Man Podcast: The Power of Meditation
4. Does Grace Still Amaze (Eph. 2:11-22) Audio
Ephesians Series
Does Grace Still Amaze You?
Ephesians 2:1-10
Bethel Church | Jackson, Michigan
Ken Pierpont-Lead Pastor
/
RSS Feed
4. Does Grace Still Amaze You? (Eph. 1:1-10) Video
Ephesians Series
Does Grace Still Amaze You?
Ephesians 2:1-10
Bethel Church | Jackson, Michigan
Ken Pierpont-Lead Pastor
Like A Boy on His Bike on the First Day of Summer
An old pastor friend of mine once told me this: When you realize that all your sins are forgiven you feel like a school-boy with a new bike on the first day of summer. The wind is in your hair, the sun is on your head, you are alive to the world around you. Your heart is filled with anticipation. You are free and your heart is glad with joy.
Paul said it like this: “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:1–10, ESV)
Brothers 50 Years Later
This is me in the middle, Kevin on my right and Nathan on my left. They are pastors. Nate is ten years my junior and Kevin is seven years younger. Look at my face. What you are seeing there is deep joy and gratitude.
How to Deal With A Contentious Person (Bonus Episode)
(Fifteen Biblical Responses to A Contentious Person).
1–Avoid Evil people when you can.
“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” (Romans 16:17–18, ESV)
2–As much as it is possible live at peace. Create spaces where you can remove yourself and do productive things.
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18, ESV)
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13–14, ESV)
“It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.” (Proverbs 21:9, ESV)
“It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.” (Proverbs 21:19, ESV)
“It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.” (Proverbs 25:24, ESV)
3–Love your wife like Jesus loves you. Don’t be harsh with her.
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,” (Ephesians 5:25, ESV)
“Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.” (Colossians 3:19, ESV)
4–Keep your promises to act in a loving way continually even if you are cursed or or hated or abused. (Luke 6:27–29, ESV)
5–Make sure their curses are without cause: “Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.” (Proverbs 26:2, ESV)
6–Show loving-kindness and tenderness whenever you can. Gal. 5 “Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.” (Colossians 3:19)
(Galatians 5:16–25)
7–Be like Jesus. Do not be selfish or think only of yourself. Give and serve others and lay down your life. (Philippians 2:1–16)
8–Do not get involved in argumentation and do not react sinfully to an attack.
“The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.” (Proverbs 17:14)
9–Don’t engage in conversation that is just a lure to attack.““Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” (Matthew 7:6)
10–Don’t Try to correct her. She will only be more contentious. Let God deal with her.
“Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.” (Proverbs 9:7–8)
“A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike; to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp oil in one’s right hand.” (Prov. 27:15–16)
11–Don’t blow up and vent your anger:
“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” (Proverbs 29:11)
12–Do not return anger for anger. Trust the Lord to judge. “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23, ESV) (1 Corinthians 4:1–5)
13–Strengthen yourself and encourage yourself in the Lord. Deepen your relationship with God when you are being abused. (1 Samuel 30:6)
14–Always try to see yourself in the mirror before you look at the faults of the other.
“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5, ESV)
In the presence of my enemy. Don’t tell her things. She will use what you say against you.
15–Leave all the children and other people completely out of it. It is not necessary or right to draw them into it. It is not their business. Keep them out of it. Don’t talk to other people about it. The only exception would be a qualified counselor.
Treat the Contentious Person As You Would An Enemy. Bless. Do Good. Pray (Matthew 5:44 NKJV)
/
RSS Feed
Recent Comments