Ephesians (2014)
The Wealth, Walk, And Warfare Of The Believer
Blessed In Christ
February 9, 2014 • Pastor John Miller
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ”—Ephesians 1:1-3 What wealth we have in Jesus and what blessings we possess. Paul the Apostle writes to the church in Ephesus bringing praise to God and blessing to the Lord’s own. The saints in Christ hear of such riches in Christ and the goodness of the Gospel of Salvation. Amongst the worlds, troubles the faithful live abundantly through grace in Christ Jesus. Pastor John Miller begins our study in the book of Ephesians with a message titled “Blessed in Christ” using Ephesians 1:1-3 as the scripture reference.
Chosen By The Father
February 16, 2014 • Pastor John Miller
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with this pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One-he loves”—Ephesians 1:4-6 It is the doctrine of election that says God chose you and I to Salvation. God is infinite in His sovereign purpose. His ways are immeasurable and endless. The act of His choosing those to salvation is in His purpose and for His intent. What wonderful blessing in Christ and what a glorious notion to know that before the world began God selected each believer to holiness, love and grace. Praise the Lord to His good will and Gospel inviting All! Pastor John Miller continues our study in the book of Ephesians with a message titled “Chosen By The Father” using Ephesians 1:4-6 as the scripture reference.
Redeemed by The Son
February 23, 2014 • Pastor John Miller
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory”—Ephesians 1 7 12 God redeemed us from sin, the law and its penalty, and Satan and death. The blood of Jesus Christ set each saved believer from damnation. Long before the cross, God purposed in eternity the blessing of Salvation. Before the Lord created anything, he declared and chose you and me for himself. What wealth in such a gift of eternal life. Can we understand this truth? Praise the Lord knowing this mystery of election and the future of grace conceived in eternity. Pastor John Miller continues our study in the book of Ephesians with a message titled “Redeemed by The Son” using Ephesians 1:7-12 as the scripture reference.
Sealed By The Spirit
March 2, 2014 • Pastor John Miller
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory”—Ephesians 1:13-14 The blessed evangelist brings the good news as he brings the Gospel claiming all that Jesus Christ has done to reconcile sinners to God. This written word is not merely information it is so much more. The Bible says we must hear the word and believe. This is salvation, which comes by way of the Holy Spirit sealed by God. God has promised us that we are His forever. If you believe in Him, sealed by the Holy Spirit you will be welcomed into heaven unto eternity. Pastor John Miller continues our study in the book of Ephesians with a message titled “Sealed by The Spirit” using Ephesians 1:13-14 as the scripture reference.
A Prayer For Knowledge
March 9, 2014 • Pastor John Miller
“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way”—Ephesians 1:15-23 Paul the Apostle believes in the power of prayer. His heart knew through the Holy Spirit that God’s word was truth and this motivated him to pray. He asked God to give others the spirit of wisdom and revelation. Paul prayed for the Church and for each one to find the hope of Jesus our Savior. Paul knew that knowing God intimately brings humbleness and a special power and grateful vision towards the understanding of his resurrection, exaltation position and the headship of Christ. This is the answer, provision and victory of Jesus Christ. Pastor John Miller continues our study in the book of Ephesians with a message titled “A Prayer for Knowledge” using Ephesians 1:15-23 as the scripture reference.
From Death To Life
March 16, 2014 • Pastor John Miller
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus”—Ephesians 2:1-7 Do you know what you have in Christ? Before a believer comes to salvation, he or she is a child of disobedience and follows after the lust of the flesh. We are on the course that this world dictates as our trespass leaves us separated from God and our eternity is unsecure. However the Good News of the Gospel brings hope in Jesus and a holy assurance in the love of God and his provision of mercy and grace though the cross brings us from death to life. Pastor John Miller continues our study in the book of Ephesians with a message titled “From Death to Life” using Ephesians 2:1-7 as the scripture reference.
Saved By Grace
March 23, 2014 • Pastor John Miller
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”—Ephesians 2:8-10 The unsaved man is in a lost condition. The state of the unsaved includes a man who is blind, sick, lost, a stranger, under the power of darkness, a slave to sin etc. However, the believer knows salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Because of God’s great love and grace, we are made alive and now waiting for the riches of His Grace. We confess our sins and accept him in our heart through faith. Pastor John Miller continues our study in the book of Ephesians with a message titled “Saved by Grace” using Ephesians 2:8-10 as the scripture reference.
He Is Our Peace
March 30, 2014 • Pastor John Miller
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near”—Ephesians 2:14-17 Paul describes the Gentiles at the time of the first century Church as separate in the flesh—without circumcision, without Christ, an alien, stranger and having no hope. However by the blood of Jesus Christ and his covenant of saving grace enables the foundation of believers. God has now reconciled himself through the cross and is our salvation. Though both Jew and Gentile divided, God made it possible through his promise and resolution for equal footing being one in Christ Jesus. Though barriers existed, the Lord reconciled us as one body, through his rich mercy and love. Pastor John Miller continues our study in the book of Ephesians with a message titled “He is Our Peace” using Ephesians 2:11-22 as the scripture reference.
The Church God’s Mystery
April 27, 2014 • Pastor John Miller
“Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus”—Ephesians 2:2-6 What is the Mystery of the Church? We read in the book of Ephesians that we are no longer separated; instead, we are one in Christ Jesus. We are both Jew and Gentile all in the same household of the Lord. God appoints the Apostle Paul the special messenger to the Gentiles. For the cause or for the sake of the Gentiles Paul continues to preach and say, “We are one in Christ.” Paul stays in prison and proclaims God’s will understanding this beautiful mystery as he writes so many of the New Testament letters to the people of the Church. Although he is in prison Paul knows his blessing because he spoke of God’s Gospel and saving grace. Pastor John Miller continues our study in the book of Ephesians with a message titled “The Church God’s Mystery” using Ephesians 3:1-13 as the scripture reference.
Laying Hold Of Your Wealth
May 4, 2014 • Pastor John Miller
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God”—Ephesians 3:14-19 Paul the Apostle is sharing his prayers with the church in Ephesus. Paul encourages the people with his letter to them. He wants the congregation to know something about prayer. In all of Paul’s letters, he always mentions prayers and praying. He thanked God continuously always asking for grace and mercy. Paul instructs others to pray ‘without ceasing’ and without worry. Pastor John Miller continues our study in the book of Ephesians with a message titled “Laying Hold of Your Wealth” using Ephesians 3:14-21 as the scripture reference.
Growing The Church
June 1, 2014
“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”—Ephesians 4:7-16 The pattern for church growth says that we are first a Bible church growing in godliness. Next, we are to walk in love, humility, patience keeping unity amongst believers while teaching sound doctrine from God’s word. The ministry of a church has its source in Christ, as Jesus is the head of the Church. The Lord can enjoy each member of the church using gifts of love and professing the purpose of God’s word and will. The work of the ministry is for the good of others and the glorifying of God as each believer becomes more like Jesus! Pastor John Miller continues our study in the book of Ephesians with a message titled “Growing The Church” using Ephesians 4:7-16 as the scripture reference.
Imitating Our Father
June 22, 2014 • Pastor John Miller
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God…For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”—Ephesians 5:1-14 It is most important to take note that the attributes of God include His sacrificial kind and forgiving love. The Lord gives His mercy and grace to His children. His intention is that believers who have attained such love from our Father would give as He gives. Christians may show love, forgiveness, mercy and grace by walking in this love daily while avoiding immorality, covetousness and all uncleanliness. Living this pattern of life emulates and follows God’s purpose and holy radiant essence. Pastor John Miller continues our study in the book of Ephesians with a message titled “Imitating Our Father” using Ephesians 5:1-14 as the scripture reference.