Below is the final matchup from Ephesians!

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Joining us for the last time are our special guests from both parts of Romans 8 — Capt. Steve Carroll, Rev. Dave Maxon, and Maj. Doug Jones!

Read it all here!

PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS:
Genesis: 1-4 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-18 | 19-22 | 23-26
27-29 | 30-32 | 33-36 | 37-39 | 40-43 | 44-46 | 47-50
Exodus: 1-4 | 5-8 | 9-11 | 12-14 | 15-18
19-22 | 23-26 | 27-30 | 31-34 | 35-40
Romans: Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 3 | Ch. 4 | Ch. 5 | Ch. 6 | Ch. 7 | Ch. 8 (I)
Ch. 8 (II) | Ch. 9 | Ch. 10 | Ch. 11 | Ch. 12 | Ch. 13 | Ch. 14 | Ch. 15-16
Luke: 1:1-38 | 1:39-2:40 | 2:41-3:38 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
11 | 12 | 13 | 14-15 | 16-17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24
Esther: 1-2 | 3-5 | 6-8 | 9-10
Acts: 1 | 2 | 3-4 | 5 | 6-7 | 8 | 9-10 | 11-12 | 13-14
15-16 | 17-18 | 19-20 | 21-22 | 23-24 | 25-26 | 27-28
Jonah: 1-2 | 3-4
Ephesians: 1-2 | 3-4

 
INTRODUCTION:
Tom:
Paul closes with a primer on living a Godly life, quickly hitting the major areas of most people’s experience.

Capt. Steve:
Jesus railed so hard against the empty legalism of the Pharisees, because He was not offering a new system of rules but rather a relationship with the Creator through Himself.

These two chapters contain two sets of ‘rules’ — both are intended to show an example of the loving relationship that we can and should have with our God. But both sets are often misused: to further unloving and sometimes hateful agendas; to pursue a Pharasaical religion of accomplishment; and even to follow a lazy religion, because it is easier to attempt to follow rules with the safety net of forgiveness, than to develop an authentic relationship.

Maj. Jones:
It is my privilege to participate in this final Bible discussion in this forum. God has been glorified in these discussions.

David:
The final two chapters of Ephesians offer a great resource for Christian living — they speak to men, women, and children and their various roles within families and the community. The teaching on “slaves and masters” is also very relevant if you simply replace those words with “employees and employers.”

Pastor Dave:
These chapters are a reminder of how Christians should act and think. Above all, we must stand against the wiles of the devil, those compromises the world would have us make to “fit in.”

Job:
As the Church took root in places like Ephesus, I’m sure many of the early Fathers must have desired – at times – for a return to the laws of the old covenant. Immorality of all kinds must have seemed so incongruous with the recent teachings of Christ, yet perhaps ran relatively rampant. Paul had to remind the early believers of their greater moral heritage without stealing any of Liberty’s thunder.

 
SOMETHING YOU’D NEVER NOTICED BEFORE:
Connie:
Chapter five was a great follow-up to our church’s sermon on Sunday, which was on light. We need to set our hearts to walk as children of light, and this chapter admonishes us to walk in love, light and wisdom. I believe that when we walk in the light, we’ll be in position to pick the rest of that up as we go.

Job:
Paul tells us in 5:1 to imitate God. I guess I’d always read that, for one reason or another, as imitating Jesus. One could make a convincing argument, though, that Paul meant it interchangeably — but if we were given the charge to imitate God without knowing the narrative of Jesus, the results would be dramatically different.

Capt. Steve:
Whenever you find a list of rules for righteous living in the New Testament, you invariably find a verse pointing to the heart of the law.

Pastor Dave:
When we die to ourselves, we are a “sweet-smelling aroma” to God.

Steve:
Paul urges the Ephesians to specifically pray for him — of all people — for boldness in preaching the Gospel. He didn’t take anything for granted, even after years of faithful witness under persecution.

Tom:
In verses 31 and 32 of chapter 5, was Paul saying a husband and wife becoming one was a mystery to all of us, or just to him as a bachelor?

 
BEST BAND NAME FROM THE PASSAGE:
Job: Leads to Debauchery
Josh: Talk of Fools
Pastor Dave: Shod Your Feet
Connie: Girded With Truth
Steve: Alert
David: Ambassador In Bonds (better than Alice in Chains)
Capt. Steve: Divine Imitations

 
STORY IT REMINDS YOU OF:
Job:
I spent a season of my life in basic military training, feeling very much like the island. My father, however, wrote me nearly every day with encouragement and instruction that was similar to Paul’s. The experience drew me closer to my father, Paul, the Ephesians, my fellow recruits, and, of course, God. The food wasn’t so bad either.

Pastor Dave:
A pastor once came out of a rather difficult marriage counseling session and said to me, “Well, at least they saved two other marriages.”

David:
Ephesians 6:1 (“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right”) was memorized by Mrs. Wright’s kindergarten class one year at our Christian school. But one boy recited it: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for Mrs. Wright.”

Capt. Steve:
I was leading a Bible study at a drug rehab program with Josh. Before we started, an older Russian man asked us about the verse that commands slaves to obey their masters. In an extremely thick Russian accent he said: “Sounds good for masters, for slaves not so good.”

Steve:
After some argument with my father as a teenager, I was told to write out and reflect on Ephesians 6:1-3. But after doing the research, I included verse 4 (”Fathers, do not exasperate your children”) in my exegesis. Ho ho! I really showed him!

Tom:
It reminds me of every wedding I’ve ever been to (submit to your husbands, die for your wives), and vacation Bible school (”Does everyone here have their sword?”).

Maj. Jones:
When David fought Goliath (I Samuel 17), he refused Saul’s armor because it didn’t fit him. Not only does God’s armor fit us, but we should never enter the spiritual battlefield without His armor to protect us. While David could not win his battle with armor, we cannot win ours without it.

 
WHERE IS JESUS IN THIS PASSAGE:
Capt. Steve:
Loving His bride, the church.

Tom:
The living Example for children, parents, husbands, wives, servants, and masters.

Pastor Dave:
In 5:25–33. Jesus should be seen by the wife in the way her husband treats her, how he is willing to “die” so she might succeed in the Kingdom.

David:
In 6:24, He is receiving our love in sincerity.

 
DEEP THEOLOGICAL MEANING:
Josh:
The imagery of darkness and light is so important because darkness is not more powerful than light — it is merely the absence of light. Where the light shines, there can be no darkness.

And darkness cannot keep a light from being seen. In fact, where it is darkest, a single light shines quite distinctly.

Capt. Steve:
Christ loves us. We should love Him.

Pastor Dave:
Too often Christians beat themselves up. The devil entices us to sin and condemns us when we do, yet we don’t understand this battle in the spirit realm. We wrestle against principalities and powers, wickedness that can’t be seen, yet all too often, Christians ignore this influence on our lives.

This oversight causes Christians to view themselves as defeated and evil, to believe that Christianity works only for others, not for them. Stop beating yourself up and turn the battle toward the enemy of your soul. Put on the armor of God, take every thought captive, and take the world for Christ!

 
RANDOM THOUGHT:
Josh:
The armor of God is one of the most enduring object lessons of all time. I expect it will stay that way, since I don’t think kids will ever get tired of dressing up and having sword fights.

Pastor Dave:
“Awake those who sleep” — the preceding verses refer to the saved, so he is talking to Christians lulled to sleep by compromise. WAKE UP!

David:
Because of the evidence mentioned earlier in this study, some believe that this letter was not written to the Ephesians directly, but that the title and greeting were written later.

If so, then this could in fact be the “lost epistle to the Laodiceans” mentioned in Colossians 4:16. I love a good mystery.

Steve:
The alternative to coarse jesting and obscenity is thanksgiving, the proper response to being delivered out of the darkness into the light of Christ.

Tom:
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.”

This sounds to me like a New Testament “caveat emptor” — buyer beware. Claiming to have been led astray by another didn’t exonerate Adam, and it won’t work for us.

Capt. Steve:
If anyone refers to that stupid line from “My Big Dumb Greek Wedding,” about the wife being the neck, I’m gonna puke.

Job:
As Paul sat down to write his “armor of God” section in chapter 6, I wonder how long he labored over which armor item to assign to which aspect of faith – and whether verse 15 was written when he hit the wall. I mean, what do you assign to the foot?

 
VERSE TO REMEMBER:
David; Pastor Dave:
6:13-14 — “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”

Steve:
6:19-20 — “[Pray] for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Josh:
5:15-16 — “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Job:
6:7 — “…with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men.”

Maj. Jones:
6:10 — “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

Connie:
6:12 — “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Tom, Capt. Steve:
5:1-2 — “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”

 
PORTION YOU’D MOST LIKE EXPLAINED IN HEAVEN:
Connie:
God knew the struggles different nations would go through with the issue of slavery. I wonder why there isn’t some sort of Scripture that more strongly addresses the notion of all men being created equally. Or if I just haven’t found it yet.

Josh:
Which parts are descriptive and which are prescriptive?

Capt. Steve:
6:12 — “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Pastor Dave:
It’s not in this passage, but what’s with the duckbilled platypus? Was it just God’s leftovers?

 
GENERAL RESPONSE TO THE PASSAGE:
Connie:
I can’t imagine not having Ephesians in my arsenal. I go to it so often in ministry or for personal encouragement.

Where’s that scripture about not letting the sun go down on anger? Ephesians! The armor of God? Ephesians! Honoring your parents? Ephesians! Husbands loving their wives like Christ loved the Church? Yep, it’s in there. A short book, but a gem.

Capt. Steve:
I used to literally despise chapter 5 and I would only refer to it sarcastically. If I wanted my wife to do what I wanted, I would holler “Ephesians 5, Woman!” (not a good idea, even when you’re joking). But I have recently found it to be a beautiful chapter that can read like a beautiful love story, if we will only let it.

Pastor Dave:
Having “done all to stand” is not just putting on the armor; it’s applying all the truth of Scripture, from the promises to the things that we must do (e.g., taking every thought captive).

Too often Christians would rather “take a pill,” stand in a prayer line, or read the latest fad book hoping it will solve all their problems. Prayer and miracles work, but there’s still a place for engaging in the battle, believing the truth of the Word of God, and doing ALL to stand.

Steve:
These chapters can be twisted and misinterpreted these days to make Christianity look like a misogynist, child abusing sect of slaveowners. But in reality the message Paul delivered here was not only significant historically in its recognition of the unique value of those generally considered “lesser” (women, children, slaves), but it also gave specific instructions to the “superiors” not to abuse their positions or take advantage. It remains valid, not only in reference to its own time, but also normatively.

 
LESSON TO TAKE AWAY:
Tom:
Live love in all things, and be prepared at all times.

Pastor Dave:
Don’t compromise. Live above the world as children of light.

Capt. Steve:
Our love for Christ must be active. We should strive to give our best to Him, just as He did for us in His death. Love is dynamic.

Job:
Don’t ever bring up 5:24 with a woman you’re trying to woo. Take my word on this, brethren. Yea, even if you think it wise in your own eyes, refrain. A battle better fought by a romantic layperson, trust me.

Josh:
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.” (5:1)

I think of when I was a child, and how much I loved and admired my parents (as I still do, of course). I wanted to walk like them, to talk like them, to act like them. This is how I want my relationship with the Lord to be defined.

Maj. Jones:
We were once darkness (not just IN darkness), but now we are LIGHT. As Henry Blackaby wrote in his daily devotional for February 21, “If the world is becoming darker, the problem is not with the darkness. The problem is with the light. When God’s light is allowed to shine unhindered through your life, the darkness around you will be dispelled.”

We need to live as children of Light, for Light shines in the darkness.

 
CONCLUSION:
Pastor Dave:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart.

Steve, Maj. Jones, Capt. Steve:
“Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.”

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Growing up, I read a lot of Bill James, the bearded baseball wizard who revitalized baseball in the 80s and 90s through his unique statistical approach. One of the nuggets of information he uncovered was that baseball players tend to peak at age 27.

Statistics gradually improve from 18 to 24, until somewhere between 25 and 29 (often 27), a player will have his best season, his career year. From then on, skills and stats regress. This is good to know: a team that understands this general trend of player performance should be less likely to overpay someone about to enter the twilight of his career.

Now obviously this analysis is rather specific to sports, dependent as they are on strength and quickness. In most (though not all) fields, years, even decades, of experience are an asset.

But remember, at the time, I was a 12-year-old ninth grader, averse to aging and used to being the youngest person in the room. So 27 — distant 27 — became internalized for me as the peak year, on the back end of a series of numerical waystations:

16 — graduate from high school
18 — gain right to vote
20 — graduate from college
27 — reach my apex
35 — gain Presidential eligibility
100 — die, preferably after eating pizza

Before 27, you see, I could not be old — even when it seemed unimaginably far-off — because age 27 was when baseball players were at their best. But now, today, the very minute this article went up, I turned 28. So let the long slide into obsolescence begin. Or, perhaps more correctly, continue.

In defending the celebration of Christmas, Samuel Johnson pointed out that “there is danger that what may be done on any day, will be neglected.” Birthdays are a peculiarly perfect time to consider the events of a year, of a life. And since what I do at work all day is confidential, most of what I can show you from the last two years of my life is right here.

Now I don’t think I peaked in much of anything at 27, with the likely exception of Wii tennis. And I know from experience that I will look back at this year and rue my foolishness and error, think of all the things that should have turned out differently. But I also know that for the rest of my life, I will think fondly of these last two years for the experience we have shared here.

It has been a profound honor and an actual privilege to serve among this entertaining and talented group of writers, and to be read by such a kind and discerning audience. Thank you all. I certainly have not loved every minute of it, but I have loved most. And trust me, that’s worth a lot.

And so we will say goodbye this weekend, after two years, 89 clashes, 76 Bible discussions, 70-some Councils, about 60 Chick tracts, countless articles, jokes, and quotes, and — above all — immense and honest gratitude for any time you have spent with us. Everything here will remain, but for the foreseeable future, nothing new will be added. For a while, I’ll be satisfied re-reading it.

I don’t know what will come next, but I’m sure that — before too long — you’ll be able to hear from me again. Of course that assumes that you want to! If you were here for David, or Job, or Connie, or Chloe, or Josh, or Djere, or Kaitlin, or Tom, or Mike, or MCB, or Erin, I don’t blame you! Honestly, I was too.

But yes, I’ll be around, somewhere.

After all, I’ve got another 72 years before I finish that pizza.

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But now I have learned I have more to fear within than without, and I find I cannot dream of sleeping to a soundtrack other than that which surrounds me.

The ticking wall clock signifies the constant march of time, as outside, the slams and yells and windy moans testify of existence, shared yet separate. Sirens wail. And I experience life again before leaving it, ever so briefly.

–sm

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Below are the Acts band name finals, and the second matchup from Ephesians!

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Read it all here!

PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS:
Genesis: 1-4 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-18 | 19-22 | 23-26
27-29 | 30-32 | 33-36 | 37-39 | 40-43 | 44-46 | 47-50
Exodus: 1-4 | 5-8 | 9-11 | 12-14 | 15-18
19-22 | 23-26 | 27-30 | 31-34 | 35-40
Romans: Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 3 | Ch. 4 | Ch. 5 | Ch. 6 | Ch. 7 | Ch. 8 (I)
Ch. 8 (II) | Ch. 9 | Ch. 10 | Ch. 11 | Ch. 12 | Ch. 13 | Ch. 14 | Ch. 15-16
Luke: 1:1-38 | 1:39-2:40 | 2:41-3:38 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
11 | 12 | 13 | 14-15 | 16-17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24
Esther: 1-2 | 3-5 | 6-8 | 9-10
Acts: 1 | 2 | 3-4 | 5 | 6-7 | 8 | 9-10 | 11-12 | 13-14
15-16 | 17-18 | 19-20 | 21-22 | 23-24 | 25-26 | 27-28
Jonah: 1-2 | 3-4
Ephesians: 1-2

 
INTRODUCTION:
David:
British statesman Benjamin Disraeli once responded to anti-Semitic remarks made by an Irishman by pointing out that while his ancestors were “priests in Solomon’s temple,” the other man’s forefathers were still “brutal savages on an unknown island.”

There is a truth there, often forgotten, that Paul illustrates in the early chapters of Ephesians. God had taken great pains to reveal the truth to one group of people (Jews), establishing down through the ages a witness to the rest of the world (Gentiles), that there is one true and living God with holy standards. But now, in Christ, He has fused the two together to create one new man — the Christian — and Paul was utterly amazed to find that he was given the privilege of announcing that good news to the Gentiles!

 
SOMETHING YOU’D NEVER NOTICED BEFORE:
Josh:
In 3:18, Paul says he wants us to understand Christ’s love: the width, the length, the depth, the height, pretty precise stuff. Then he turns around in verse 19 and lets us know that, never mind, it surpasses all knowledge.

Steve:
Paul refers to the pagan Gentiles as those who have “given themselves over to lewdness,” which he identifies as a combination of “uncleanness” and “greediness.” That’s the problem, isn’t it? It’s not just that people want to do wrong — it’s that so often, they just can’t get enough.

 
BEST BAND NAME FROM THE PASSAGE:
Josh: Less Than The Least; One
Steve: Clamor

 
STORY IT REMINDS YOU OF:
Josh:
My mom is the kind of woman who frequently speaks in maxims, particularly those Biblical. This passage contains some of her favorite material:

“Do not give the devil a foothold.” (4:27)
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth.” (4:29)
“Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” (4:26)
“In your anger do not sin.” (4:26)

If I had a nickel for every time…

David:
In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells a parable about a wedding feast. The original invitees refuse to come, so they are replaced by others “both good and bad” who are rounded up for just that purpose. But one of the replacements is later thrown out, for not wearing the appropriate wedding garment.

That is what Paul is trying to get across to the Gentiles in chapter 4. We have been extended grace to come as we are into God’s Kingdom — but we have to be ready to “change” if we expect to stay.

 
WHERE IS JESUS IN THIS PASSAGE:
Steve:
He’s the One who accomplished God’s eternal purpose by bringing the entire brotherhood of mankind back into a divine relationship through the Gospel — and the source of a love so powerful that it can never be expressed.

 
DEEP THEOLOGICAL MEANING:
David:
Paul uses the word “mystery” 4 times in the opening chapters, to refer to God’s hidden plan to extend salvation to the entire human race, thus reconciling Jews and Gentiles. It’s a pretty important doctrine, developed by the only apostle who lived in both worlds, being a Roman citizen from Tarsus and a Jewish scholar after the order of the Pharisees.

Steve:
The “mystery” of chapter 3 — which explains that the Jews and Gentiles have both been called into the Kingdom as equals — requires the correction of chapter 4 — the reminder to walk humbly and in unity with the rest of those in the church.

 
RANDOM THOUGHT:
David:
The Jews, who were receiving the Law from God Himself on Mount Sinai while our progenitors were howling at the moon, have to share God with the rest of us now. What an amazing thought and what a testament to the truth of Christianity. What they received at the beginning is still correct, even after all our pagan beliefs and practices have been abandoned as ridiculous fairy tales.

Steve:
I love the benediction at the end of chapter 3: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…” I’m very happy that God is not limited by my imagination.

 
VERSE TO REMEMBER:
David:
3:17-19 — “…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Steve:
— “…that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ.”

Josh:
4:32 — “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Might be the first verse I ever memorized.

 
PORTION YOU’D MOST LIKE EXPLAINED IN HEAVEN:
Steve:
I don’t understand why Paul says that Christ’s ascension necessarily means that He first “descended into the lower parts of the earth.” That’s not necessary for ascension to make logical sense, and it doesn’t fit with the traditional interpretation that “descending” just means that He actually died.

 
LESSON TO TAKE AWAY:
David:
We have “…one body, one Spirit, one hope of our calling…one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament, and for all of our differences, we have just one thing going on here in the Kingdom.

Josh:
This passage was written primarily to unite Jews and Gentiles, but the lessons are imperative in our disjointed, individualized times – spiritual maturity and unity in the body of Christ go hand in hand. On our own we are weak, incomplete, and susceptible to falsehood. It is only as a body, with Christ as the head, that we can achieve the fullness of Christ, to become “a perfect man.” (4:13)

 
CONCLUSION:
Steve:
Thanks for joining us for these 80-some Bible discussions over the past two years. Next week, in our last Bible discussion, we and some special guests will finish up the book of Ephesians, an exciting, challenging, and fascinating finish!

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means…

…”driver’s license.”

True story.

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They’re about as similar as volleyball and that game that erupts at birthday parties when someone bats a balloon across the room and another person bats it back.  In one, the point is to keep things going and involve everyone in the room (even the killjoy who shouts, “You’re going to break something!”). In the other, the goal is to hit some unreturnable shot to score a point.

In conversation, as in the party game, no one is impressed by the person who spikes the balloon.

–DFS

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How often are our opinions of others based on the outward circumstances of their lives? Paul was a prisoner; he escaped a shipwreck, washed up on a strange shore, and was bitten by a poisonous snake. For these people, that was enough evidence to issue a judgment: “Surely he is a murderer whom, although he has escaped the sea, yet justice will not allow to live.” Case closed.

But wait! After further review — when a long time passes and he doesn’t keel over dead — the same crowd decides he is obviously a god! And all based on the external appearance of his life.

I wish this were confined to 1st-century Malta, but this kind of thinking was an integral part of Old Testament theology too. Why else would Job’s comforters be unable to believe that he wasn’t hiding some secret sins to account for his misfortunes. This explains why Isaiah’s prophesies described Jesus as “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief,” whose contemporaries would “esteem him stricken of God.” And it continued: when Jesus told the disciples it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, he found them “astonished beyond measure.” It completely flipped their theology. After all, riches were blessings from God, while the poor were clearly cursed.

Matthew Henry has written that the sign of God’s blessing in the Old Testament was prosperity, but in the New Testament, it was adversity. Why has our thinking not transformed to line up? Why do we still judge people, and ministries, by the whims of fortune rather than by their Biblical fruit?

We see TV ministries or megachurches that abandon the Bible or embrace what Rich Mullins called “trendy religion that makes cheap clichés out of timeless truths” and we say, “God can’t bless that!” But then they grow a church of thousands, and we buy their book, touting them as the men of the hour! Theirs is the new plan of God for the church! Question that and you hear, “They’re reaching millions of people for Jesus every Sunday — what are you doing?”

Well, what I am doing is trying to live my life in obedience to the Holy Spirit, which is all the success there is in the Kingdom of God. To figure out which church, or man, or woman, is doing it “right,” may require us to read our Bibles and pray, rather than watching the outward circumstances to level judgments about what is or isn’t of God.

But — if anything — I’d bet on those facing adversity. It’s a new testament and a new theology that demands a vigilance to see the truth.

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She’s had six pregnancies (like me) through in vitro (unlike me) where she was implanted with six embryos (unlike me) because she wouldn’t kill them (like me). Four single births, twins the fifth time, and then two sets of twins and four singles.

She doesn’t have the resources of, say, Angelina, so she’s criticized. Well, when you’re asking society to pay for your family, we get a say in the size. And I don’t like how she uses her mother as a slave nanny!

In the end, just love your babies and they’ll be fine.

–CSM

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– What’s that? You’d like to see the ugliest website in the world?

– From the author of Moneyball, it’s a quick 9000 words on counterintuitive lessons of probability and efficiency in the sport most like life. The numbers became flesh, and dwelt among us — and Michael Lewis testifies of him: Shane Battier.

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This week’s question — Who has had the worst 2009 thus far?

Djere delivers the ruling of the Council, joined by Steve and David:

Whether he knows it or not, Blagojevich. Enough already, pal. Enough lying, enough bribery, enough hair. And hopefully, it’s just going to get worse for him.

Steve concurs in the result, joined by David:

Blagojevich. Others have had a bad year, but only one man is a national punchline for his actions AND his appearance.

Connie concurs in the result:

Blago — and I’m pretty sure it’s only going downhill from here.

Job dissents:

Marcus Schrenker. His business went off a cliff, his wife filed for divorce, he was indicted on federal charges, he unsuccessfully and spectacularly failed at faking his death in a plane “crash” — and endured it all in a bruisingly public way.

Tom dissents:

Bernard Madoff. If the recession were a god, he would be its avatar.

MC-B, Josh, Mike, and Kaitlin played no part in the determination of this issue.

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Hotels.com has a commercial — maybe you’ve seen it? The two shampoos commercial? High-larious.

“It’s working! It’s working! They got me! It’s working!”

I don’t know what it is about that commercial, but it reaches me on many levels.

And GEICO’s new line of commercial featuring “Kash”? I love it. I love the song, I love the character, I love how nonchalant they are about the absurdity.

“That? That’s just the money you could be saving by switching to GEICO!”

“T-tell me who’s watching!”

–JJM

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The second is One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning.

“Hey, your guy was here and fixed our air conditioner. It worked for about an hour — and now it’s down again.”

“Yeah, so what’s the problem?”

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Below is the Jonah band name finals, the Acts band name semifinals, and the first matchup from Ephesians!

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It’s often said there are no guilty people in prison. Generally, if you ask people caught red-handed if they’re guilty, they’ll answer no: it’s someone else’s fault, or a setup, or the man is keeping them down. But these verses say that every sin stores up not just judgment and wrath, but also revelation.

And at Judgment Day, everyone will know exactly why things happened, as revealed by a perfect God. No denial, no excuses, just revelation and wrath — or mercy.

And all those who demand “why” from God will know, and be silenced.

–JJM

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Read it all here!

PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS:
Genesis: 1-4 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-18 | 19-22 | 23-26
27-29 | 30-32 | 33-36 | 37-39 | 40-43 | 44-46 | 47-50
Exodus: 1-4 | 5-8 | 9-11 | 12-14 | 15-18
19-22 | 23-26 | 27-30 | 31-34 | 35-40
Romans: Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 3 | Ch. 4 | Ch. 5 | Ch. 6 | Ch. 7 | Ch. 8 (I)
Ch. 8 (II) | Ch. 9 | Ch. 10 | Ch. 11 | Ch. 12 | Ch. 13 | Ch. 14 | Ch. 15-16
Luke: 1:1-38 | 1:39-2:40 | 2:41-3:38 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
11 | 12 | 13 | 14-15 | 16-17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24
Esther: 1-2 | 3-5 | 6-8 | 9-10
Acts: 1 | 2 | 3-4 | 5 | 6-7 | 8 | 9-10 | 11-12 | 13-14
15-16 | 17-18 | 19-20 | 21-22 | 23-24 | 25-26 | 27-28
Jonah: 1-2 | 3-4

 
INTRODUCTION:
David:
In this book, Paul sends no personal greetings, although he and the elders were dear friends, who wept at their parting in Acts 20, and he deals with no personal issues in the church. These unusual clues lead some to believe that Ephesians was not intended solely for Ephesus, but was designed to serve as a circular epistle for the Gentiles, to enumerate and expound on the riches and responsibility of holy living, which we inherited from Christ Jesus. If that’s true, this is the only epistle written particularly for you and me — to welcome us to the kingdom and lay down the ground rules.

Connie:
Paul, speaking “through” the Ephesians, wants each of us to know that we, as Christians, are all members of the Body of Christ — the Church. He then goes on to expand on how we grow into that role.

 
SOMETHING YOU’D NEVER NOTICED BEFORE:
Josh:
1:14, depending on your translation, describes the Holy Spirit as either a deposit (NIV), an earnest (KJV), or the guarantee (NKJV) of our inheritance. I find this to be a very interesting way to view not just the Holy Spirit, but how we, as believers, experience the Kingdom of God here on earth.

 
BEST BAND NAME FROM THE PASSAGE:
Josh: Children of Wrath; Aliens of the Commonwealth
David: ALIENS-NO-MORE
Connie: Cornerstone
Steve: Boast

 
STORY IT REMINDS YOU OF:
David:
Paul’s profuse praise and his use of the word “saints” always remind me of how Mike Bartholomew, my former pastor, used to talk to us. He could have written this book.

 
WHERE IS JESUS IN THIS PASSAGE:
David:
In 2:13, bringing us near to God.

Connie:
“…seated…at His (God’s) right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church…”

Josh:
In pretty much every sentence.

 
DEEP THEOLOGICAL MEANING:
David:
In chapter 2, Paul defined the relationship between Jews and Gentiles going forward. The book of Acts shows the many tensions in the early church over this question, but Paul got it right, preached it, lived it, and then spelled it out here for future generations.

Josh:
In the NIV, 2:15 says refers to Christ “abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations,” which seems like a poor translation, since Christ Himself said in Matthew 5:17 that He did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. The NKJV seems clearer, saying that He “abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances.”

Christ destroyed not the law, but the barrier of hostility the law created for those outside the original covenant.

Connie:
Jesus doesn’t just stay seated in the heavenlies — He raises us up together with Him, it says, to show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness.

Why? So that we can do the same.

 
RANDOM THOUGHT:
Steve:
I picked this book for our final series of Bible discussions because it’s one of my very favorites, yet I find myself with little to say about it. It’s all there: the love of God, the peace of Christ, the relationship between works and faith and grace. What can we hope to add?

Connie:
I couldn’t find a scripture verse to quote in Jonah. I can’t pick one from Ephesians because there are so many to choose from…

 
VERSE TO REMEMBER:
David:
2:1 — “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

Connie:
In honor of Valentine’s Day, 2:14 — “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation”

Steve:
2:13 — “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Josh:
1:17 — “[I pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”

There are certainly more familiar verses in this passage. But spring 1992 was my first year of Bible Bowl, a team Bible quiz competition for middle and high schoolers. Ephesians was one of the books covered. I had learned all 100 or so bonus memory verses, and my team advanced to the Territorial Finals. In the course of a narrow defeat, I blanked on this verse. Now I always remember it.

 
PORTION YOU’D MOST LIKE EXPLAINED IN HEAVEN:
Steve:
Well, why not start with what precisely it might mean for us to have been chosen before the foundation of the world?

 
LESSON TO TAKE AWAY:
Connie:
This book is about growing more Christlike. Paul asks that God may give us “the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,” and speaks of coming to know “His calling,” “His power,” and “His love.”

Josh:
2:8-10 is a familiar passage, but we often need to remind ourselves that salvation is by grace, through faith, for works. Keep those prepositions straight.

 
GENERAL RESPONSE TO THE PASSAGE:
Steve:
These chapters are hope. Hope for sinful, fallen man, to learn that Jesus has made peace, has brought life, has risen from the dead. Truth after gospel truth is revealed in this book. How can a Christian read it without being encouraged?

In Him we have redemption and forgiveness! We will be gathered together in Him! He has given us an inheritance and a promise with salvation, sealed by the Holy Spirit! We are freed from death because He defeated it forever, and we can live free from sin’s curse! Our salvation is His free gift, and not dependent on our works! He perfected the law and made peace between God and man, so that we could be called members of His very body!

Wow.

 
CONCLUSION:
Connie:
Bottom line, if you’re not fruitful and loving, go back for another dose — and keep going back. The world doesn’t need more rudeness and bitterness, it needs more of God’s love.

David:
After chapters designed to open our eyes to the richness of salvation and show us our standing with God, next week we get an intricate view of Paul’s call to us (the Gentiles) and some practical instructions on godliness — things the Jews already knew, but we heathens needed to learn.

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Right now the front page even includes Rochester’s claim to culinary fame: the aptly named but undeniably delicious “garbage plate.”

– And on that gluttonous note, this essay about shifting attitudes toward food and sex is perhaps the most interesting thing I’ve read all year. Mary Eberstadt argues that our society has developed distinctive and universalized moral hangups about food, at least in part due to its abandonment of such longstanding stigmas against indiscriminate sex.

It’s a little too cute to call this modern man’s “own act of transubstantiation,” but it’s a fascinating observation — and, as Eberstadt points out, both junk food and junk sex have undeniable consequences.

– But if all of this is too base and mundane for your ethereal mind, I’ve something for you too: a brief and surprisingly understandable lecture on the concept of physics’ string theory. As a theory, it’s quite likely nonsense. Sure is cool nonsense, though.

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In the 70s, it was global cooling, an impending ice age. In the 90s, it was global warming, an impending tidal wave to kill us all.

Now it’s global climate change, because apparently “global warming” makes some places colder. I don’t know how true it is for you, but if I didn’t know spring followed winter, I’d think winter would never end! And summer? Sheesh, I’ve forgotten all about summer by now.

For once, can’t people stop hyping up crap to sell books and push agendas, and admit we’re not as smart as we think?

–JJM

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