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
In a message titled, THE GODLY MOTHER (Prov. 31:10-31), we thanked God for His gift of mothers to us (Prov. 18:22; James 1:17). All mothers are to be honored by virtue of who God made them to be and the example of His undying love they reflect (Gen. 1:27b; Isa. 49:15, etc.). How much more should mothers who “fear the Lord” be honored! (Prov. 31:10, 30)
The word “virtuous” (Heb. ḥayil) can also mean “capable” or “valor” in battle (Prov.… Continue reading
In a message titled, PAUL, A PRISONER OF CHRIST JESUS (Philemon vv. 1-3), we began Paul’s smallest letter in the Bible- the book of Philemon. Paul wrote this work during his first Roman imprisonment, along with his letters to the Colossian, Ephesian, and Philippian churches (Col. 4:10; Eph. 4:1; Phil. 1:13; 2:23-24; Phile 22; Rev. 1:9, etc.).
However, in this heartfelt request, Paul corresponded not to a church but with an individual (i.e. the “you” is singular in verses 4, 6-8, 10-12, 16, 18-21, and 23).… Continue reading
Today we finished our series in Galatians with a message titled, GRACE- PEACE AND MERCY (Gal 6:16-18). Who has “peace and mercy” with God? (Gal. 6:16). Judicially, we know it is all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior (John 14:6; Rom. 3:24-25; 1 John 2:2, etc.) to include both Gentile believers (i.e. the “them” of Gal. 6:16) “and… the Israel of God,” that is, also Jewish believers in Galatia (e.g. Gal.… Continue reading
In our message, GLORY TO GOD (Gal. 6:11-15), Paul grabs the pen from his scribe to end this letter with his “own hand” (Gal. 6:11). Some scholars believe the “large letters” Paul wrote with were because of poor eyesight (Gal. 4:13-15), but it is also probable he wrote with large font (all-caps) in a final attempt to reach the audience he cared about so much.
When does God message us in ALL CAPS? (Gal. 1:6-9; 2:21; 3:1, 3; 4:30; 5:1, 7-8, 13, 16-18, 21, 25; 6:5, 7-9, etc.)… Continue reading
In a message titled, ACCOUNTABILITY, ENDURANCE, AND DOING GOOD (Gal. 6:7-10), the Holy Spirit warns Christians one last time in the book of Galatians about the perils of walking in the flesh. The audience has not changed (Gal 1:2-3; 3:2; 4:14-15, 28, 31; 5:1, 7, 16-21, etc.). Sin is deceitful, and God warns His children here “not [to] be deceived” (Gal. 6:7a). “God is not mocked” (Gal. 6:7a; Rom. 7:18; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:8-9; 1 Cor.… Continue reading
In our Easter Sunday sermon titled, JOHN’S PERSONAL TESTIMONY, we see the Apostle John’s eyewitness account as to how he first came to believe Jesus had risen from the dead (John 20:1-10). The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is what Easter is all about, and it is also central to the Gospel itself, which states, “…Christ died for our sins… was buried, and… rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor.… Continue reading
