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The message of the gospel that Paul brought to the culturally diverse city of Ephesus forever transformed its citizen’s lives. But the church in Ephesus had the same problems we face today: it was a multiethnic group of believers who found it difficult to come together as one and put aside their differences…
In this Q&A, Derwin Gray (@DerwinLGray) talks about his 6-session streaming video Bible study in the 40 Days Through the Book series, Ephesians: Life in God’s Diverse Family (HarperChristian Resources, 2022).
What would you say is the core message of the letter to the Ephesians?
Derwin Gray With every stroke of his pen, under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul passionately writes to the multiethnic churches in Ephesus. He declares to the Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, women and men, how the gospel of king Jesus not only forgives their sins but creates a beautiful family with different colored skins. The gospel grace empowers this new family of differents to love each other and glorify Jesus (Eph 3:14-21).
This is the two-hundred-first lesson in author and pastor Mel Lawrenz’ How to Live the Bible series. If you know someone or a group who would like to follow along on this journey through Scripture, they can get more info and sign up to receive these essays via email here.
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
“Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” John 1:29-34
By Shauna Niequist
“Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” —Matthew 11:28–30
The phrase present over perfect was one I first held tightly to a few Christmases ago. I remember the moment: the table was a train wreck of wrapping paper and unfolded laundry, half-eaten cookies. My mind was running with all the remaining tasks that needed to be done—gifts bought, cards addressed, bags packed, deadlines reached.
By Christopher Reese
For thousands of years believers have turned to the Psalms for encouragement and comfort. In light of King David’s authorship of many of the Psalms, the great preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote, “Whenever we look into David’s psalms, we may somewhere or other see ourselves. I never get into a corner but I find David in that corner. I think I was never so low that I could not find that David was lower, and I never climbed so high that I could not find that David was up above me, ready to sing his song upon his stringed instrument.” 1
People tend to search for particular Psalms on Bible Gateway based on current events or personal circumstances, including Psalm 23 and Psalm 31. But the Psalm most searched for lately on Bible Gateway, and the chief Psalm that Christians have meditated on in times of trouble, is Psalm 91. To cite Spurgeon once more, he said of Psalm 91, “In the whole collection there is not a more cheering psalm . . . faith is at its best and speaks nobly.” 2
By Max Lucado
Sometimes I detect my favorite fragrance wafting from the kitchen: strawberry cake. I follow the smell like a bird dog follows a trail until I’m standing over the just-baked, just-iced pan of pure pleasure.
Yet I’ve learned to still my fork until Denalyn gives clearance. “Who is it for?” I ask. She might break my heart. “It’s for a birthday party, Max. Don’t touch it!” Or, “For a friend. Stay away.” Or she might throw open the door of delight. “Whoever.” And since I qualify as a “whoever,” I dig in.
Thankfully for us, God’s gospel includes a “whoever” policy that’s always open for business. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV, emphasis mine).
Read this week’s Bible Gateway Weekly Brief newsletter
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Our Daily Bread University instructional videos are available for your free viewing as you read Scripture on Bible Gateway. Here is a list of passages where you can find them:
Have you given up something for Lent? So have thousands of Twitter users. Here are the top 10 things Twitter users are giving up during Lent, with their 2021 positions in parentheses:
[Read the Bible Gateway Blog post, What Is the Meaning of Lent? (Frequently Asked Questions)]
Historical data (and a comparison of Lent trends over the years) can be found at OpenBible.info.
Any surprises on that list? Are you giving up something on that list during Lent?
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For more than a decade, March 16th (3/16) has been a day for many Christians to share with people around the world the good news declared in the Bible in John 3:16.
The well-known verse reads, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (NIV).
The origin of the unofficial celebration is unknown, but some media outlets trace it as far back to 2011 when a K-LOVE radio station listener suggested that the day, March 16, should be “John 3:16 Day,” in honor of the biblical verse that affirms the hope we have because of Jesus.
This year, popular Christian websites FaithGateway.com and BibleGateway.com are partnering with the nation’s pastor and The New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado (@MaxLucado), along with K-LOVE Radio, to encourage Christians to spread the John 3:16 message by simply posting the verse to social media, texting contacts, or sharing the verse in some creative way!
When you become a member of Bible Gateway Plus, you’ll have instant access to more than 50 Bible reference resources, including the NKJV Lucado Encouraging Word Bible. Try it free right now!
[Read the Bible Gateway Blog post, The Magnificence of John 3:16—An Interview with Max Lucado]
Max Lucado is also inviting people around the world to join the Online Bible Study of the verse starting March 21, 2022. Registration is free and information can be found at faithgateway.com/316.
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