The Full Armor of God

Conrad Hilario

Ephesians 6:10-24

Paul warns his audience that their struggle is not against other humans but evil spiritual forces, namely Satan. We need to be prepared to fight with the Word of God's truth, relying not on our own righteousness but on Christ's righteousness. The full armor of God consists of truth, righteousness (Christ's), gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God and finally, prayer.

Spiritual Warfare

James Rochford

Ephesians 6:10-20

Satan's strategies include manipulation, exaggerating offenses and hurt feelings, fueling temptation, and nurturing suspicion. The Christian's strategy to stand against his schemes is to put on the full armor of God. The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, feet fitted with the readiness of the Gospel, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit make up the full armor of God.

Are Christians Allowed to Drink?

Conrad Hilario

Ephesians 5:15-20

Many churches forbid alcohol consumption but God is not opposed to drinking alcohol, just getting drunk. Instead of being controlled by mind-altering substances, the Bible says to be filled with the Spirit. God wants you to fill the emptiness you feel with the relational and spiritual side of life, not with substances. Only God's presence in your life will fill the void you feel.

The Spirit-Filled Life

Scott Risley

Ephesians 5:18-21

Ephesians Chapter Five speaks of the three aspects of being filled with the Spirit. First, speak to oneself in spiritual hymns, psalms and songs. Second, always give thanks for all things. Third, be subject to one another in the the fear of Christ. If you are not experiencing a spiritually fulfilled life, have you received the Holy Spirit? If you have, are you asking to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

The Spirit-Filled Life

James Rochford

Proverbs 23:29-35

The key to deep change that leads to a Spirit-filled life is the Holy Spirit. First, one must put their faith in Jesus to forgive their sins, and they will receive the Holy Spirit. Next, living a life of speaking God's truth, giving thanks, and serving others in love leads to a life of sacrificial love, or a Spirit-filled life.

True Freedom

Gary DeLashmutt

John 8:30-36

True freedom is not the freedom of personal choice but the commitment and ability to love God and other people. It comes from Jesus and through Jesus who gives us freedom from sin's penalty when you receive Him, sin's presence when He returns, and sin's power as we walk according to His Spirit. It increases as we live as student-apprentices of Jesus' teaching.

Experiencing True Unity in the Body of Christ

Dennis McCallum

Ephesians 4:1-6

When we put our faith in Jesus, we are mystically joined to the Body of Christ. We become one with Jesus, vertically, and we become united with other Christians, horizontally, in the Body of Christ. We do not create this unity, but we are called to preserve it. Our fallen nature opposes this but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can experience true unity in the Body of Christ.

The Unity of the Spirit

Scott Risley

Ephesians 4:1-6

In Chapters 1-3, Paul emphasizes the "Sit" phase of a Christian's life, where he learns to embrace all the things God has done for him. In Chapters 4-6, he talks about the "Walk" phase , where the Christian learns to "Walk" in a manner worthy of his calling. Based on all the wonderful things God has done for him, the Christian must walk in such a way that he demonstrates humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance. A Christian that walks in this manner will preserve the unity of the Body of Christ that Christ provided for us.

New Creatures

Mike Sullivan

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Three features of being a new creature in Christ are one, that we have a new motivation for a new life, second, we have a new way to measure success, and third, we have a new role as "sent ones." Our new motivation is to no longer live for self but to life for Christ. We no longer measure success as the world does, but we see people with new eyes. We now have a new role as ambassadors of Christ, entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation.