LHIM Weekly Bible Teaching

Ephesians 5:3-21 Paul warns Christians of behaviors. Not a hint of sexual immorality Matthew 5:32 1 Corinthians 5:1 Evil behaviors have bad consequences. God’s way is better. Living together/playing house Marriage is God’s perfect answer to sexual sin. The good news about marriage is God calls us to cleanness. Romans 1:24; Matthew 23:27-28 Greed isn’t the way. Jeremiah 22:17 Vulgar speech is prohi...

Put Off the Old Self (Eph 4:17-19) Paul warns believers not to live like the Gentiles, whose thinking is futile and whose hearts are hardened. Their lifestyle is marked by having a darkened understanding, ignorance, insensitivity, and moral corruption that is driven by selfish desires. Be Renewed and Put on the New Self (Eph 4:20-24) Paul claims that the old way of life is not how believers have l...

Ephesians 4:1-3 Here we find five important behaviors that all Christians should cultivate in their lives: humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance, and seeking unity. Each of these takes intentionality and sustained effort. Unity, in particular, requires serious effort. In fact, Jesus himself prayed for our unity (John 17:20-23). Ephesians 4:4-6 The basis of our unity is what we hold in common w...

The Apostle Paul prays for Christians to be strengthened that Christ may dwell in their hearts with the result that they may be rooted and grounded in love. He prays that they would be able to comprehend Christ’s love so that they may be filled with all God’s fullness. Thus, as we continue pursuing love, we understand not only what has already been done for us, but we also show to others that love...

The great mystery was hidden throughout the ages until revealed to the Apostle Paul. If it was known, the evil rulers would not have crucified Jesus, and God’s plan for humanity’s redemption would have been thwarted. The inclusion of the Gentiles and the full significance of what Christ accomplished on the cross are part of the mystery that is now revealed in the Ephesians Epistle. Ephesians 3:1-9...

Ephesians 2:11-12. Before Christ, the nations were hopeless because they had no Messiah and no real, solid hope for the future. Because of this, sin reigned and darkness increased in these nations. We too were lost. Those who had no Jewish lineage were cut off from God’s promises. Ephesians 2:13-14a. Christ has brought us near to God. He is our peace and the source of our hope. Ephesians 2:14b-16....

  Ephesians 2:1-10 is a master text for understanding our need for salvation, God’s gracious offer of salvation, and how to live out our salvation in deed and truth. Living out of a grace narrative rather than a moral performance narrative makes it possible to avoid religious judgmentalism and persevere with joy. Ephesians 2:1-3. Paul’s description of humanity is startling and offensive but t...

God desires that we know Him in a way that enlightens the eyes of our hearts, transforming how we see Him, ourselves, others, history, and our eternal hope. The prayer in Ephesians 1 centers on God’s calling, His glorious inheritance, and the immeasurable greatness of His power toward those who believe. While God wants us to walk in this deep understanding, many remain unaware or disconnecte...

Beginning our series on Ephesians, we’ll cover the first half of the first chapter (Eph 1:1-14). What emerges are three main points: (1) you are blessed in Christ, (2) you are redeemed for new creation, and (3) you are sealed for an inheritance. Thus, God has equipped you with every advantage in Christ. Ephesians 1:1-2 Since, the words “in Ephesus” are missing from several of our earliest manuscri...

This was the greatest promotion a man ever received. It was the testimony heard round the world. There was a long History of events that led up to this victory. Yeshua wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Movies teach us and help us connect to culture. Jesus isn’t a normal Hero. Most people think Jesus is much more like Superman than Batman. The transfiguration could have been the end. Je...

  Although often overlooked, Mary Magdalene was a faithful and true disciple of Jesus Christ. She and the other women supported Jesus’ ministry financially. She was at the crucifixion and burial. After God raised him from the dead, Jesus appeared to her first, making her the chief eyewitness of the resurrection. Luke 8:1-3 Mary Magdalene and other women accompanied Jesus during his ministry,...

Through the triumphal entry and the cleansing of the temple, Jesus publicly announced his claim to be the Messiah. The leaders of Jerusalem responded with a campaign to discredit him publicly that failed miserably. Knowing what would come, Jesus stayed the course until that fateful moment in Gethsemane when they took him into custody. Join us to relive the magnificent last days of Jesus leading up...

John 11:3 Phileo is a word that expresses deep friendship, affection, and warmth, love between close companions. 5, 11 They were more than disciples; they were friends. 8 Stone you – 10:31-32 Jesus, undaunted, knew that God would guide and protect him. 9 Look fellows, I am doing God’s will. Everything is going to be all right. I am not afraid, nor should you be. You are with me. 14 Sleep &#8...

Jesus said he wanted us to make disciples. Inviting friends and acquaintances to come to church is a great way to get in the game. After all, Christianity is really helpful with major problems people are struggling with today. Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus commissioned the church to make disciples of all nations. This is the “game”. Are you in it or on the bench? Five Problems that Christianity Helps Wit...

Isaiah 35:5-6 and 42:6-7; Luke 4:16-20 Jesus understood from the Scriptures that he was to heal the blind. However, there was no specific instruction given on how to do it. So how did he know what to do? Matthew 12:22-23 With the possessed blind and mute man, he cast out the demon. Matthew 20:29-34 Two blind men cried out to him. Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Mark 8:22-26 Jesus...

John 8:32 The truth is liberating, setting a person free from the bondage of lies and deception. The truth is powerful and vitally important in life. We can’t live without it, but we also must handle it with wisdom and discernment. Even the truth can be wielded in a way that is destructive. 1 Kings 22:13-18. Ahab wanted to know the truth, but when Micaiah told him the truth, it wasn’t received wel...

Self-control is the ability to tell yourself “no” when you’re tempted to do something wrong and “yes” when you don’t feel like doing something right. Jesus provides us with sterling examples of what godly self-control looks like in the real world. Rather than fleeing pain and pursuing pleasure, we should develop our self-control muscle so that we can live like Jesus. Proverbs 25:28 Self-control is...

Some translations render the eighth fruit of the spirit as “gentleness”, while others as “meekness”.  With Jesus, we see both manifested, with meekness as the most outstanding. Meekness is receptivity to God and the things of God. His words in the garden, “Not my will, but Yours be done”, are the bravest words ever spoken, the most loving human act ever performed, the ultimate expression of meekne...

How do humans define kindness? How does humanism define kindness? What is kindness in Hinduism? What is kindness in Islam? How does the Bible define kindness? Kindness in the scriptures is acting in benevolence with no obligation to do so. Kindness of God in the OT Genesis 24:12 Joshua 2:12 Nehemiah 9:17 Isaiah 54:10 Jonah 4:2 God does not define kindness as just being nice. Kindness of God in the...

In the Bible, “good/goodness” is more than just describing someone or something as being helpful, nice, or pleasant. Rather, being “good” (i.e., having “goodness”) deals with having moral excellence, righteousness, and integrity. “Goodness” is a quality that we are to seek to exhibit in our lives in abundance. Romans 15:14 2 Thessalonians 1:11 Jesus was said to be heavily invested in doing “good”....

Even from childhood, Jesus was about his Father’s business (Luke 2:41-52). He always did the Father’s will (John 5:30; 6:38; 8:28-29; 14:31). Humility is the key to his faithfulness. The Christian life isn’t about you. It’s about God and the work God is doing. When we humbly join God in his work, we discover a life of adventure, just as the life of Christ was filled with great adventur...

Jesus embodied patience through his gentle teaching, forgiveness, and endurance of human weakness. He corrected his disciples with kindness, bore their misunderstandings without frustration, and showed mercy even when betrayed or denied. His patience was demonstrated as he willingly suffered for humanity while waiting for them to fully understand and follow him. Matthew 14:23-33 When the disciples...

The fruit of the spirit, peace, as seen in the ministry of Jesus is viewed with practical suggestions on how to maintain peace throughout life’s complexities. The Prince of Peace gives us peace via the holy spirit. Isaiah 9:6 Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Despite facing continuous immense temptations and challenges, including persecution and crucifixion, Jesus maintained inner peace and faith in G...

Jesus’ joy was found in being an obedient servant to Almighty God. He expressed joy in sharing, serving, and suffering. Perhaps Jesus’ most significant example of living with joy is how he focused on God’s promises during his darkest hours and used God’s truth and faithfulness as a way to endure through unimaginable suffering. Luke 10:21-22 Perhaps the most exultant descrip...

Galatians 5:19-25 The fruit of the spirit are nine behaviors or virtues that we should pursue. Thankfully, Christ exemplified each of these. Mark 12:28-31 Jesus clearly taught us to love God and love our neighbors. However, what he said about each was different. He set the bar much higher for the kind of love we should have for God compared to how he expects us to treat our neighbors. 1 John 4:9-1...