Ephesians (Program #60) - The Church as a Hybrid Life; the Mingled Spirit for the Church Life

Every person asked themselves at some point in their life, why am I here? Or even what’s the reason for the universe and everything in it?  Well, as believers we probably add to those questions a third, why did God save me? What purpose does He has for me being a Christian?  Well, these are the great questions that had perplexed and puzzled mankind for all time. Yet the Bible speaks very clearly to these great universal questions, especially in the New Testament book of Ephesians. We will consider the answers to these questions from the perspective that the apostle Paul gives us in this most marvelous book of the Bible.

 

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Job (Program #8) - God’s Answer to Job

Job 10:13 says, “But You have hidden these things in Your heart; I know that this is with You:”. Job knew there must be a reason why God was allowing him to suffer so much but he didn’t know what God’s purpose was. Job was frustrated but we don’t have to be - God has shown us the answer.

 

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Ephesians (Program #59) - Conclusion

Many great apostles contributed to the New Testament: John, James, Peter and Matthew as well as others. But the bulk of the New testament came through the apostle Paul.

The epistles of Paul in many ways formed the kernel of the New Testament. And it was through Paul also that the Church was spread through out much of the civilized world during New Testament time.

Yet at the end of this book, perhaps his highest work, Ephesians, this great apostle commissioned with the divine revelation in a very touching and intimate conclusion to his letter to the Church in Ephesus shows how much he valued not his own strength or vision or gift but taking his place as a living member in full coordination with the Body. And he asked for their prayers and petitions concerning him.  A very touching fellowship.

 

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Job (Program #7) - The First of the Three Rounds (3) and (4)

In Job’s unyielding vindication under his extreme sufferings, he said in Job 10:1-2, “My soul loathes my own life; I will let my complaint have free course in me; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say to God, Do not account me wicked; Make known to me why You contend with me.”

 

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Ephesians (Program #58) - The Application by Prayer

In the realm of spiritual warfare covered in Ephesians chapter 6, there are six items that make up the whole armor of God. Of these six the girdling of the lions, the breastplate of righteousness, the shod-ding of the feet with the gospel of peace, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit.  Five are defensive in nature, protecting us from the attack of God’s enemy. But the 6th item the sword of the spirit is offensive, with this sword we are actually equipped to fight against God’s enemy.

 

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Job (Program #6) - The First of the Three Rounds (2) - Job’s Vindication

God put the book of Job into the Bible as a black background. The speaking of Job and his friends indicated that although they were apparently godly men, they were short of God and they did not express God. Job and his friends came together to debate not to fellowship.

 

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Ephesians (Program #57) - The Whole Armor of God (2)

Four verses in Ephesians Chapter 6 mentioned 6 items that are associated with spiritual warfare. Beginning at verse 14, it says “Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth (#1) and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (#2)  And having shod your feet with the firm foundation of the gospel of peace; (#3). Besides all these, having taken up the shield of faith, (#4) with which you will be able to quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And receive the helmet of salvation (#5) and finally the sword of the Spirit, which Spirit is the word of God.”

Six items in two groups. The first group : the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the feet shod with the firm foundation of the gospel of peace. These three things prepare us for the warfare. While the second group provide us for the weapons, the implements that we need to fight the battle.

 

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Job (Program #5) -The First of the Three Rounds in the Debates Between Job and His Three Friends (1) - Eliphaz’s Answer to Job by Rebuking

In Job chapter 4 and 5 Eliphaz, the first of Job’s three friends opens up the first of three rounds of debates concerning Job’s sufferings. Job held the concept that he was right but Eliphaz corrected him. Referring to Job in chapter 4:17 Eliphaz asked him, “Can a mortal man be more righteous than God? Can a man be purer than his Maker?”

 

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Ephesians (Program #56) - The Whole Armor of God (1)

The book of Ephesians unveils the Church as the center of God’s purpose and eternal plan. It also shows us the Church in several aspects that progress from the Body of Christ to a full grown man fully matured in life, in the expression of God to ultimately become the Bride of Christ for His satisfaction. That brings us to Chapter 6 and spiritual warfare.  Verse 10 “Finally, be empowered in the Lord and in the might of His strength. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the stratagems of the devil”

It’s here that many readers of the Bible lose sight of one very crucial truth regarding the real focus of Ephesians.  Remember, Ephesians is a book on the Church, the corporate expression of God and in the realm of spiritual warfare, this is even more crucial. For us to put on the whole armor takes the Body, all the members, we can not fight the spiritual battle alone.

 

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Job (Program #4) - Job’s Cursing of His Birthday

In Job chapter 3, Job cursed the day of his birth. He was a good man and he was trying to keep his perfection, uprightness and integrity. But due to his vexation he could not contain himself and he didn’t know what to do. Job’s suffering was so intense and most of the book of Job is a debate about why God would allow such a good person to suffer so much. And this debate continues today. At the end of chapter 2, Job painfully sat in silence for seven days and nights. And then in chapter 3 Job broke the silence and initiated the debate, which is most of the book of Job, by cursing the day of his birth because of his suffering of this very great pain.

 

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