Author: Mitch Clouse

In our sermon, SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH (Eph. 2:4-10), we looked at the most important message in the Bible.

Even though all people are born “dead in trespasses and sins… [and are] children of [God’s] wrath,” the Creator did not want to send anyone to hell because He is also “rich in mercy” (Eph. 2:1-4a; Rom. 3:23; John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9, etc.). With underserved kindness, motivated by “His great love with which He loved us,” God acted.… Continue reading

In our message, MAKING THE DEAD ALIVE! (Eph. 1:22-2:3), we finished Paul’s prayer for the church at Ephesus and then started to look at the Holy Spirit’s presentation of the Gospel. God wants the eyes of our heart enlightened to understand He today is revealing His kingdom and glory through “the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Eph. 1:22-23; 4:15; 5:5, 15-16, 23; Col. 1:18, etc.).

He “made [Christians] alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph.… Continue reading

In our message, FLOODING THE HEART WITH LIGHT (Eph. 1:15-21), we looked at how the Holy Spirit prayed for Christians there.  While we should always pray for people to come to faith in Jesus Christ so they can be saved, we also should pray continuously for one another to grow in our love and “knowledge” of God which is shown by loving others His way (Eph. 1:15-17; John 17:9, 17-20; Rom. 12:9; Gal. 5:10, etc.).  This glorifies the Lord and shows the world that Jesus is true!… Continue reading

In our message, THE SEALING OF THE SPIRIT (Eph. 1:13-14), we finished the longest sentence in the Bible turning to God- the Holy Spirit. This Person of the Godhead never draws attention to Himself, but instead points to Jesus (John 16:26, etc.). Nor does the Holy Spirit force His way on us, but He guides (Gal. 5:16, 18, 25, etc.) He “convict[s] the world of sin” showing people their need for Christ (John 3:7; 16:9, etc.),… Continue reading

In a message titled, THE SACRIFICE OF THE SON (Eph. 1:7-12), we continued our look at the longest sentence in the Bible which is all about the glory of God. Having started with God the Father last week, today we entered into the section devoted to God the Son.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sin…” (Eph. 1:7a). It is important to note God who is “One” also eternally exists in three Persons- Father, Son and Holy Spirit- which are equal in nature, equal in glory and distinct in relations (Deut.… Continue reading

On Father’s Day, in message titled, THE RICHES OF THE FATHER (Eph. 1:1-6), we continued our study in Ephesians. Apostle Paul wrote to the “saints… in Ephesus” (Eph. 1:1). Their “Father” is God because they were “born” into His family “by grace… through faith” (Acts 9:13, 32, 41; Eph. 1:2; John 1:12-13, Eph. 2:8; Rom. 5:1, etc.).

Then we started the longest sentence in the Bible (Eph. 1:3-14) discovering that God the Father “chose” Christ’s bride before the world even existed (Eph.… Continue reading

Last Sunday, in a message titled, TURNING THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN, we began a new series in the book of Ephesians looking at the founding of that church in Ephesus (Acts 18:18-20:38; 17:6). Ephesus was a major trade center and the capital of the Roman province Asia (west of Galatia). It also held one of the seven wonders of the world: a temple to the made-up fertility goddess Diana (AKA Artemis) which the city guarded and revered (Acts 19:35).… Continue reading

In a message titled, PREPARE A GUEST ROOM (Philemon vv. 17-25), Paul continues his plea to Philemon. Here we see the request is stated explicitly: “receive him as you would me” (Phile 17). And, “if [Onesimus] has wronged you or owes anything, [Paul says] put that on my account” (Phile 18). In his own handwriting, the apostle emphasizes again, “I will repay” (Phile 19a).

The word “receive,” in verse 17, means to “let into one’s family.”… Continue reading

In a message titled, MAKING AN APPEAL (Phile. 8-16), we looked at Paul’s request to Philemon. He now asks his friend to “show kindness” to the person who has wronged him (Phile. 10 NLT). Paul states he could “be very bold in Christ to command” this, but instead he “appeals” (Grk. parakaléō/ begs, entreats) to Philemon (Phile. 8-9a; Eph. 4:32, etc.).

God also does this with us as His children. He guides/leads; He does not force (Gal.… Continue reading

In a message titled, SHARING EFFECTIVELY, we left the introductory salutation of Paul’s letter and looked at his opening prayer and thanksgiving for Philemon (see Philemon vv. 4-7).

Paul “always” gave thanks to God for Philemon in his regular prayers- for his “love and faith… toward the Lord Jesus and…all” believers (vv. 4-5).

Paul heard of Philemon’s exemplary testimony from brothers like Epaphras from far away- even while chained up in Rome (v. 1, 9; Col.… Continue reading