Pastor Joe Sugrue - Grace and Truth Podcast

Wednesday July 31, 2019

Eph 3:1-10 The Secret of the Ages.

Eph 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles -

Paul begins another prayer, but interrupts it (starts again in vs. 14) in order to relate the mystery of Christ.

Eph 3:2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you;

Stewardship (Greek: oikonomia, literally "house law") refers to the management of a household.

God by grace gave to Paul the management and administration of the affairs regarding the church to the Gentiles, and in specific, the mystery that is Christ.

Eph...

for full notes: http://www.cgtruth.org/index.php?proc=msg&sf=vw&tid=2080

Sunday July, 28th 2019

Eph 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles -

Paul begins another prayer, but interrupts it (starts again in vs. 14) in order to relate the mystery of Christ.

One might imagine that as the words, "the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles" enveloped the apostle's mind, the reality of why he was a prisoner rushed in upon him, and the prayer was broken off for a time.

Eph 3:2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you;

"if indeed you have heard" - there...

for full notes: http://www.cgtruth.org/index.php?proc=msg&sf=vw&tid=2079

Thursday July 25, 2019

Pliny the Younger: writes a letter to the Emperor (Trajan) concerning the question of what to do with the Christians. The letter is written around 100 AD, right around the time of the last letters of John that would close the canon.

Pliny (Gov. of Bithynia ~ 100 AD) - Christians are a pain.

Vast in number (temples are empty).

Meet for worship of Christ -as if He's God.

Bind themselves to an oath of holiness.

Share a common meal.

Pliny is the governor of Bithynia and notices Christianity to be spreading rapidly despite persecution. Christians in his jurisdiction were brought before a tribunal and asked if they were Christians on threats of death. If they said no,...

for full notes: http://www.cgtruth.org/index.php?proc=msg&sf=vw&tid=2078

Wednesday June 24, 2019

Eph 2:19-22 God's Temple in Humanity.

Eph 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household,

Eph 2:20 having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets [of the church age], Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,

Eph 2:21 in whom the [a] whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord;

Eph 2:22 in whom you also [all the churches who receive this letter] are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

1Co 3:6 I planted, Apollos watered, but...

for full notes: http://www.cgtruth.org/index.php?proc=msg&sf=vw&tid=2077

Tuesday July 23, 2019

Eph 2:19-22 God's Temple in Humanity.

Eph 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household,

Eph 2:20 having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets [of the church age], Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,

Some are surprised that Paul writes of himself in such a general way, as one of the apostles, but compared with his other letters, this letter is destined for several churches, addressing people with whom he had slight or even no contact, and so it is objective and general in its contemplation of the church.

Paul is not...

for full notes: http://www.cgtruth.org/index.php?proc=msg&sf=vw&tid=2076

Sunda7 July 21, 2019

Eph 2:19-22 God's Temple in Humanity.

Eph 4:8Therefore it says,

"When He ascended on high,

He led captive a host of captives,

And He gave gifts to men."

Eph 4:9 (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?

Eph 4:10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

Conquering enemies, obtaining captives, and distributing plunder implies that there is a war.

Luk 11:21 "When a strong man, fully armed, guards...

for full notes: http://www.cgtruth.org/index.php?proc=msg&sf=vw&tid=2075

Thursday July 18, 2019

Eph 2:19-22 God's Temple in Humanity.

The stones in the house have been born again to be like the Cornerstone. Change in our thinking and behavior is not outside of our will.

From the moment of salvation, many things in our heart must change. First and foremost is our ignorance of the revealed scripture, and with that, our priorities, our loves, what we honor, what we perceive, what we desire, what our will is energetic towards, all of it must change.

When we pray for things to be right between us and God that we know are in some way currently wrong, we cannot expect God to wave His magic wand and change us that very instant. He will work towards that goal, and the fact that you prayed for it is an indication that you are ready...

for full notes: http://www.cgtruth.org/index.php?proc=msg&sf=vw&tid=2074

Wednesday July 17, 2019

Eph 2:19-22 God's Temple in Humanity.

Jesus descended so that He could ascend with His captives, His brothers and sisters whom He would redeem. He refused to stand on high alone in the defeat God's enemies. He would only ascend on high with a multitude, bringing many sons to glory, and out them, building the house of God with Himself as the cornerstone.

We are that house and we are to have His very mind and desire. We too must descend in service of God, and subsequently others, knowing that we have ascended with Him and will do so physically on that wonderful day.

Psa 24 is a prophecy of our Lord's glory, but He is not alone....

for full notes: http://www.cgtruth.org/index.php?proc=msg&sf=vw&tid=2073

Tuesday July 16, 2019

Eph 2:19-22 God's Temple in Humanity.

When Jesus answered the question of the rich and young Jewish prince when he asked, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus eventually told the man that he had to sell everything he had and give it to the poor and if he did this, he would have reward in heaven. The man went away grieved as Jesus knew he would.

I open with this to illustrate the point that Jesus could see through everyone. It is not recorded that He ever said "go and sell" to another person. He knew what was standing in the way of that young man's faith in the gospel.

Imagine if you could see right through everyone you talked to. There could be some benefits gleaned from this if your desire was to take advantage of...

for full notes: http://www.cgtruth.org/index.php?proc=msg&sf=vw&tid=2072

Sunday July 14, 2019

Eph 2:19-22 God's Temple in Humanity.

Last time we focused on a passage in Psa 68 concerning God's permanent home on earth.

Psa 68:15 A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan;

A mountain of many peaks is the mountain of Bashan.

Psa 68:16 Why do you look with envy, O mountains with many peaks, At the mountain which God has desired for His abode?

Surely, the Lord will dwell there forever.

Psa 68:17 The chariots of God are myriads, thousands upon thousands; The Lord is among them as at Sinai, in holiness.

Psa 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captive Thy captives; Thou hast received gifts...

for full notes: http://www.cgtruth.org/index.php?proc=msg&sf=vw&tid=2071