Ephesians 6:10-23

1) Our struggle is not against flesh & blood but against rulers, against authorities, against powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces in the heavenly realms.

     A)  Endure hardship like a good solider.  Do not get entangled in earthly things but aim to please your commanding officer Jesus Christ (II Timothy 2:4-7 Mathew 6:19-24).

     B) Christians operate from a position of victory because of the finished work of Jesus Christ (I John 4:4 & Colossians 1:9-23).  

     C) Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Christians are called to engage in spiritual battle.  When you chose Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, you have aligned yourself against the Devil (Philippians 4:10-13).

2) Satan’s main goal is to divide and conquer and create isolationism.  Separation of Christian fellowship and daily communion with Jesus Christ is how the Devil achieves victory in the life of the believer.

     A) Satan is quick to recall past failures.  Past behaviors can be an indicator of future activity but that does not have to be for a Christian.  A Christian should become a new creation in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17-20).

     B) Only the Holy Spirit can change hearts and minds (Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 5:16-18, Romans 8:9-11).

     C) Evil is captivating and an idle mind can be easily led astray. Guard your imagination (eye gate & ear gate).  What kind of entertainment and conversations are you attracted to (Philippians 4:4-9)?

3)  The Word of God and prayer are the Christian’s offensive weapons.

     A) The Truth of God’s Word cuts through the confusion and the arguments of the Evil One (Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:105).

     B) It is never too late to start praying and it is always too early to quit praying.  Pray in the Spirit on all occasions. Pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 & John 15:5).

     C) Prayer is more than a weapon. Prayer is how the Christian engages in warfare. Christian battles are won in the prayer closet (James 4:3).  

Discussion Question:

What makes it so difficult for Christians to pray daily & diligently as they should?

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Ephesians 5:21-33

1) Submission, humility, gentleness, patience, and respect are attributes of Christian living for those who have made Jesus Christ Lord of their lives.

     A) Jesus laid down His life for the church and the church submits to His leadership and authority.

     B) The wife submits to the husband’s authority and leadership while the husband is obligated to cleanse his family through the washing of God’s Word.

     C) We are obligated to serve Christ in purity of thought, conversation, purpose and behavior in every situation, regardless if someone else notices or not.

2) The unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit is of great worth in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:1–7).

     A) Godly leadership is a heart issue and not a title or a position earned.  A leader is  apply knowledge.

     B)  Man looks at the outward appearance, God examines the heart. To obey is better than sacrifice (I Samuel 16:7, I Kings 2: 1-4)

     C) A man is supposed to protect his family, his wife, his children, from the devices of Satan’s goal, which is to divide and conquer, separate and destroy.  The husband should be the tip of the spear spiritually for his family.

     3) Once you make a decision to serve Jesus Christ and to get serious about righteousness, Satan gets serious about setting up obstacles of temptation and adversity in your life.

A) A Godly man guards his steps and his heart.  He comes near to God to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, 1 Samuel 15:22-23).

     B)  Christians are called to protect the unity of Christ among fellow believers.  The eyes of the Lord are on the righteousness and His ears are attentive to their prayers (I Peter 3:8-12).

     C) A Christian is called to be holy in a pagan world.  By righteous living, a believer can silence the talk of ignorant people (I Peter 2:11-25).

Discussion Question:

Why is mutual submission so important in the “Body of Christ”?  Can you share an example of Biblical submission in your church or your family?

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Ephesians 5:1-20

1) The Holy Spirit is not a cosmic force or energy field that Christians tap into. The Holy Spirit is the 3rd person of the Godhead. We have a relationship with Him.
     A) Sensual/fleshly/sinful desires thwart sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.  Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:20-30).
     B) An immoral person is an idolater.  God’s wrath is poured out on the disobedient.
     C) The Holy Spirit helps believers walk circumspectly, with calculated understanding, making the most of the time we have left on this earth.

2) The Bible warns against people who talk too much (Ephesians 5:3-4).
     A) When many words are used, sin is not absent. Christians should hold conversations that glorify Christ and use words that edify the Body of Christ (Proverbs 10:19).
     B) The tongue has the power of life and death inside it (Proverbs 18:21).  The tongue can be used as a weapon to harm and destroy someone or it can be a tool to encourage and heal a person.
     C) A perverse tongue stirs up conflict and separates close friends (Proverbs 16:28).

3) Our words reveal what we have allowed in our hearts. An angry heart speaks angry words.  A hateful heart speaks hateful words.
     A) Guard your heart, because all of your conversations and behavior flow from the wellspring inside (Proverbs 4:23-28).
     B) What images your eyes focus on and what messages your ears listen to will eventually connect with your soul (Matthew 13:13-23).
     C) The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12-14).  The fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:13-26).  The indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17 & 25-27 & John 16:13-15), I Corinthians 6:17-20, Romans 8:1-11).

Discussion Question:
The New Covenant blessing is the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.  What are some areas in your mind that need to be emptied so the Holy Spirit can do a complete work in your life?

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Ephesians 4:17-32

1) The Christian must be aware of deceptive philosophies and traditions that place a greater emphasis on individual importance over the written Word of God.
     a) Satan’s first lie to Eve began with “humans can become like God”.
     b) A Salvation experience in Christ is the beginning of a transformed life not the apex.
     c) Education has no ability to enhance human behavior separated from the Moral Law Giver (God) and His Moral Law (The Word of God).

2) Christians can cause the Holy Spirit pain (Grieve the Spirit) when we ignore His promptings and presence.
     a) Individuals who are bent on a destiny without God are given over to idolatry.
     b) Those who desire to be full of the Spirit, must be willing to pay the full price of obedience to the Word of God.
     c) The Holy Spirit is a surgeon of Holiness.  He will cut away the self sins: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life. 

3) The Holy Spirt does not want to hurt your pride.  He wants to kill it.
     a) Reaching a lonely place of brokenness where your flesh has nothing to depend on is where you start encountering the deep love of God.
     b) A vessel full of flesh needs to be emptied before it can become a vessel full of the Spirit.
     c) The carnal man wants medals and happy experiences. He places himself on a path to bondage with a full fledged pursuit of pleasure and self promotion.  The Spirit filled man is content with the presence of the Lord and sinful wounds that have been healed with scars.

Discussion Question:
Scars tell a story of pain and healing.  In what ways has Jesus Christ pulled you out of the miry clay and set your feet on solid ground?

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Ephesians 3:14-4:1-16

1) Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
     a) There is one Lord, One Spirit, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all.
     b) God has given ministers in the church to equip His people for works of service, so the Body of Christ may be built up.
     c) We should strive for spiritual maturity so that we may attain the whole measure of Christ available to us to maximize our potential.

2) The Unity of the Spirit is not man-made, a human manifested concept or production.
     a) We are called to be ambassadors of Christ to the sphere of influence God has given us.
     b) We are called to speak the truth of Christ in love. This should be done in a manner that does not compromise Biblical Truth.
     c) Love is correcting in nature.  The Holy Spirit is capable of transforming lives, convicting hearts and growing believers on His own.  We need to make sure our pride and perspective does not interfere with that process.

3) When you allow the voice of Jesus to become clear and present in your life, all others' voices must get quiet and submit.
     a) What voices need to be silenced in your life? What is keeping your attention from pursuing Christ?
     b) We can understand what is most important to a person by watching how they invest their time and money.
     c) Inner peace is not contingent upon our circumstances. It is directly related to how much space we allow Christ to occupy inside of us (heart & mind).

Discussion Question:  When you tell people that you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, what does that mean? 

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There are several lenses by which one can view scripture from a Christian perspective. A few  popular viewpoints is Dispensationalism, Amillennialism, and the Hebrew Roots Movement (Torahism).  It is important to note that there are so many variations internally with each of these systems to make declarative statements.

1) Dispensationalism is a Biblical framework that makes the argument that God has dealt with His people in different ways in different times.
     a) There is a distinct difference between the Church and Nation of Israel.
     b) Old Testament prophecies directed to Israel are to be interpreted literally.
     c) Dispensationalism eschatology lends itself to a pre-tribulation rapture of the church before the Great Tribulation period outlined in Revelation (chapters 4-19). It also promotes a literal 1,000 year rule of Jesus Christ upon the earth at His 2nd coming (Revelation 20).

2) Amillennialists believe scripture should not be interpreted literally but rather symbolically to arrive at central spiritual Truths.
     a) Amillennialists believe the 1,000 year reign of Christ is allegorical. It is a spiritual state that has been ongoing since His physical resurrection. The Church is currently in the millennial reign of Christ and it is not a future event.  Jesus is currently reigning on King David’s throne symbolically and spirtually in heaven.
     b) Amillennialists do not believe in a rapture of the church or an actual 7 years of tribulation. 7 is a symbolic number of completion.
     c) The Church is Israel.  It has not replaced Israel but is rather a continuation of Israel.  Israel is a symbolic term for God’s people. There is no distinction between the Church and Israel in the Bible.

3) Hebrew Roots/Torahism believes the Church was grafted into Israel. 
     a) Jesus Christ did not do away with the Old Testament laws but rather came to uplift them and fulfill them. It promotes adherence to the Mosaic Law with the recognition that Jesus is the Messiah.
     b) The celebration of Jewish feasts and festivals along with obedience to the  Mosiac law is for both Jews and Christians.  The Church is grafted into Israel as a new branch into the orginal tree of Israel in the Old Testament through Jesus's finished work on the cross in the New Testament.
     c) The new Israel will go through the great tribulation period outlined in Revelation.  The rapture and the 2nd Coming are simultaneous events.  Jesus will come back in physical form to rule the earth from Jeruslem on the throne of King David.

Discussion question: Which these 3 positions do you think is the most Biblically accurate and why?

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This episode was recorded from The Loft, an amazing studio guesthouse in the small, beautiful town of Hasty, Arkansas.  Click HERE for more information on this Airbnb property (not sponsored). 

Season 3 Episode 4
Ephesians 3:1-13

1) Jesus gave Paul insight into a mystery that was revealed only to him. What is that mystery (Ephesians 3:2-6)?
     a) Gentiles are now members together with Israel, one body, sharers together in the promises of God through faith in Jesus Christ. 
     b) Now through the church, the body of Christ, the manifold wisdom of God will be made known to the rulers and authorities in heavenly realms.
     c) Israel has experienced a hardening in part (towards the gospel of Jesus Christ) until the full number of Gentiles has come in, and then all of Israel will be saved (Romans 11:25-27). Salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious (Romans 11:11-12).

2) Abrahamic Covenant was an everlasting covenant established by God (Genesis 15:1-21). God promised him, land, seed and blessing.
     a) Covenant with Israel under Moses (Deuteronomy 29 & 30)
     b) Covenant with King David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). 
     c) A future covenant with Israel was prophesied (Jeremiah 31:31-37).

3) The new covenant established through Jesus Christ is superior to the old covenant established under Moses. How can this be? (Hebrews 8:7-13)
     a) Jesus came in the order of Melchizedek and not the order of Aaron. Why? (Hebrews 7:1-28)
     b) Jesus is greater than Moses. Why? (Hebrews 2:17 - 3:6)
     c) Jesus is the last high priest and the last sacrifice needed for the atonement of sin (Hebrews 10:1-18).

Discussion Question:

Why can we come boldly to the throne of God with confidence in our time of need? (Hebrews 4:14-16)

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Ephesians 2:1-22

1) We were dead in our transgressions and sins when we followed the ruler of the kingdom of the air who is now at work in those disobedient.
     a) Two choices in life: we are either yielding to the flesh and being conformed to the pattern of this world or being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
     b) God raised us up with Christ to demonstrate His incomparable riches, grace, and kindness.
     c) We are saved by Grace, through faith, not from our efforts, but rather as a gift from God.

2) We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.
     a) God stands outside of time, space, future & history.  He has the ability to know the future and to set things up for our benefit and for us to accomplish His purposes.
     b) We must set aside our personal priorities to accept the yoke of Christ (Matthew 11:29-30). 
     c) We are ambassadors for Christ, His representatives upon the earth (II Corinthians 5:16-22).

3) Grace is not the goal of Christian believers. The goal should be to become more like Jesus Christ.
     a) Saving faith is about giving Jesus glory and not elevating our personal story.
     b) Salvation is the starting point. Perfection in Christ is the goal and the journey from now on.
     c) We are dangerously in control of our own lives. God’s word has always been and will always be the standard of Christian living to guide us into all righteousness.

Discussion Question: What are the Biblical attributes of an ambassador of Christ?

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Creator, Researcher and Host: Rob Fell
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Ephesians 1:15-23

1) Paul prays that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ may give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we may know God better
     a) The same Holy Sprit that raised Jesus from the dead lives within us.
     b) We must abide in Christ in order to bear spiritual fruit. 
     c) Jesus prunes the branches that produce no fruit.

2) The world cannot accept the Spirit of Truth because it neither sees Him nor knows Him.
     a) He will prove the world to be wrong about sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8).
     b) He will guide us into all  Truth. He will glorify Jesus and testify about Jesus.  He will speak only what He hears and He will tell us what is to come (John 16: 13-15). 
     c) The Gospel is revealed to man by the Holy Spirit.  The world is blind to the truth of the gospel under human understanding alone (2 Corinthians 4:4).

3) We are called to be ambassadors of Christ.
     a) Whatever we do, whether in word or deed, we should do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:15).
     b) Whoever lives by the truth, comes into the light, so that what they have done may be plainly seen before God (John 3: 21).
     c) God predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ in accordance with His pleasure and will (Ephesians 1: 4-5).

Discussion question: What is the significance of adoption for a parent and the child?

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Creator, Researcher and Host: Rob Fell
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Ephesians 1

1) What is this mystery that Paul Speaks of? (Paul uses "mystery" 21 times in the New Testament & 6 times in the book of Ephesians).
     a) It is the inclusion of the Gentiles as fellow heirs with Christ along with Messianic Jews.  
     b) It is the establishment of the church, a new concept, that does not exclude Gentiles from the promises of God, through faith and obedience in Christ.
     c) The work and purposes of Jesus Christ on the cross and his resurrection was concealed in the Old Testament but is now revealed in the New Testament for the benefit of all mankind and not just Israel alone (Body of Christ & Bride of Christ).

2) Christ in you is the central theme of the Ephesians.
     a) Paul used the phrase “in Christ” or references union with Christ close to 40 times in the book of Ephesians.
     b) Jesus Christ coming alive in you, a new creation, is unique to Christianity.  We are saved first but must learn how to walk in obedience and truth through faith in Christ. 
     c) Christ is not Jesus's last name.  Christ means “Anointed One” or “Messiah.” All of mankind has been united under one King & One Savior through faith in Jesus.   

3) We are a new creation is Christ.
     a) The gift of the Holy Spirit is Christ’s seal of ownership over us guaranteeing our salvation.
     b) The same Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives within us and gives us the mind of Christ,
     c) We must learn to walk in step with the Holy Spirit and learn how to feed the new creation and not our carnal nature.

Discussion Question: “What is a new creation in Christ supposed to look like from a Biblical perspective?”

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Creator, Researcher and Host: Rob Fell
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