Ephesians 4 – vs.1-3 – “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called.”
How do you walk worthy?
1) All lowliness – humility – Mark 10:42-44.
2) All meekness – gentleness – Psalms 18:35.
3) With long-suffering – forbearance in love – Num.14:14,18.
vs.4-6 – One Body – 1 Tim.2:5. One Spirit – John 10:30.
One Hope of your Calling – John 17:21.
One Lord. One Faith. One Baptism.
One God and Father, who is above, through and in all.
vs.7 – Given grace (salvation) according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Luke 6:38 “With the same measure that you mete, withal it shall be measured to you again.” God spared nothing to give us the kingdom. God is standing in faith, believing for the return on his gifts.
vs.8-10 – Jesus descended into the lower parts of hell and led captivity captive, then ascended into heaven, at the right hand of God.
Rev.1:18; Col.2:14,15; 1 Cor.15:55-57; Hos.13:14; Isa.25:8.
vs.11-13 – God gave us Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting (maturing) of the saints.
1) Unity of the Faith. Ps.133:1-3.
2) To obtain knowledge of the Son of God. Col.2:2.
3) Unto the measure of the statue of the fulness of Christ. 1Cor.14:20.
vs.14-16 – “…carried about by every wind of doctrine…”
Matt.11:7-9 “What went ye out into the wilderness to see?” The people had different reasons for going out to see John the Baptist.
vs.15 – Speaking the truth in love in how we grow to maturity in Christ.
vs.16 – The whole body joined together works together, building up the body in Love.
vs.17-19 – “Walk not as other Gentiles walk…” Rom.1:20-22.
vs.21 – “If so be that ye have heard him and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus.”
Rom.10:17 – Faith comes.
John 16:13 – Spirit of Truth.
Acts 1:2 – Jesus through Holy Spirit.
vs.22-32 – Exhortation to the Body.
1) Put off the old man.
2) Renew your mind by the Word.
3) Speak the Truth.
4) Get angry with the devil and sin not.
5) Don’t let the sun go down on your anger toward man or God.
6) Give no place to the devil.
7) Let each man labor, so that he can supply the needy.
8) Let no corrupt communication come out of your mouth.
9) Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit.
10) Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil speaking and malice be put away from you.
Bitterness – (4085) – ‘press down’ feelings inside.
Anger – (3709) – violent passion, vengeance.
Malice – (2549) – depavity.
Wrath – (2372) – indignation, fierceness.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

joseph1637@juno.com

Ephesians 3 – vs.1-6 – By revelation of God through His apostles and prophets, the mysteries of Christ are being revealed to the Gentiles. “That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.” We receive all the gifts of God by the gospel.
vs.7-13 – We are made ministers of the gospel by the grace of God. We preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, that all men may partake, having fellowship with Jesus in his kingdom.
vs.11 – “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The plans of salvation were from the beginning, Jesus always knew what he was going to do, to die for us.
vs.12 – “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” In the old covenant only the High Priest could come before God once a year and only if he had made a sacrifice and repented of his sins. But we have a High Priest that has made it possible for each of us to go before God at any time.
vs.14-21 – Second Prayer – Rev.2:1-7.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

joseph1637@juno.com

Ephesians 2 – vs.1-6 – God took us and raised us from the dead. We were dead in sin, but God had placed us with Christ in heavenly places.
vs.7-9 – God raised us up to show his mercy toward us. We are saved by grace through faith, because no man can earn his way to heaven.
vs.10 – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” Rom.9:21-23.
vs.11,12 – We were aliens and strangers from God, because the Jews had the promises.
vs.13 – “But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”
vs.14-21 – Jesus made peace between God and man by his sacrifice and made us joint heirs in the kingdom of God. Matt.27:5-53.
vs.22 – “In whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” 1 Cor.3:16,17.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

joseph1637@juno.com

Paul, Silas and Timothy went to Ephesus. They preached the gospel, thrown into prison and almost killed. But God had plans for this city. It became the center of Christianity in the 1st century. Paul wrote back to them to encourage and correct doctrine. The letter is about being in Christ Jesus and staying there.
Prison Epistle.
Key Phrase – In Christ (36 times).
The Church – main theme.
Ephesus – The Center of Christianity in the 1st Century.
Relationship – Husbands and Wives. Masters and Servants. Fathers and Sons.
Revelation of God’s eternal plan of the ages.Ch.1:4,10,11; 2:7; 3:11.
Prayers – Ch.1:13-23; 3:14-21.
Ch.1-3 – Believer’s Inheritance (doctrinal). What you are in Christ.
Ch.4-6 – Practical Walk – How To – 5 times – What you are to do because you are in Christ.
Ch.5 – Church responsibility – Husband – Wife. Wife – Husband.
Children – Parent. Parent – Children. Slaves – Masters. Masters – Slaves.

Crain Blanchard.
http://www.joseph1637.com
joseph1637@juno.com

God ask me this question for my last bible study. His actual question was, Who is dead in Christ Jesus? When I asked the question, I raised my hand. But no one else did. Then I said, Am I going to have to preach on salvation again? The word of God is specific. The Old Testament or the law taught us that we were sinners separated from God. And the we needed to seek God to repent of our sins and ask for forgiveness. Because we were dead in sin. God’s redemption required that we would die to ourselves and come alive to Jesus. But when we did, we were also required to stay dead to ourselves so that Jesus could live through us. Gal.2;20 “I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” I am dead to sin and I am dead to self. But I am alive to Jesus. I am dead to this world, so I can let Jesus live through me. It has been one of the hardest thing spiritually I had to do. And I have had to start again and again. It is because I am not perfect, I am walking through this world to reach the other side. But I know that if I stay in Christ Jesus, I will reach mine goal. Which is living in the presence of God forever. So the goal of my death is living in Christ Jesus. So, I die daily.

Crain Blanchard.
http://www.joseph1637.com
joseph1637@juno.com

The Word of God.
Today there is more than one bible in most homes. It is the most publised and purchase book in the world. We had a big family altar bible in our hallway. It was on a stand and display for all to see. But no one ever used it. It was for show only. As a child, I would look at the pictures in it. I liked the stories of King David. It was an illustrated version. When I recieved Jesus as savior, I went home and grabbed that family altar bible and opened it up. I read a scripture to my mother and father. My dad said get the hell out of his house. I came back the next day and did the same thing. My dad said the same thing. I did this for 2 weeks, before my dad finally realized that I had changed and began to listen. I was 28 years old and had never read the bible. I began to read intently. I had a bible in my home, one in my car and one on my desk at work. I read so much that when I stopped at traffic lights, I would read my bible. I read the bible until God would stop me and explain what I read. It took me 25 years to read the bible through twice. Because God explained to me what the bible meant. I did word studies. That is where I used an concordance to look up words like faith, hope, healing or deliverance. I studied and studied to show myself approved of God. What happened is I began to see who God is. The picture of Jesus became clearer and clearer. Until I could see Him wherever, And another affect of my studies, is that I hear God’s voice clearly. Did you know that God speaks to everyone? Reading your bible is the only way that you will find out what and who God is. It’s also how you will find out what God’s plan is for your life. It’s important for your spiritual life. So read your bible everyday.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

joseph1637@juno.com

The Call.
Unfortunately, Christianity is struggling to survive in this world. God has a people that haven’t bowed their knee to baal. But haven’t taken the fight to the devil. This is where the fight belongs. Instead they are fighting for food, clothing and shelter. God says if you seek Him first, He will provide all things. But it’s to seek Him first. We are saved in a big flurry, then we sit down say that is enough. Then we struggle the rest of our lives. The Call of God isn’t just so that you don’t feel guilty about your sins. It’s a walk from your salvation all the way home. God wants us to come home. But if you don’t keep on walking toward home, you are as God says walking away. God says that those who endure to the end shall be saved. This isn’t a if or maybe. This is reality, God’s reality. Just going to church doesn’t get you into heaven. At the great white throne judgement, Jesus will reject people who have worked in the church and done miracles. It is because they never knew Jesus. Walking with God is getting to know who He is. The Call has gone out for over 2000 years. Ever since Jesus was crucified on the cross. Anyone who heard that call and answered it, has a trask to perform for God. It is the work God has called us to. God wants us to read the Word of God, pray and go out into the world and preach the gospel. Every Christian is called to do this for God. You can’t hide anymore. God is calling us. Now is the time to use your free will and make the choice. Our lives depend on it. God will not force you to choose His way. But know as a Christian, you asked God to save you. You made the choice in the first place. And now it is your turn to fulfill your commitment.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseoh1637.com

joseph1637@juno.com

Gal.5: 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
The Fruit of the Spirit. vs.22-26
1) Love – (26) -agape – To love like God.
2) Joy – (5479) -chara – Cheerfulness, calm delight, gladness.
3) Peace – (1515) -eirene – To join, prosperity, quietness,rest.
4) Long-suffering – (3115) -makrothumia – forbearance, fortitude.
5) Gentleness – (5544) -chrestotes – usefulness, excellent character.
6) Goodness – (19) -agathosune – virtue, benevolence.
7) Faith – (4102) -pistis – persuation, credence, conviction.
8) Meekness – (4236) -praotes – Humility.
9) Temperance – (1466) -egkrateia – Self control.
Galatians 6 – vs.1-10 – Exhortation. vs.11 – Paul wrote the epistle himself. vs.12,13 – Many times, people want you like them, so they don’t have to change.vs.14-16 – Repeating again that circumcision is nothing, only faith in Jesus. vs.17 – Paul was scourged 5 times, 39 stripes.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

Hopelessness
Where do you start? It something that is prevalent in this society today. It is caused by what we do. It is a choice that we make because we want what we want. People don’t really understand what it really cost. Hopelessness is a destroyer of all that is good in this life. I grow up in the 1960’s and I know from first hand the reasons why people rebelled against God. It wasn’t real or true. People were hurt and afraid of what was going on in the world. So people ran with drugs, sex and violence. Now it’s like people have accepted this corrupted lifestyle as what is real and normal. When it’s so far from God, it creates hopelessness. Jesus is calling and wants us to come home. It is the only answer for hopelessness. We always have a choice. I hear many people say that God loves and wouldn’t send us to hell. But I will tell you a truth. God loves the people in hell and much as He loves the people in heaven. We make the choice to go heaven or hell. It is our choice, not God’s. It is called free will. It is sad how many people use their free will to rebel against God. But God is willing to forgive us of our sins, if only we will turn toward God. Ask God to forgive you of your sins and let Him into your life. God will forgive and take us back. How do I know that this is true? Because He took me back after running away from God for 28 years. Turn and ask for forgiveness. God will take you back home.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

Joseph1637@juno.com

I’m a Christian and have a normal life. I have a wife and 4 sons, 2 daughter in laws, 3 grandsons. God gave me gifts that frightened most people. I want a fellowship with people , but I don’t wanna talk about the bad things of this world. What I want to talk about is what God does and what God is doing and how he is my father. But people look at me like I’m crazy because I talk about God. I share the same trials and tribulations that everyone goes through. But I have someone that loves and cares for me. God is constantly providing, correcting and healing my heart. The reason is because I am a man. And I live on this earth. When I get to heaven, I will be perfect. But now I have to deal with my flesh. Christianity isn’t being perfect. It is believing and trusting God with my life. Until I go home to heaven.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com