We have seen that God defines love because as the apostle John wrote, “God is love.” We also learned that Jesus embodies the love of God in human flesh. Now we look at the work of The Holy Spirit – the third person of the trinity to manifest the love of God in and through the hearts of Christian believers.
As we start a new year, thinking back on the Christmas gifts we have received over the years, we find that the greatest gift of all is Christ Himself who gave Himself for us. Paul lists for us some important aspects of Christ’s gift in his letter to the Ephesians – wisdom and knowledge of Him, hope of eternal life in Him, and the power of His Spirit dwelling within our hearts.
In his letters to the churches at Ephesus and Corinth, the apostle Paul tells all Christ followers that God’s Holy Spirit living within us gives us specific and varied spiritual gifts to be used for building and strengthening His Church. Paul’s missionary companion Barnabas consistently and fully applied the spiritual gift of encouragement that he had been given. In fact, the nickname Barnabas that the apostles gave him means “son of encouragement,” reflecting his obedience to God’s calling. Barnabas’ gift of encouragement isn’t as spectacular as some other spiritual gifts like prophecy and healing. But encouragement from the Holy Spirit given through God’s chosen vessels like Barnabas is nevertheless vital to the health and strength of the Church, and indeed the world at large.
In finishing up our series on God’s grace, it’s important to remember that it is certainly God’s grace alone through which we are saved out of death in our sins – His saving grace, and His grace is sufficient for us to carry us through whatever we might encounter in this life – His sustaining grace. Along the way, God’s grace is perfecting us day-by-day into the very image of God’s Son Jesus – His sanctifying grace. Finally, throughout this life and our eternal life to come, God’s grace is and will forever be poured out in infinite measure upon His children who have believed on the Name and Gospel of Jesus for salvation – God’s securing grace.
In our lives as Christ followers, we can sometimes experience periods of spiritual drought. During such times, God’s Word encourages us to recall the joy of our salvation we felt when we first came to know the LORD Jesus, and to return to the love we felt for Him when we first realized that He loves us. The church in Ephesus is a vivid example of this falling away and Jesus’ stern warning to repent and remember our first love.
The full armor of God! Paul, in Ephesians 6 informs us about the armor we GET to put on each day.
Now that we understand the Christian life is not lived on a playground but is instead carried out on a battleground where attacks from the enemy are ever present, we can now begin investigating what it takes to defend ourselves. What does it take? The full armor of God! Paul, in Ephesians 6 informs us about the armor we GET to put on each day.
Our ultimate antagonist is none other than Satan himself. He is God’s number one enemy and therefore makes him our number one enemy. If we are in a spiritual war where each day has the potential to bring us a new and different battle, then we must do some things to make sure we are prepared for the fight. One of the first things is to understand our enemy or enemies.
Every day that we are on this side of heaven, we are at war. Every day could mean that we will face a new attack from Satan or from one of the other evils in this world. We cannot escape it. What then must we do in response?
“What is the church?” Most people respond with some reference to a building, but what would be a more succinct answer? The church is not a building but is instead THE PEOPLE who gather at a building for the sole purpose of worshipping God.
Sunday School - 9:30 AM
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2026
Mt. Freedom Baptist Church
