Category Archives: Expository Teaching

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 1:3-14 In Jesus Only Looking back at the last part of verse 3, Paul tells us that the spiritual blessings given by God are “in Christ,” which literally means, “in Jesus alone.” In past lessons I have … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 1:3-14 All Spiritual Blessings – Continued The revelation of God’s purpose in history. Now Paul reaches the greatest heights of wonderment and rapture when he speaks of God’s great purpose in history, namely, to “gather together in … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 1:3-14 All Spiritual Blessings – Continued Adoption. The second spiritual blessing in Christ is adoption, for in love He “predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself.” Adoption means becoming God’s sons and daughters … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 1:3-14 All Spiritual Blessings I pointed out previously that in the Greek, verses 3-14 is one sentence. But it is appropriate that some more modern versions (such as the New International Version) make verse 3 a sentence … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 1:3-14 Most services in our mainstream churches have several things in common, most all are important. In no particular order, they can be: the sermon, Scripture readings, hymns and worship songs, prayers, offering, as well as the … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 4:1-16 Unity is Married to Maturity – Continued Please read Ephesians 4:13-16 for the background to this section. Yes, the local church is comprises His body. In that body every organ has its own unique place while … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 4:1-16 Unity is Married to Maturity Please read Ephesians 4:13-16 for the background to this section. Up to this point we have been sharing about the responsibility that every member has in living for the welfare of … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 4:1-16 Unity is Not Uniformity – Continued Please read Ephesians 4:7-12 for the background to this section. After apostles come “prophets.” These are people who receive revelation directly from God based upon His established word and faithfully … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 4:1-16 Unity is Not Uniformity Please read Ephesians 4:7-12 for the background to this section. The fact that we are all one does not mean that we are all the same! There is no uniform for Christians … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 4:1-16 Unity is Logical – Continued Please read Ephesians 4:4-6 for the background to this section. What are these seven eternal realities? They are spelled out for us in the following verses: “There is one body and … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 4:1-16 Unity is Not Automatic – Continued Please read Ephesians 4:1-3 for the background to this section. Unity in the local church depends upon each person in it cultivating certain attitudes. They are “with all lowliness and … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 4:1-16 The first three chapters of Ephesians were doctrinal: they were mostly about what we are to believe. Feel free to read them for some background. Chapter four begins the practical chapters. Because a Christian believes in … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Psalm 8 From Last Lesson: David is astonished how God could be mindful of human beings, who in comparison to the cosmos appear so insignificant. Why would the Creator of the universe be interested in puny humanity? Why … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Psalm 8 Unlike so many of the other Psalms, this specific psalm doesn’t seem to refer to a particular situation in David’s, the writer’s life. This psalm, instead, seems to be the outpouring of David’s thoughts as he … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Mark 4:1-34 The Kingdom Keeps on Growing – Continued From Last Lesson: The Jews of Israel expected the Day of the Lord would come at once, and God’s enemies would immediately be subjugated. The story would end with … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Mark 4:1-34 The Kingdom Keeps on Growing – Continued From Last Lesson: All this sowing and planting and rooting and growing has been for a purpose, because there is a harvest to come from it. So, what is … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Mark 4:1-34 The Kingdom Keeps on Growing In the remainder of this section (Mark 4:26-34), Jesus tells two more parables on the “people are plants” theme, and then Mark neatly closes the section on the parables by telling … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Mark 4:1-34 The Purpose of the Parables – Continued From Last Lesson: Jesus tells the parables to everyone. The opportunity is there for anyone to come and ask Him for more. In fact this is what Mark 4:24-25 … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Mark 4:1-34 The Purpose of the Parables You might be asking the question, why does Jesus use parables at all? Why doesn’t He just say, for instance, “Look, when I preach, people will react in these four different … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Mark 4:1-34 The Parable of Parables Of all the parables of Jesus, this parable of the sower is probably the best known. Here is a farmer; it’s the time of year for sowing, and out he goes into … Continue reading →