2026_04_19 Peace, Grace, and Undying Love

What Paul is letting us know is we must not only know about Jesus. We must know Jesus. Do you know Jesus as your personal lord and savior? Paul is telling us, I I've shared with you in this letter the great truths about all that Christ has done for you. It's vital. It's important that you're aware of these truths, these benefits, But it's vital that you have responded to Jesus' offer of salvation, that you have come to know and love him, and those who put their faith in him will experience this lavish grace. [01:05:58] (43 seconds)  #KnowJesusPersonally

And we must all put on the full armor of god because there's a battle going on in the spiritual realm. Satan trying to oppose the good work that God is doing right now, right in this congregation, in your lives, in your marriages, in your workplaces. Satan's opposing it, but greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world. And so, in Ephesians six eleven, Paul says, put on the full armor of God, so that we can take our stand against the devil's schemes. [00:42:38] (35 seconds)  #PutOnTheArmor

The readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, being grounded in the gospel that brings perfect peace with God. In chapter two, Paul tells us that Jesus himself is our peace, that he came, to preach peace. And in chapter four, he tells us to maintain the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace. We have peace with God. Have peace with one another. Stand in that. Guard that. It'll guard your hearts. [00:45:08] (29 seconds)  #GospelOfPeace

There we learn that we've been chosen by God. We've been redeemed from sin and death through Christ's blood. We've been forgiven of our sins. We've been adopted into God's family. We become his children. We become citizens of Israel, part of his nation. We've been called to a glorious inheritance. Heaven and earth joined together in the glorious future of fullness with God that's will be eternal, and already through the Holy Spirit, we've received a deposit of that inheritance. [00:40:27] (35 seconds)  #ChosenAndAdopted

We've learned how we can live worthy of that calling we've received. We're called to be humble, and gentle, and patient, and forgiving. We're to get rid of all bitterness, and all anger, all sexual immorality, and all greed, for those things are idolatry. We're to speak life giving words only. We're to use our gifts to build up the body of Christ. We are to live spirit filled lives overflowing with joyful singing, with heartfelt thanksgiving, with selfless service. [00:41:48] (39 seconds)  #LiveWorthy

And then the sword of the spirit, which is God's word spoken, proclaimed with inspiration of the holy spirit, empire powered by the spirit that drives Satan's lies from us. The enemy's major point of attack is right here in our minds, and the word of God drives Satan's lies away with the truths of God. Who we are in Christ, the victory we have, our sure hope, guidance on how to live, equipping us with the truth, the wield against Satan. [00:46:20] (35 seconds)  #SwordOfTheSpirit

But think about this. They didn't have the New Testament. They, in fact, they probably had very little of the Old Testament. Now, Tychias would read this letter, inspired letter, and maybe letter to the Colossians as well. They'd be read, and can you imagine the words of Paul for the first time? The New Testament, they wouldn't have called it that at the time, but it was the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:50:08] (35 seconds)  #FirstHearersOfPaul

In this crucial role, Tychius would come and he would read the letter to the church in Ephesus. He would describe Paul's circumstances, but he would also be the one that would be expected to explain and expound upon Paul's theology in the book of Ephesus. Paul would have picked him for that very reason. He was a man who understood. And in so doing, he would encourage the church. He'd come alongside them and help them move forward in their walk with the Lord. [00:49:22] (37 seconds)  #TychicusDelivers