Reading: Ephesians 6:18-24 Context: How does the call to prayer connect with the spiritual warfare theme? What a wonderful, wonderful question. And here is why it is wonderful. To do justice to this question, consider what it means to receive the call to pray. This call to pray invites us to use every method available […]
Read More WIWO: Ephesians – Episode 14: Prayer and PerseveranceMeekly and humbly, he approached the Lord. It was not that long ago that he had encountered Him in a life-changing way. Sitting quietly alone in his room, he noticed there was something going on that required his attention. So, now was the time to approach the Lord. In the quiet of the room, he […]
Read More New Notes 01 – From the OldThe Kingsman is called by Jesus to serve in his workplace, symbolised by Simon’s miraculous catch of fish after a night of failure. This highlights that Christ can work through ordinary situations. The Kingsman learns to trust Christ’s word over personal experience, recognising his shortcomings, and ultimately finds a greater purpose in his labour.
Read More KMCD 43: The Kingsman Commissioned to Work from WorkReading: Ephesians 6:10-17 Context: Why does Paul end this practical letter with teaching about spiritual warfare? This practical letter is based on spiritual realities. The gospel expresses spiritual realities. It’s the glory of the Gentile and Jew being made a part of God’s family – a spiritual reality. It’s the marvel of how he’s rescued […]
Read More WIWO: Ephesians – Episode 13: Spiritual WarfareWhat does the Kingsman do when the assignment feels heavier than anything he can carry? A sentry posted to a wall at night doesn’t ask for the enemy’s numbers. He asks whether the one who posted him can be trusted. Ezekiel stood in that position. He was a priest in exile in Babylon, lifted to […]
Read More KMCD 42: The Kingsman Receives Strength to EndureReading: Ephesians 6:1-9 Context: How do these instructions fit into Paul’s broader teaching about Christian living? Reading about family dynamics and how work relations should go fits in with the character of Christ that Paul refers to the saints constantly. These instructions outline key qualities of submission and obedience, yet they depend on and are […]
Read More WIWO: Ephesians – Episode 12: Relationships – Family and WorkThe Kingsman must endure. He cannot give up. He cannot give in. What keeps him going? It’s not his own great efforts. What can he learn from Moses? To explore this, he considers: Why would a man walk out of a palace and into a wilderness, and call it a good deal? Hebrews 11:24-27 doesn’t […]
Read More KMCD 41: The Kingsman Endures Through Faith and FocusReading: Ephesians 5:21-33 Context: How does “submitting to one another” (v.21) set the tone for what follows? The healthy, godly understanding and application of submission resolves all relationships. All of them. Especially when done in the right order. If we understand what we’ve read in the first three chapters of Ephesians, we’ll understand that submitting […]
Read More WIWO: Ephesians – Episode 11: Relationships – MarriageWhat does it mean for the Kingsman to be looking for the Heavenly Country? A man posted abroad for years learns something about home. He keeps his papers in order and his accent intact, and he never quite unpacks the last box. He can be useful where he is, even loved, but he never mistakes […]
Read More KMCD 40: The Kingsman is Looking for the Heavenly CountryReading: Ephesians 5:1-20 Context: What does it mean to be “imitators of God as dearly loved children”? This is one of the most important identity verses in Scripture. First, it underpins our identity in Christ. Second, it underpins how parenting and childhood work. Third, it points to something about how we emerge in life. Going […]
Read More WIWO: Ephesians – Episode 10: Walking in Love and Light
