History is replete with examples of the Darkness winning over the hearts of some of the most powerful and influential people in history. Whether they were kings and rulers in the Bible or famous philosophers and writers in later centuries, the battle of Light vs. Darkness rages on. And ten times out of ten, 100% of the time and without fail, those who choose to walk in Darkness at the expense of the Light pay a hefty price for it. In Ephesians 5:8-14, Paul hammers home the point that everyone who belongs to God walks in the light, both intellectually and morally. The Darkness in which we, as Christians, once walked no longer defines who we are. Rather, we are children of the Light and are therefore expected to walk in that Light as we let our own light shine brightly in a sin-darkened world.
17 - Lit-up in Christ
Ephesians 5:8-14
June 11, 2023 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • Ephesians 5:8–14
01 - Introduction: The Bride Body of Christ
February 5, 2023 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • Ephesians 1:1
The Book of Ephesians is written to Christians who have incredible spiritual riches available to them to survive and thrive but they fail to take advantage of it. They are in danger of suffering from spiritual malnutrition because they do not take advantage of the great storehouse of spiritual nourishment and resources that is at their disposal. Over the centuries, the Book of Ephesians has been given such titles as the “believer’s bank,” or the “Christian’s checkbook,” or the “treasure house of the Bible.” And that’s because it’s a letter, written by the apostle Paul, that informs Christians of their spiritual wealth; their great riches and their vast inheritance that is theirs in Christ.
02 - Predestined in Christ
February 12, 2023 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • Ephesians 1:1–6
Many people have a strong hostility to the doctrine of predestination. However, predestination is a biblical doctrine that must be understood biblically. It teaches that God predetermined in eternity past that certain individuals would be conformed to the likeness of His Son, be called, justified, and glorified. These individuals are referred to elsewhere in the Bible—in both the Old Testament and New Testament—as “the chosen” or “the elect.” Predestination, then, is the biblical doctrine that God in His sovereignty chooses certain individuals to be saved while leaving others to the eternal consequences they deserve.
03 - Redeemed in Christ
February 19, 2023 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • Ephesians 1:7–10
“Redeeming love” is the theme of the Old Testament Book of Ruth, which tells the story of Ruth and her kinsman-redeemer, Boaz. It is also the theme of Ephesians 1:7-10. As if to reemphasize the greatness of all the spiritual blessings that he’s been expounding upon in Ephesians 1:1-6, not the least of which is that Christians have been predestined and called, the apostle Paul turns his attention to the theology of redemption and forgiveness, pointing to the blessing and work of the greatest Kinsman-Redeemer there is, Jesus Christ. The Lord is the greater Boaz who, by his law-keeping and sacrificial love, paid the price to redeem us; both Jews (such as Naomi) and Gentiles (like Ruth)—all who come to him for redemption.