Timeless Truth with Pastor Jim Thomas

Pastor Jim Thomas concludes Ephesians chapter 3 with one of Paul’s most powerful benedictions—an expression of awe, trust, and surrender. Reflect on the greatness of God, who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think. Learn how prayer is rooted in God's character, not our performance. Be reminded that the Christian life is not just about individual growth, but about glorifying God through the Church and in Christ Jesus for all generations. This doxology re-centers our hearts on God’s power, presence, and purpose.

Support the show

Connect With Us:

• Biblical Resources: Browse our 25-year study archive of sermons, podcasts, studies, worship resources and more: thevillagechapel.com/resources
• Visit Us: Join us in person in Nashville: thevillagechapel.com/visit
• Request Prayer: We would love to pray for you: thevillagechapel.com/prayer
• Support The Mission: Your support enables us to share the Gospel in Nashville and beyond: thevillagechapel.com/give

The Village Chapel exists to glorify God through the teaching of His word, through heartfelt worship, and by connecting people with opportunities to live lives of real significance, serving God and their neighbors as a local community of faith.

Pastor Jim Thomas walks through one of the most profound prayers in Ephesians, as Paul petitions God to strengthen believers, deepen their grasp of Christ’s love, and fill them with all the fullness of God. Explore six key elements of this prayer: being empowered by the Spirit, becoming the dwelling place of Christ, being rooted and grounded in love, comprehending the vast dimensions of that love, knowing Christ’s love experientially, and living in the overflow of God’s fullness. This passage invites reflection on what it means to be wholly surrendered, deeply loved, and radically transformed.

Support the show

Connect With Us:

• Biblical Resources: Browse our 25-year study archive of sermons, podcasts, studies, worship resources and more: thevillagechapel.com/resources
• Visit Us: Join us in person in Nashville: thevillagechapel.com/visit
• Request Prayer: We would love to pray for you: thevillagechapel.com/prayer
• Support The Mission: Your support enables us to share the Gospel in Nashville and beyond: thevillagechapel.com/give

The Village Chapel exists to glorify God through the teaching of His word, through heartfelt worship, and by connecting people with opportunities to live lives of real significance, serving God and their neighbors as a local community of faith.

Pastor Jim Thomas introduces the Apostle Paul’s second prayer in the book of Ephesians by reflecting on how prayer begins—with perspective. Learn how Paul reframes suffering and tribulation as opportunities for God’s glory, and how he encourages believers not to lose heart. Discover the significance of bowing in prayer, approaching the Father with humility, intimacy, and trust. Reflect on what it means to pray with boldness, not as a way of using God, but as a way of offering ourselves to Him.

Support the show

Connect With Us:

• Biblical Resources: Browse our 25-year study archive of sermons, podcasts, studies, worship resources and more: thevillagechapel.com/resources
• Visit Us: Join us in person in Nashville: thevillagechapel.com/visit
• Request Prayer: We would love to pray for you: thevillagechapel.com/prayer
• Support The Mission: Your support enables us to share the Gospel in Nashville and beyond: thevillagechapel.com/give

The Village Chapel exists to glorify God through the teaching of His word, through heartfelt worship, and by connecting people with opportunities to live lives of real significance, serving God and their neighbors as a local community of faith.

Discover how the Apostle Paul describes his calling and purpose in light of God’s grace. Learn what it means to be an unlikely but chosen servant of Christ, called to proclaim the unfathomable riches of Jesus. Reflect on the church’s role in displaying the manifold wisdom of God. See how God’s eternal purpose in Christ brings us boldness and confident access to Him through faith, offering personal assurance and a calling to shine gospel light in a world filled with questions, doubt, and need.

Support the show

Connect With Us:

• Biblical Resources: Browse our 25-year study archive of sermons, podcasts, studies, worship resources and more: thevillagechapel.com/resources
• Visit Us: Join us in person in Nashville: thevillagechapel.com/visit
• Request Prayer: We would love to pray for you: thevillagechapel.com/prayer
• Support The Mission: Your support enables us to share the Gospel in Nashville and beyond: thevillagechapel.com/give

The Village Chapel exists to glorify God through the teaching of His word, through heartfelt worship, and by connecting people with opportunities to live lives of real significance, serving God and their neighbors as a local community of faith.

This week in Timeless Truth, Pastor Jim Thomas begins our study of Ephesians chapter 3. In verses 1–7, the Apostle Paul reflects on his identity, calling, and purpose in the unfolding plan of God. Writing from prison, Paul shows that even confinement can serve the cause of the gospel. He speaks of his role as a prisoner of Christ, a steward of grace, a recipient of revelation, and a participant in God’s redemptive work among both Jews and Gentiles. This passage invites us to ask questions about our purpose, identity, and place in God’s mission.

Support the show

Connect With Us:

• Biblical Resources: Browse our 25-year study archive of sermons, podcasts, studies, worship resources and more: thevillagechapel.com/resources
• Visit Us: Join us in person in Nashville: thevillagechapel.com/visit
• Request Prayer: We would love to pray for you: thevillagechapel.com/prayer
• Support The Mission: Your support enables us to share the Gospel in Nashville and beyond: thevillagechapel.com/give

The Village Chapel exists to glorify God through the teaching of His word, through heartfelt worship, and by connecting people with opportunities to live lives of real significance, serving God and their neighbors as a local community of faith.

In this episode of Timeless Truth, Pastor Jim Thomas explores Ephesians 2:19–22, where Paul paints a beautiful picture of the Church as God’s dwelling place. Once strangers and outsiders, we’ve now been brought near, made fellow citizens and members of God’s household. In Christ, we are being built together—across all differences—into a spiritual temple where God dwells by His Spirit.

In This Episode:

Discover what it means to belong to God’s household and be part of His spiritual family. Reflect on the Church as a temple where God’s presence resides. Learn how Jesus, the cornerstone, brings unity and purpose to a diverse people. Hear insights from John Stott and Tim Keller on community, belonging, and Gospel-centered identity.

Support the show

Connect With Us:

• Biblical Resources: Browse our 25-year study archive of sermons, podcasts, studies, worship resources and more: thevillagechapel.com/resources
• Visit Us: Join us in person in Nashville: thevillagechapel.com/visit
• Request Prayer: We would love to pray for you: thevillagechapel.com/prayer
• Support The Mission: Your support enables us to share the Gospel in Nashville and beyond: thevillagechapel.com/give

The Village Chapel exists to glorify God through the teaching of His word, through heartfelt worship, and by connecting people with opportunities to live lives of real significance, serving God and their neighbors as a local community of faith.

In this episode of Timeless Truth, Pastor Jim Thomas explores Ephesians 2:11–18, where the Apostle Paul presents a sweeping picture of reconciliation—both vertical and horizontal. Once separated, excluded, and without hope, we have now been brought near by the blood of Christ. Jesus is our peace, breaking down dividing walls and creating one new people united in Him. This passage offers a powerful vision for personal identity, healing, and unity in a divided world.

In This Episode:

Reflect on the “before and after” of life apart from and in Christ. Learn how Jesus brings us near, becomes our peace, and breaks down barriers. Understand how the Gospel unites people across cultural, ethnic, and social divides. Hear insights from John Stott and D.A. Carson on the power of Gospel reconciliation.

Support the show

Connect With Us:

• Biblical Resources: Browse our 25-year study archive of sermons, podcasts, studies, worship resources and more: thevillagechapel.com/resources
• Visit Us: Join us in person in Nashville: thevillagechapel.com/visit
• Request Prayer: We would love to pray for you: thevillagechapel.com/prayer
• Support The Mission: Your support enables us to share the Gospel in Nashville and beyond: thevillagechapel.com/give

The Village Chapel exists to glorify God through the teaching of His word, through heartfelt worship, and by connecting people with opportunities to live lives of real significance, serving God and their neighbors as a local community of faith.

In this episode of Timeless Truth, Pastor Jim Thomas unpacks three of the most powerful verses in the book of Ephesians. Ephesians 2:8–10 clearly answers the question, What is salvation? We are saved by grace through faith, not by our works, but by God’s free gift. And yet, this salvation leads to transformation. As God’s workmanship, we are created in Christ for good works that reflect His glory and grace in the world.

In This Episode:

Examine what it means to be saved by grace through faith, not by works, but for good works. Consider how salvation impacts your past, present, and future. Reflect on how God recreates, redirects, and reorients our lives in Christ. Hear insights from Rico Tice, Fleming Rutledge, and Peter Jensen on grace, transformation, and the mission of God.

Support the show

Connect With Us:

• Biblical Resources: Browse our 25-year study archive of sermons, podcasts, studies, worship resources and more: thevillagechapel.com/resources
• Visit Us: Join us in person in Nashville: thevillagechapel.com/visit
• Request Prayer: We would love to pray for you: thevillagechapel.com/prayer
• Support The Mission: Your support enables us to share the Gospel in Nashville and beyond: thevillagechapel.com/give

The Village Chapel exists to glorify God through the teaching of His word, through heartfelt worship, and by connecting people with opportunities to live lives of real significance, serving God and their neighbors as a local community of faith.

In this episode of Timeless Truth, Pastor Jim Thomas continues through Ephesians 2 by focusing on verses 4–7, some of the most hope-filled words in all of Scripture. After laying out the bad news of our spiritual condition, Paul bursts forth with a glorious turn: “But God...” These verses describe God's mercy, love, grace, and kindness toward us in Christ, and what it means to be made alive, raised, and seated with Him. The Gospel isn’t just about what we’re saved from, but also what we’re saved for.

In This Episode:

Revisit the contrast between life before and after Christ. Discover what it means to be made alive, raised, and seated with Christ. Reflect on God’s mercy, love, and kindness as the foundation of your identity. Hear insights from Robert Tannell, Lewis Smedes, and Klein Snodgrass on union with Christ and the awe of grace.

Support the show

Connect With Us:

• Biblical Resources: Browse our 25-year study archive of sermons, podcasts, studies, worship resources and more: thevillagechapel.com/resources
• Visit Us: Join us in person in Nashville: thevillagechapel.com/visit
• Request Prayer: We would love to pray for you: thevillagechapel.com/prayer
• Support The Mission: Your support enables us to share the Gospel in Nashville and beyond: thevillagechapel.com/give

The Village Chapel exists to glorify God through the teaching of His word, through heartfelt worship, and by connecting people with opportunities to live lives of real significance, serving God and their neighbors as a local community of faith.

In this episode of Timeless Truth, Pastor Jim Thomas opens Ephesians 2 by walking through the first three verses—Paul’s honest diagnosis of the human condition before Christ. Spiritually dead, enslaved to sin, and under condemnation, Paul sets the stage for the “But God...” moment of grace that follows. This episode reminds us that understanding the bad news deepens our appreciation of the good news.

In This Episode:

Explore what it means to be spiritually dead before Christ. Understand the depth of our need for redemption and rescue. Reflect on how the Gospel confronts the illusion of autonomy. Hear insights from John Stott, G.K. Chesterton, and Christopher Watkin on sin, pride, and human nature.

Support the show

Connect With Us:

• Biblical Resources: Browse our 25-year study archive of sermons, podcasts, studies, worship resources and more: thevillagechapel.com/resources
• Visit Us: Join us in person in Nashville: thevillagechapel.com/visit
• Request Prayer: We would love to pray for you: thevillagechapel.com/prayer
• Support The Mission: Your support enables us to share the Gospel in Nashville and beyond: thevillagechapel.com/give

The Village Chapel exists to glorify God through the teaching of His word, through heartfelt worship, and by connecting people with opportunities to live lives of real significance, serving God and their neighbors as a local community of faith.