2 Samuel 11-12
Acts 20:17-38 (Jason Evans)
Ephesians 6:18-24
Ephesians 6:15-17
Ephesians 6:14
Exodus 2:1-10
Ephesians 6:10-13
1 John 3:1-3 (Mike Johnston)
Ephesians 6:5-9
In 2 Corinthians 7:9-11, Paul outlines two types of grief—godly and worldly—which this week Zach Canjar applies to the events of David's life in 2 Samuel 11-12. It is here that David sins grievously but, once rebuked, grieves righteously over his sin against the Lord.
This week, Jason Evans visits from Pleasant Home Community Church to preach from Acts 20 where Paul says his farewells to the Ephesian elders. In these parting words Paul calls them to follow his example, to pay careful attention to their flock and the wolves that will come among them, and commends them to God and His Word for the work ahead.
Paul concludes his letter by commanding the Ephesians to pray at all times, being alert not only for their own needs but also for all the saints. He also tells them that he is sending Tychicus to them so that they might know more about Paul's affairs, and so that they might be encouraged. Just as he began the letter, and as he described in full throughout, he declares grace and peace to them with incorruptible love through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul finishes describing the final pieces of God's armor that the church is to be equipped with: the boots, the shield, the helmet, and the sword. First, the boots are equipped so that the church might herald the gospel. Faith is the church's shield, used to dispose of the enemy's evil devices. The salvation wrought by Christ is to adorn the head of his people as a helmet, again protecting them from the enemy. Lastly, the Word of God is to be equipped as a sword whose sole purpose is to enlighten the hearts of God's people with the truth so that they might ward off the lies of the enemy. This armor heralds God's glorious gospel while simultaneously defending it against God's enemies—so stand firm!
Having called his readers to stand firm, Paul here begins to explain with what they are to stand firm with, namely, the armor of God. It is not by accident that the first piece named is the belt of truth and subsequently the breastplate of righteousness, for adherence to the truth of Christ necessarily leads to righteousness, as Paul has previously explained. Furthermore, these pieces of armor were first worn by Christ, who is himself the truth and the divine warrior. In this way, Paul calls his readers to put on Christlikeness.
This week, Jason Mills walks through Exodus 2 where, after Pharoah placed the Israelites in bondage and commanded that all of the sons born to them be killed after birth, the mother of Moses, in faith, places him in an ark in the river to be saved from the onslaught. Yahweh uses her and the subsequent intercession of Pharoah's daughter to save Moses. It is in this story that we see God's faithfulness to His people—His love for and sovereignty over their very lives. In this same way, we ought to emulate God's great care for life.
In closing out his letter, Paul begins to speak here of the armor of God and its intended purpose for the church. Each member of the body is commanded to take up God's armor and to stand firm against God's enemy, preparing for the evil which seeks to destroy that which Christ has built.
This week, Mike Johnston walks through the first verses of 1 John 3 where John speaks of the love that God has for His children. It is in this love that His children hope, purifying themselves according to the pure nature of their heavenly Father, awaiting the day they will see Him face-to-face.
Continuing in his section on home life, Paul here speaks of the relationship between master and servant, following the same authority and submission theme from the two prior pericopes. Paul's concern is that both master and servant obey the Lord and so treat one another accordingly, not as people-pleasers or authority-abusers, but understanding that they both have an even greater master, namely, Jesus Christ.
Continuing in commandments related to the home, Paul begins chapter six of Ephesians by telling children to obey their parents, and telling father's to not provoke their children but to raise them in godliness. Paul's concern is that children learn to obey God by obeying their parents, which thereby blesses them. In light of this, fathers are to train their children in such a way that guides them toward this obedience.