Yesterday, I gave an overview of Ephesians based on five key phrases from the book. We can however get a little bit tighter as we seek to sum up what the main message of the book is. Whenever I prepare a sermon, I try to sum up the core message in one or two sentences. … Continue reading What is Ephesians all about?
Tag: Paul
Ephesians in 5 short statements
Whenever I’m involved in a teaching series, I find it helpful to get a sense of the whole shape of the book so I can be clear about its purpose, message to the church and where the bits I will preach fit in. Our church are just starting a preaching series on Ephesians. So, I… Continue reading Ephesians in 5 short statements
Paul and the supposed lost message of love
I promised that I’d pick up on the substance of a couple of recent social media debates. Here’s the secind one. Readers will recognise immediately that this is a pretty old misconception. It’s been doing the rounds as long as I can remember. Some of my readers are significantly older than I am and I… Continue reading Paul and the supposed lost message of love
Faith and works, hearers and doers
Central to James’ argument is that living faith results in transformed lives, particularly in the crucible of persecution and suffering. This transformation affects character (1:19-21) and attitudes (2:1-7) because it is about our lives being shaped by love for God and for neighbour (2:8-13). This means that there should also be a change in behaviour… Continue reading Faith and works, hearers and doers
James and Paul: Law, grace and faith
Does James contradict Paul? This is one of the big questions that has been asked of his letter and it is the primary reason why some people have been suspicious of the letter. Paul has been keen in his letters to argue that we are saved by grace alone and justified by faith. In Ephesians… Continue reading James and Paul: Law, grace and faith
An excellent church (1 Corinthians 13)
At the end of 1 Corinthians 12, having talked about many of the problems and troubles in Corinth and having given some time to talking about things like gifts and unity, Paul says: “And yet I will show you the most excellent way.” Excellence is something we all crave. Schools covert the “outstanding” status whilst… Continue reading An excellent church (1 Corinthians 13)
What kind of Church? A worshipping Church (1 Corinthians 11:1-16)
Why do we come together for worship? What is a church gathering all about? The key things can be summed up as: This will help us make sense of the next section of 1 Corinthians because this is where the focus is and these are things the Corinthians haven’t been too good at. I’m aware… Continue reading What kind of Church? A worshipping Church (1 Corinthians 11:1-16)
A learning church (1 Corinthians 10: 1-18)
You’ve probably heard the story about the boss who wants a new chauffer. He gets two drivers to do a test run along one of the most challenging passes up around the mountains. One driver puts his foot down. He wants to show off his skills, he takes the car right to the edge of… Continue reading A learning church (1 Corinthians 10: 1-18)
Freedom in Christ changes relationships to others
As well as writing letters to churches, Paul wrote to a few individuals. We have three examples in Scripture, though I’m sure he wrote more. He writes to his co-workers Timothy and Titus giving them instructions about how to pastor the churches within their care. The third example, to Philemon is even more personal. Paul… Continue reading Freedom in Christ changes relationships to others
What Kind of Church? A Pure Church ( 1 Corinthians 6:12-20)
In the 1990’s sitcom “Goodnight sweetheart”, Nicholas Lyndhurst stars as a Gary Sparrow who has found a time portal to the 1940s and ends up living a double life between his wife Yvonne in the late 20th century and Phoebe a barmaid in the blitz. We can so easily live compartmentalised lives separating out church,… Continue reading What Kind of Church? A Pure Church ( 1 Corinthians 6:12-20)
Faithroots 