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Ephesians

Paul’s Greatest Church Planting Success

 14 March 2018

Archdale church of Christ – Russ McCullough

Lesson # 12 – Ephesians 5.3 – 5.17

1.     How is the word “but” used in transition between vs. 2 and 3?

2.     The phrase “sexual immorality” is better translated F___________________

The Greek for this word is P______________ from which we get our English word P_________________.  It is an all inclusive word that describes A_____ sexual contact of A_______ outside of the marriage of one man to one woman.  This includes all forms of H__________________.

3.     What other two things must be avoided?

4.     How much variance in this decree is noted?

5.     Define, then, what is “proper among saints?”

6.     What 3 things are “out of place?”

7.     Replacing all of these things is T____________________.

8.     Discuss how that when there is thanksgiving that this battles all that is evil.

9.     Who has no inheritance in the Kingdom?

10. How is idolatry considered the same as covetousness?

11. The so-called “Word of Faith” movement is I_______________ for it is based on C__________________.

12. What kind of words deceive?  Give some examples of some of these kinds of words in our society.

13. Why is all of this so vitally important?

14. What does the word “associate” mean in vs. 7?  A better translation might be P________________ which literally means Co P___________________.

15. How does Paul use “Hebrew Parallelism” (C____________) in vs. 8?

16. How are we to walk?

17. How does Paul define this “fruit of the light?”

18. What are we to actively and continually to do?

19. How much darkness are we to allow into our world view?

20. What is a Christian need to do when confronting darkness?

21. How does one go about “exposing darkness” in the public square?

22. What is shameful for a Christian?

23. What happens when the light exposes these sins?  What (who) is the light?

24. The light, then, is actually the S________________ and we are but the V_____________ through which the light shines.

25. We are, therefore, to look C______________, how we W___________, not as U___________ but as W__________.

26. Why?

27. We escape foolishness when?

                                                      ANSWER GRID:

1.     How is the word “but” used in transition between vs. 2 and 3?

It contrasts the walk of the Godly and the un-godly

2.     The phrase “sexual immorality” is better translated F___________________

The Greek for this word is P______________ from which we get our English word P_________________.  It is an all-inclusive word that describes A_____ sexual contact of A_______ outside of the marriage of one man to one woman.  This includes all forms of H__________________.

Fornication, Porneia, Pornography, All, Any, Homosexuality

3.     What other two things must be avoided?

Impurity, Covetousness

4.     How much variance in this decree is noted?

None

5.     Define, then, what is “proper among saints?”

The absence of all the above

6.     What 3 things are “out of place?”

Filthiness, Foolish Talk, Crude Joking

7.     Replacing all of these things is T____________________.

Thanksgiving

8.     Discuss how that when there is thanksgiving that this battles all that is evil.

See Romans 1.21 & Ecclesiastes 12.13 – 14.   A truly thankful person is a God-fearer

9.     Who has no inheritance in the Kingdom?

The Fornicator, The Impure, and The Covetous

10. How is idolatry considered the same as covetousness?

The idol was seen as a kind of ATM machine to get what one wanted.  The idol seemed to offer man a kind of quid-pro-quo “let’s make a deal” religious program

11. What kind of words deceive?  Give some examples of some of these kinds of words in our society.

Empty, Congregational input – Hint: one example: “Missional”

12. Why is all of this so vitally important?

Because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience

13. What does the word “associate” mean in vs. 7?  A better translation might be P________________ which literally means Co P___________________.

Partaker, Co-Participant

14. How does Paul use “Hebrew Parallelism” (C____________) in vs. 8?

Contrast.  Darkness is contrasted with light

15. How are we to walk?

As children of light

16. How does Paul define this “fruit of the light?”

All that is Good, Right and True

17. What are we to actively and continually to do?

Proving what is acceptable to God / Discerning what is pleasing to God

18. How much darkness are we to allow into our world view?

None

19. What does a Christian need to do when confronting darkness?

Take no part in it and instead expose it

20. How does one go about “exposing darkness” in the public square?

Congregational response

21. What is shameful for a Christian?

To speak of what evil doers do in secret

22. What happens when the light exposes these sins?  What (who) is the light?

Evil becomes visible for what it is.  Jesus Christ per John 8.12.  Jesus Christ is the Word per John 1.1

23. The light, then, is actually the S________________ and we are but the V_____________ through which the light shines.

Scriptures, Vessels

24. We are, therefore, to look C______________, how we W___________, not as U___________ but as W__________.

Carefully, Walk, Un-wise, Wise

25. Why?

The days are evil

26. We escape foolishness when?

When we understand what the Will of the Lord is

The Imitation and Fragrance of Christ

Ephesians

Paul’s Greatest Church Planting Success

 6 March 2018

Archdale church of Christ – Russ McCullough

Lesson # 11 – Ephesians 4.29 – 5.3

1.     How much corrupting talk may come out of the churches mouth?

2.     Per Thayer, “Corrupt” is defined as…”R_____________, P_______________, U___________ for use, W_______________.”

a.      Luke 6.43 ________________________________________

b.     Matthew 12.33 ____________________________________

3.     In this passage, what word does Paul use to contrast with corrupt?

4.     What two things take place when this opposite talk takes place?

5.     What deadly serious effect comes about when Christians use corrupt talk?

6.     “Grieve” means to cause: “…D______________, H______________ & S_________________.”  (per Thayer)

7.     How many other times is this word used in the NT?

8.     The Holy Spirit acts as a S_______ of our redemption.

9.     “Sealed” is us most in the book of R______________, appearing ____ times.

10.  What 6 things must all be eliminated from among us?

11. What is the significance of the number of these things?

12. What now comes into contrast with these things?

13. What is the significance of number of these things?

14. The elimination of corruptness and it’s replacement by good things is predicated upon what?

15. Ultimately, why must we forgive others?

16. In 5.1, why is the “therefore” there for?

17. What is the direct result of our adoption as children?

18. This direct result is also illustrated here?

19. When we eliminate C________________, embrace G_______________, P_____ A_________ six forms of death, F____________ as does God, I_____________ Him, and L__________ as did Christ, it is to God as a F____________ O_______________, a S____________ to God.

ANSWER GRID:

1.     How much corrupting talk may come out of the churches mouth?

None

2.     Per Thayer, “Corrupt” is defined as…”R_____________, P_______________, U___________ for use, W_______________.”

a.      Luke 6.43 ________________________________________

b.     Matthew 12.33 ____________________________________

Revolting, Putrefied, Unsuitable, Worthless, Both passages refer to that which is dead, totally unusable, and ready for destruction

3.     In this passage, what word does Paul use to contrast with corrupt?

Good

4.     What two things take place when this opposite talk takes place?

The building up (edification) and Grace to those who hear

5.     What deadly serious effect comes about when Christians use corrupt talk?

6.     “Grieve” means to cause: “…D______________, H______________ & S_________________.”  (per Thayer)

Distress, Heaviness, Sorrow

7.     How many other times is this word used in the NT?

None

8.     The Holy Spirit acts as a S_______ of our redemption.

Seal

9.     “Sealed” is us most in the book of R______________, appearing ____ times.

Revelation, 16

10.  What 6 things must all be eliminated from among us?

ALL bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice

11. What is the significance of the number of these things?

Six in biblical numerology always refers to man and his incompleteness before God

12. What now comes into contrast with these things?

Kindness, tenderheartedness, forgiveness

13. What is the significance of number of these things?

Three in biblical numerology refers to our triune God and His completeness

14. The elimination of corruptness and its replacement by good things is predicated upon what?

Imitators of God as beloved children

15. Ultimately, why must we forgive others?

Because Christ first forgave us of everything

16. In 5.1, why is the “therefore” there for?

To describe our walk

17. What is the direct result of our adoption as children?

Our walk in love

18. This direct result is also illustrated here?

To love each other and give each other to each other as did Christ before us

19. When we eliminate C________________, embrace G_______________, P_____ A_________ six forms of death, F____________ as does God, I_____________ Him, and L__________ as did Christ, it is to God as a F____________ O_______________, a S____________ to God.

Corruption, Grace, Put Away, Forgive, Imitate, Love, Fragrant Offering, Sacrifice

Let's Learn to Pray Once More!

“Let’s Learn How to Pray Once More!”

“From Ulster Plantation to the Carolina’s with the Gospel!” *

Russell H. McCullough / Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210

www.archdale.org / gospelcall.blogspot.com - Date:  4 March 2018

Text: Matthew 6.5 - 13

Thesis: Jesus can teach us to pray!

Introduction

Martin Luther’s barber, Peter Beskendorf, once asked him for advice on how to pray.  Luther wrote him out some instructions in a short work called; “A Simple Way to Pray, for Master Peter the Barber.”

So, as a diligent and good barber, you must keep your thoughts, senses, and eyes precisely on the hair and scissors or razor and not forget where your trimmed or shaved, for, if you want to talk a lot or become distracted thinking about something else, you might well cut someone’s nose or mouth or even his throat.

How much more does a prayer need to have the undivided attention to the whole heart alone, if it is to be a good prayer?(1)

I Biblical Prayers are Different than Contemporary Prayers:

A.  Biblical Prayers are Prayed by the Broken Hearted

B.  Biblical Prayers are Prayed in Desperate Times and Circumstances

C.   Biblical Payers are Similar Regardless if Prayed in Private or in Public

II Why Do We Pray Differently Today?

A.  We are Free

B.  We are not at war in our own space

C.   We are fed

D.  We are housed

E.   We are prosperous

F.   We are educated

G.  We are mobile

H.  We are healthy

I.   We are clothed

J.   We are conditioned

III Why Should We Pray Biblically Today?

A.  For the church of Christ Here – She’s Going Into Apostasy

B.  For the church of Christ Elsewhere – She’s Being Persecuted

C.   For the Unfaithful – They Are Headed for Hell

D.  For the Nation – She Is Turning to Immorality and a Culture of Death

E.   For Our Community – She Is Embracing and Teaching Immorality

IV How Can We Learn to Pray Biblically?

A.  Jesus will teach us!

CONCLUSION:  Prayer is to the Christian as nuclear weapons are to the military

The Meaning of the Text in It’s Theological, Historical & Cultural Context:  Biblical prayer is mandatory and not optional.

The Challenge of the Text for Christians Today – “Lord, teach us to pray!”

“The Gospel Call” – Acts 2.38

NOTES:

(1) As quoted in:  Mohler, R. Albert, (The Prayer that Turns the World Upside Down), Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelson, 2018, pg. 14 - 15

·         My fifth great uncle was Hugh Gaston who was rector at the Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (pictured above left) in County Antrim, Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland) and wrote the most dangerous book of his time; Gaston’s Collections.  It allowed “the ploughman to know more Bible than his clergyman.”  Hugh fled to South Carolina where he died prematurely of the measles.  He is buried just one hour south of Charlotte in Chester County, S.C. in “Burnt Meeting House Cemetery.”   Uncle Hugh continues to inspire my ministry to this very day.  You can read more about Uncle Hugh here: http://www.ballywillanpci.org/rev-hugh-gaston

Ruins photo courtesy of: ballywillanpci.org.

Boldness, Access, and Confidence Through the Faith of Christ

Lord's Day morning worship service sermon OUTLINE - 11 February 2018, Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210.  Your speaker is Russ McCullough.  The ACOC is a congregation of the undenominational church of Christ found exclusively in the New Testament.  "We preach Christ and Him crucified."  You will find presented "100% Organic Christianity - Nothing added, nothing deleted, nothing artificial."  Worship services are held at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Lord's Day.  We also meet for Bible study at 9 a.m. on Lord's Day and at 7 p.m. Wednesday evenings.  YOU are always welcome!

LISTEN! to this entire sermon on: SOUNDCLOUD:

https://soundcloud.com/archdale-church-of-christ/sermon-am-021118-ephesians-312-boldness-access-and-confidence-acoc-russ-mccullough

“The Faith of Christ Gives Boldness, Access, and Confidence”

“From Ulster Plantation to the Carolina’s with the Gospel!” *

Russell H. McCullough / Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210

www.archdale.org / gospelcall.blogspot.com - Date: 11 February 2018  

Text: Ephesians 3.7 - 12

Thesis: It’s not the power of our human faith but the Holy and Righteous faith of Christ in which we have DARING boldness, A DOOR of access, and DETERMINENT confidence!

Introduction – Today, many American theologians focus on the faith, or lack thereof, of individuals.  It is an ego centric rather than a God centric approach.  Man has the power if he just has enough faith to say the right words to God who then will be obligated to do the will of what man desires.  We call this the Word of Faith movement.  Kenneth and Gloria Copeland are two of the more prominent leaders of this movement.  Recently she said this regarding the flu:

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=gloria+copeland+video+of+the+flu&view=detail&mid=D7F03A161609C458FA24D7F03A161609C458FA24&FORM=VIRE

Quote from Gloria Copeland as reported by Anna Sheffer on February 6, 2018 @ 10:45 a.m. per her blog; “Hello Giggles”

Thankfully, none of us has to rely on our faith, our imagination, or our own “power of positive thinking” for salvation for no man could ever have such faith…but Jesus Christ DOES have a PERFECT faith! 

For He, as John Gill once said, is “both the author and object of our faith.”

The key verse in this passage is vs. 12: “in whom we are having the boldness and the access in confidence through the faith of Him.” – Literal Greek to English translation from the Textus Receptus

Today, let’s look at the 3 blessings we have which Paul describes as “through the faith of Him.”:

·       DARING or “boldness” of faith in Christ

·       DOOR or “access” to God Himself through Christ

·       DETERMINATION or “confidence” in the faith of Christ

I Our Faith in Christ is DARING

a.   Boldness is directly connected to Jesus – Acts 4.13

b.   Boldness is one thing for which we must pray – Acts 4.23 – 31

c.   Example of the Boldness of George Washington at Princeton on January 2 and 3, 1777.

d.   Video clip on Boldness from Mt. Vernon historian, Rick Atkinson:

https://vimeo.com/152296577

II Our Faith in Christ gives us ACCESS to God Himself through prayer

a.   By one Spirit unto the Father – Ephesians 2.18

b.   I John 1.9 – 10

c.   Psalms 80.3 – 7

1.   The Congregation stands:

III Our Faith in Christ gives us CONFIDENCE

a.   All confidence comes from God – Psalms 65.5

b.   Confidence is a “refuge, a secure place, a fortress”

c.   Proverbs 3.26

d.   Proverbs 14.26

CONCLUSION:  Through Christ we have faith to be BOLD, to have ACCESS and to be CONFIDENT.

The Meaning of the Text in It’s Theological, Historical & Cultural Context: 

The power of God’s Will is not in our power but in the power of Christ whose faith was perfect and blazed a trail for each of our weak souls.

The Challenge of the Text for Christians Today:  In our weakness we find the power of Christ and in His power, we find faith.  With God everything is possible but with man, nothing at all is ever possible.

“The Gospel Call” – “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” = Acts 2.38

·         My fifth great uncle was Hugh Gaston who was rector at the Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (pictured above left) in County Antrim, Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland) and wrote the most dangerous book of his time; Gaston’s Collections.  It allowed “the ploughman to know more Bible than his clergyman.”  Hugh fled to South Carolina where he died prematurely of the measles.  He is buried just one hour south of Charlotte in Chester County, S.C. in “Burnt Meeting House Cemetery.”   Uncle Hugh continues to inspire my ministry to this very day.  You can read more about Uncle Hugh here: http://www.ballywillanpci.org/rev-hugh-gaston

Ruins photo courtesy of: ballywillanpci.org.