faith, join the Estero Ekklesia Skool community:

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Deep social division and spiritual burnout are two of the biggest problems facing Christians today. Relationships are being strained over politics, biblical interpretation, and cultural conflict, while many believers are simply tired of fighting.

Ephesians 3 speaks directly into that exhaustion. Paul reminds believers that God is building Jews and Gentiles together into one body, strengthening His people through the Holy Spirit, grounding them in the love of Christ, and giving them confidence to approach God even in seasons of pressure and tribulation.

In this teaching through Ephesians 3, we look at Paul’s explanation of the mystery of Christ, the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers, spiritual authority, suffering, the strengthening work of the Holy Spirit, and the immeasurable love of Christ.

We also see why Paul could endure tribulation without losing heart. His confidence was not rooted in comfortable circumstances. It was rooted in the eternal purpose of God and in the power already at work within believers.

If you feel spiritually tired, discouraged, pressured, or exhausted by the conflict around you, Ephesians 3 offers an important reminder: God is able to do far more abundantly than all we could ask or think according to the power at work within us.

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Is salvation by grace alone, by faith alone, or by faith plus works? Ephesians 2 gives one of the clearest answers in Scripture—and it begins with an even more striking statement: we were dead in our trespasses and sins.

What does it actually mean to be spiritually dead? And if we were dead, how did we become alive?

In this study of Ephesians 2, we look at what Paul says about spiritual death, God’s mercy, salvation by grace through faith, the place of good works, and the unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ.

Ephesians 2 makes clear that salvation is not something we earn or qualify for. God, being rich in mercy, made us alive together with Christ. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand for us to walk in.

We also see how the blood of Christ has brought those who were once far off near, making Jews and Gentiles one household of God with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone.

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What does it mean that God chose some people before the foundation of the world? And if predestination is actually biblical, does that mean evangelism is unnecessary?

Ephesians 1 forces us to wrestle with difficult questions about predestination, election, free will, faithfulness, eternal security, and the sovereignty of God. Paul says that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world and predestined us for adoption—but the chapter also makes an important distinction about the people Paul is addressing.

In this study of Ephesians 1 explained, we look carefully at Paul’s words to the saints who are faithful in Christ Jesus. We examine what it means to be chosen, what predestination actually means, the spiritual blessings believers have in Christ, our inheritance, the promised Holy Spirit, and Paul’s prayer that believers would receive wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God.

We also consider why passages about predestination cannot be separated from passages about faithfulness, free will, falling away, and examining ourselves to see whether we are in the faith.

Ephesians 1 points us toward the day when all things in heaven and on earth will be united in Christ. Until then, believers live between two worlds—physically present here while possessing spiritual life from above.
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Acts 28 shows the Apostle Paul facing imprisonment, shipwreck, cold, rejection, and even a viper latching onto his hand. Yet Paul doesn’t respond by feeling sorry for himself or complaining. He stays focused on advancing the kingdom of God.

In this teaching through Acts 28 explained, we follow Paul from the island of Malta all the way to Rome. Along the way, Paul survives the snakebite, heals the sick, speaks to the Jewish leaders in Rome, and continues proclaiming Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God with boldness.

But here’s what many Christians miss: Acts begins with Jesus teaching about the kingdom of God, and it ends with Paul proclaiming the kingdom of God.

In this chapter, we look at:

Paul’s response to suffering and circumstances outside his control
The viper that latched onto Paul’s hand
The healing of Publius’ father and others on Malta
Paul’s arrival in Rome
Why some of the Jewish leaders believed while others refused to be persuaded
Isaiah’s warning about hardened hearts, ears, and eyes
The connection between the gospel and the kingdom of God
Why the kingdom is such an important New Testament theme
What Paul’s kingdom-focused life teaches believers today

The gospel and the kingdom are not separate messages. The gospel is the announcement—the door into the kingdom—and the kingdom of God is the central reality being announced.

As you read through Scripture, begin noticing the word kingdom. Ask God what His kingdom means and what it looks like to live according to its culture rather than the culture of the world.

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