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.

Ephesians 3 Lesson, Answer Grid and Podcast

At the Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210 we are currently studying the Book of Ephesians.  Each week we provide a lesson sheet, answer grid, and a recorded synopsis of the lesson.  We are now turning these recorded synopsis's into a podcast.  These podcasts are found on Sound Cloud.  It goes without saying that everyone is always invited.  Worship times are 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Lord's Day.  Bible Study times are at 9 a.m. on Lord's Day morning and at 7 p.m. on Wednesday evenings.

LISTEN! now to "Ephesians 3, Episode 7" on SOUNDCLOUD linked below:

https://soundcloud.com/archdale-church-of-christ/gospel-call-podcast-episode-7-ephesians-3-russ-mccullouh-host

Ephesians

Paul’s Greatest Church Planting Success

 7 February 2018

Archdale church of Christ – Russ McCullough

Lesson # 7 – Ephesians 3.1 - 21

1.     As an introduction to this passage, just what does the word “Dispensation” mean?

2.     For WHAT reason?

3.     Paul is a what and for whom? 

4.     God’s grace is characterized as a S________________ (or in the KJV, D___________________.)  What does this mean?

5.     Per Strong’s, D_________________ means; “…A_______________ of a H______________ or an E___________; specifically a religious E_______________...S___________________.”

a.      The word occurs only _____ other times in the NT

b.     All uses are by P_________ and him alone.

1)    I Corinthians 9.17_________________________________

2)    Ephesians 1.10 ___________________________________

3)    Colossians 1.25 ___________________________________

6.     What was made known to Paul by revelation?

7.     What, exactly, will prove Paul’s insight into this Mystery of C__________?

8.     Paul’s generation was the very first have this R_________________.

9.     To who was it revealed and by whom?

10. Vs. 6 says the mystery is what?

11. Through what vehicle did this mystery come?

12. Name the 3 characteristics of the now Christian Gentile:

a.      F___________ H___________

b.     M_________________

c.      P__________________

13. Who was made a minister of this gospel?

14. Paul came to be such a minister according to what gift?

15. How was this gift administered to Paul?

16. Discuss how Ephesians 2.7, Colossians 2.11 – 12, and Acts 22.16 are all inseparably connected.

17. If God is “no respecter of persons,” how is Paul the “least of all the saints?”

18. BTW, the question is not “how can a saint be alive,” it is instead, “when does one become a saint?”

19. Through which vehicle is the “manifold wisdom of God to be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places?

20. How is the eternal purpose of God to be realized?

21. Through our faith, we have what 3 things per vs. 12?

22. What does Paul ask of the Ephesians?

23. Vs. 14 – For WHAT reason?

24. Vs. 14 – 21 is a what?

Answer Grid

Paul’s Greatest Church Planting Success

 7 February 2018

Archdale church of Christ – Russ McCullough

Lesson #7 – Ephesians 3.1 - 21

1.     As an introduction to this passage, just what does the word “Dispensation” mean?  Most stated something having to do with a specific time frame

2.     For WHAT reason?  That the Gentile is no longer a stranger or alien but an equal partner with the Jew in the on-going construction of the House of God built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets anchored to the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus Christ.

3.     Paul is a what and for whom?  A prisoner for Jesus Christ on behalf of the Gentiles.

4.     God’s grace is characterized as a S________________ (or in the KJV, D___________________.)  What does this mean?  Stewardship / Dispensation

5.     Per Strong’s, D_________________ means; “…A_______________ of a H______________ or an E___________; specifically a religious E_______________...S___________________.”  Dispensation means – Administration of a household or an estate specifically a religious economy…Stewardship

a.     The word occurs only _____ other times in the NT.  Three

b.     All uses are by P_________ and him alone.  Paul

1)    I Corinthians 9.17_________________________________

2)    Ephesians 1.10 ___________________________________

3)    Colossians 1.25 ___________________________________

6.     What was made known to Paul by revelation?  The Mystery

7.     What, exactly, will prove Paul’s insight into this Mystery of C__________?  The Mystery of Grace through Christ was made to him by revelation; i.e. Paul knows he’s writing inspired Scripture.

8.     Paul’s generation was the very first have this R_________________.  Revelation

9.     To who was it revealed and by whom?  To Paul by the Holy Spirit

10. Vs. 6 says the mystery is what?  That the Gentiles are equal partners with the Jews in the church of Christ

11. Through what vehicle did this mystery come?  The Gospel

12. Name the 3 characteristics of the now Christian Gentile:

a.      F___________ H___________

b.     M_________________

c.      P__________________ 

Fellow heirs, Members of the same body, partakers of the same promise

13. Who was made a minister of this gospel?  Paul

14. Paul came to be such a minister according to what gift?  The Gift of God’s Grace

15. How was this gift administered to Paul? By the working of his power

16. Discuss how Ephesians 2.7, Colossians 2.11 – 12, and Acts 22.16 are all inseparably connected.

Paul received the gift of God’s Grace by God’s power, The powerful working of God is granted in baptism, Paul had his sins remitted in baptism where the powerful working of God forgave him and bestowed upon him the gift of the Holy Spirit

17. If God is “no respecter of persons,” how is Paul the “least of all the saints?”  Only in Paul’s own human estimation for God is no respecter of persons.  All have sinned and come short of the glory of God and there are no good people in their own right

18. BTW, the question is not “how can a saint be alive,” it is instead, “when does one become a saint?”  One becomes a saint upon repentance and baptism, he is not designated such after he is long dead by other men who just happen to still be alive

19. Through which vehicle is the “manifold wisdom of God to be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places?”  The church which is made up of both Jew and Gentile saints.

20. How is the eternal purpose of God to be realized?  His eternal purpose realized in Christ Jesus our Lord

21. Through our faith, we have what 3 things per vs. 12?  Boldness, access, and confidence

22. What does Paul ask of the Ephesians?  Not to lose heart over what he is suffering

23. Vs. 14 – For WHAT reason? His suffering is for their glory

24. Vs. 14 – 21 is a what?  A prayer for the church of Christ at Ephesus