Growing in Grace is a publication of our denomination, GPCNZ.
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Bonding Lives and Churches
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Ephesians 6:17 “Spiritual Warfare, Part 6: The Helmet of Salvation”
“There is no salvation for you in God.” This is the kind of language that Satan can use to us to give in to despair and hopelessness. This is why the helmet of salvation is an important part of the Armour for the Christian.
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and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
Ephesians 6:16 “Spiritual Warfare, Part 5: The Shield of Faith”
The shield of faith is presented by Paul as a part of the armour that is able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. How then do we take up the shield of faith?
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16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Ephesians 6:15 “Spiritual Warfare, Part 4: Gospel Shoes”
In order to be ready for spiritual battle, we need the gospel of peace. Peace not in the sense of a cease fire, but a fullness of fellowship with God and each other.
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and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:14 “Spiritual Warfare, Part 3: The Breastplate of Righteousness”
What does it mean to put on the breastplate of righteousness? How will this help us to stand against the attacks of the Devil? The answer has two parts. John explains.
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14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness
Ephesians 5:21-33 “A Marriage that Works in a World that doesn’t”
This week Peter Reynolds Preached from Ephesians 5 on a Marriage that Works. Peter Reynolds is a counsellor and GPCNZ pastor from Auckland. Peter and his wife Margaret were in Invercargill this weekend facilitating our Marriage and Parenting Seminar.
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21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.[a]28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Ephesians 6:14a “Spiritual Warfare, Part 2: Fasten on the Belt of Truth”
Truth is the first part of the armour that Paul mentions to be put on by Christians. It is vital we know and speak the truth in order that we may stand.
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14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Ephesians 6:10-12 “Spiritual Warfare Part 1: Be Strong in the Lord”
As we come towards the end of the book of Ephesians, Paul encourages the believers to be Strong in the Lord, because they are in a Spiritual war. John explains.
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10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:5-9 “God Pleasing Servants”
As Paul finishes off his section on how the gospel works itself out in households, he gives instructions to servants and masters. He encourages them to behave in such away that recognises that they are servants of God first of all. John explains.
The book on people pleasing mentioned in the sermon can be found here:
Pleasing People By Lou Priolo
The article mentioned about Paul and slavery can be found here.
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5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
Can we Please God?
This is link to a helpful article by Kevin Deyoung, a pastor in the States, about whether we can or should try to please God.