Christopher Till

Danger, Defense and Desire: A Christ-Centered Approach to False Teachers

Here we see the danger that Paul warns about, about false teachers. In Acts 20, Paul warned the elders before leaving. The warning still stands today. False teachers will come up from within the church,…

1 Timothy 1:3 (NIV), 1 Timothy 1:4 (NIV), 1 Timothy 1:5 (NIV), 1 Timothy 1:6 (NIV), 1 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

Grace, Mercy & Peace

We tend to skip introductions and genealogies. Paul writes these blessings in his greeting fro Christ Jesus our Lord. All of Paul's letters have greetings just like this. He specifically uses Grace &…

1 Timothy 1:1 (NIV), 1 Timothy 1:2 (NIV)

Second Letter to the Church at Ephesis

Ephesis was located in modern day Turkey. All major trade routes went through Ephesis. The church in Ephesis was known as "The Mother Church". Paul started his ministry at Ephesis. "The angel at the…

Revelation 2:1 (MSG), Revelation 2:2 (MSG), Revelation 2:3 (MSG), Revelation 2:4 (MSG), Revelation 2:5 (MSG), Revelation 2:6 (MSG), Revelation 2:7 (MSG)

Standing with the Armor

Be Strengthened - Part 2 Paul is writing while in jail chained to a 260+ pound Roman Centurion. Isaiah reminded Israel the God is the source of their strength. Paul reminds us here that God is the…

Ephesians 6:10 (NIV), Ephesians 6:11 (NIV), Ephesians 6:12 (NIV), Ephesians 6:13 (NIV), Ephesians 6:14 (NIV), Ephesians 6:15 (NIV), Ephesians 6:16 (NIV), Ephesians 6:17 (NIV), Ephesians 6:18 (NIV), Ephesians 6:19 (NIV), Ephesians 6:20 (NIV)

Be Strengthened

Great way for Paul to end his letter, "BE STRONG". Comes as an passive command. Where do we often look for our strength? Scriptures usually compare weak vs strong. 1 Corinthians 12. We're strong in…

Ephesians 6:10 (NIV), Ephesians 6:11 (NIV), Ephesians 6:12 (NIV), Ephesians 6:13 (NIV), Ephesians 6:14 (NIV), Ephesians 6:15 (NIV), Ephesians 6:16 (NIV), Ephesians 6:17 (NIV), Ephesians 6:18 (NIV), Ephesians 6:19 (NIV), Ephesians 6:20 (NIV)

God's Response To Spiritual Depression

Remember you will always have resistance. Read 1 Kings 19:1-18, first 9 verses set the seen. Elijah, Champion of God. Had just beat Baal priests. Ran for his life from Jezebel. At this point, God called…

1 Kings 19:9 (MSG), 1 Kings 19:10 (MSG), 1 Kings 19:11 (MSG), 1 Kings 19:12 (MSG), 1 Kings 19:13 (MSG), 1 Kings 19:14 (MSG), 1 Kings 19:15 (MSG), 1 Kings 19:16 (MSG), 1 Kings 19:17 (MSG), 1 Kings 19:18 (MSG)

Christian Submission: Slaves & Masters

When most, including myself, hear the word "work", people would try to avoid or only think of it as 9-to-5. Children think of it as that thing that mommy and daddy do that makes them tired. Proper Christian…

Ephesians 6:5 (MSG), Ephesians 6:6 (MSG), Ephesians 6:7 (MSG), Ephesians 6:8 (MSG), Ephesians 6:9 (MSG)

The Household Code continues.

The Household Code continues. Paul addresses children, then parents (in general) and then fathers specifically. Children were present at the church when this was read. The children sat and learned/listened…

Ephesians 6:1 (MSG), Ephesians 6:2 (MSG), Ephesians 6:3 (MSG), Ephesians 6:4 (MSG)

Live Life Worthy of Salvation

Do NOT walk as unwise but as wise. To be unwise is to say God doesn't exist. To be wise is to be obedient. Do NOT be foolish but understand. * A fool is one who lives apart from God. Do NOT get drunk…

Ephesians 5:15 (MSG), Ephesians 5:16 (MSG), Ephesians 5:17 (MSG), Ephesians 5:18 (MSG), Ephesians 5:19 (MSG), Ephesians 5:20 (MSG), Ephesians 5:21 (MSG)

Live With the Lights On

live in a manner worthy of your calling - live in humility - live in unity - live empowered by Holy Spirit - live distinct from unbelieving world - live putting off old & putting on new God sets the…

Ephesians 5:1 (MSG), Ephesians 5:2 (MSG), Ephesians 5:3 (MSG), Ephesians 5:4 (MSG), Ephesians 5:5 (MSG), Ephesians 5:6 (MSG), Ephesians 5:7 (MSG), Ephesians 5:8 (MSG), Ephesians 5:9 (MSG), Ephesians 5:10 (MSG), Ephesians 5:11 (MSG), Ephesians 5:12 (MSG), Ephesians 5:13 (MSG), Ephesians 5:14 (MSG)

Walk in Manner of Which You Are Called

When looking for a church, people tend to not look for reading of Scripture, preaching from Scripture, loving one another. Four Ethical Callings 1) Humility - having right view of self in relation to…

Ephesians 4:1 (MSG), Ephesians 4:2 (MSG), Ephesians 4:3 (MSG), Ephesians 4:4 (MSG), Ephesians 4:5 (MSG), Ephesians 4:6 (MSG), Ephesians 4:7 (MSG), Ephesians 4:8 (MSG), Ephesians 4:9 (MSG), Ephesians 4:10 (MSG), Ephesians 4:11 (MSG), Ephesians 4:12 (MSG), Ephesians 4:13 (MSG), Ephesians 4:14 (MSG), Ephesians 4:15 (MSG), Ephesians 4:16 (MSG)

Grounded & Rooted in God's Love

"I bow my knees to the father" - ancient world would bow for respect of senior person, today we stand-up (especially in the military). Paul prays that we (Ephesians) will be strengthened before praying…

Ephesians 3:14 (MSG), Ephesians 3:15 (MSG), Ephesians 3:16 (MSG), Ephesians 3:17 (MSG), Ephesians 3:18 (MSG), Ephesians 3:19 (MSG), Ephesians 3:20 (MSG), Ephesians 3:21 (MSG)

Forgiveness

Back then the custom was to only forgive a person 3 times. Jesus doubled it and added one. These two servants had acquired so much debt that neither one would ever be able to pay it back. More damage…

Matthew 18:18 (MSG), Matthew 18:19 (MSG), Matthew 18:20 (MSG), Matthew 18:21 (MSG), Matthew 18:22 (MSG), Matthew 18:23 (MSG), Matthew 18:24 (MSG), Matthew 18:25 (MSG), Matthew 18:26 (MSG), Matthew 18:27 (MSG), Matthew 18:28 (MSG), Matthew 18:29 (MSG), Matthew 18:30 (MSG), Matthew 18:31 (MSG), Matthew 18:32 (MSG), Matthew 18:33 (MSG), Matthew 18:34 (MSG), Matthew 18:35 (MSG)

Paul, prisoner for Christ

Acts 21:27-35 - Paul was under "house arrest" when writing this letter. "House arrest" means he was handcuffed to a Roman guard. He was arrested for bringing a gentile into the temple.

United in Christ

40,000 Christian denominations. Divided by race, age, music preference in worship, translation of Bible, etc. What's next, splitting the church by football teams?! How can we be one in Christ if we…

Ephesians 2:1 (MSG), Ephesians 2:2 (MSG), Ephesians 2:3 (MSG), Ephesians 2:4 (MSG), Ephesians 2:5 (MSG), Ephesians 2:6 (MSG), Ephesians 2:7 (MSG), Ephesians 2:8 (MSG), Ephesians 2:9 (MSG), Ephesians 2:10 (MSG), Ephesians 2:11 (MSG), Ephesians 2:12 (MSG), Ephesians 2:13 (MSG), Ephesians 2:14 (MSG), Ephesians 2:15 (MSG), Ephesians 2:16 (MSG), Ephesians 2:17 (MSG), Ephesians 2:18 (MSG), Ephesians 2:19 (MSG), Ephesians 2:20 (MSG), Ephesians 2:21 (MSG), Ephesians 2:22 (MSG)

This conversation takes place during the last week…

This conversation takes place during the last week of Jesus' ministry. What does it mean to be the "body of Christ?" 613 laws, and they forgot about a prayer in Deuteronomy. First and foremost,…

Matthew 22:34 (NIV), Matthew 22:35 (NIV), Matthew 22:36 (NIV), Matthew 22:37 (NIV), Matthew 22:38 (NIV), Matthew 22:39 (NIV), Matthew 22:40 (NIV)

God is a liar?

If God is a liar, then we're all doomed. 'Nough said. Not only did God give witness to who Jesus was/is, but so did several men. If we believe whay the men have said, then there shouldn't be any doubting…

1 John 5:10 (NIV)

False Teachers throughout the history of the church.

False teachers were on the scene back in the day of the early church. John wrote the letter to tell believers to not believe everything we hear. Always test the spirits to see if they are from God. Anti-Christs…

1 John 4:1 (NIV), 1 John 4:2 (NIV), 1 John 4:3 (NIV), 1 John 4:4 (NIV), 1 John 4:5 (NIV), 1 John 4:6 (NIV)

Which are you?

Two kinds of people, Children of God (sheep/lambs) and children of the devil (goats).

1 John 3:10 (NIV)

Untitled Note

"And so we are" relates to Genesis 1 where God spoke "and it was so."

1 John 3:1 (NIV)