I Am the Door

Jesus provided that which before His coming was unattainable. He provided access. “I am the door,” He said. “If anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved.”

The access Jesus provides is unique. There is the promise of salvation in no other. A man cannot climb up some other way to attain salvation. Such would thwart the grace of God and render the death of Christ meaningless.

The access Jesus provides is proven. Jesus did not sneak into history. His coming was announced by the prophets. He came in by the door for all to see and witness. He is not like other prophets and Messiahs who have arisen at various times.

The access Jesus provides is individual. It is extended on a name-by-name basis. “He calls his own sheep by name.” Jesus knows them that are His and is interested in their sojourning. Does He know your name? Yes He does, if you’ve heard His voice and entered by Him. The access

Jesus provides is protected. His sheep “shall go in and out, and find pasture.” In fact, “he goes before them.” They are not left alone to wander as prey in the wild. He is both their door and also their guide.

Give thanks today for our access through Jesus Christ. Without Him we would have no way to go.

Jason Moore

The Whole Armor and the Word of God

Read through Ephesians 6:14-17 and notice how each piece of the whole armor of God relates to the Word of God.

1. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might - Read and meditate on His word!

2. Put on and take up the whole armor of God - Read and meditate on His word!

3. Withstand in the evil day - Read and mediate on His word!

Jason Cicero

Prayer Warriors

After one puts on the whole armor of God and takes it up to fight the first thing the Lord would have us to do is pray.

"...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints..." (Ephesians 6:18; NKJV).

A prayer warrior is a person who is convinced that God is omnipotent, that He has the power to do anything, to change anyone, and to interfere in any circumstance.

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Find a new person to encourage.

Find a new passage to appreciate.

Find a new plan for an old problem.

Find a new petition for a needy person.

There’s no excuse for not growing.

Jason Moore

The Call to Arms

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:10-13; NKJV).

The call to war says "put on the whole armor of God."

The call to arms says "take up the whole armor of God."

The time of preparation is over. It is time to fight! Soldiers of Christ, arise!

Jason Cicero

The Call to War

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:10-11; NKJV).

The trumpet has sounded. The call to war has been issued. Our charge has been given. We've been called to arms. The power for our battle has been assured.

Soldiers of Christ, arise!

Jason Cicero

Strengthen Yourselves in the Lord

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10; NKJV).

Strong - to empower (Strong's).

In the Lord - describes a relationship

Power - vigor (Strong's); power, might (Thayer's).

Might - ability, force, strength (Thayer's).

Ephesians 6:10 describes the proper combination of divine enabling and human co-operation. The strength is the Lord's, and without "the power of His might" we shall be defeated, but we still must be "strong in the Lord and the power of His might." The verb is a passive present which could almost be rendered 'Strengthen yourselves in the Lord' (Ephesians, Stott, p. 266).

Jason Cicero

From the Heart

"5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him" (Ephesians 6:5-9; NKJV).

Whether we are wives or husbands, sons or daughters, bondservants or masters, we are to serve Christ...

1. In sincerity of heart (6:5)

2. Not with eyeservice (6:6)

3. Doing the will of God from the heart (6:6)

4. With goodwill (6:7)

If we are obedient to our Master who is in Heaven, we will receive good from Him (6:5-9).

Jason Cicero

What's Not in Ephesians 6:4

"And you, fathers, not not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4; NKJV).

1. The state is not in Ephesians 6:4.

2. The local church is not in Ephesians 6:4.

3. Mom is not in Ephesians 6:4.

Ephesians 6:4 speaks of the responsibility of Fathers!

Bring up: ektrepho – to rear up to maturity, i.e. to cherish or train (Strong's)

Nurture: paideia – tutorage, i.e. education or training; by implication, disciplinary correction: KJV - chastening, chastisement, instruction, nurture. (Strong's)

Admonition: nouthesia – calling attention to, i.e. (by implication) mild rebuke or warning: KJV - admonition. (Strong’s)

Lord: kurios – from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority. (Strong's)

Prayers to pray for our Fathers…

1. Pray for faith! (Abraham - Genesis 18:19)

2. Pray for wisdom! (David – Solomon – 1 Chronicles 28:9)

3. Pray for strength & courage! (Joshua – Joshua 24:15)

4. Pray for your children! (Job – Job 1:5)

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." (John 11:25; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Find a new person to encourage.

Find a new passage to appreciate.

Find a new plan for an old problem.

Find a new petition for a needy person.

There’s no excuse for not growing.

Jason Moore

Cherishes

"For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church" (Ephesians 5:29; NKJV).

Cherishes - thalpo - primarily means "to heat, to soften by heat"; then, "to keep warm," as of birds covering their young with their feathers, Deut 22:6, Sept.; metaphorically, "to cherish with tender love, to foster with tender care," in Eph 5:29 of Christ and the church; in 1 Thess 2:7 of the care of the saints at Thessalonica by the apostle and his associates, as of a nurse for her children (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

The Lord cherishes the church. As a member of His body, allow Him to cherish you. Cherish Him.

Jason Cicero

Understand GOD'S Will

"Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:17; NKJV).

Some believe it is not possible to understand the will of GOD. If it is not possible to understand GOD'S will, then one of two things is possible about Him. If He could not reveal His will in an understandable way then He lacks power. If He would not reveal His will in an understandable way then he lacks goodness.

Why would GOD give us a book we couldn't understand and then condemn us because we don't?

Don't be unwise. Understand what the will of GOD is. Then make His will your own.

Jason Cicero

Walk the Walk

"Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children" (Ephesians 5:1; NKJV).

"And..." (Ephesians 5:2; NKJV)

1. Walk in Love: "...as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us..." (Ephesians 5:2; NKJV).

2. Walk as Children of Light: "For you were once darkness, but now..." (Ephesians 5:8; NKJV).

3. Walk Circumspectly: "...not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16; NKJV).

Jason Cicero

If We Have Learned Christ, Then

"But you have not so learned Christ..." (Ephesians 4:20; NKJV).

If we have Learned Christ then...

1. We have grasped the new creation.

2. We no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk in the futility of their mind.

3. Our understanding is no longer darkened.

4. We are no longer alienated from God.

5. Ignorance is no longer in us.

6. Our hearts are no longer blind.

7. We are no longer past feeling.

8. We are no longer given over to lewdness, working all uncleanness with greediness.

9. We have put off the old man and his former conduct.

10. We are renewed in the spirit of our minds on a daily basis.

11. We have put on the new man in true righteousness and holiness.

Read Ephesians 4:17-24 and determine to learn Christ! Hear Him! Be taught by Him!

Jason Cicero

Learn Christ

Our Father would have us to learn Christ. We are to hear Christ. We are to be taught by Christ.

"But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus..." (Ephesians 4:20-21; NKJV).

Jesus is to be the subject of our teaching. Jesus is to be the object of our teaching. Jesus is to be the environment of our teaching.

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." (John 11:25; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Encourage, don’t just wait to be encouraged.

Pray, don’t just pass the time during prayers.

Sing, don’t just pronounce words.

Partake, don’t just eat the emblems.

Give, don’t just pass the plate.

Listen, don’t just look up front.

Read, don’t just turn the pages.

Practice an active, not a passive religion.

Jason Moore

Every Joint, Every Part

Question: Who is important in the body of Christ?

Answer: "...every joint...every part" (Ephesians 4:11-16)

You are important to the body. You have something to supply. You have something to share.

Jason Cicero

That He Might Fill All Things

(Now this, "He ascended - what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) Ephesians 4:9-10; NKJV

Fill – to make full, to complete (Thayer’s)

Christ – the fullness of Deity (COL 1:19; 2:9-10)

The Church – the fullness of Christ (EPH 1:22-23)

Heaven & Earth – He is the fullness!

Jason Cicero

The "Ones" of Ephesians 4

Our God would have us to agree on the following seven "ones."

1. Body

2. Spirit

3. Hope

4. Lord

5. Faith

6. Baptism

7. Father

The unity of the Spirit is possible if we endeavor to keep it by committing ourselves to the seven "ones" of Ephesians 4:4-6.

Endeavoring

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1-3; NKJV).

Endeavoring - to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest (Strong's).

Unity is possible. You must be willing. I must be willing. We must be willing to be one in Him.

Our Father would have us to be earnest in our pursuit of unity. We are to make every effort to be one in Christ. Let us be about the business of "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace!"

Jason Cicero

Walk Worthy of the Calling

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called..." (Ephesians 4:1; NKJV).

To walk worthy of the calling is to...

1. Walk with all lowliness.

2. Walk with gentleness.

3. Walk with longsuffering.

4. Bear with one another in love.

5. Endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it, " says the LORD. (Ezekiel 37:14; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Be interested, and you’ll interest others.

Be friendly, and you’ll befriend.

Be comforting, and you’ll be comforted.

Be understanding, and you’ll be understood.

Be edifying, and you’ll be edified.

Be encouraging, and you’ll be encouraged.

Be inspiring, and you’ll be inspired.

Jason Moore