Category Archives: Ephesians

Ephesians 6:15 The Gospel of Peace

Posted on March 10, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

When the Roman soldier went into battle, he went with the Belt, the Breastplate, and the Boots. The Belt was a wide swath of leather tightly bound around your lower stomach, and though not a part of the armor, it was what all the armor attached to. The Breastplate was a bronze or iron piece that covered your upper torso, protecting your heart, lungs, and bowels from damage by sword, spear, or arrow. The Boots that the soldier wore were called CALIGAE. The sole of the Caliga (single boot) had multiple layers of leather, built up to ¾ to 1 inch thick. Iron studs were driven through the outsole, so that the boot was cleated for stability. The inner sole was from a single piece of leather that protected the foot from the studs, and it extended upward into long straps that made a lattice that surrounded the calf of the leg. The Caliga, when laced up, fit snug to the leg and foot, preventing the soldier from forming blisters on long marches. The open lattice of the Caliga meant that water and sand easily drained away from the feet, and gave good ventilation.

One of the earliest defensive weapons employed against soldiers was sharpened sticks, hidden in the grass or in sand. The sticks were poisoned, and if a soldier stepped on them it would drive into the foot, crippling and maybe killing. The Caligae were so thick they could not be penetrated, making the Roman Army nearly invincible.

As the Apostle compares the weaponry that we as Christians are to employ against our enemy the devil, he ties the:

Roman BELT = The Biblical TRUTH
Roman BREASTPLATE = Imputed RIGHTEOUSNESS from Christ
Roman BOOT = PREPARATION of the GOSPEL

The Boot Is The PREPARATION Of The Gospel Continue reading →

Posted in Ephesians, Sermons Preached | Tagged Bible, christianity, Following Christ, gospel, Gospel Centered, Gospel Is Not Just For Christians, Gospel Preaching, Gospel truth, Jesus, salvation, Simple Gospel | Leave a comment

Breastplate of Righteousness: Ephesians 6:12-14

Posted on March 3, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

Minnesota Representative (R) Walter Hudson is first and foremost a Bible Based Christian. He has a podcast called “Closing Argument”. On a recent episode he spoke of “Hallmark Theology”, which is what many Churches have defaulted to today. Hallmark Theology portrays Christianity – as – Walter states:

“a mandate to project positivity, approval, and good wishes regardless of circumstances, actions or consequences. That’s not Christianity. That’s Hallmark Theology. The Bible does not teach us to shine the light of affirmation. It teaches us to shine the light of truth. Truth is not always comforting. Truth exposes. It divides. It demands repentance. And truth carries consequences. If your version of Christianity never makes anyone uncomfortable, never challenges wrongdoing, never calls sin what it is, never demands accountability, then you’re not practicing Christianity, you’re practicing emotional validation with Bible verses taped on to it. … Hell exists because precisely because light is just not pleasant, light reveals reality, and sometimes reality can be unbearable. Light is not vibes. Light is not niceness. Light is not emotional soothing. Light is revelation, and revelation is often painful.”

You may disagree with that statement, but every bit of it is Biblically true. Jesus flipped over the moneychangers tables. Jesus shamed the Pharisees and Chief Priests. John the Baptist called the self righteous “a brood of vipers” (Matthew 3:7), and our Lord Jesus publicly called them the same (Matthew 12:34; 23:33). Jesus lashed out at the self righteous Sadducees,… Continue reading →

Posted in Ephesians, Sermons Preached | Tagged armor of God, Bible, breastplate of righteousness, Faith, Following Christ, holiness of God, Jesus, righteousness, salvation | Leave a comment

Suiting Up For Battle

Posted on February 25, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

Ephesians 6:12 For we WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Our enemy is an ancient foe, one who manifested himself in the Garden of Eden as a crafty beast of the field, a serpent. Again, our battle is not against flesh and blood. The serpent was not a serpent, though it looked like a serpent to Adam and Eve. The serpent was a possessed creature, possessed of an angelic being named Lucifer, Satan, the Devil (Revelation 12:9). In the end God will imprison that old serpent (Revelation 20:2), and will ultimately cast it into hell. Our Lord Jesus said:

Matthew 25:41 (LSB) {God} will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been PREPARED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS

There will come a day when Satan and the fallen angels will be cast into a Lake of Fire forever, a day when God will re-create the earth without sin and sinners. But until that day, Satan “our Adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). We have no ability within ourselves to do battle with a spiritual being like a fallen angel. We cannot, within our own abilities, wrestle with satanic forces and win. It is impossible. But our Lord Jesus said: Continue reading →

Posted in Ephesians, Sermons Preached | Tagged Bible, christianity, Faith, Following Christ, God, God Is Faithful, gospel, Jesus, salvation, Spirit Led, Spirit Works, spiritual warfare, spirituality | Leave a comment

Be Strong In The Lord

Posted on February 10, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

I love a good steak. When you’re getting a good steak from the store, the best steaks come not from the the part of the cow where the muscles are, but from areas on the cow that are not exercised. Muscle makes tough meat. The more it works, the tougher it is to eat! I’ve heard about a type of cow called Wagu Beef (Kuroge). The Wagu beef is fed a specialized diet. It is kept in clean, calm, stress free environments with ample space, good water, nice shade. The cow is fed only the best grain feed, beer or red wine to stimulate its appetite, and everything is done to keep the animal happy and rested. The more it works, the tougher it is to eat. The animal is kept in a pristine state – until the day of slaughter. When killed, the animal feels no pain during the process. The cow is petted until one day – surprise – it becomes Wagu! Sold for up to $300 per pound, in the end its nothing but food.

We often complain about trials and tribulations (like this winter storm we just went through”. Sometimes the complaining is accusatory. I’ve heard people say,

“If God is such a good God, why do we have trials and tribulation? Why is life so often tough?”

Trials and tribulations drive us into the arms of God. I hope you prayed frequently during the storms, asking that God be glorified as this fallen world buffeted us. I know I did. I learned how to pray in a hospital with a shattered led. Trials and tribulations make us stronger. Our Lord Jesus said in His ministry: Continue reading →

Posted in Ephesians, Sermons Preached | Tagged Bible, Faith, Following Christ, God, God Is Faithful, Jesus, love God, salvation, Spirit, Spirit Led, Spirit Works, Spiritual, spiritual warfare | Leave a comment

Respect Is Right

Posted on January 21, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

As Paul comes to the end of his letter to the Church at Ephesus, he addresses the children first. There are only TWO TIMES in the New Testament that children are DIRECTLY ADDRESSED. It is here,

Ephesians 6:1 CHILDREN, OBEY {hypakouō} your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

And in …

Colossians 3:20 CHILDREN, OBEY {hypakouō} your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

In the ancient world children were seen as incomplete persons, and in many cases were regarded as not fully human. In the Roman world, the father had the right to EXPOSE children to the elements, often unto death. Children were often sold as slaves. Disobedient children were executed.

The early Church would often rescue children that were cast out of their Roman homes because they were illegitimate or disabled. An early Christian teaching called the Didache stated:

“You shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill what is begotten.”

God’s people are to value children. Though children had no rights while in the home, God commanded His people:… Continue reading →

Posted in Ephesians, Sermons Preached | Tagged Bible, Faith, Following Christ, God, God Is Faithful, gospel, Jesus, salvation | Leave a comment

The God Who Loves Designed The Family

Posted on January 13, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

God designed the Heavens, the stars, the galaxies.
God designed this earth, separating light from darkness.
God designed the plant life, and the animals.
God designed the Man and Woman.
God designed both man and woman in His image (Genesis 1:27).
God designed Marriage.
God designed the Family.
God designed human sexuality to procreate in the family (Genesis 1:28).
God designed work.
God designed local, state, and national government.
A loving God designed everything for our good.

The Federal Governments did not design marriage, nor the family. Though governments and judges may legislate, and order that the design of the family be re-ordered, the law of man does not change what God has ordained. God designed the family.

And God loves us. In love, He knows what is best.

We’re going to talk about family today, about marriage. We’re going to discuss what the Bible says and, as I go into this, I know that some of you will be upset with me. That’s all right – I’d rather you be upset with me than GOD be upset with me. I’m just going to tell you what the Bible says. As an American with First Amendment rights you can marry anything you want, and you can call anything your family that you want. But you will not be satisfied with your life until you come under God’s loving design. Do you know why?

The God Who LOVES YOU, and Who designed YOU, designed the FAMILY. Continue reading →

Posted in Ephesians, Sermons Preached | Tagged Bible, Christian marriage, christianity, effeminacy, Faith, Following Christ, Jesus, marriage, salvation, satanic designs, toxic masculinity | Leave a comment

Submission Is Not A Dirty Word

Posted on January 5, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

I was watching a Police camera video the other day where a woman was stopped for a minor traffic violation. I think she did a rolling stop at a stop sign. Not a big deal. The Policeman asked her, “Please give me your license and registration, along with your proof of insurance”. It was a reasonable request. The woman said, “I don’t have to give you anything. I’m a Sovereign Citizen of the United States.”

I didn’t have a clue what she was talking about. I looked it up and found out. The “Sovereign Citizen Movement” is a bunch of anti-government activists who believe that they are not subject to any government regulation or statute that they have not personally agreed to. This idiocy started in the early 70’s in the United States, and has grown and has infiltrated Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. As the officer asked her very politely – more times than I would have asked her – she continued to be a jerk, defying his request. Finally she said, “I have no driver’s license or insurance. I don’t have to have that. I’m a Sovereign Citizen!”

Then she put the car in drive, and took off.

You can guess what happened next. Off she went to jail, in handcuffs, for reckless endangerment of a police officer, resisting arrest, unlawful operation of a motor vehicle, etc, etc. These people actually make up license plates for their vehicles like this… Continue reading →

Posted in Ephesians, Sermons Preached | Tagged Bible, christianity, Faith, Following Christ, God Is Faithful, Jesus, Jesus Christ, repent, repentance, repentant, salvation, submission | Leave a comment

Redeeming The Time

Posted on December 31, 2025 by bibleteacherorg

Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY, not as FOOLS, but as WISE,

The Bible uses the word “WALK” as a picture of living. This is the seventh time that the Apostle uses “WALK” in this book. How you walk is how you live out your life. How you walk will effect your eternity.

Word Study: We are commanded to “WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY”. The word “CIRCUMSPECTLY” is the Greek akribōs, which means “in an accurate and diligent manner, in a way that avoids flaws”. When we encountered the word “WALK” in the earlier passages of this book, we read:

Ephesians 2:2 (LSB) ….. you FORMERLY WALKED according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience,

When you were lost, you walked carelessly. You walked as “fools” do. When the Bible uses the word “fool”, it is a reference to those who are godless. “The FOOL has said in his heart, ‘there is no God’. They are corrupt, and do abominable works” (Psalm 14:1). But once you met Jesus, you were saved by Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). At that moment, your “walk” changed. We were told:

Ephesians 2:10 (LSB) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that WE WOULD WALK IN THEM.

To walk “circumspectly” is to walk not in sin, but in good works, in works that glorify the Lord our God. Continue reading →

Posted in Ephesians, Sermons Preached | Tagged Bible, choosing wisely, Faith, Following Christ, fools vs believers, God, God Is Faithful, Jesus, living for Jesus, living for the world, redeeming the time, salvation | Leave a comment

As Dear Children

Posted on December 17, 2025 by bibleteacherorg

Ephesians 5:1-2 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And WALK IN LOVE, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.

The Child of God is a follower of God. The Child of God loves Jesus, God’s Only Begotten Son. Are you a Child of God? If you are not, what a wonderful day it would be to give yourself to Jesus! To be a Child of God was not offered to Israel under the Old Covenant. But being a Child of God is offered to ALL who will receive Jesus today. The Scripture says:
Galatians 4:4-7 (NKJV) But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION AS SONS 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Only a Child of God can have the Holy Spirit. If you are not a Child of God, you are a slave to sin and the Law. Oh how I pray that you would give yourself to Jesus this very day! Continue reading →

Posted in Ephesians, Sermons Preached | Tagged adopted Children, children of God, christianity, Faith, Following Christ, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Old vs New Covenant, salvation | Leave a comment

Learning Christ

Posted on December 9, 2025 by bibleteacherorg

I heard a word several years ago – and when I heard it, I didn’t know what it meant. The word was “vicarious”. We all do it, whether we know what the word means or not. When some of you watch sports, you get a vicarious thrill when your quarterback runs a 60 yard touchdown, or your pitcher pitches a no hit game. Vicarious. When I saw Dale Earnhardt win a race, in my mind I was in the cockpit with him! Vicarious means to watch what another person is doing, then imagining that you are the one doing it. I get a vicarious thrill when I watch John Wayne or Clint Eastwood shoot a really bad guy. I didn’t do the shooting. I wasn’t in the scene. But watching it, in my imagination, I put myself there, and get a thrill out of it.

There was a song I grew up with called “Just My Imagination” sung by the Temptations. In the song they sang (and I sang along with them):

Each day through my window I watch as she passes by,
I say to myself, you’re a such a lucky guy.
To have a girl like her, is truly a dream come true.
Out of all the fellows in the world, She belongs to you.
But it was just my imagination, running away with me.
It was just my imagination, running away with me.

That’s vicarious. It’s imagined. It’s dreamed of. You do it when watching television, the movies, sports. You put yourself – in your imagination – in the place of the actor. But you’re really not there. It’s just your imagination.

The Christian way of life cannot be lived vicariously – yet many do so. They imagine they are believers in Christ, but never get in the game. They imagine living for Jesus, but do as little to nothing as they can. Why? Because “it’s just their imagination”. They never REPENTED and RECEIVED the Kingdom of God by faith. … Continue reading →