Do Not Depart

Encouragement and Tools to Abide in God's Word

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One in Christ

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As we approach Easter, our hearts and minds focus on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. There is no event in all of history that changed life as we know it as much as the death and resurrection of Christ. Suddenly, God’s people were not just the Jews. The early church struggled to find out what being in this new family of God meant, both for the Jews and the Gentiles. We know Christ’s death and resurrection brought salvation, but it also brought unity and peace. Let’s join Paul in the book of Ephesians as he explained it to the early church.

Paul starts out in Eph. 2:11-12 by reminding the Gentiles that they had been separated from Christ. They were uncircumcised, alienated, and strangers. Verse 13 says by the blood of Christ, they were brought near to Him.  Christ broke down the division between the Jews and Gentiles. Galatians 3:26 & 28 make the same point, “…for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Before Christ death, there is no way you and I could inherit eternal life. In the tradition of the Old Testament, it was the oldest son who got the biggest inheritance. The rightful heir was a free Jewish male. But through Christ, we are one. I take on Christ’s identity and become neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female. But you can imagine how the believers who had been “free Jewish males” would react to this sudden family growth! And you could imagine how those who had been uncircumcised alienated strangers would struggle to assimilate into this traditional, holy family.

That is why Paul wrote that Jesus had broken down the dividing wall of hostility, abolishing the law of commandments and had created “in himself, one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility” (v. 14-16). Paul goes on to write, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (2:19). One new man, fellow citizens, and members of the household! Praise God for the love and grace He extends to all people!

Once the early church knew they were supposed to be unified, they had to experience peace together. Paul was really an ambassador of this peace. He, of all people, would have been the first to exclude the new family member. He was a “Hebrew of Hebrews” (see Philippians 3:4-7). Paul wrote, “I am the very least of all the saints, yet this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things” (Eph. 3:8-9). Paul preached this peace, and set an example with his life for all those in the family of God to follow.

So how does the unity and peace Christ brings affect us today? Here are a few practical ways:

  • Be sensitive to visitors to your church, especially those who don’t feel like “part of the family.” Give grace and give up your seat (if necessary).
  • Be aware of the struggle new believers (or new church members) might have in the activities and ministries of your church. One thing I like to do when someone new is coming over for a Bible study or fellowship for the first time is to give that person a job. For example, I’ll call her and say, “I’m so excited you are coming over for our book club! Do you mind coming early to help me get the snacks ready?” That way the newcomer isn’t walking into a room full of ladies she doesn’t know, and I can introduce her to each person as they come in.
  • Be mindful of your life before you met Christ. You were “by nature, a child of wrath…. but God…” Remember salvation is a gift of God, and you didn’t do anything to deserve or earn it. Preach the gospel to yourself, often.

Praise God for the unifying work of Christ on the cross. Like Paul, look for opportunities to set an example of peace in your spiritual family.

Grace in the past-tense

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There are some things I’d prefer to not have in past-tense…

such as, “when I didn’t have gray hair and stretch marks.”

But in Jesus Christ, past-tense is a profound treasure. Past-tense is our hope.

And you weredead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, followingthe prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work inthe sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the bodyand the mind, andwere by naturechildren of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

ButGod, beingrich in mercy,because of the great love with which he loved us,evenwhen we were dead in our trespasses,made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved…

Ephesians 2:1-5 (ESV)

On our own, we were absolutely without hope.

We were dead in our sin – because of that fateful day in the Garden, we were born dead in our sins. And we chose to continue walking in our sin, day by day living in blind rebellion against God. We aligned ourselves with His enemy, we lived to gratify our desires. We were children of wrath, deserving His judgment and facing God’s certain wrath against each and every one of our many sins.

But God.

But God chose to extend His mercy to us. We could not earn it – He offered it to us when we were dead and rebellious.

But God loved us with a great and inexplicable love. We could not earn it – He lavished it upon us when we were far from loving Him.

But God took us out of our chosen darkness and brought us into His glorious light. We could not earn it – we were actively following the evil one.

But God took us when we were dead and brought us to life. We could not earn it – we were spiritually dead and could do nothing good in and of ourselves.

But God turned us from children of wrath to His own chosen heirs. We could not earn it – He simply chose to us as His own.

When we accept what is offered to us in Christ, our dark, ugly, painful, rebellious past is… past-tense.

This is grace, dear friends. We bring nothing to the table. Nothing that would make us acceptable, lovable, worthy of His affection. He chose to lavish us with His mercy and grace and love – and puts our past in the past-tense.

Praise Him for turning your life upside down! [If you’re reading via email or a reader and the video below does not appear, please click through! It’s two minutes well spent!]

More than a still life

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A “still life” is an artist’s rendering of inanimate objects, such as a painting of a bowl of fruit. These inactive, dormant objects do nothing but sit still. They are not active in the painting. The objects are not even active in real life.

In the book of Ephesians, Paul describes our salvation as a masterpiece of God. Forwe are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Eph 2:10, ESV).

From beginning to end, our salvation is a work of God. Solely God’s creation. The Greek word translated as “created” in Ephesians 2:10 is only used in Scripture to refer to an act of God. Our salvation is something only God can accomplish. We cannot save ourselves. From beginning to end our salvation is a gift from God. We don’t even seek after God (Romans 3:11). He must draw us to Himself (John 6:44). He alone takes the initiative in our salvation. (For more on this see Sandra’s post “Chosen by God.”)

Paul calls us God’s “workmanship.”

The Greek word translated as “workmanship” is poiema. The English word “poem” is derived from this word. We are God’s “poem,” His work of art, His masterpiece. But we were not created as a “still life.” God’s purpose for us is far greater than to be hung on a wall so the Artist’s work can be admired. We were created in Christ Jesus “to do good works.” Works that God determined and planned long before we were even born.

Good works testify to the reality of our salvation. James said that “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17, ESV). True salvation will result in good works. Outward acts of obedience to God reveal our salvation. Obedience to God demonstrates we have been saved.

Even the good works we accomplish after salvation have their beginning in God. He has prepared them, ordained them. And we can’t carry them out without the indwelling presence of His Spirit. Our task is simply obedience, to walk the path He has laid out for us. Although God’s specific purpose looks different for each Christian, there are general “good works” God intends for every believer. Here are a few we see over and over in Scripture:

  • We will obey God’s commands (1 John 5:3).
  • We will love our Christian brothers and sisters (1 John 5:1).
  • We will share the truth of Jesus with those who don’t know Him (Matt 28:19-20).
  • We will give generously to those in need (Matt 25:34-36).
  • We will serve the church (1 Cor 12:7).
  • Our lives will progressively display the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).
  • We will work to live holy lives (1 John 3:3).

Both our salvation and the good works God calls us to are accomplished by Him and His power. We have no cause to boast. No reason to pat ourselves on the back. Only reason to praise Him. To give Him glory.

What works has God called you to? How are you doing with following the path He has ordained for you?

Man’s Sin Nature

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Our passage today is Ephesians 2:1-3. In these verses, Paul paints a serious picture of our relationship with a Holy God before we are saved. None of us can say like Switzerland in World War II, “I’m neutral.” We are sinners. As sinners, we have been drafted into the battle. And before you met Christ, you were on the wrong side.

Here is how Paul describes you before conversion: You were dead in trespasses and sins, following the course of the world, following the prince of the power of the air. You were a son of disobedience who lived in the passions of the flesh. You were “by nature, children of wrath.”

The Bible is clear about our standing before our conversion. It’s hard to swallow though. Because of God’s holiness and our sin, it’s definitely a “if you’re not for me, you’re against me” scenario. In order to go from children of wrath to children of God’s, we must waive the white flag and surrender.
You probably have coworkers, friends, and family members who are still on the wrong side. I know the pain this causes. We must remember they are held captive by the prince of the power of the air! As we will study later in Ephesians, our battle is “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness” (Eph. 6:12), not against coworkers, friends or family members! Continue to pray for them. When they do something or sinful, remember they are being deceived. Focus your anger not on them, but against the enemy who holds them captive. My husband often reminds me, “You can’t expect lost people to act like saved people.”

Praise God He doesn’t leave us in our sin, as children of wrath! Come back tomorrow as Kristi picks up with verse four which starts, “But God….”

Authority of Christ

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Kristi explored Ephesians 1:16-20 last week. Our passage today expands on her thoughts. We will look at Ephesians 1:20-23.

“…that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion,and above every name that is is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is the body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

In this passage we see the supremacy of Christ. He has authority over all things. Sitting at the right hand of kings in past days was the highest position possible. What is Christ doing at God’s right hand? Hebrews 7:25 says He “always lives to make intercession for them,” for sinners like you and me!

He is superior to any other authority, power, or dominion because He is perfect. His motives are always pure. His actions are always holy. Have you heard the phrase, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely”? That doesn’t apply to Christ. His absolute power does not corrupt, rather His power keeps the earth spinning and our lives conforming to His will.

This is not only true of the earth now, but the future age. During the thousand year reign after the end of the tribulation, Christ will reign and those who did not worship the antichrist will reign with Him (Revelation 20:4).

Christ is not only the ruler of the earth, but He is the head of the church. Ephesians 5:23 also gives this description, “Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its savior.” As the head, Christ leads and guides the church to fulfill the mission He has given her. All the decisions we make should be led by Christ’s example and His guidance.

In this passage we see Christ’s authority over earth, the future age, and the church. We can praise His name for His power and love, trusting that His authority is perfect and true!

The same mighty power

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Yesterday, Stephanie gave us a peek into the apostle Paul’s prayer life. Today, we’re going to focus in on one portion of his prayers for the Ephesian believers, listening at the door of his prayer closet and fixing our attention on Ephesians 1:19-20.

…and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places…

Now, as we study through this epistle (or letter), it is very important that we:

  1. Keep Paul’s statements in context – look at the verses before this short section. Paul is recounting how he constantly thanks God for these believers in Jesus, and prays that God would give them wisdom and deepen their understanding of Him.
  2. Understand what he is really saying. It’s easy to get lost in the many connecting phrases in Paul’s infamously long sentences! We need to look closely at what his main points are. One method of study that is always very helpful for me is a mechanical outline – spacing the phrases to show the  logical flow of thought. Like this:

From doing this, we see that Paul’s main request in this portion of the prayer he prays for these believers is – that they may know on a deep level

  • the hope God has called us to,
  • the glorious inheritance He has given us,
  • and the greatness of His power in our lives.

These verses struck me so much when I studied through this passage a few weeks ago. You see, I don’t doubt for a minute that my God is powerful. I sing with my children – “my God is so big, so strong and so mighty there’s nothing my God cannot do!” I believe it with all my heart. I believe that God made this whole beautiful, incredible world. I believe that He is completely sovereign and supreme over everything in the universe. I believe He holds this big world and my little life in His hands.

But… how often do I begin to think, deep down, that my problems and needs are too much for Him? That He cannot redeem the darkest nights of my soul? Wonder if He will be able to transform me – even on my worst days where my old sin nature shines through – into the image of His dear Son?

Notice what this verse says –

The power of His Holy Spirit in my life is the same awesome power that brought Jesus from broken death to glorious life. The power of God in my life is the same power that rolled that stone away and revealed a glorified Jesus walking out of his own grave.

The same power.

Oh, that we would know the hope and glorious inheritance we have in Jesus – and may He cause us to know, really know, that it is His same power that is at work in our lives! Notice Paul didn’t pray that God would give them power – He prayed that they would realize that they already had it in Jesus!

What is heavy on you today, friend? How impossible the problem, how staggering your sin?

May God open the eyes of your heart to see today how big our God really is – and that His power has never changed.

I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 1:16-20, NLT

I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom[f] and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.[g] 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Paul on Prayer

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When you read through the Pauline epistles, you can’t help but notice that Paul was a man of prayer. In every one of his letters he mentions prayer. At times, he asks for prayer (Romans 15:30-33, Colossians 4:2-4), sometimes he explains how to pray or what the church should be praying for (Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Timothy 2:1) and in most of his epistles he prays about how thankful he is for the church of the Living God.

An exhaustive study of Paul’s prayers reveal his heart for God and his heart for the church. Each prayer is rich with lessons that can change our own prayer life.

When he wrote to the church at Ephesus, he mentioned two specifics prayers he was praying for the body of Christ in that Greek city on the west coast of Asia Manor. They are found in Ephesians 1:15-19 and 3:14-21.

Paul’s prayers for the church of Ephesus have become prayers our own hearts often echo. Prayers for our families, our friends and ourselves.

Paul prayed because he knew it mattered – he understood that prayer changes things. Paul knew that prayer was getting ahold of Heaven for the needs we have on this earth – asking the God of heaven to intervene in the affairs of man.

Sometimes people don’t pray because they don’t think they know how. Maybe some don’t believe their prayers matter. Perhaps they have a hard time believing God will really respond to the cries of their heart or maybe they just don’t realize the gift they have beautifully packaged the privilege of prayer.

And while this example falls woefully short in significance, prayer is kind of like voting. Your prayer counts…it matters…it can change a destiny.

One prayer caused the sun to stand still. One prayer caused fire to come down from heaven. One prayer caused the Creator of the Universe to speak to Abraham, Moses, Jacob and David.

Do you think your one prayer is any less significant when it stems from a heart of faith?

If you struggle with how to pray, what to pray for or if you’re wondering if God will hear your prayer, take a look at what Paul’s prayers looked like in his prayer for the Ephesian church:

Thankfulness – Paul was thankful for the faith and love displayed by the church at Ephesus (I have not stopped thanking God for you).

Consistent Prayer – Paul was consistently thankful and consistently prayerful. (I pray for you constantly)

Wisdom & Insight – Paul was concerned enough about the spiritual growth of the church to pray for them. (that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him)

Enlightenment – Paul knew that only God could shed spiritual light on their understanding. He prayed they would have a confident hope and understand their calling in light of their position in Christ. (the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling,what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints).

Power & Strength – Paul prayed for the Ephesian church to understand and walk in the power that was theirs through Christ – to be strong. (that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being).

God’s Unmistakeable & Welcomed Presence – When Paul prayed, “Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him” he used the word “dwell” meaning to settle, to find His home there, as well as govern and prompt. Paul prayed that the church would be surrendered to God’s work in their individual hearts and in their midst.

Love – That they would grasp the depth of the love God has for them which would enable them to fully become who they were created to be. (to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God).

Worship – Paul finishes up his prayer with words of praise for the Living God and in so doing, he gives the Ephesian church (and us) a glimpse of what worship looks like. (Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen)

If you ever feel as though you aren’t sure what to pray for, you can always follow Paul’s lead as you pray for your family, your friends, the church and even yourself like he did.

Does Paul’s example of prayer help you in your own prayer life? What other lessons can we learn from Paul’s prayers for the Ephesian church? What does your prayer life reveal about your heart?

By the way – since we’re talking about prayer today – would you make it a matter of prayer to pray for the Scripture Dig team this weekend while we speak and minister to some wonderful women in Pigeon Forge?

Signed, sealed, and safely delivered

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My daughter, Sarah, and her fiancé, Justin, are getting married June 18th. We’ve been busy with a variety of exciting wedding tasks. For instance, I’ve helped make program fans, address invitations, and create darling “ribbon wands” for the guests to wave during the send off.

Justin presented Sarah with the ring during a sweet proposal in the park last July. Beautiful, old-fashioned filigree work surrounds the diamond. It suits her perfectly. The ring constantly reminds Sarah that the wedding is coming, that Justin has promised to marry her.

In Ephesians 1:14, Paul uses the Greek word arrhabon to describe the Holy Spirit. Arrhabon, which can be translated as “earnest” or “deposit,” also refers to an engagement ring in modern Greek. Like an engagement ring, the Holy Spirit is a constant reminder of God’s promises to us.

Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance… Ephesians 1:13-14

As Sandra shared with us yesterday, from beginning to end, our salvation is a work of God. God “regenerates” us or gives us new spiritual life through His Spirit (John 3:3-6). Once “dead” in our transgressions and sins, God made us alive through the “regenerating” presence of His Spirit (Eph 2:1,5). (Kristi will dig into this a little more next week.)

In addition to regeneration, the Holy Spirit does some very specific work in a new Christian. Ephesians 1:13-14 uses two phrases/terms to describe what the Holy Spirit does in our life the moment we are saved.

  • We are “marked in Him with a seal.”
  • He is our “deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.”

The Holy Spirit “marks” or “seals” believers. In the ancient world, a wax seal was often used on letters, documents, or containers as a mark of ownership, identification, or authenticity. When God saves us, He marks us with His Spirit, to prove we belong to Him. The Holy Spirit gives us emotional and spiritual assurance of our salvation. Also, like a seal, the Spirit’s presence protects us from Satan and his activity.

God also gives us His Spirit as a deposit to guarantee the fulfillment of His promises. The Spirit is a “down payment,” giving us a taste of what we will fully experience with God when we get to heaven. Like an engagement ring on a young woman’s hand, the Holy Spirit constantly reminds us of God’s eternal intentions. He is God’s gift of peace and security for every believer.

In what ways does the Holy Spirit remind you that you belong to God?

Chosen by God

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My family and I are in the process of adopting a child from Ethiopia. There’s a little boy right now halfway across the world who doesn’t even know that America exists. Much less, that there’s a daddy, mommy, and two big brothers waiting for him here. But we have been working to get him for almost a year now. Essentially, we are drawing him to ourselves. There’s nothing special about him.  We can’t see his future potential. No reason to pick him over the other five million orphans in Ethiopia. The only thing we know about him is that he needs a family. He’s in a desperate situation and we want to give him a family.

Our focus passages today are Ephesians 1:3-12 and Ephesians 2:4-10. The first word that stands out to me as I read this  passage is adoption. Our spiritual adoption process starts with God, just as our son’s adoption doesn’t start with him, but with us as his parents. God chose us before we even knew we needed a Savior. Dead in our sins, we were blind to the Truth. Ephesians  2:4 & 5 says, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,  even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). And 1: 7 says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

We did not orchestrate our own salvation.  You didn’t go to God on terms you came up with. God set the standard of holiness and made a way for your sins to be forgiven. Not only did you not orchestrate your salvation, you did not earn your salvation. Verses eight through nine say, “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.” By grace through faith, not by works! You don’t have to worry about the good outweighing the bad in your life. You don’t have to keep a list of what you’ve done that makes you “good enough.” Even your goodness isn’t perfection, so a Perfect Sacrifice had to be made.

So, the idea of salvation didn’t originate with you. It wasn’t on the basis of your works. God chose, adopted, and predestined. Our passage in Ephesians also says God has a plan for you life. 2:10 says “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” His life-long plan is that you would grow in Christlikeness, or be sanctified. His plan includes events that will draw you closer to Him. I’m so thankful He not only saved us, but wants a relationship with us! His activity in our lives never stops!

God chooses us and redeems us, for His glory, for the purpose of sanctification. Praise God today for His grace, His plan of redemption, and for drawing you to Himself!

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The Scripture Dig team will be speaking on the beautiful theme of adoption at a retreat this weekend. Please pray for us as we prepare, travel, and minister!

Welcome to Ephesus

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“You have been saved.”

So what? What does God’s salvation have to do with our everyday lives? And just how are we supposed to live out God’s truth in the midst of today’s culture?

Paul’s letter to the Christians in Ephesus helps us answer these questions. In Ephesians, Paul not only beautifully expounds on God’s glorious gift of salvation, he also shows us how to live it.

The Scripture Dig team is excited about exploring the book of Ephesians with you during the month of April. This letter is so practical! We will begin by looking at how and for what purpose God saves us. Then we will see how His salvation should affect our character, our church life, our family relationships, and more.

Do you long to grow in your knowledge of God and deepen your intimacy with Christ? Then join the Scripture Dig team on our journey to Ephesus!

Understanding Ephesians

Although Ephesians has some aspects of a written sermon or devotional, it is basically a letter or epistle. Like all letters in the New Testament, Ephesians was written for a specific purpose, to a specific group of people, in a specific cultural situation, in a specific time period, to deal with specific issues.

Understanding the historical context in which this letter was written will help us separate universal truths and applications from instruction and applications that were specifically tied to the original audience and their historical situation. For instance, we cannot directly apply the facts found in Philemon. I don’t think many of us have had runaway slaves! However, there are foundational truths and principles – like forgiveness and restoration – we must accept and apply.

Unlike most New Testament letters, Ephesians does not address any specific, looming problems. This seems to indicate that the church was fairly solid – unlike the Corinthian church, which dealt with multiple problems like sexual sin and division. Based on the letter itself and Paul’s history with the church, his purpose in writing seems to be to encourage them to further spiritual growth and to keep them on a solid doctrinal footing.

Background & History

Paul made his first visit to the city of Ephesus around 50 AD during his second missionary journey (See Acts 18:18-22). Ephesus, an important trade center, was well-known for its worship of Artemis (also know as “Diana,” the goddess of fertility). This first visit was brief, but the message was well received. When Paul left, his coworkers, Priscilla and Aquilla, remained behind to carry on the work he started.

Paul returned to Ephesus about four years later during his third missionary journey and stayed for 3 years. This time, he faced opposition from some of the Jewish leaders at the synagogue. So, Paul and the believers moved to a rented lecture hall. God greatly blessed the message: “All the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord” (Acts 19:10).

As hearts turned to Christ, opposition increased. Some local business men, who did not like the effect the Gospel had on their idol-making business, incited a riot and Paul had to leave Ephesus. But God’s truth was firmly planted in the entire region. The Gospel “spread widely and grew in power” (Acts 19:20).

At the end of his third missionary journey, on his way to Jerusalem, Paul sent for the Ephesian elders to meet him in Miletus. During this final goodbye, he warned them of trouble ahead. He charged these leaders to carefully watch themselves and their flock because “savage wolves” would infiltrate the church to distort the church. They must diligently guard the church! (See Acts 20:17-37.)

Date and Purpose

It is generally accepted by scholars that Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in the broader area of Ephesus from prison in Rome between 60 and 62 AD. As we saw above, Paul was concerned that false teachers would try to sway them from the truth he had taught them. They needed a firm grasp of the Gospel. Because the pagan worship of Artemis was so ingrained in the culture, the church also faced a lot of opposition from the people around them. They needed to be armed with practical ways to live out their faith.

We may not have to deal with Artemis worship today, but our culture certainly opposes God’s truth. We too, need a solid foundation and practical ways to stand firm in the midst of temptation and false teaching. Are you ready to dig in?

What do you hope to gain from this study of Ephesians?

Ruth Recap

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We have come to the end of our month of study in Ruth! We pray you have been blessed and challenged to dig deeper on your own into this beautiful gem in Scripture!

Background

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

  • Sandra helped us dig into the original languages and taught us about our Deliverer!
  • Kathy gave us some great insight into the cultural background and intent of what was happening at the threshing floor.
  • Stephanie looked at Ruth and gave us a beautiful sketch of Biblical femininity in Scripture.
  • We dug into Biblical masculinity and how godly men like Boaz are the real “manly men.”

Chapter 4

Thank you for joining us on the dig!

Tomorrow, it’s “your turn” again! We’re looking forward to hearing what you’ve learned in this study, so please come back and share your thoughts!

Hope for the Broken

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An neglected, abused,  forgotten wife.

An influential courtesan.

A poor foreigner.

A heartbroken adultress.

An unwed teenage mother.

From Matthew 1:

A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:

… Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,

… Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,

… Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,

… David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,

… and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Five women, chosen by God, noted  in Scripture, mothers in the genealogy of the Messiah.   I’ve read their stories and often wondered about the details we don’t find in the Bible.   How did they feel?  Were they judged for actions and even situations they did not have full control of?   What moved them into the type of faith that earned them mention in the patriarchal recording of Christ’s ancestors?   And why did the Lord choose these women, most with checkered pasts that would make great Lifetime movies?

Tamar’s story is found in Genesis 38. Take time to read the account of her life … of the manner in which she was treated by the men in her life, of the extent she was willing to go to fulfill her obligation to bear a child for her husband Er.  In the end, Judah says, “She is more righteous than I” (v. 26).

Rahab, the brave prostitute who risked her own life to save the two spies, became the wife of Salmon.   She was spared and was able to save her whole family because she recognized the power of God. “I know that the Lord has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you” (Joshua 2:9).  Because of her faith, she was saved and she became the mother of a true manly man, Boaz, who we have learned so much about this month.

Next is Ruth, our beautiful example of biblical femininity.   Ruth is the only woman in Scripture described as virtuous using the same word as given in Proverbs 31:10. Faithful beyond the call of duty, submissive with a gracious heart, Ruth was honored by these words of Boaz, “May the Lord repay you for what you have done.  May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have taken refuge”  (Ruth 2:12).  {I often wonder if Ruth had the opportunity to know Rahab and what their relationship was like … sharing in the blessing of being grafted into the chosen people of God.}

Bathsheba’s story breaks my heart. Summoned to the palace, she was undoubtedly not really at liberty to say no to the king.  Did she love Uriah?  Based on Uriah’s words to David, he was obviously a man of integrity.  {Read the whole story in 2 Samuel 11 – 12.}  How did she feel when she found she was pregnant?  When Uriah was killed?  Was it difficult to move into the palace surrounded by people who knew what had happened?   She buried a husband and then she buried a child.  The Bible says, “Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with her.  They gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon.  The Lord loved him” (2 Samuel 12:24). I imagine that knowing the Lord loved Solomon was great comfort to Bathsheba, an assurance of the Lord’s love and mercy to her.

No woman is named in the genealogy through the years of the divided kingdom, the captivity, and the interbiblical period.   The next woman we find was hardly a women … likely a girl 14 or 15 years years old, in Luke we meet Mary.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, whose faith is summed up in a short sentence spoken to an angel, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). Mary raised the boy who, at twelve, participated in discussions with the teachers in the Temple.  Mary watched her son turn water into wine and then embark on a journey that would lead to rejection by His family and ultimately a cross where He bore the weight of all sin.  Mary prepared His body for burial … and I wonder, as she wrapped Him in cloths, did she long for the night, 33 years before when she had wrapped a newborn baby in similar strips of cloth?  Mary who knew her son was not only hers but also HIS … the Son of God.   But did she really understand?

These five women offer us hope … that God chooses the broken, the betrayed, the foreign, the fallen.  Perhaps you feel unloved, unworthy, unusable, unneeded.   Read over the stories of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary and know that just as He used them, He will use you.

Which of these five women do you most connect with?   How do their stories encourage you?

{May I recommend reading Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers?  This compilation of her five novellas written about the women we have just discussed is a beautiful way to consider their stories in light of Scripture and the context of the times.}

Empty into full

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She arrived empty handed, shuffling into Bethlehem, far from her homeland, away from her relatives, without possessions, bringing only memories of the pain that sent her there and the hope that got her there. Naomi made it clear the likelihood of rescue was nil. All knew she was a foreigner from the land of idol worshipers. Who could redeem the widowed, barren, pagan Ruth? And if one could, would he?


Boaz was able to change Ruth’s empty to full. The humble kinsman became obedient  and willingly acted on his love for the unprotected outcast stooping in his field. Knowing her journey was a choice to embrace His God, Boaz knew she was taking shelter under the refuge of Jehovah’s wings. Boaz was able and willing to give her refuge under the shelter of his “wings,” (2:12,3:9) purchasing her as his own through marriage and redemption. Drawing Ruth into his world, he protected her purity, restored more than she lost, and insured her future reward. Boaz willingly changed her empty to full.


As a kinsman, Boaz was able to provide rescue to the helpless woman, but he was also willing to do his duty of redemption as “Kinsman-Redeemer.” He took an empty foreigner with no hope, calling her “accepted,” and lifting her to be his bride with secure blessings and a glorious future.

In the same way, Christ was able and willing to act on behalf of the lost in need of redemption. “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those where under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Gal. 4:4-5).  Our rescue required His humanity, and he “humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!” (Phil. 2:8) The Son of God, our Kinsman, acted to rescue us from our desperate condition, making us pure, restoring more than what was lost, insuring future reward.


In his book Twelve Extraordinary Women, John MacArthur says, “Ruth is a fitting symbol of every believer, and even of the church itself – redeemed, brought into a position of great favor, endowed with riches and privilege, exalted to be the Redeemer’s own bride, and loved by Him with the profoundest affection” (p. 85).

Our pain sends us searching for Jesus, and hope gets us to Him. When the helpless stoop before Him, we cannot fathom the love extending His wings of refuge, joyfully taking us from wretch to bride. In heaven a song is sung to the Lamb of God, Jesus, because “with <his> blood <he> purchased for God  persons from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9b). Our Redeemer changes our empty to full.


We thought we faced a future of scraping for refuse in the fields, but our loving Lord has given us the inheritance reserved for His beloved. Just like Boaz purchased the unclaimed and destitute woman of Moab as his bride, so Christ purchased us to make us His own and restore to us a glorious future.


Without the love of our able and willing Redeemer, we would still be suffering in the field. Gwen Smith shares the story of Christ’s rescue in her song Broken into Beautiful. Reflect on what Boaz did for Ruth and rejoice in what Christ does for the broken as you listen to Gwen’s testimony in song. When Jesus takes us from empty to full, we must never cease to be gratefully amazed.

At the City Gate

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We are coming to the end of our journey with Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi. They have overcome many obstacles–famine, widowhood, the long journey to Naomi’s home, desperate and depressing days. But God brought these women to the right place and the right time for their deliverance. Boaz agreed to redeem Ruth, but one matter stands in his way. Another custom that is strange to us, but we can understand and appreciate its significance in  God’s providence.

Boaz is a relative of Naomi, but he is not the closest relative. Before Boaz could marry Ruth, he must offer the role of the go’el to the relative and meet with the leaders at the city gate. Showing his eagerness for the matter to be resolved quickly, he immediately meet with the city elders. He told the relative that Elimelech’s property was available for the go’el to redeem. Boaz said, “If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there’s no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.” The relative (who must have been an older brother or cousin to Boaz) replied, “I will redeem it.” (Ruth 4:4). If you’re reading this story for the first time, you can’t help but react with disappointment!

We learned that the go’el can redeem property, but he must also marry the widow so his relative’s family name line would not end. When Boaz explained that to buy back the property would also mean being with Ruth, the relative changed his mind. He said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, I cannot redeem it” (Ruth 4:6).

Because this conversation happened at the city gate, in front of the elders, they were able to make their decision official. The practice in verses seven and eight must be explained to the original audience of the book of Ruth as well as to our modern audience. The passage simple tells us the custom of the day was for one of the men entering the agreement would give his sandal to the other. Although there are other mentions of redeeming with a sandal (Psalm 60:8, Amos 2:6) there’s no further details about this practice. What we do know is that Boaz and the other relative made the agreement in the official way in front of the appropriate audience. Boaz said to the elders and to all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Namoi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon. Also Ruth the Moabite, the wife of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day” (4:9-10).

The beautiful story of Ruth’s go’el relates to our lives and our redeemer. Be sure to come back tomorrow and read Julie’s post on how this story applies to us today!

Will the real manly man please stand up?

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Ruth and Boaz by Gustave Dore

Yesterday, Stephanie gave us a beautiful look at femininity from the perspective of Ruth. Today, we are digging into one of my favorite lessons from this book: Biblical ‘manly men’ don’t always appear the way our culture describes “manliness.”

Our culture is certainly confused when it comes to gender identity, and sadly this confusion is vividly present around us in the church. Just as women are pressured to reject traditional femininity and pushed toward gender neutrality, it seems that men often are forced into more effeminate roles, or encouraged to embrace a caricature of “manliness” that is cheap and shallow. Manly men, our culture teaches us, love sports, hunting, big trucks, big guns, and have women hanging on them everywhere they go.  They are terrible listeners, aren’t nurturing, don’t really care about people, and sit around drinking beer and grunting at one another.

As I think through the men described in Scripture, few seem to fit this description of pseudo-manliness like Samson. Samson is a perfect example of perverted masculinity. He is a man who was set apart by God from birth, given super-human strength, and commissioned for leadership among God’s people. Instead of embracing his calling, Samson uses his strength to humiliate and destroy. He flagrantly ignores God’s calling of purity on his life. He treats women as objects, spends the night with a prostitute, and tells his parents about a woman he desires to marry with the phrase, “I have seen a woman. Get her for me.”

I want my sons to be manly men. I do not want them to be Samsons who demand and take and destroy. I want them to be men who fight for what is good and right, tenaciously cling to what is holy, protect the weak and vulnerable, nurture those under their leadership, love even when it is inconvenient. I want LB to understand that it is not his love of NASCAR that makes him masculine ;); his masculinity is an integral part of who God created him to be. It is a high calling to be a manly man like Jesus and lay down his life for others. So, what does this kind of manly man look like?

During this corrupt time period of the judges, we find in Boaz a real manly man. A man with undeniable godly masculinity along the lines of great men like Joshua, David… Jesus.

Boaz is a giver, a server of those even beneath his own social status. Every time Ruth comes to him empty and vulnerable, and he sends her away full and protected (Ruth 3:15). He is known as a spiritual leader. Notice even the way his workers greet him when he meets them in the fields! Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The LORD be with you!” “The LORD bless you!” they called back. (Ruth 2:4) He always refers to Ruth with utmost tenderness and respect, and seeks to spare her any embarrassment or disgrace (Ruth 2:15-16, Ruth 3:10-13). He is aware of the needy around him (Ruth 2:5), encouraging and affirming (Ruth 2:10-11), arranges provision (Ruth 2:14-16), provides protection (Ruth 2:8-9). I love that Boaz makes a point to present Ruth’s situation to the kinsman-redeemer who is a closer relative, offering him the opportunity to redeem before marrying Ruth himself (Ruth 4:1-6).

Manly men protect, give, sacrifice, shield; they are considerate, aware of others, willing to be inconvenienced to do what is right.

God uses this one godly man to preserve and bless both Naomi and Ruth, and then we find at the conclusion of the book that he would become the great-grandfather of King David. (and therefore Jesus is in his line, as well!)

Ladies, we need to raise our sons with a better understanding of their masculinity. May God raise up a generation of Boaz-men- deep, strong, godly men committed to do what is right; Samson-men are destined to be blind-sighted and crushed beneath the weight of a culture that appeals to them, enslaves them, and ultimately will destroy them.

What do you think? What version of masculinity do you see being promoted both inside and outside of church culture?

What a Woman – A Look at Biblical Femininity

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You don’t hear a lot about femininity these days. In our modern society where feminism is touted and gender neutralism is championed, femininity has been misunderstood, misconstrued and even shunned. Because of that, it has become increasingly difficult for women to understand and appreciate their own femininity.

But Ruth leaves us a beautiful legacy of biblical femininity. She was not only bold, brave, selfless and strong, she was also submissive, steadfast, vulnerable and loyal.

Yesterday, Kathy did a wonderful job expounding on the significance of Ruth’s journey to Boaz’s feet. It wasn’t a brash attempt to take a man’s role by asking for his hand in marriage – it was a humble, very modest and feminine request for the kind of protection which is only found in the context of marriage.

Notice how the Amplified gives clarity to her request:

“And he said, Who are you? And she answered, I am Ruth your maidservant. Spread your wing [of protection] over your maidservant, for you are a next of kin.” Ruth 3:7

In submission to her mother-in-law’s instructions, Ruth placed herself at the feet of the one she knew had the power to redeem her. It was at his feet that she asked for protection. It was at his feet that she was willing to make a fool of herself and risk rejection. It was at his feet that she humbled herself in hopes that he would make her his.

Although we never have to risk rejection, it is at our Savior’s feet that we find redemption and protection. It is at His feet that we humble ourselves and He makes us His.

Perhaps it’s just misunderstood, but femininity is anything but a demonstration of weakness. Somehow masked behind a certain kind of dignity, it becomes a manifestation of strength and grace.

Look at Boaz’s response in the Amplified…

And now, my daughter, fear not. I will do for you all you require, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of strength (worth, bravery, capability). Ruth 3:11

The Bible is full of women who have given us inspiring examples of femininity to follow. Let’s look at just a few:

Sarah – a submissive yet strong woman 1 Peter 3:6

Deborah – a wise, brave and bold woman who was submissive yet strong Judges 4:14

Abigail – a wise and brave woman who sought mercy for her ungodly husband 1 Samuel 25:3

Proverbs 31 Woman – strong, wise, brave, bold, industrious, faithful, fervent and virtuous – let’s just say she had it all! Proverbs 31:10-31

Mary – a humble, submissive and courageous young lady Luke 1:38

History has also left us a legacy of beautiful femininity to follow:

Susan Wesley – strong, wise, dedicated and disciplined – mother of John and Charles Wesley

Catherine Booth – strong, wise, faithful, bold, visionary, mission-minded, benevolent – cofounder of the Salvation Army

Betty Greene – bold, brave, smart, mission-minded, industrious, giving – cofounder of Missionary Aviation Fellowship

Elizabeth Elliot – brave, bold, strong, wise, mission-minded, faithful, fervent

In a conversation Elizabeth Elliot once had with Betty Greene, Elizabeth asked Betty how she had been so successful in the man’s world of aviation. Betty replied, “I made up my mind that if I was going to make it in a man’s world, I had to be a lady.”

In our study of Ruth, we have seen a wise, strong, steadfast, loyal, brave, bold and benevolent woman who knew exactly what it meant to act like a lady. May we boldly be what we are – ladies!

I can’t help but think that if we start wearing our biblical femininity well, it will become the new black! :-)

Do you struggle with understanding or living out biblical femininity?

RESOURCE: Elisabeth Elliot’s transcripts of The Gift of Femininity from Gateway to Joy

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