Deeper Christian Bible Study in Ephesians

In contrast to the maturity and growth we as Christians are to have in Christ Jesus, Paul warns believers that they should not be immature, unstable, and gullible. In this message from Ephesians 4:14–15, Nathan Johnson talks about how easy it is to be tossed back and forth while being blown here and there, how such a life is not fitting for Christians, and the solution so that we never have t...

There is one goal and focus for the Church—Jesus Christ Himself! In Ephesians 4:13, Paul describes the goal in three ways, but the focus is the same. In this study, Nathan Johnson dives into the passage and talks about Paul’s heart and desire for the body of Christ and how we as the Church are to be unified in the faith and grow in the full knowledge of Jesus, mature unto the perfect man, and be m...

Scripture makes a clear and bold statement: Jesus is the perfect man … and everything is measured against the standard of Christ. This is a profound reality for the Church (the body of Christ)—for it means that Jesus and His Word is the standard for growth and maturity as the Church. We must be measured against Him. In this study of Ephesians 4:13, we investigate the primary goal for the body of C...

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:12–13 that God’s desire for the Church is to grow up and be built into a body that is mature and measured by the stature of Christ. And this “building up the body” process happens, according to Paul, when every believer is equipped and in active ministry. In this message, Nathan examines Ephesians 4:12 and what it means for every Christian to be a “waiter at the tabl...

Jesus has given a gift to His body—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. But what are they and how do they function today? In this study from Ephesians 4:11, Nathan explores these five areas, how they might be different today, and explains why God gave them to the Church. This message is bound to step on some toes, but will ultimately point all of us to the Giver of the gift, Chr...

Christ has ascended! While Christians give a lot of focus to the death and resurrection of Christ, we nod our heads at His ascension. Yet, contained in the ascension of Jesus is His exaltation, coronation, and a revelation of His majestic supremacy! Join Nathan Johnson in this study of Ephesians 4:8–10 as we examine Paul’s parenthetical statement about the majesty and preeminence of Christ Jesus i...

You have received the ultimate gift from Jesus Christ—His grace! While many of us think of one aspect of grace (salvation from sin), we miss what Peter calls the “manifold wonder of grace”—the many layers and characteristics of His grace. Join Nathan Johnson in this study as we explore Ephesians 4:7 and Paul’s declaration that every Christian has received the fullness of grace according to the mea...

A symphony is a tremendous metaphor for the body of Christ. Though we are all unique members (instruments) of the orchestra, we all have one song we are playing. As Christians, we are called to live in unity with one another—a symphony of the saints. As we dive back into Ephesians 4, Nathan uses this study as a review of Ephesians 4:1–6 to set the context for our future studies. As he reminds us,...

We, as the body of Christ, are to have a singular focus on Jesus Christ. While the modern church is marked by division, denomination, and being divisive, Paul calls the church to guard and protect the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. In this message, Nathan gives an overview of Ephesians 4:4-6 and examines the seven times Paul uses the term “one” in the passage. This message is an importa...

Paul exhorts believers in Ephesians 4:2-3 to be marked by love and unity with one another. If we are called to the high calling of Christ, we must be marked by His love and life—which means the Christian life cannot be lived in a vacuum, rather it must be lived in relationship and community. In this study, we examine what it means to bear with one another in love and to keep the unity of the Spiri...

In Ephesians 4, Paul describes the calling with which you have been called and also gives five key “tests” that your life should be marked with. In this study, we examine gentleness and patience and explain how these two attributes work together and should mark the life of every Christian. --------------------- Deeper Christian Bible Study in Ephesians • Study 94 Download the study notes for this...

Scripture often talks about the importance of humility in our lives. In this continued study of humility in Ephesians 4:2, we look at what Scripture says about humility with seven key observations—that if taken to heart, will radically change our lives. --------------------- Deeper Christian Bible Study in Ephesians • Study 93 Download the study notes for this episode and get other Christ-centered...

Humility is a key defining characteristic of a Christian. We are told to be clothed with humility, but how? In this study from Ephesians 4:2, we examine not only what humility is but how we as believers can become humble. --------------------- Deeper Christian Bible Study in Ephesians • Study 92 Download the study notes for this episode and get other Christ-centered teaching and resources at: deep...

You have a calling in your life, which is to be conformed in the image of Christ. Knowing about your calling is insufficient; we must live it out. As such, your life must be tested and proven against the perfect standard of Jesus Christ. In this study from Ephesians 4:2-3, we examine humility—the first of Paul’s five initial tests that our lives must reflect if we hope to walk worthy of the callin...

God has a calling on your life and you are commissioned to walk worthy of that high calling. In this study, Nathan Johnson explores Ephesians 4:1 and discusses not only what that high calling in your life is, but how you can live the impossible Christian life.  --------------------- Deeper Christian Bible Study in Ephesians • Study 90 Download the study notes for this episode and get other Ch...

You have a calling on your life from the King of kings. He has invited you to share in something far more than a profession or obligation. In this study, Nathan Johnson examines our high and holy calling from Ephesians 4:1 and gives two powerful illustrations of how God has invited you into the adventure of a lifetime. --------------------- Deeper Christian Bible Study in Ephesians • Study 89 Down...

Jesus is Lord! But what does that mean practically for our lives as believers? If we are going to truly understand and embrace God’s calling on our lives, we must first embrace the One who has called us. In this study, we look at God being our Lord and Shepherd and the three things these two characteristics of God have in common for our daily lives as Christians. --------------------- Deeper Chris...

While we know Paul was a prisoner of Rome for the sake of the Gospel, he boldly declares that He is a prison IN the Lord—that his position and focus is Jesus Christ. In order for us to have a proper understanding of God’s calling in our lives, we, like Paul, need to see ourselves in a proper position of humility, submission, and surrender to the One who has called us. In this expositional message...

I recorded this mini-series from Ephesians 4:1-3 in the studio. As such they are a bit shorter and have a slightly different tone than our normal studies. To lay a foundation for this ten-part mini-series, I gave a recap of the previous study I gave, The Practical Outflow of Our Position in Christ . As we begin this new mini-series from Ephesians 4 examining God’s call in our lives, we first need...

The Christian life is all about our position in Christ. Yet many Christians will either know their position and not live it out or they try to produce “religious activities” out of their own strength and resource without having the life of Christ within. Both can be dangerous. In Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians, he spends half the letter addressing their position in Christ, and then exhorts them t...

All glory and honor and praise belong to our God! Yet for many Christians, this reality is not reflected in their lives nor declared from their lips. In this expositional message, Nathan Johnson examines the end of Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 and explains Paul’s theology of doxology—for God to receive all glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  ---...

Our lives as Christians are not to be lived from our own strength, wisdom, or resource; rather, our lives are to the vessels through which God can showcase His indescribable power and life through. In this expositional message from Ephesians 3:20, Nathan Johnson talks about God’s power which empowers us to live the impossible Christian life.  --------------------- Deeper Christian Bible Study...

As believers, we often live as if God is incapable of handling our issues, problems, or trials. But God not only is able, He is abundantly able to go beyond your wildest thought or desire. In this expositional message from Ephesians 3:20, Nathan Johnson discusses how God loves impossibilities, how He is abundantly able, and yet we often view God as far too small. This message will be an injection...

In what may be one of the most breathtaking and dumbfounding passages in Scripture, Paul declares he desires us to be “filled up to all the fullness of God.” But what does it mean to be filled with the “fullness of God” and how do we experience such an incredible reality? In this expositional message, Nathan expounds upon Ephesians 3:19 and gives three practical ideas you need to practice so you c...

The modern church has become obsessed with knowing about God rather than actually knowing God. Similarly, we talk about the love of God, but how often do we truly experience it? In this expositional message from Ephesians 3:18-19, Nathan Johnson talks about the unfathomable love of God and the paradox that Paul calls us to—to comprehend the incomprehensible. --------------------- Deeper Christian...