What does it mean for the Kingsman to have the faith to please the King? Hebrews 11:6 says: Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. That verse tells the Kingsman what God is looking […]
Read More KMCD 39: The Kingsman Must Have Faith to Please the KingReading: Ephesians 4:17-32 Context: How does Paul contrast the Gentile way of life with Christian living? The heart of the contrast lies in the difference that God makes in what it means to live. What makes it Gentile is its ignorance and/or rejection of God. As a result, Paul describes this kind of life as […]
Read More WIWO: Ephesians – Episode 09: New Life, New StandardsWhat does it actually mean for the Kingsman to be set apart? A king’s signet ring was never decorative. Press it into wax, and it authorised a decree; hand it to another man and it transferred the king’s own authority into his grip until the ring came back. The ring didn’t just mark something as […]
Read More KMCD 38: The Kingsman: Set Apart for the KingReading: Ephesians 4:1-16 Context: How does “living a life worthy of the calling” connect to the previous chapters? The previous chapters have outlined the honour and privilege of being joined to God’s great eternal purpose through the Lord Jesus Christ. This is glorious. We have been rescued from a life destined for God’s full wrath. […]
Read More WIWO: Ephesians – Episode 08: Unity in the BodyWhat does it look like for the Kingsman to be truly dedicated? Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself before the king’s food was ever set in front of him (Daniel 1:8). Paul told the Corinthians to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, because their labour in Him is […]
Read More KMCD 37: Dedication and the KingsmanReading: Ephesians 3:14-21 Context: Why does Paul emphasise praying to “the Father from whom every family… derives its name”? Prayers to God are vast enterprises, even as God is vast. The aspect of God that we refer to in prayer gives a great indication of what we’re saying is important in this prayer. The first […]
Read More WIWO: Ephesians – Episode 07: Prayer for Inner StrengthThe hymn I Am Thine, O Lord, whose words came from Fanny J Crosby, features the powerful lyric, Consecrate me now for thy service, Lord. What does that mean to the Kingsman? A tradesman doesn’t carry every tool in his bag on every job. He owns dozens; he sets aside two or three, cleans them, […]
Read More KMCD 36: Consecration and the KingsmanReading: Ephesians 3:1-13 Context: Why does Paul refer to himself as a “prisoner for Christ Jesus”? First, he is describing his current location. He’s in prison. The reason he’s in prison is because of Jesus. That is to say, in line with what it means to follow Jesus, he is facing opposition and resistance that […]
Read More WIWO: Ephesians – Episode 06: Paul’s Ministry to the GentilesThe Kingsman seeks to be more and more like Jesus; how does that work? This is all about what he learns and applies in his life from the process of sanctification as described in Scripture. A man doesn’t argue with the mirror when it shows him something true. He might not like what he sees, […]
Read More KMCD 35: Sanctification and the KingsmanReading: Ephesians 2:11-22 Context: What was the historical relationship between Jews and Gentiles in Paul’s time? Jews and Gentiles were antagonistically situated. The name Gentile is defined by not being a Jew. Jews were very proud of their identity and had practices that made them distinct from others. Rather than being a bridge to understand […]
Read More WIWO: Ephesians – Episode 05: Unity in Christ
