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PHall | November 5, 2018
Analogies of the Church in Ephesians To compare is to help understand. In Ephesians there are several analogies of the church, each descriptive, and as a whole even more enlightening. At times it is difficult separating the individual believer from the universal one church because our identity becomes one. 1. The church is likened to […]
PHall | October 24, 2018
To encourage any preacher needing it, please read the following same text twice: First time, all five verses: HCSB Eph 4:7-11: 7) “Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the Messiah’s gift. 8 ) For it says: When He ascended on high, He took prisoners into captivity; He […]
PHall | October 24, 2018
Which fits us personally, our congregations, and experiences? [ ] “Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to live worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of […]
PHall | October 10, 2018
To sinful Gentiles, Paul writes, “you previously lived according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient” (CSB’17 Eph 2:2). Notice the 3 demonic influences on the Gentiles: 1. The ways of the world. 2. The ruler of the power […]
PHall | October 10, 2018
Nearly all religious backgrounds from which early Christians came – Jewish, Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and more – had instrumental practices. For centuries churches claiming allegiance to Christ did not use instruments in musical praise. All this explains the term acapella literally meaning in the manner of the church. Even the famed Baptist Charles Spurgeon, “the […]
PHall | October 10, 2018
How important is kindness? If you are a Whovian (Dr. Who fan), you recognize how the 12th Doctor, before regenerating, said, (towards the beginning) Never be cruel, never be cowardly. And never ever eat pears! Remember – hate is always foolish…and love, is always wise. Always try, to be nice and never fail to be […]
PHall | October 10, 2018
Although unknown among NT churches, the group now called The Roman Catholic Church introduced “it” into its ritual centuries later. By 1000 AD “it” became more common. For centuries after that millennium, some churches in protestation to Catholicism also excluded “it” in church. Today several religious groups still don’t use “it” in their assemblies: Orthodox […]
PHall | September 15, 2018
It should not come as a surprise that different people react differently to the same event. Oftentimes there is no right or wrong response. Sometimes we should look at others, see their reactions, and conclude we need an attitude adjustment. Here are different reactions to the cross. 1. Stumbling Block (1 Cor.1:23) – Many Jews […]
PHall | September 15, 2018
Follow closely the similarities in Ephesians 2 between how people are brought to God; and how God brings people together. Then I’ll make an important point. 2: 1-10 – HOW GOD BRINGS PEOPLE TO HIM 2:1-3 – What We Were 2:4-9 – What God Did 2:10 – What We Are 2:11-22 – HOW GOD BRINGS […]
PHall | August 28, 2018
Seven is a meaningful number in Judaism (gematria). It means “creation” – think of God resting on the 7th day which Jews still do today. We are given the challenge to maintain or preserve unity (4:3). Let’s notice the 7 personal traits needed to keep the unity based on 7 unifying truths or realities (Ephesians […]