Paul wanted the Ephesians to pray more effectively for him and his preaching ministry (Ephesians 6:18-20). Here, he concludes his letter by telling them Tychicus is coming. Tychicus would report to the Ephesians about Paul's imprisonment, which would help them pray more intelligently. (5 Minutes/900 Words)
Read moreTake Up A War Cry (Ephesians 6:18-24)
We wrestle not against flesh and blood. Our fight is in the spiritual dimension and realm. The nations and generations are under the sway and delusions of the wicked one. He attacks God’s people, the church, in an attempt to keep us from the powerful life Ephesians describes for us. (11 Minutes/2000 Words)
Read moreTake Up Your War-Clothes (Ephesians 6:13-17)
To win the spiritual war, we must put on Christ's war-clothes. Paul lists six pieces of the spiritual armor. Paul was, remember, imprisoned as he wrote. He had seen Romans soldiers and their armor up close. The Spirit showed him a parallel, for God has given spiritual armor to his people. This list is life, for with these elements we can stand against the attacks of the enemy. (10 Minutes/1800 Words)
Read moreTake Up a Wartime Mentality (Ephesians 6:10-12)
When one sits down to read the Bible, they will often begin in Genesis. There, the story unfolds with the beauty and extravagance of God’s creation. He speaks light into being. He commands the separation of the waters. Dry land and vegetation appear. Lights appear in the heavens. Animals are formed in the sea and sky and earth. (6 Minutes/1100 Words)
Read moreUnited In The Workplace -- Leaders (Ephesians 6:9)
Paul shifts his exhortations for the workplace from the slaves to the masters, from the working class to management. “Do the same to them,” he says. He had just written to the slaves to respectfully obey their masters, as to the Lord. Masters are to do the same. But how can a master obey their servants? How does a leader obey the laborers? (3 Minutes/500 Words)
Read moreUnited In The Workplace -- Workforce (Ephesians 6:5-8)
The church, for every generation, consists of all types of people. Some have been enslaved, others have been upper class. Some have been laborers, others have been thought workers. Some are from the working class, others from the "ruling" class. But for every level of humanity Christians have found themselves, none is as disadvantaged as the owned slave. (2 Minutes/400 Words)
Read moreUnited in the Workplace — Slaves and Masters (Ephesians 6:5-9)
The situation of Paul’s day was horrific. Slavery teemed throughout the Roman world. Some estimate as much as half the empire was enslaved, a fact which was cause for concern amongst the ruling class. A rebellion was feared. Not only large in number, but slaves were also often highly educated, working as physicians, lawyers, and teachers. (3 Minutes, 600 Words)
Read moreUnited In The Home -- Fathers (Ephesians 6:4)
One might read Paul’s words to Christian children in Ephesians 6:1-3, particularly his exhortation to obey their parents, and wonder if the Christian home is a cold and harsh place for kids. Nothing could be further from the truth, for as the mind of Christ fills His church, fathers and mothers grow to become more like Jesus. (3 Minutes, 600 Words)
Read moreUnited In The Home — Children (Ephesians 6:1-3)
Paul had a vision of the church as a body. Individual members, marriages, and households comprised this living, breathing organism. He envisioned and exalted and enthroned Christ as the head of that organism, that body, that church. He saw Jesus as the authoritative head of the church, but also as the mind and heart of the church. (5 Minutes/1000 Words)
Read moreThe Weapon Of Prayer (Ephesians 6:18-20)
The Weapon Of Prayer
Ephesians 6:18-20
We don’t wrestle against flesh and blood. Our war is unseen and invisible. But an invisible war is not a fictional war. The battle is truer than the most flesh and blood war we’ve seen broadcast on CNN.
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