LHIM Weekly Bible Teaching

The common view is that the saved go to heaven at death to be with Jesus and their loved ones. Although it’s not clear what we’ll do there, we know that we will enjoy eternal bliss. Problem 1: Going to heaven contradicts scriptures that speak of the righteous living on earth, including the land promise God made to Abraham and his descendants (Gen 12:7; 13:14-15; 15:18-21; 17:7-8; 22:17-18; 24:7; 26:4; 28:13; 35:12; Ex 3:17; 6:8; Lev 25:38; Deut 1:8; Josh 21:43; Ps 105:11; Jer 7:7; 11:5; 32:22; Ezek 20:6, 42; Acts 7:3-5; Rom 4:13; Gal 3:29; Eph 2:12-13, 19) as well as many other texts (Ps 2:7-8; 37:9-11, 21-22, 27-29, 34; Pr 2:21; Is 11:6-9; 60:20-21; Ezek 36:26-28; Dan 2:44; 7:27; Zech 14:9; Mat 5:5; 6:10; Luke 13:28-29; Rev 2:26-27; 5:9-10; 11:15; 21:2-4). Problem 2: Going to heaven undermines God’s original intention for creation. God made the kind of world (Gen 1:31) and people (Gen 2:7) he wanted in the beginning. His plan is to fix what went wrong, not give up on it (Rom 8:19-23; Is 45:18). Problem 3: Going to heaven devalues resurrection. Assuming the dead are living in heaven, what’s the point of the resurrection of the dead? Why would people want their bodies back after living in disembodied bliss in heaven for centuries? The Bible teaches that when people die, they are “asleep” until Christ returns to “awaken” them (Dan 12:2; John 5:28-29; 6:39-40; 1 Cor 15:21-23). Life will be much like it is now, but with the elimination of everything wrong with the world— including violence, sickness, and death. It will be paradise.The post Who Told You That? The Saved Go To Heaven first appeared on Living Hope.

The common view of hell is that it is a place of separation from God where the unrighteous suffer eternal conscious torment (ECT) in a fire with no relief and no hope of escape. Problem 1: ECT contradicts scriptures that speak of the destruction of the wicked, including Gen 3:19-23; Ps 1:6; 37:9-11, 20-22, 28-29, 34, 37-38; 92:7; 145:20; Prov 2:21-22; 12:7; 24:10-20; Is 66:15-16, 23-24; Mal 4:1-3; Mat 3:11-12; 7:13-14; 10:28; Jn 3:16; 5:28-29; Rom 6:23; 2 Thes 1:6-9; Heb 10:26-27; 2 Pet 2:6, 12-13; 3:7. Problem 2: ECT violates the ethic of proportional justice. Torturing the wicked forever is out of proportion to their crimes. Since we know that Yahweh judges with righteousness and equity (Ps 9:7-8), he cannot also be excessive in his punishment. Problem 3: ECT implies that God is cruel. If you had a friend who was so sensitive and offendable that he wished to punish his enemies by tormenting them forever, what would that tell you about his character? God is not sadistic; he is loving, gracious, merciful, and just (Ex 34:6-7; Deut 32:4; Jer 9:24). When the day of judgement comes, the dead will rise and stand before the judge (Rev 20:11-15). Those not in the book of life will be annihilated. In Rev 20:10 (and 14:9-11) John saw a vision of people getting eternally tormented in a lake of fire. In Rev 21:7-8, we learn that the symbol of people getting tormented in a lake of fire actually refers to “the second death.”The post Who Told You That? Hell Is a Place of Eternal Torture first appeared on Living Hope.

We can evaluate God and His actions rightly based upon the parameters He has given in the Scriptures about Himself. When someone says “God did this” or “God did that” we must see if it fits with what we know about God. Romans 11:33-36; Genesis 1:1-5 God is much bigger than we can know, a thimble compared to an ocean. However, there is much about Him that we can know by His creation and His Word. Ignorance and wrong teaching has muddled our thimble. GOD HAS INTEGRITY – HE CANNOT LIE Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2 GOD IS LOVE – 1 John 4:16 GOD IS ALWAYS JUST – Deuteronomy 32:3-4; Psalm 89:14 GOD IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL James 1:17; Lamentations 3:22-23; GOD IS LIGHT WITHOUT ANY DARKNESS 1 John 1:5 God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. GOD KNOWS THE HEART OF MAN Jeremiah 17:10; Psalm 139:1-4 GOD KNOWS THE END FROM THE BEGINNING – Isaiah 46:9-10 Humans have free will – Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15; Isaiah 1:19-20; 2 Chronicles 15:2, 4, and 15; Matthew 23:37 Adam, Eve and Cain had self-determination – Genesis 4:7 Cherubim and angels have free will – Ezekiel 28:12-19; Isai-ah 14:13-14 The devil is the cause of evil, not God -2 Corinthians 4:4, 11:3; Revelation 12:9 What is the cause of war? – James 4:1-3 Who is the cause of death? – Hebrews 2:14; John 10:10The post Who Told You That? God Is Responsible for Everything That Happens first appeared on Living Hope.

Like the ancient texts in The Mummy, God’s “backwards” truths become the key to real victory and transformation. 1. The Bible is not Boring — It’s a Living Adventure The Bible is alive and powerful: “For the word of God is living and active…” (Hebrews 4:12). Features real stories of adventure and faith, such as David vs. Goliath, Paul’s shipwreck, and the Resurrection. These are eyewitness accounts, not legends (2 Peter 1:16). 2. The Bible is not Bigoted — It’s Radically Inclusive God’s love is extended to every nation and people group. Women are empowered: Deborah, Mary Magdalene, Priscilla. Outsiders are welcomed: The Ethiopian eunuch receives the gospel (Acts 8). Scriptures: Galatians 3:28, John 3:16, Revelation 7:9 highlight inclusivity. 3. The Bible is not Backwards — But it is Backwards to the World God’s wisdom often challenges worldly values. True success means honoring God above all else, as modeled by Jesus. “Backwards” actions: forgiving enemies, generosity, sacrificial living. Scriptures: Matthew 6:33, 1 Corinthians 1:18 demonstrate the power and purpose in “backwards” living. Psalm 1:1–3: Those who delight in God’s law are deeply rooted and blessed. The post Who Told You That? The Bible is Boring, Bigoted, & Backwards first appeared on Living Hope.

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; Happy are those who take refuge in him. The lost are those who have yet to take refuge in God. They haven’t tasted and seen that Yahweh is good. These are the people we are called to reach. Luke 19:1-2 Zaccheus was a bad man, engaged in a despicable profession that betrayed and exploited his own people. Luke 19:3-6 Jesus noticed Zaccheus. He wasn’t so busy or task-oriented that he missed the wealthy man who had climbed the tree. As a high-status rabbi, inviting himself over to Zaccheus’s house was a huge honor to Zaccheus. Luke 19:7 There will always be critics when you spend time with the lost. Even so, we want to be like Jesus and seek out those who are spiritually hungry. Luke 19:8-9 Zaccheus repented on the spot. He’s ready to change his life. Love calls for a response. Martin Luther King used to say that love had within it a redemptive power. Luke 19:10 Jesus came to seek out and to save the lost. If you want to be like Jesus, you, too, should seek out the lost. Those who are lost really need help (Eph 2:12).The post Reaching the Lost first appeared on Living Hope.

Phase 1: The Garden of Eden ( Gen 1:26; 2:17 ) God’s policies were minimal and simple: ( 1 ) have children, ( 2 ) rule the world, and ( 3 ) don’t eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Phase 2: The Old World ( Gen 4:26; 5:22 ) People invoked the name of God. Enoch walked with God, but over time, wickedness and violence spread like a plague resulting in the great reset of Noah’s flood. Phase 3: The New World ( Gen 9:1-11; 11:6-9 ) God initiated three changes in policy: ( 1 ) humans could now eat meat, ( 2 ) no more global floods, and ( 3 ) capital punishment for murderers. Sadly, humanity rebelled with the result that God confused the languages. Phase 4: Covenant with Abraham ( Gen 12:1-3 ) After Abraham trusted God, God committed to him and his descendants to be their God, bless them, and give them a land. Phase 5: Covenant with Israel ( Exod 20:1-17 ) After rescuing Israel from Egypt, God gave Moses laws to write down. In the 40th year, God provided updates and new laws ( Exod 21:2 vs. Deut 15:12-14, 17 ). Phase 6: New Covenant ( Luke 22:19-20; Jer 31:31-32; Psalm 110:4; Heb 8:13; 7:11- 12, 22; Gal 3:23-26 ) Jesus brought new instruction. His death ratified a new covenant, that opened up a new relationship on the basis of faith not ancestry. Phase 7: The Kingdom of God ( Dan 7; Rev 21-22 ) When Christ returns, he will resurrect the faithful, establish God’s kingdom on earth, and usher in an age of enduring peace, justice, and loveThe post Progressive Revelation first appeared on Living Hope.

Fail forward and don’t expect things to work out the first or 20th time. Find your superpower and put it to work in the church. We need your light and the gifts that God placed in you! 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 A Family Forged in Crisis Romans 12:4-5 You have to be ready for crisis by belonging and participating in the community of God. Isaiah 41:10 Revelation 21:3-4 Facing Cosmic Fear Together Staying in the fold of God keeps us safer together in numbers. Psalm 78:4-7 Acts 2:39 2 Timothy 1:5 Plant Hope in the Next Generation Ephesians 2:19 Galatians 3:28-29 A Chosen Family by Grace not by Genes Acts 4:32-35 Hebrews 10:24-25 Guarding our words in order to build others up and not tear them down Ephesians 4:29-32 Galatians 5:13-15 Colossians 3:12-14The post Fantastic 4 and Belonging in Christ first appeared on Living Hope.

The works that the man Jesus did, we can do also—because like him, we have been given the spirit and the Word to empower us. Anything God asks of us, He makes possible. His power works in us to carry it out. John 14:12. Truly, truly – “Pay close attention—what I’m about to say is absolutely certain.” Jesus wants us to be convinced, without doubt, that his works could be continued and even expanded through his followers Luke 4:18–19. The Gospels confirm that Jesus fulfilled everything Isaiah foretold. Acts 10:38. What he did was God’s will and God’s work, not his own. Acts 2:22. God performed through him Acts 2:22; 1 Timothy 2:5; Romans 5:15. It is essential to affirm Jesus’ humanity if we are to believe his words in John 14:12. Each Gospel records that the holy spirit descended upon Jesus at his baptism (Matt. 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–23; John 1:29–34). God wanted it to be unmistakable that Jesus was empowered by the spirit to carry out his mission. Luke 4:1, 14; 5:17. The spirit God gave Jesus enabled him to perform miracles, wonders, and signs. And in the same way, God has given us His spirit so that He may work through us to accomplish His purposes. Isaiah 61:1-3; 42:1-7. Jesus also had faith in the Scriptures. John 14:12. We too have God’s spirit, and we too have His Word. As Jesus trusted God to work through him, we can believe that God will work through us.The post Superman and the Real Superpower first appeared on Living Hope.

Love Isn’t Always Easy. Love Costs Something. Love Sees Beyond the External. Love Isn’t Always Easy Loving someone can be risky and difficult. It takes vulnerability and can be hard. 1 Cor 13:4-7. Loving someone is easy when people are nice but can be quite a challenge when there is tension, disagreement, or pride involved. Luke 19:1-10. Jesus’ was judged for his association with people that others viewed as “sinners” and “unclean”. Love Costs Something Loving someone often requires sacrifice and giving of yourself in ways that are not preferred (or undesirable). John 15:9-13, 17. Jesus commanded his followers to love each other as he loved them and to be willing to sacrifice everything. John 13:1-15, 34-35. The example Jesus left his disciples is to be willing to do the lowest task in serving each other. By loving each other in this way, you will make known to other people that you are Christ’s disciples. Love Sees Beyond the External Appearances can be deceiving. What is on the outside is not what is important, but what is on the inside is what matters. 1 Samuel 16:1-12. As humans, we can get caught up with thinking about how things look and miss the more important traits of who a person is. Romans 2:11. God does not show favoritism but welcomes everyone to come to Him through His Son, Jesus. John 4:1-30. Jesus’ disciples only saw a Samaritan woman and missed the whole point of what was happening.The post Film Series 2: How to Train Your Dragon and Christian Love first appeared on Living Hope.

The Karate Kid movies and shows have resonated with people for more than four decades. One aspect that draws us to watching them is the desire we all have for a mentor or a student. Jesus was the ultimate Myagi, teaching and training his disciples throughout his ministry. Before departing, he told us that we too should make disciples of all nations. Mark 6:7-13. After Jesus had spent a little time with his disciples, he instructed them and sent them out. They were to do the same sorts of things that Jesus himself was doing. Mark 6:30-44. Upon returning from their missionary trip, the twelve reported back to Jesus what happened with great excitement. Jesus continued to challenge and train them. When a crowd of 5,000 men were hungry, he told them, “You give them something to eat.” Mark 9:33-37. Jesus taught them about humility. Rather than seeking to be the greatest, he told them to look to the example of a child. Luke 14:25-32. Jesus set the bar high for becoming a disciple. Although the call is open to anyone, only those who put him first can be true disciples. People should count the cost prior to following Jesus. Luke 6:40. The goal of Christian discipleship is to become like Christ. We aim to both follow his words and imitate his example. Matthew 10:24-25. As they ridiculed and called Jesus names, so they will do to you if you genuinely follow him. John 8:31-32. Disciples don’t just believe in Jesus, they also continue in his words, living out his teachings. John 13:35. The most important indicator of authentic discipleship is if we love each other. See also John 15:8-10.The post Film Series 1: Karate Kid and Christian Discipleship first appeared on Living Hope.

His name is far more than a label—it represents the power, presence, and authority of Jesus Himself. When Peter explained the healing of the lame man, he was essentially saying, ‘It was the very person and power of Jesus, alive and active, that made this man whole.’ John 16:23-27. We pray to God in the name of Jesus Christ. Acts 3:1ff. In the name of Jesus Christ, the lame man walked. Acts 3:16. “Name” means much more than a label. It implies Jesus’ power, presence, and authority. Peter is saying: “It is the very person and power of Jesus, active and present, that healed this man.” Acts 4:1-12. There is no other name by which we can be saved. Acts 4:17-20. Do not speak in this name. Acts 16:16-18. Demon was cast out by his name. Philippians 2:5-11. In the end, everyone will bow to that name.The post Power in His Name first appeared on Living Hope.

What is the “good news of the kingdom of God” that Jesus preached? Put simply, it’s everything wrong with the world made right. The perfect world God originally intended has been damaged by humanity’s sinful actions, but God hasn’t given up on the earth. His plan of redemption has already been set in motion. We have a real hope that solves real problems in the real world. Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 4:23; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2. The “gospel of the kingdom of God” is the message Jesus preached. Genesis 1:1-31. God created the world to be good. Genesis 2:7-25. God has always desired a love relationship with humanity. 1 Corinthians 13:5. Love does not demand its own way. God gave humanity freedom to choose Him or not. Genesis 3:1-24. Adam and Eve chose to trust the serpent (Satan) rather than God. Humanity’s sin gave Satan influence over the earth, resulting in pain (v.16), natural disasters (v. 17-18), relationship conflicts (v. 16), and death (v. 19). Worst of all, sin separated humanity from God. Genesis 3:15. God promises hope. Revelation 21:1-3. God will once again dwell on the earth with humanity. Revelation 21:4-7. God will destroy death forever. No more crying or pain. Revelation 22:1-2. God will bring back the tree of life. Eternal life will be freely available. Revelation 22:3. There will no longer be any curse. All the curses that resulted from sin (Gen. 3:1-24) will be undone. Revelation 22:4-5. Man’s dominion over the earth will be restored. Under God, and in right relationship with him, humans “will reign forever and ever.” What God wanted in the beginning, He gets in the end. The good news of the Kingdom of God is: everything wrong with the world made right. Hebrews 6:19. Hope is “the anchor of our souls.” To survive the storms of life, we must know what our hope is! Our hope isn’t ethereal, wishy-washy, boring, or irrelevant. We have a real hope that solves real problems in the real world.The post God’s Dream first appeared on Living Hope.

The conclusion of the Ephesians’ series focuses on spiritual warfare and how to combat the evil we are faced with. As we put on the whole armor of God, we can stand against the wiles of the devil. 2 Corinthians 4:4   Spiritual warfare Matthew 13:19 – The wicked one; Mark 4:15 – Satan; Luke 8:12 – The devil 1 Peter 5:8 – Adversary; 1 Thessalonians 3:4 – Tempter; Revelation 12:10 – Accuser Ephesians 2:1-3   Three fronts 1. The world, 2. Demons, 3. Lust of our flesh   Air is unseen by influential Ephesians 6:11-13   Our struggle is not against flesh and blood. He functions undercover, cleverly camouflaged in secrecy. People end up as puppets Ephesians 1:18-23   Jesus already won the battle. 14 – 4:17-23   This is now your lie; 1:1-14 your truth now 14 – 4:21-24   Righteousness is the new you. Live right, 15 – Peace 1:2; 6:23; 2:14-17; 4:3 16 – Faith 2:8-9; 3:12, 17 – Faith is a full realization of your own inability and absolute confidence in God’s ability. 17 – Helmet of salvation – 1:13 -14, 2:7, 3: 9-11 17 – The sword of the spirit; the Word of God 18 – Pray – Matthew 6:9-13: 1:15-23; 3:14-21The post Ephesians Part 12: Dress for Battle first appeared on Living Hope.

How should you carry yourself at home and at work? In Ephesians 6:1-9, we learn that parents should actively teach their children obedience and honor, guiding them with love and fairness rather than harshness, to foster healthy development. We also learn that we should work heartily unto the Lord rather than for people. Ephesians 6:1 Parents must teach their children to obey. Left to their own devices, kids will assert their own little wills over everyone else, resulting in chaos and dysfunction. They will not learn obedience or boundaries unless loving adults help them and hold them accountable. Ephesians 6:2-3 Honoring your parents is also important to teach to children, though this command continues through adulthood. Although it’s common today to “go no-contact” with one’s parents, such dishonoring behavior is out of place for Christians except for extreme cases. Ephesians 6:4 It’s important that parents (especially fathers) don’t hold children to an impossible standard, discipline in an excessively harsh manner, or frustrate children in other ways. Rather, parents should help children to develop resilience, control their emotions, and avoid prideful tribalism as they train them and instruct them in the ways of the Lord. Ephesians 6:5-8 Slavery was regrettable, though an accepted reality for most of human history. Christianity spread like wildfire among slaves in the Roman Empire. Paul explains how Christian slaves should handle themselves at work. Ephesians 6:9 Although we wish Paul had told masters to free their slaves, instead he told them to give up threatening them. In other places we know that Paul was in favor of liberation (1 Cor 7:21-23; Gal 3:27-28; Phlm 15-17). The seeds of abolitionism were present in the Bible, but it took time for them to grow into maturity.The post Ephesians Part 11: Serving the Lord at Home and at Work first appeared on Living Hope.

Ephesians 5:22-24 Not everyone should get married. If you prize your freedom and want independence, stay single for Christ (1 Cor 7:32-35). However, if a woman wants to have a biblical marriage, she should recognize her husband’s headship (Col 3:18-19; Titus 2:3-5; 1 Pet 3:1-2). She should model the Church in relation to Christ. Of course, a wife can and should break submission if her husband asks her to sin, is mentally unwell (including substance addiction), or is physically abusive. Each situation warrants its own wisdom. The pastors and elders are here to help you through such hard situations (email: elders@lhim.org). Ephesians 5:25-27 As the wives are to submit, the husbands are to love self-sacrificially. He should model Christ in relation to the Church. When Paul wrote Ephesians, such a standard would have sounded radical. Other authors from the period like Josephus, Philo, and Plutarch mention the wife’s submission, but never the husband’s requirement to love, much less love like Christ! Ephesians 5:28-30 Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. Cherish her, protect her, provide for her, and attend to her needs. Ephesians 5:31 The standard for marriage goes back to the Garden of Eden before sin ever entered the picture. The beautiful complementarity and mutuality God designed finds its fullest expression in the physical intimacy enjoyed by a husband and wife in a committed marriage (1 Cor 7:1-5). Ephesians 5:32-33 Christian marriage is a symbol, pointing to Christ’s relationship with the Church. Christian marriages have an incredible opportunity to testify before a watching world.The post Ephesians Part 10: Loving Husbands, Respectful Wives first appeared on Living Hope.

Ephesians 5:3-21 Paul warns Christians of behaviors. Not a hint of sexual immorality Matthew 5:32 1 Corinthians 5:1 Evil behaviors have bad consequences. God’s way is better. Living together/playing house Marriage is God’s perfect answer to sexual sin. The good news about marriage is God calls us to cleanness. Romans 1:24; Matthew 23:27-28 Greed isn’t the way. Jeremiah 22:17 Vulgar speech is prohibited. Divisive and foolish talk should be removed. Titus 3:8- 11 Coarse jesting is wrong. Awake, Oh Sleeper! What will you choose? You can be wise and ready or foolish and unprepared.The post Ephesians Part 9: Walk in the Light first appeared on Living Hope.

Put Off the Old Self (Eph 4:17-19) Paul warns believers not to live like the Gentiles, whose thinking is futile and whose hearts are hardened. Their lifestyle is marked by having a darkened understanding, ignorance, insensitivity, and moral corruption that is driven by selfish desires. Be Renewed and Put on the New Self (Eph 4:20-24) Paul claims that the old way of life is not how believers have learned Christ. Rather believers are to: Put off the old self (i.e. the former way of life). Be renewed in the spirit of their minds. Put on the new self (i.e. new way of life in righteousness and holiness). Practical Instructions for New Life (Eph 4:25-32) Paul lists specific ways to live out this new self: Speak truthfully instead of lying. Control your anger and deal with it promptly. Do honest work so you can help others. Speak words that build up, not corrupt speech. Avoid bitterness, rage, slander, and malice. Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving, just as God forgave you in Christ. Imitate God and Walk in Love (Eph 5:1-2) Believers are called to be imitators of God as His children. We should walk in love, following the example of Christ, who gave himself as a sacrificial offering for us.The post Ephesians Part 8: The New You first appeared on Living Hope.

Ephesians 4:1-3 Here we find five important behaviors that all Christians should cultivate in their lives: humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance, and seeking unity. Each of these takes intentionality and sustained effort. Unity, in particular, requires serious effort. In fact, Jesus himself prayed for our unity (John 17:20-23). Ephesians 4:4-6 The basis of our unity is what we hold in common with each other: one body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God over all. The Moravian motto said it well: “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things love.” Ephesians 4:7-10 When he died and was buried, Jesus descended into the grave. When God raised him from the dead and brought him up to heaven, he ascended. His death, resurrection, and ascension together defeated spiritual evil in high places with the result that he led captivity captive. Additionally, his victory brought into reality new structures both in heaven and earth. Ephesians 4:11-13 The various positions in the local church exist to equip the saints for the work of ministry with the goal of developing maturity in individuals and as a group. Christ is our forerunner and prototype. We want to grow into his full stature over time. Ephesians 4:14-16 As you develop in your faith, you should not be easily deceived by the many winds of doctrine blowing in our time, especially through social media. Rather, the goal is to grow and mature such that we not only remain connected to the body but also build it up in love.The post Ephesians Part 7: Grow Up first appeared on Living Hope.

The Apostle Paul prays for Christians to be strengthened that Christ may dwell in their hearts with the result that they may be rooted and grounded in love. He prays that they would be able to comprehend Christ’s love so that they may be filled with all God’s fullness. Thus, as we continue pursuing love, we understand not only what has already been done for us, but we also show to others that love which is paramount in the life of the Christian. Ephesians 3:14-15 To name is to exert power over, often as the creator. The Father is the supreme source of everyone on earth as well as the spiritual powers in heaven. It’s always helpful to remember to whom you’re praying at the start of your prayer. Ephesians 3:16-17 Here God’s spirit strengthens so Christ can dwell in our hearts with the result that we become rooted and grounded in love. God’s love shown through Christ is the most powerful redeeming force in the universe, capable of turning enemies into family (John 3:16; Rom 5:6-8). As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Love is the absolute power” (Love Your Enemies Sermon, March 7, 1961, Detroit, MI). Ephesians 3:18-19 Paul prays that Christians would be able to grasp a truth so deep and profound that it surpasses knowledge—the love of Christ. Loving others when they’ve given you reason to hate them doesn’t make sense, but it follows Christ’s example and can result in total transformation. When we finally experientially know the love of Christ, we can be filled with all God’s fullness—a staggering thought! As Christ was filled with God, so can we (Col 2:9; John 3:34). Ephesians 3:20-21 God is capable of doing so much more than we can ask or even imagine. He is worthy of our devotion and dedication. In fact, our lives are to bring Him glory, not only individually, but also as a group. Is your life bringing glory to God?The post Ephesians Part 6: Strengthened, Rooted, Filled first appeared on Living Hope.

The great mystery was hidden throughout the ages until revealed to the Apostle Paul. If it was known, the evil rulers would not have crucified Jesus, and God’s plan for humanity’s redemption would have been thwarted. The inclusion of the Gentiles and the full significance of what Christ accomplished on the cross are part of the mystery that is now revealed in the Ephesians Epistle. Ephesians 3:1-9. What Christ accomplished for humanity was kept secret until Paul received it by revelation. Luke 9:44-45. God wanted the information concealed. Luke 18:31-34. Many things are written in the OT foretelling what Jesus would do and accomplish; however, much of it was hidden until Paul. Mark 8:31-33. Not only did Peter not understand what Jesus said, he also thought he was wrong. 1 Corinthians 2: 6-8. Had they understood, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Ephesians 3:2. The word “stewardship” and “administration” in verse 9 are the same Greek word oikonomia. 3:4-5. Before, no one understood; now, we can understand. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16. Ephesians 3:6. Gentiles were now fellow heirs, members, partakers of the promise. Ephesians 2:12-22. 3:8. The riches are so deep, vast, and profound they can never be fully discovered until Christ returns. They are infinitely rich and abundant. Colossians 1:27. Christ in you Ephesians 3:10. Rulers and the authorities – 1:19-21; 6:12 3:11. The mystery explains God’s purpose of the ages. 3:12. Only the high priest once a year had access to God. Now every disciple has direct, bold, and confident access to God. 3:13. Do not be discouraged I am in prison; rather, accept it is actually a glorious thingThe post Ephesians Part 5: The Mystery of Christ first appeared on Living Hope.