Feb
28
Ephesians 6:21–24
21But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us and that he may comfort your hearts. 23Peace be to the brethren and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. Focused Thinking: What can we learn from Paul’s closing remarks? Tychicus will deliver the letter. Tychicus will answer any questions and fill in the gaps. Tychicus will inform you of my condition, comfort you and encourage you. What are Paul’s final prayers and desires for the Ephesians? Peace to the brethren Love with faith Grace to all …to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. Interactive Prayer: Father, please take everything that You have taught...
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27
Ephesians 6:17–20
17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Focused Thinking: What role does prayer play in our battles and victories? Pray at all times in the Spirit. Persevere in your petitions for all the saints. Pray for your leaders to boldly make known the mystery of the gospel. Where does our power come from? The Word of God and prayer are the two weapons that God has given the church to overcome the enemy and attain victory (Ac 6:4). To watch and pray is the secret to overcoming the flesh. To watch...
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26
Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Focused Thinking: What is the soldier’s weapon? …and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The sword of the Spirit and prayer are the weapons that attack Satan’s strongholds and defeat him. It is the Word of God that will make your way prosperous and give you success (Jos 1:8). It is the Word of God hidden in our heart that protects us from sin (Ps 119:11). It is the Word of God that transforms us by the renewing of the mind (Ro 12:2). It is the Word of God that judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb 4:12). The Word of God and prayer are the soldier’s only offensive weapon. Personal Application: I must become a master swordsman. I must mediate on the Word of God day and night (Jos 1:8). I must be careful to do according to all that is in it (Jos 1:8). I must accurately handle the Word of God (2 Ti 2:15). I...
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25
Ephesians 6:14-17a
14Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which You will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17And take the helmet of salvation… Focused Thinking: Notice the strength of words on this topic of “putting on the full armor of God.” 6:10 — Finanlly, BE STRONG in the Lord. 6:11 — PUT ON the full armor of God. 6:11b — so that you will be able to STAND FIRM against the schemes of the devil. 6:13 — Therefore, TAKE UP the full armor of God. 6:13b — so that you will be able to RESIST in the evil day and HAVING DONE EVERYTHING, to STAND FIRM. 6:14 — STAND FIRM therefore, (third time in four verses we are told to STAND FIRM). How do I “STAND FIRM”? …having girded your loins with truth, (this phase...
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24
Ephesians 6:10–13
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day and having done everything, to stand firm. Focused Thinking: (Eph 6:10) Why does Paul choose to end Ephesians this way? Paul is telling us that it is a battle that is going to require strength. Attending church doesn’t require strength; following Jesus requires strength. My strength can’t stand up against the deceitfulness of the devil. My strength can’t stand up against the temptations of the devil. My strength can’t stand up against the schemes of the devil. My...
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23
Ephesians 6:5–9
5Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; 6not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7With good will render service, as to the Lord and not to men, 8knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. 9And masters, do the same things to them and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven and there is no partiality with Him. Focused Thinking: What is the context of slavery here? Be careful not to impose our American definition of slavery in this context. I don’t know all the reasons why, but Paul doesn’t try to overthrow slavery in this context. It appears that his emphasis is submission through the circumstances instead of removing the circumstances. (See 1 Co 7:17–24 for...
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22
Ephesians 6:1–4
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3so that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth. 4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Focused Thinking: (Eph 6:1–3) The chapter break here is unfortunate because this isn’t a new thought, but it is a continuation of the theme of submission in relationships. What is the context? I think it goes all the way back to Ephesians 5:18, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” I need the Spirit’s leadership in my life in order to be a good parent. I need the Spirit’s leadership to train my children up to be disciples. I need the Spirit’s leadership to create an environment/home of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,...
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21
Ephesians 5:32–33
32This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband. Focused Thinking: What is the mystery? The mystery refers to the two becoming one flesh in the same way that Christ and the church become one. The marriage of Christ and the church is best understood by the marriage of the husband and wife. Christ is the groom and the church is the bride. The husband is the groom and the wife is the bride. Christ is head of the church. The husband is the head of the wife. Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Husband, love your wife and give yourself up for her. Christ sanctified her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word. Husband, sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of water with the Word. Christ presented to Himself...
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20
Ephesians 5:30–31
30because we are members of His body. 31For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. Focused Thinking: Why does Paul pull in this quote from Genesis 2:24? He uses the bond between Christ and the church to illustrate the love of a husband for his wife. He is showing that the bond between husband and wife is greater than the bond between parent and child. The greatness of the mystery refers to the two becoming one flesh. Personal Application: I have great in-laws but I think one appropriate application of this verse is to evaluate your “leaving and cleaving” status. Most women need to redefine their relationship with their mom after marriage. Many men need to stand up and lead responsibly in defining the boundaries with in-laws. Book Recommendation: Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend Interactive Prayer: Father, thank you for Karin and...
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19
Historical Confirmation: More Information about the Importance of a Priority Time
Recently I read a great book, ReJesus: A Wild Messiah for a Missional Church by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch. I’d recommend this book for many reasons, but I want to quote extensively from chapter six because it affirmed and improved my understanding of a priority time. This historical look at “Lectio Divina” perfectly describes the balance between the head and heart. I think we do an injustice to the Scripture by categorizing some approaches to Scripture as scholarly and some as devotional. I think all approaches to Scripture should include quality scholarship and devotional application. Please read the excepts below and let this historical description and explanation of “Lectico Divina” increase your commitment to your priority time. “One of the ways in which people have tried to overcome the distance between written text and dynamic Word as addressed to us is the use of the ancient practice of lectio divina, Latin for “divine...
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