07 - Biblical Genderism
November 19, 2023 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann
Transgenderism, where an individual takes on the qualities opposite of their biological sex through surgical enhancement and hormone replacement therapy, is not a new issue. In point of fact, the first sex change was performed just over a hundred years ago in 1930. But what is new in human history is the mainstreaming, the normalization, the standardization, and the legitimization of transgenderism, driven not only by pop culture (the media, Hollywood, etc.) but increasingly with the force of government as well. Is transgenderism unbiblical? If so, how then should Christians respond to this controversial (and often political) issue plaguing a growing number of confused people?
04 - Biblical Womanhood - In Church
November 12, 2023 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • 1 Timothy 2:11–12
As it relates to the roles and responsibilities of women in the church, on one side of the fence there are those who insist that, since women are equal with men in God's eyes and we live in an enlightened age, the prohibitions in Scripture against women serving in leadership in the church no longer apply. Such passages are to be interpreted culturally, not literally. On the other end of the spectrum, there are those who have a wooden interpretation of the Bible and argue that women are to be kept in spiritual straightjackets, so to speak. Like children, women are to be seen and not heard in the church, present but not active; they are to speak only when spoken to. Which view, if any, is correct? Are women allowed to teach men or must they be silent at all times?
03 - Biblical Manhood - In Church
November 5, 2023 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • 1 Corinthians 16:13
According to the Tearfund report the ratio of women to men in church in America is 65% to 35%. That means that every Sunday there is approximately 28% more women attending church than men. This ought not to be. God’s wants men in His church, in the pulpit, in the pews, and on the elder board; men who have grown up, spiritually speaking, and who have stopped talking, thinking, and reasoning like children. It's high time, says the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 16:13, that men "act like men" and stay on alert for their families, standing firm against error or in the face of hardship, showing strength of character, and doing all that they do with love.
02 - Biblical Womanhood - In General
Pastor Ronald H. Gann • Proverbs 31:10–31
While a faithful woman may fulfill her role and calling in life as a wife and mother (two admirable offices for which the Bible has much to say) that is not a woman’s highest calling in life. Rather, a biblical woman’s highest calling—and what truly defines biblical womanhood as God see it—is her fear of the Lord. This type of woman is illustrated by the virtuous and noble woman of Proverbs 31:10-31. Moreover, like the Moabitess Ruth who trusted in the God "in whom she found refuge," a biblical woman is also a person of noble character (Ruth 2:11–12; 3:11).
01 - Biblical Manhood - In General
October 22, 2023 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • Job 31, Exodus 32:5–14
Going out into the woods with your hunting buddies, putting on war paint, beating your chest, making animal noises, and telling scary stories around a campfire, might wreak of testosterone, but it has nothing to do with the biblical concept of manliness. Biblical manliness is not about machoism or even testosterone levels. It’s about personal character. More to the point, it’s about godly character that exhibits itself, says David says in 1 Kings 2:1-3, as strength of character, observance of God's requirements, faithfulness to walk in the Lord's way, and obedience in keeping God's commands and decrees.
30 - Praying in Christ
October 8, 2023 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • Ephesians 6:19–24
In this closing passage of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul gives his readers some general instructions about prayer, then a specific illustration of prayer, and finally a benediction of prayer. One of his goals in writing this marvelous epistle was to provide the Church with significant teaching on salvation, reconciliation, the nature of God’s family and the believer's role in it as adopted sons and daughters, and the Christian’s newfound identity—that is who we are in Christ, whose we are in Christ, and what is ours in Christ. And he wrote all of this, as he did with most of his epistles, with one overarching goal in mind: to encourage and energize believers in their faith.
07 - The Sword Of The Spirit
October 1, 2023 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • Ephesians 6:14–18
Throughout the history, there have been certain individuals—both real and fictional—whose identity remains inseparably linked to their weapon of choice. For example, from medieval history, there is King Arthur, who is forever linked with his sword, known as Excalibur. In the world of Hollywood, there is James Bond, famous for carrying his Walther PPK, a German pistol. In the same way, we are told in no uncertain terms in Ephesians 6 that God ascribes to all believers a weapon of choice that is inseparably linked to their identity as believers. It is a weapon that not only defines who we are in Christ and what we believe about him, but it also defines how we are to fight for Christ. It is the Word of God, which Paul affectionately refers to as the Sword of the Holy Spirit.
29 - Armored in Christ (Part 7)
October 1, 2023 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • Ephesians 6:14–18
Throughout the history, there have been certain individuals—both real and fictional—whose identity remains inseparably linked to their weapon of choice. For example, from medieval history, there is King Arthur, who is forever linked with his sword, known as Excalibur. In the world of Hollywood, there is James Bond, famous for carrying his Walther PPK, a German pistol. In the same way, we are told in no uncertain terms in Ephesians 6 that God ascribes to all believers a weapon of choice that is inseparably linked to their identity as believers. It is a weapon that not only defines who we are in Christ and what we believe about him, but it also defines how we are to fight for Christ. It is the Word of God, which Paul affectionately refers to as the Sword of the Holy Spirit.
06 - The Helmet Of Salvation
September 24, 2023 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • Ephesians 6:14–18
The apostle Paul lists the helmet of salvation as the fifth part of the armor of God that believers are to put on, just behind the belt, the breastplate, the boots, and the shield. But what exactly does it do and how exactly does it protect us? Wile this world is corrupt and filled with sin, our salvation (from God's wrath) acts like a helmet in such a way that it guards our minds, protects our thinking, shields our thoughts, and safeguards our mental outlook. Moreover, in doing so, the helmet of salvation also renews our minds, removes our doubts, and retains our eternal perspective during the difficult circumstances of spiritual warfare.
28 - Armored in Christ (Part 6)
September 24, 2023 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • Ephesians 6:14–18
The apostle Paul lists the helmet of salvation as the fifth part of the armor of God that believers are to put on, just behind the belt, the breastplate, the boots, and the shield. But what exactly does it do and how exactly does it protect us? Wile this world is corrupt and filled with sin, our salvation (from God's wrath) acts like a helmet in such a way that it guards our minds, protects our thinking, shields our thoughts, and safeguards our mental outlook. Moreover, in doing so, the helmet of salvation also renews our minds, removes our doubts, and retains our eternal perspective during the difficult circumstances of spiritual warfare.
05 - The Shield Of Faith
September 17, 2023 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • Ephesians 6:14–18
The faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3:13-30) allowed them to stand up to the world’s most powerful man, to stand on their convictions and trust in the truth of Scripture, and to stand by one another, mutually supporting each other, in their darkest hour. In the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar's idol on pain of death—we learn a valuable lesson about the power of faith and just how to deploy it as part of the armor of God.
27 - Armored in Christ (Part 5)
September 17, 2023 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • Ephesians 6:14–18
The faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3:13-30) allowed them to stand up to the world’s most powerful man, to stand on their convictions and trust in the truth of Scripture, and to stand by one another, mutually supporting each other, in their darkest hour. In the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar's idol on pain of death—we learn a valuable lesson about the power of faith and just how to deploy it as part of the armor of God.
04 - The Shoes Of Readiness
September 10, 2023 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • Ephesians 6:14–18
Four times in four verses (vv. 11-14 NIV), Paul declares that the armor’s purpose—the value in putting it on piece by piece—lies in its ability to help us (1) to “stand against the devil’s schemes” (v. 11); (2) to “stand [our] ground” (v. 13a); to “stand” (v. 13b); and (4) to “stand firm” (v. 14). And of course, armor would be incomplete without the proper shoes by which we make our stand—which Paul identifies as “the readiness” or “preparation” of the gospel of peace” (v. 15). Clearly, he knew Christians needed to be on a solid foundation when facing opposition.
26 - Armored in Christ (Part 4)
September 10, 2023 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • Ephesians 6:14–18
Four times in four verses (vv. 11-14 NIV), Paul declares that the armor’s purpose—the value in putting it on piece by piece—lies in its ability to help us (1) to “stand against the devil’s schemes” (v. 11); (2) to “stand [our] ground” (v. 13a); to “stand” (v. 13b); and (4) to “stand firm” (v. 14). And of course, armor would be incomplete without the proper shoes by which we make our stand—which Paul identifies as “the readiness” or “preparation” of the gospel of peace” (v. 15). Clearly, he knew Christians needed to be on a solid foundation when facing opposition.
03 - The Breastplate Of Righteousness
September 3, 2023 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • Ephesians 6:14–18
In our battle against sin (inside us)and Satan (outside us), Paul instructs his readers to put on the breastplate of righteousness as part of their spiritual armor. But what Paul meant by righteousness has some commentators at odds. Some suggest that Pau has in mind the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ that is credited to us through faith in Jesus Christ (and by which we are justified before God) whereas others believe he is referring to the imparted righteousness that comes from Jesus Christ in producing fruit as believers (and by which we are justified in the eyes of man). Perhaps the answer is that both types of righteousness, combined, make up suitable armor. Another way of saying it is that imputed righteousness (which has to do with our justification, spiritually) and imparted righteousness (which has to do with our sanctification, practically) is the breastplate that Christians are to wear at all times.