Deeper Christian Bible Study in Ephesians • Study 15

The Bible is clear that we are all sinners and deserve wrath and punishment for our sin. Yet it is also clear that if we, by faith, believe and embrace Jesus Christ as our Savior, we shall experience salvation.

In his list of blessings, Paul declares that we have been forgiven and redeemed in Christ. While Christians often throw around this language of forgiveness and redemption, few of us actually know what it means or how to practically experience this reality in our lives.

In this expositional study of Ephesians 1:7-8, Nathan Johnson examines this passage and shows how we are blessed because the precious blood of Christ was given for our forgiveness and redemption … and this truth should change every aspect of our lives.

Download the shownotes for this episode and get other Christ-centered teaching and resources at: deeperchristian.com/ephesians-study-015/

Deeper Christian Bible Study in Ephesians • Study 14

John Newton's famous hymn "Amazing Grace" captures the essence of grace itself – it truly IS amazing!

Similarly, Peter tells us that God's grace is "manifold," meaning it is numerous, has many layers, depths, or "folds."

In this expositional study of Ephesians 1:6, Nathan Johnson discusses what grace is, why it is so amazing, and how we can practically live with the focus and reality of God's grace in our lives.

Grace is more than pat on the head, a gentle hug, or overlooking our sins – grace is powerful, epic in scope, and the daily need of every Christian to function and live out the Christian life.

Come and experience God's amazing grace.

Download the shownotes for this episode and get other Christ-centered teaching and resources at: deeperchristian.com/ephesians-study-014/

Deeper Christian Bible Study in Ephesians • Study 13

I love a good musical and have always (secretly) wanted life to somehow break into song and dance spontaneously.

Yet, I've found there is truly something better than a Broadway musical – a Christian's life giving praise and glory to Jesus Christ throughout everything they say, think, and do.

In this expositional study, we dive into Ephesians 1:6 where Paul commissions the church to live unto the praise of God's glory!

Download the shownotes for this episode and get other Christ-centered teaching and resources at: deeperchristian.com/ephesians-study-013/

Deeper Christian Bible Study in Ephesians • Study 12

One of the tremendous blessings we have in Christ Jesus is that through Christ, by the pre-determined decision and purpose of God, we have been adopted as children of God.

As powerful as an illustration adoption in our modern-day is of what God has done for us, Paul's use of the Roman concept of adoption gives a greater depth and clarity to the robust demonstration of God's adoption of us as His children.

In this expositional study, Nathan Johnson examines Ephesians 1:5 and God's determined purpose to predestine us unto adoption as heirs of the King.

Download the shownotes for this episode and get other Christ-centered teaching and resources at: deeperchristian.com/ephesians-study-012/

Deeper Christian Bible Study in Ephesians • Study 11

Love. 

Biblically, it's more than an emotion or feeling.

Love is a Person (Jesus – see 1 John 4:8, 16) and it's an action (Cross – see Romans 5:8).

Between verses four and five of Ephesians 1, Paul inserts the phrase "in love." 

Scholars argue whether the phrase "in love" goes with the statement made in Ephesians 1:4 ("you were chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him IN LOVE") or whether it refers to God's position in predestining us unto adoption in Ephesians 1:5.

In this expositional study in Ephesians, Nathan Johnson discusses this dilemma and gives his conclusion … and in so doing discusses what it means for God to always act from the nature of love and calls us to do the same.

Download the shownotes for this episode and get other Christ-centered teaching and resources at: deeperchristian.com/ephesians-study-011/

Deeper Christian Bible Study in Ephesians • Study 10

Paul tells us in Ephesians 1:4 that we have been chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless BEFORE HIM.

Interestingly, this statement "before Him" not only reveals our sinful condition but also gives the solution – that the only way we can live holy, blameless lives is to get nose-to-nose with God Himself … for it is in embracing the Holy One that we find ourselves holy.

This is not a call to legalism or to certain activities as much as it is to become different – to have a different nature – which will change everything in our lives.

Join Nathan Johnson in this expositional study in the blessings of God found in Ephesians chapter one.

Download the shownotes for this episode and get other Christ-centered teaching and resources at: deeperchristian.com/ephesians-study-010/

Deeper Christian Bible Study in Ephesians • Study 09

God has chosen us before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him.

Yet too many of us don't understand what it means to be holy and blameless.

In this expositional study of Ephesians 1:4, Nathan Johnson examines these two concepts and discusses three aspects of what it means to be made holy and blameless IN Christ Jesus.

Download the shownotes for this episode and get other Christ-centered teaching and resources at: deeperchristian.com/ephesians-study-009/

Deeper Christian Bible Study in Ephesians • Study 08

We can easily think of being chosen as the last pick in a game for kids – we line up against the wall, hoping that we won't be the last pick.

But Paul tells us that God has chosen us for Himself even before the foundation of the world.

In other words, you were not his last pick, but rather the thought upon His mind, even before He spoke: "let there be light."

This choosing is both personal and with a divine purpose – to become like the One who chose us.

In this expositional study of Ephesians, Nathan Johnson investigates Ephesians 1:4 and the implications of being chosen by God.

Download the shownotes for this episode and get other Christ-centered teaching and resources at: deeperchristian.com/ephesians-study-008/

Deeper Christian Bible Study in Ephesians • Study 07

The concept of being "In Christ" is a foundational statement throughout all of Scripture, especially Paul's letter to the Ephesians – in fact, the entire book revolves around understanding your position IN Christ.

In this expositional study of Ephesians 1:3, we examine the phrase "in Christ" found throughout Paul's letters and discuss three aspects of being in Christ that are foundational for the life of a Christian.

Download the shownotes for this episode and get other Christ-centered teaching and resources at: deeperchristian.com/ephesians-study-007/

Deeper Christian Bible Study in Ephesians • Study 06

As Christians, we have dual citizenship – we live physically on this earth, but we also dwell in Christ (spiritually) in the heavenly realms.

While both realities are indeed real, we are called to live with a heavenly or spiritual perspective while on this earth.

In this expositional study of Ephesians 1:3, Nathan examines the concept of "heavenly realms," found five times throughout the book of Ephesians and exhorts us to live with a new perspective despite any circumstance, difficulty, trial, or struggle we may face in the physical.

Download the shownotes for this episode and get other Christ-centered teaching and resources at: deeperchristian.com/ephesians-study-006/