Explore the Bible with Dr. Jim McCullen

God’s Plan Is Eternal • Eph. 1:1-14 • Sept. 5

Introduction: The Book of Ephesians uses the term, “in Christ,” twelve times. If you draw a circle and place each quality, “in Christ,” inside that circle you recognize anew how blessed a saved person becomes in Christ. Add to that concept that we not only have these qualities right now but forever because God’s Plan Is Eternal. What a privilege.

1. God’s Plan Is Eternal In His . . Sovereign Call.   1:1-4

The term “saints” in the Bible speaks about all saved people. It does not represent a person whose life, after death, gets evaluated for years and then some group decides that person can be elevated to “sainthood.” If you know you have acknowledged the Lordship of Christ in your life and received His salvation, you are a saint. It is not achieved by man, but granted by the Lord. We are called to be saints and receive spiritual blessings. Why does God do this? He wants us to be sanctified for the purpose of being holy and blameless in His sight. Why would people think they could work their way to such perfection? It is provided within the call of God.

2. God’s Plan Is Eternal In His . . Saving Grace.   1:5-8

Jack Stanton used to tell this great story about his daughter finally receiving legal adoption papers. The struggle with the courts, etc., greatly delayed the finalization of her adoption. She was fearful of almost everything. Then when the adoption was final, Jack and his wife went camping, and their daughter got sleepy and after dark left the fireside to walk back to the cabins. Jack asked if she was afraid and she said, “No, I have been adopted.” Saving Grace causes us to be adopted into the family of God. His grace simultaneously provides for the atonement of our sin. Oh what a saving Grace! Amen?

3. God’s Plan Is Eternal In His . . Son’s Sacrifice.    1:9-12

If you were God would you allow your Son to die for this sinful world? I say an emphatic and absolute No! That illustrates the level of love in my will. However, the text tells of God’s love and His will. The death of Christ took place because it accomplished the will of God. This Messiah administered the plan as He came, lived and died in agreement with the perfect will of the Father.

4. God’s Plan Is Eternal In His . . Sealing By The Holy Spirit.    1:13-14

The Christian is given the Holy Spirit at salvation. In our text it says this sealing happened when we believed. The Holy Spirit is given. You do not work it up, you received Him. His sealing and indwelling the believer happens as a simultaneous act. This sealing and indwelling of the Spirit are guarantees that we have been saved. At salvation we receive eternal life. It is a spiritual life and lives after this earthly life has died; this is true because God’s Plan Is Eternal. Amen? Amen! (For a more detailed outline, go to: http://www.preachhim.org/SundaySchoolIndex.html.)

God’s Plan Involves Power • Eph. 1:15-23 • Sept. 12

Introduction: I heard this recently about the famous evangelist, Billy Sunday. He advised new Christians to pray to the Lord 15 minutes a day, read the Bible fifteen minutes a day, and seek to witness 15 minutes a day. I would say that is a very good plan and would increase the knowledge about the power of God for a believer. We all need to be more aware that God’s Plan Involves Power.

1. There Is Power Through . . Persistent Prayer. 1:15-17

If you asked 100 dedicated evangelical Christians where the source of Christian power lay, I think they would say, “In the obedience to the Word of God and prayer.” In my opinion, very few Christians are persistent in prayer. Paul said, “I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.” Paul also speaks about his persistent prayer of thanks. He also wanted the Ephesians to think clearly and to learn about the spirit of wisdom and receive further revelation from our Lord. Education and learning might be attained but wisdom is the gift of God. All of us need to regularly pray for wisdom.

2. There Is Power In . . Petitioning God For Others. 1:18-19

Do you pray for others? Specifically, do you pray for newer Christians? Newer Christians require a knowledge about the inheritance we receive in Christ. There is a comfortable feeling in knowing the eternal life is ours through the work of Christ. I think there is power in knowing I don’t have to work it up or keep ait but it is mine in Christ. He keeps it and empowers me to live for Him. How do you measure something that is immeasurable? A professor 40 years ago told me he had not seen an atom, but he could see what it did. I told him I had not seen God but I sure could see what He did. To me it shows wisdom to believe in God. We believe the evidences of His power are beyond measurement.

3. There Is Power In The . . Placement Of Christ At The Right Hand Of God. 1:20-23

Where is Christ right now? He is seated at the right hand of God. Who placed Him there? God the Father did! No one will ever remove Him from that place of power. God raised Jesus and set Him in the position of power. Did you ever need a salesperson and could not find one? Have you ever needed a policeman and could not find one? Do you recall hearing the statement, “when you need one you can’t find one?” Jesus is always available and properly positioned at the throne. This position was dictated by the Father. He knew in advance Christ would need to intercede for us in our prayers. We are told He prays for us, and that is a further reason for His placement at the right hand of God. We know God’s Plan Involves Power. Amen? Amen! (For a more detailed outline, go to: http://www.preachhim.org/SundaySchoolIndex.html.)

How deep did sin penetrate our soul? Notice these affects: we walked according to this worldly age, were along side of the will of Satan, were in the lust of the flesh-mind, and were by nature children of wrath. Our disobedience controls us in spite of our efforts to bring redemption, peace and transformation. Some believe they have gotten beyond salvation and must remain lost. They give up on themselves. Some let their desires get out of control and don’t seem to know they can have victory through God’s power. Today as we look around, we see a majority of people under the penetration of their sin. Some think their sinful lifestyle is respectable and, in too much of society it may be; but not according to God. The victory comes only through Christ.
2. God’s Power . . Provides The Possibility Of Salvation. 2:4-7

How could a vile sinner be saved? Only by the grace of God. How can sweet little children just aware of their need of the Savior be saved? Only by the grace of God. The text says we were dead in our trespasses.  

But, the Lord saved us. How could God do that?   He is abundant in mercy. Why is He abundant in mercy?   Because of His great love. Not only did He save us but He seated us with His Son in the heavenlies. This statement doesn’t sound correct, but it is. Christians have as much right to go to heaven as Jesus does! How could that possibly be so; only by His grace!
3. God’s Power Makes The . . Place For Our God Inspired Works. 2:8-10

Many Christians memorize Eph. 2:8-10, and cite these verses on many occasions. These verses certainly teach us our works cannot bring us salvation. If you would check out all the times the New Testament uses the term, “good works,” you will find it is never used before a person’s salvation experience. The works of a non-Christian cannot produce boastful works because God does not prompt such works. We know our works did not provide salvation but God’s grace did. It is good to know a saved person does not do good works until after salvation. God designed works for Christians only after they know they are saved. Many Christian people serve the Lord and may not even be thinking of their efforts as “good works,” but because they were prompted by the Lord they become just that. God’s Power Changes People. Amen? Amen! (For a more detailed outline go to: www.preachhim.org/SundaySchoolIndex.html)

1. The Power To Change Relationships Gives . . Hope.   2:11-14

Hope is a great quality to have and Christ gave it to us. Because He changed our lives. At one time we were without the Messiah, but now He reigns in our lives. In Israel today, most Jews will tell you they expect the Messiah to come. They fail to recognize He has already been here and is coming back. Their thought today makes the same mistake their forefathers made as they looked for a political rather than a spiritual leader. The hope of the Lord controls those who want to be surrendered to Him. Adam Wainwright, the pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinal baseball team, said recently, “Jesus stands on the baseball mound with me and He is in control.” What a good testimony!

2. The Power To Change Relationships Eliminates . . Hostility.    2:15-18

Do you know anyone who held a very hostile view of people and life and then came to Jesus? Our text tells us He put hostility to death through the cross. Our hostility, if we had any, was done away with through the work of Christ as we were reconciled to Him and His people. The revelation of the different way of life came through a provision from the Lord. I like to be around new Christians. They can be so exciting as the Lord makes such a difference in their lives. One evangelist used to say, “If you say the Lord is coming a new Christian looks to the sky and says where, where!”

3. The Power To Change Relationships Gives A New . . Household.   2:19-22

We who know the Lord will one day receive His welcome into the place He has prepared for us. We receive the privilege to share Christ with others and they likewise can be welcomed into His household. One commentator making reference to the heavenly home points out, “Christ is the Cornerstone, the apostles and New Testament prophets are the foundation, and each Christian is a stone in the building.” Christ is our foundation and we may build upon it. Did you see the text also says God’s Spirit lives now in our spirit? Yes!   God’s Power Changes Relationships. Amen? Amen! (For a more detailed outline go to: www.preachhim.org/SundaySchoolIndex.html)

 Bible Studies for Life with Dr. Andy Chambers

Making Your Case • Acts 21:40-22:10; 1 Pet. 3:15-17 • Sept. 5

This week begins a quarter of Bible studies on apologetics, the work of explaining and defending the Christian faith. We begin with help for making the case for Christ.

First, be prepared to give an answer for the hope you have (1 Pet. 3:15-17). Three things are needed for you to be an effective apologist. First, Jesus Christ must be Lord of your life (v15a). To set apart Christ as Lord means that sharing Jesus is more than simply transferring information to another person. The effective soul winner speaks out of the personal experience of knowing Jesus as Lord (Rom. 10:9-10). Second, you need to be prepared to explain the hope you have (v15b). Third, you need to be able to communicate with gentleness and respect, even if you have to suffer for doing what is good, so that your critics may be silenced by your example (vv16-17).

You do not have to have the knowledge of a Josh McDowell or a Lee Strobel to give an answer for the hope you have. Simply, start where you are, and seek to learn all you can about Christianity, what the Gospel is, how to explain and defend it, and why you possess such a deep hope in God. God can and wants to use you to share His hope with others.

Second, find common ground with others (Acts 21:40-22:3). Paul’s witness in Jerusalem exemplifies Peter’s advice to apologists. Paul knew that his critics were saying he was not a Jew, because he preached Christ. So, when Paul addressed the crowd, he spoke in Hebrew, their native tongue, and that got their attention (vv21:40-22:2). Next, he emphasized his common ground with his hearers by describing his Jewish upbringing and devotion to the Jewish faith (v3). Paul spoke respectfully about things that mattered to his listeners.

This morning, I was studying at Starbucks, and a man named Mark sat down and struck up a conversation with me. As we talked, I asked God for wisdom to find common ground with him. I learned that he was going through a divorce, and he was deeply concerned for what his daughters were going through. I was able to affirm his love for his children by talking about my love for mine, and suddenly we found common ground in our role as fathers. That became a bridge for me to tell Mark about Jesus’ love for him. He desperately needed to hear about the same hope all of us need. You have common ground with everyone you meet, because everyone living in a fallen world is a needy person who needs to hear about hope.

Third, share what you know about Jesus (Acts 22:4-10). Paul told the people what he knew about Jesus. His words contained both his own personal experience and the facts about Christ. He told of how he formerly persecuted the church and how Jesus confronted Him on the road to Damascus (vv4-6). Paul fell to the ground and realized that Jesus was Lord (vv7-9). Paul was converted from being a persecutor of Christ’s people, to submitting himself to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior (v10).

Every believer in Jesus has a story to tell and the Gospel to share. You do not need to be eloquent, because the power of God to save comes through the Gospel of Jesus Christ crucified (1 Cor. 2:1-5; Rom. 1:16). Lift up Jesus, and He will draw others to Himself (John 12:32).

The Case for God’s Existence • Ps. 19:1-6; Acts 17:22-29; Heb. 1:1-2 • Sept. 12

How can you reach out to people who are unsure or even skeptical about God’s existence? One way to begin is to help them consider God’s revelation of Himself through creation.

First, consider how creation speaks about God’s existence and glory (Ps. 19:1-6). The heavens testify to the glory of their Maker (v1). Day and night the sun and the stars pour forth the message of God’s greatness (v2). People of every language and in every corner of the world can understand the message (vv3-4a).

The rising and setting of the sun is perhaps the most striking example of God’s glory revealed in creation (vv4b-6), but we see it every day and can easily take it for granted. Two days ago I was at the summit of a dormant volcano called Haleakala on the island of Maui. Every morning hundreds of tourists from all over the world drive up the mountain to watch the sun rise from an altitude of 10,023 feet. I noticed that people were laughing and talking in many languages as dawn approached. However, something amazing happened as the first rays of sunlight blazed across the sky. The talking and joking subsided. Everyone grew quiet with wonder as the sky turned different colors until finally the sun rose and lit up the mountain. It is hard to look closely at creation and not wonder who made it all.

Second, point others to Jesus as the supreme revelation of God (Heb. 1:1-2). In the Old Testament, God spoke through prophets at different times and in different ways (v1). However, His supreme revelation came to us through Jesus Christ, the heir and creator of everything (v2).

It is important to point to creation as evidence of God’s existence and glory as Psalm 19 tells us. However, we also need to point people to Jesus Christ, the One who created everything (cf. also John 1:3; 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:16). He is also the fullest and supreme revelation of God. We learn of Jesus through the written Word, the Bible, which the Holy Spirit uses to make Jesus known to us (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:14).

Third, identify the longing people have for God to be real (Acts 17:22-29). When Paul preached in Athens, he pointed out that they wanted God to be real. They were very religious and even had an altar to an “UNKNOWN GOD” (vv22-23a). Scholars differ over what the Athenians were thinking when they built this altar. Apparently they suspected the existence of a certain God whose name they did not know, but they wanted to acknowledge him. Paul began there with longing of the Athenians and told them about the one true God who created everything and who does not need anything (vv23b-26). He made us to reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us (vv27-28). However, to know Him we must accept Him on His terms and not how we might imagine Him to be (v29).

God has placed eternity in the hearts of people (Eccl. 3:11). We instinctively know that there is more to this life than our mere flesh and blood existence. People want God to be real, especially when they learn about Him through Jesus. Don’t be afraid to speak directly to those longings in people as you declare that He is real and that His Son is Jesus.

First, confess with them that no one can see the full picture (Job 40:1-9). The reality of suffering, especially the kind we can’t explain, is something Christians do not have to pretend they have an answer for. Believers and nonbelievers alike stand side by side before the mystery of suffering. Both must admit that there is much about life in a fallen world that none of us can fully understand.

After Job’s friends foolishly tried to explain to Job all the reasons why he was suffering (Job 4-37), God reminded Job that he could not see the full picture because he was not God (Job 38-40:2). Job acknowledged that he was asking questions he was not competent to answer (vv3-5). God pulls no punches on the mystery of suffering (vv6-7). He is a tender Father who loves His children perfectly. Nevertheless, He also reminds us that we cannot plumb fully the depths of His justice. We are not His judge. Nor can we understand all the reasons why God does what He does (vv8-9). Not only is it okay to admit this to our unbelieving friends, it is necessary. Only in humility before unanswerable questions like this, can people humble themselves and learn the fear of the Lord.

Second, help them see this life in light of eternity (Romans 8:18-21). Paul trusted God, even though he endured much suffering for the sake of the gospel (see 2 Corinthians 11:23-29). Yet, Paul concluded that his earthly suffering would not be worth comparing to the glory that would be revealed to him in heaven (v18). The heartaches of life are a consequence of living in a fallen world that is waiting to be renewed on the day when God’s children are revealed (vv19-20).

The glorious freedom we were saved for is ours now (John 8:31-32), but it has not yet been fully and finally revealed (v21). When it is revealed, we won’t even remember what seemed like so much trouble here. Believers and unbelievers alike need to see their life in light of eternity. Unbelievers need to look at their life, even their suffering, in light of eternity and realize that they need God.

Third, tell them that God can bring good out of suffering (Romans 8:28-30). God is in the business of bring good out of heartache. He makes everything work together for the good of those He has called according to His purpose and who love Him (v29). His primary purpose in everything we go through is to conform us to the image of His Son (v30; see also Luke 6:40).

Praise God for redeeming suffering that we cannot fully understand. We can’t see the big picture, but He gives us an eternal perspective and uses suffering to make us like Jesus. These are good reasons to trust Christ, even when we don’t understand fully the mystery of suffering in a fallen world. God understands, and we should trust Him with our lives.

Often people have a vague idea of God, but they need to understand that He is personal and desires that we would know Him, which is the subject of this week’s Bible study.

First, God is personal and present everywhere (Psalm 139:7-10). David asked rhetorically if there was any place he could go, where God’s Spirit would not be (v7). The answer is nowhere, for God is everywhere (vv8-9). No matter how far away from God you feel you are, God is there holding on to His people (v10).

This passage speaks of God’s immanence, that He is near (see Acts 17:27). What amazes me is that God is so vast He is everywhere in the universe at the same time, and yet He is present personally everywhere too. No matter where you are, you can cry out to Him and be heard.

Second, God guides and protects His people (Deuteronomy 8:2-5). In Deuteronomy, God reviewed how He related to Israel during their sojourn in the wilderness. He was humbling and testing them, so they would learn obedience to His commands (v2). He allowed Israel to experience the pain of hunger, so they would turn to Him. Then, He fed them manna, so they would understand they needed God’s word, even more than bread (v3). He protected their clothing and their feet (v4), all the while disciplining them as a father who loves his children (v5; see also Hebrews 12:5-6).

God does more than seek a relationship with us. He seeks to raise us up into a mature faith, where we learn to relate to God as His beloved daughters and sons. This requires teaching, discipline, trials, and experiencing God’s guidance and protection through it all so that we learn His faithfulness personally. We tend to trust others to the degree that we know them. God wants you to know Him better than anything else.

Third, God entered history in order to serve (Philippians 2:5-11). The attitude God calls us to adopt is the same one displayed by Jesus (v5), except that Jesus is God (v6). He laid aside His rights as God so He could serve and meet us at the point of our deepest need (v7; see also Mark 10:45). We needed God to save us from the wages of sin (Romans 6:23). No one but Jesus could provide a perfect sacrifice that would atone for sin and be acceptable before a holy God. So, Jesus Himself became the sacrifice. Jesus became sin and died in our place, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (v8; see 2 Corinthians 5:21). Because of this, God highly exalted Jesus and gave Him the name Lord (vv9-11; see Romans 10:9).

Jesus is the God who made and sustains the universe (Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:17). He continued to uphold it even while He entered history and became a servant so He could save us. Where can you go to find a God like this? No other religion even remotely teaches what the gospel teaches, that God so loved the world that He gave Himself for us. This message about Christ makes God attractive. Share it, and God will draw people to Himself through it (John 12:32).