Jesus loves you

@Livingwater Series 2 Study 8 THE CHRISTIAN’S RELATIONSHIPS (Scripture Portions: Ephesians 5: 22-33 and 6: 1-19) The importance of this subject is seen by the fact that the Holy Spirit has devoted such a large proportion of this letter to the relationships which should exist between Christian husbands and wives, parents and children, and masters and servants. How, then, should believers behave in the exacting relationships of domestic life? The answer is in verse 21. In other words, the secret of a happy and a harmonious home is mutual submission; not proud resistance, not striving to stand up for one’s “rights”, but a loving consideration of the other person, a mutual respect and loyalty, a Christ-like spirit. Consider in detail the relationships mentioned. 1 . WIVES, submit to your husbands (5 : 22 - 24 and 33 ). These are not man’s ideas, they are God’s instructions. Wives are to submit themselves to their husbands “as to the Lord…in everything.” The Lord is the Head of the

@Livingwater Series 2 Study 9 OUR ENEMY AND OUR WARFARE (Scripture Portion: Ephesians 6: l0-19) In his Letters the apostle Paul speaks of the Christian life under a number of suggestive metaphors. For example, in this letter to the Ephesians his favourite designation of the Christian is how he should LIVE – compare 2: 2; 4: 1 and 17; 5:2, 8 and 15. In chapters 5 and 6, wives (5: 22-24), husbands (5: 25-3l), children (6: 1-3), fathers (6: 4), servants (6: 5-8) and masters (6: 9), are told how to live and how to behave. But suddenly the apostle changes the metaphor, and in chapter 6, verse 10, he introduces us to something of the stern side of the Christian life; he tells us that there is a fight to be fought, that we have a powerful enemy to face, and that we can only be “more than conquerors” (Romans 8: 37) as we “put on the full armour of God.” As Christians, we are saints (Ephesians 1: 1), children (1: 5), believers (1: 13), servants (6: 5) – but we are also soldiers (6: 11)

@Livingwater Series 2 Study 10 PRAYING ALWAYS WITH ALL PRAYER (Scripture Portion: Ephesians 6: 18-24) Paul was a man of prayer. Prayer was the secret of his life, of his amazing influence, of his suffering and endurance, of his burning passion for the souls of men, and consequently he is the one man, apart from the Lord Jesus Himself, who is most qualified to instruct us in the holy art of praying. In the verses before us there are seven vital truths about prayer. 1 . Prayer is the Great Essential Paul speaks of the armour we are to put on, and then he goes straight on without a break – “Praying at all times…” It is tremendously important for a soldier to have on the right armour and to be equipped with a sword, but what is equally important is that the soldier should keep in constant communication with his Commander-in-chief (Hebrews 2: 10). The Christian, while he is on the field of battle, is in direct touch with the throne of God, and the prayer-line of communication with o

@Livingwater Series 2 Study 7 SPIRITUAL INTOXICATION! (Scripture Portion: Ephesians 5: 1 – 21) In Ephesians 5: 18 a contrast is made between the person who is under the influence of alcohol and the person who is under the controlling influence of the Holy Spirit. We as Christians are not to be drunk with the wine that comes from any earthly vineyard but with the new wine of the Kingdom which comes from the heavenly vineyard, from Him who is the True Vine (John 15: 1). There is a purpose in setting these two commands in contrast. It was a pagan belief that God dwelt in the blood of the grape, so that in drinking wine man was drinking God into himself. Drunkenness was therefore held to be a sacrament in which a man was supposed to be under the control of the god who filled him. Paul reminded the Christians at Ephesus of this pagan belief, and then he pointed them to the true way of being God-possessed. Concerning the Spirit-filled life, let us notice the following truths: 1 . A Dr

@Livingwater Series 2 Study 6 GIFTS FROM THE ASCENDED LORD (Scripture Portion: Ephesians 4: 4-16) In Ephesians 4: 4-6, emphasis is given to those great fundamental facts of the Christian faith which are at once its unifying features. In verses 7 – 16, the apostle writes of the diversity of gifts which characterise those who are members of Christ’s Body, the Church. This is an intriguing theme, and we need also to refer to three other New Testament passages which deal with the subject of spiritual gifts – look up Romans 12: 3-8; 1 Corinthians l2: 4-11 (indeed, chapters 12, 13 and 14); and 1 Peter 4: 10-11. Let us confine our study to the teaching embodied in Ephesians 4: 4-16, and notice the following:- 1 . The GIVER of the Gifts . This is brought out in verses 7, 8 and 11, where we are told that Christ Himself gives spiritual gifts to the members of His Church; but especially notice verse 8, which is a quotation from Psalm 68: 18. The Lord Jesus went down into death, was raised

Livingwater Series 2 Study 5 LIVING WORTHILY! (Scripture Portions: Ephesians 4: 1-3 and 17-26) We now come to the second half of this letter. Chapters l – 3 are doctrinal, and they emphasise our standing “in Christ”; chapters 4 – 6 are practical, and they emphasise our state down here in the world. What we are “in Christ” must be related to what we are in the world. Doctrine must always issue in duty; our creed must be seen in our conduct. There are two dangers which we must always seek to avoid: (1) Teaching doctrine without relating it to duty – this will make for a mere intellectualism and a dead formalism; (2) Teaching duty which does not issue forth from doctrine – this will make for error, superficiality and spurious growth. Notice in verse 1 how the apostle commences this second half of the letter: “…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” – for the first mark of a saved person is that his life is different. It used to be like Ephesians 2: 2-3 an

Series 2 Study 4 SEVEN TRUTHS ABOUT THE CHURCH (Scripture Portion: Ephesians 3: 1-12) In these verses we are told seven truths about the Church, and it is very important for us to understand these. 1 . The MYSTERY of the Church . The word “mystery” occurs in verses 3, 4 and 9. It does not mean that which is obscure or unintelligible, but it means a divine secret which is known only to those to whom it is revealed – note verse 3, and compare 1 Corinthians 2: 7-12. The special revelation of the truth of the Church was first made to Paul, but he would not have understood the dispensational significance of the “mystery” of the Church apart from the revelation given to him by God; and likewise we cannot understand the significance of the “mystery” without the help and illumination of the Holy Spirit. For further study look up Romans 11: 25; 1 Corinthians 15: 51; Ephesians 3: 3-4 and 6: 19; 1 Timothy 3:l6. 2 . The MEANING of the Church . What do we mean when we speak of the Church? Wh

Series 2 Study 2 GOD’S PICTURE OF THE NATURAL MAN (Scripture Portion: Ephesians 2: 1-12) The Bible, God’s inspired Word (2 Timothy 3: 16), is a picture book, a kind of family album of the human race. The pictures in God’s album are true to life; they are not touched-up, and therefore they are sometimes very uncomplimentary. By “the natural man” we mean the man who is not a Christian, who has never been born again, and who is described in Ephesians 2: 3 by the words “by nature…” – compare 1 Corinthians 2: 14. In this study we are to look at God’s photograph of fallen humanity, of every man and woman who is not a Christian, and of ourselves, apart from the grace of God and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. But before looking at God’s life-sized portrait of ourselves in Ephesians 2, notice the following pictures of the “natural man” in Genesis 6: 5; Psalm 14: 2-3; Isaiah 1: 5-6 and Isaiah 64: 6; Jeremiah 17: 9; Matthew 15: 18-20 and Romans 1: 21-32. When we turn to Ephesians 2:

Series 2 Study 3 BROUGHT NEAR BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST (Scripture Portion: Ephesians 2: 13-22) In Ephesians 2: 1-3, and in verse 12, we are given God’s terrible but true description of fallen humanity. Apart from Christ we are: Dead in sin (verse 1); Deceived by the world (verse 2); Dominated by Satan (verse 2); Degenerate in our living (verse 3), and Doomed to punishment (verse 3). Left to ourselves we are utterly lost, helpless and hopeless. The world does not accept this description, but God declares it – look up Romans 3: 10-18. What is God’s attitude towards fallen humanity? We certainly have no claim on God and our completely bankrupt, destitute and disobedient state would justify Him in having nothing more to do with us. What is His attitude towards us? Notice in the second chapter of Ephesians that there are two wonderful “buts” which reveal to us the amazing love of God in Christ Jesus: the first of these is in verse 4, and the second is in verse l3. The Lord Jesus, by His de

Series 2 Study 1 SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS IN CHRIST (Scripture Portion: Ephesians l: 1 – 14) The apostle Paul spent three years in Ephesus (Acts 19; and 20: 17-38), and as a result of his ministry a church was established in that city. Ten years later, from his prison in Rome, Paul wrote this Epistle and sent it by Tychicus to the Christians there. Ephesians is a thrilling book because it tells us how we (or anyone) can become a Christian and how God wants us to live the Christian life. Chapters l – 3 tell us of our Wealth in Christ ; and chapters 4 – 6 tell us of our Walk in Christ. The Key Verse to the first three chapters is 1: 3, which introduces the theme of this first study. In the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, God has made over to the believer His whole estate of spiritual wealth. Without Christ, and apart from Him, we have nothing, we are nothing and we can do nothing (John 15: 5); but, as believers, God says to us – Luke l5: 3l. How rich we are – yet how few of us realise

Study 10 PHOEBE: SHINING FOR JESUS (Scripture Portion: Romans 16: 1-2) This lady is mentioned in Romans chapter 16, which is a fascinating chapter containing some names which are very difficult to pronounce! Her name means, “The shining one”, and she certainly appears to have lived up to it. Not all those of whom Paul wrote were like Phoebe; for example, look up Romans 16:17 and Philippians 4:2! Some people can be a hindrance in the church; but others, like Phoebe –- what a blessing they can be! There are two things to notice: 1 . PAUL ’ S COMMAND TO THE CHURCH Paul was writing to the church in Rome, and see what he said in verses 1 and 2a. Phoebe almost certainly carried with her a letter of commendation from Paul, in which he asked the Christians in Rome to receive her. He mentioned three ways in which they were to do this, for there are different ways of receiving a person! All this is very practical in its application to ourselves. Here is a picture of what is required in our

Study 9 MNASON: A MATURE DISCIPLE (Scripture Portion: Acts 21: 15-16) Mnason was evidently a native of Cyprus, and he lived near Jerusalem. He was a Hellenistic Jew, which means that he was a Jew by descent but he was born on Gentile soil and spoke the Greek language. The fact that he is described as “an early disciple” indicates that he was one of the early followers of our Lord, and this in turn suggests that he was getting on in years. This “old gentleman”, as Matthew Henry calls him, was evidently given to hospitality, for Paul, Luke and the other members of their party lodged with him on their way to Jerusalem. There are three things which arise out of this brief description we are given of Mnason. 1 . How great a thing it is to be a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ . When it says that Mnason was “a disciple” it simply means that he was a Christian, a believer in our Lord. It is Luke’s way of saying that he was a born-again man –- and yet we may make a distinction here, for i

Study 8 APOLLOS: MIGHTY IN THE WORD (Scripture Portion: Acts 18: 24 to 19:7) All that we know about Apollos is recorded in Acts 18:24-28; 19:1; 1 Corinthians 1:11-12; 3:4-6; 16:12 and Titus 3:13. Apollos was a Jew (Acts 18:24). Alexandria was a celebrated city of Egypt, situated on the south-eastern shore of the Mediterranean, which was named after Alexander the Great who founded it. All that we are told about Apollos gives us ample material for our study, but there are several special lessons that will emerge. 1 . Apollos was a man who possessed outstanding gifts . We learn this from Acts 18:24-26, and we should notice the following: What a fine example of a preacher and worker Apollos was! And yet…… 2 . There was a very great lack in Apollos ’ experience and in his ministry. Like the twelve men in Acts 19:1-7, (who were probably his “converts”), and from Acts 18:25, we learn that Apollos knew “only the baptism of John”. John’s baptism was the baptism unto repentance –- an act

Study 7 DORCAS: FULL OF GOOD WORKS (Scripture Portion: Acts 9: 36-42) The story of Dorcas, which forms the subject of this study, has been an inspiration to thousands. It is packed full of valuable lessons, all of which are important and some of which need particular emphasis in these days. Dorcas lived in Joppa, a town situated on the shore of the Mediterranean, which at that time was the chief seaport of Palestine – – compare Jonah 1:3 and Acts 10:5-8. There was a Christian church at Joppa, and it is possible that the believers met for worship in Dorcas’ home, which in those early days was the custom –- look up Acts 12:12 and Romans 16:5. 1 . Notice the significance of her name . Verse 36 tells us that her name in Aramaic was Tabitha, but in Greek it was Dorcas, which means “antelope” or “gazelle” –- a very graceful animal! One writer says that “her name stands in the Bible as the symbol of Naphtali (Genesis 49:21), the giver of goodly words; then as panting after the water brook

Study 6 PHILIP: DEACON AND EVANGELIST (Scripture Portions: Acts 6: 1-7; 8: 1-40; 21:8) The title of this study suggests a very healthy combination. Philip was a deacon (Acts 6:1-7) and he was an evangelist (Acts 8:1-40) –- indeed, he is referred to by the Holy Spirit as “the evangelist” (Acts 21:8). Now, of course, it does not fall to the lot of every believer to hold “office” or to fill a position of leadership in the Church, but every Christian may be and should be an evangelist. Philip was an evangelist. His business was telling others of Jesus and leading others to Him, and that should be your business and mine, for being an evangelist or a preacher is not a “professional” matter. Evangelism is not a profession, it is a passion. There was nothing professional about Philip; he was a layman. How indebted the Church in every age has been to the laymen, the men and women who engage in all the exacting duties of home, business or profession but whose delight it is to devote their spar

Study 5 STEPHEN: FIRST CHRISTIAN MARTYR (Scripture Portions: Acts 6: 5-15; 7: 1-60) All that is recorded in the New Testament about Stephen is contained in Acts 6:5-15; 7:1-60; 8:2; 11:19 and 22:20. He was certainly one of God’s “spiritual giants”, and his gracious ministry was suddenly cut short by martyrdom. We think of him, quite rightly, as the first of the Christian martyrs. Very many have followed in his footsteps; indeed, today many are following in this train by laying down their lives for the sake of the gospel. Stephen was one of the “seven” (Acts 6:3) selected to “wait on tables” (Acts 6:2); but it is interesting to note that almost immediately after this choice had been made, Stephen did “great wonders and miraculous signs among the people” (Acts 6:8). Like so many whom God used, and of whom we read in the book of Acts, Stephen was a man who was “full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom……and grace……and power……” (Acts 6:3 and 8). There are seven important truths which emerge fr

Study 4 JUDAS ISCARIOT: HIS TERRIBLE BETRAYAL (Scripture Portion: Acts 1: 15-26) The story of Judas is one of the sad stories in the Bible. We think of Cain, who slew his brother (Genesis 4:1-10); of David, who committed the two-fold sin of adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11:1-27); of the Rich Young Ruler and his refusal (Luke 18:18-25); of Ananias and Sapphira, who committed the sin of deception (Acts 5:1-11) –- but the saddest story of all is that of Judas Iscariot, for his story and his end are full of ignominy and shame. The history of this man is told in the four gospels, and it is gathered up in the first chapter of Acts, verses 15-26. We shall confine our study to a consideration of this latter portion. 1 . Judas never was a converted man . Always remember that the story of Judas is not the story of a backslider. Acts 1:25 tells us that Judas “left” –- but he did not leave being a Christian, for he never was one. He left his privileged office and position among the apostles. T

Study 3 PETER: HIS TRAGIC DOWNFALL (Scripture Portion: Luke 22: 31-62) It seems too bad that of all the wonderful things we are told about the apostle Peter we should choose for our study the one incident which shows him up in his worst light! However we have chosen this particular study in order that it may prove to be a warning to us, for we are all in danger of failing as Peter did. No-one is immune from the possibility of a spiritual downfall. If Peter is the best loved apostle, (as he is to many), surely the reason is that he was intensely human, as we are! He was impulsive and impetuous, as we are! He made mistakes and spoke unwisely, as we do! These very things about Peter, the unlearned, rather rough, clumsy fisherman, are the very things which attract us to him. What sad reading Luke 22:31-62 makes, for it tells of Peter’s downfall. Read it carefully and remember two things: 1 . The First Step : SELF - CONFIDENCE Does not verse 33 suggest over-confidence? And Peter said