While we know Paul was a prisoner of Rome for the sake of the Gospel, he boldly declares that He is a prison IN the Lord—that his position and focus is Jesus Christ.
In order for us to have a proper understanding of God’s calling in our lives, we, like Paul, need to see ourselves in a proper position of humility, submission, and surrender to the One who has called us.
In this expositional message from Ephesians 4:1, Nathan Johnson explores what it means to be a prisoner IN the Lord and how that changes everything for a Christian.
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Key Passage: Ephesians 4:1-3
Ephesians 4:1-3 – Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, exhort you to walk worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Verses Mentioned in this Message
- Colossians 2:6 – Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him …
- Philippians 2:5 – Have this attitude [mind] in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus …
- Philippians 1:20-21 – … according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
- Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
- 2 Corinthians 2.14-15 – But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing …
- Romans 8:29 – For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren …
- Jeremiah 18:3-6 – Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make. Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, “Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.”
- Romans 9:20-21 – On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?
In Our Next Study Together …
I invite you to join me on this journey from the book of Ephesians to discover God’s eternal purpose, His plan for your
- The focus of our next study: Ephesians 4:1
- We continue to look at how the Lord is our Shepherd and how the concept is similar to what Paul calls himself in Ephesians 4:1.
- I encourage you to read through Ephesians a couple of times this week and focus specifically on Ephesians 4.
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About The Deeper Christian Bible Study Series
The Deeper Christian Bible Study Series in Ephesians is a Christ-centered practical in-depth verse-by-verse study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Join NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) as he expositionally preaches from this incredible book – which will help you grow in your faith, gain greater intimacy with Jesus, and understand how to study God’s Word.
Many Christians feel frustrated because they don’t grow spiritually. Deeper Christian equips Christians to understand the Word of God and cultivate a passionate love for Jesus that turns the world upside down.
About NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson)
NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) is a Christian who has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the
Read more about him here.
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