Ephesians
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Walking to Battle (Ephesians 6:10-24)
Ephesians 6:10-24 First Thoughts The Bible is full of people who met challenges with courage and confidence. Elijah faced the prophets of Baal. David stood his ground in front of Goliath. Esther risked death to reveal Haman’s plot. Peter defied the order to stop preaching the gospel. Each of these people put their confidence in Continue reading
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Walking as Family (Ephesians 5:22-6:4)
Ephesians 5:22-6:4 First Thoughts Like Jewish society, Greco-Roman political leaders understood the household to be the basic building block of the state. Their philosophers wrote heavily about the relationships of authority and subordination in the home. They believed that order in the home created an ordered society. The Roman Empire was a paternal society, with Continue reading
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Walk Wisely ( Ephesians 5:15-21)
Ephesians 5:15-21 Opening Thoughts Who or what do you consult when planning a trip? If you were traveling in an unknown remote area and could select only one form of navigational help, which would you choose? Would you prefer a map, a GPS device, or an experienced guide who had frequently traveled that area and Continue reading
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Walking in Love (Ephesians 5:1-14)
Ephesians 5:1-14 FIRST THOUGHTS Who has been a great example for you? Why? Gait is a word that only athletes or medical specialists use very often. It refers to the way a person walks—the movement of a person’s limbs while in motion. When there is an abnormality in a person’s gait, it can potentially cause Continue reading
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Walk Differently (Ephesians 4:17-32)
Ephesians 4:17-32 FIRST THOUGHTS What might we be able to determine about people based on how they walk? One of my favorite pass times is to take a seat at the mall while my wife is shopping and people watch. You can learn a lot about a person from the way they are dressed, Continue reading
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Walking Forward (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Ephesians 4:11-16 FIRST THOUGHT It took a variety of leaders to conduct both the political and religious business in Ephesus. People were accustomed to leaders. Leaders provided guidance for the people. Without the people, the leaders would have been ineffective in their duties and useless in their purpose. The same was true for the church Continue reading
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Walking Together (Ephesians 4:1-10)
Ephesians 4:1-10 FIRST THOUGHTS It does not take one long to look at our culture and realize that we live in a very divided culture. Left vs right, liberal vs conservative, rich vs poor, and Islam vs Christianity. It seems that the nation is about to come apart at the seams. There is even division Continue reading
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RESIDENCE: Christ in Us (Ephesians 3:14-21)
Ephesians 3:14-21 FIRST THOUGHTS What reveals a person’s priorities? Credit card statements, calendars, interactions, and interruptions all provide a glimpse into what’s important to people. Prayers reveal priorities. The content, frequency, and intensity of prayers indicate what matters most to us. We learn a great deal about Paul’s priorities, and consequently God’s priorities, from his Continue reading
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REVEALED: The Mystery of the Church (Ephesians 3:1–13)
Ephesians 3:1–13 FIRST THOUGHTS Who doesn’t like a good mystery. Hollywood spends millions if not billions each year producing mystery movies and shows. Americans spend millions on mystery books. Everyone likes a good mystery. We cannot wait until the end when the mystery is revealed. The religions of the ancient world were cloaked in mystery. Continue reading
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RECONCILED: To God (Ephesians 2:11-22)
Ephesians 2:11-22 FIRST THOUGHTS Being the Son of an Air Force Sergeant, we moved around a lot. When I was 16 my father retired from the Air Force. We move back home to Florida. It was a big adjustment for me. I had grown up in a community that moved every 3 to 4 years. Continue reading
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