Ephesians 4:24

And to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 2nd & 3rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Jesus critiqued the "righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees" (see Matthew 5:20), and offered a fresh interpretation of the Torah, as found in the Sermon on the Mount, where he called for a "hungering after righteousness" (Matthew 5:6).

Ephesians 4:22-23

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 2nd & 3rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

We opt for "life-style,” while other translations choose "way of life.” The Greek's most basic idea is "to turn upside, turn around, overthrow,” but the word developed other senses: "to behave, to conduct,” and Paul favors them...

Ephesians 4:20-21

That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 2nd & 3rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

... to learn a person is unusual, applying the verb to a person, treating him as its object. However, within the Jewish culture, rabbis took students, talmidim, not only to learn from them, but to witness their life.

Ephesians 4:17-19

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 2nd & 3rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

When the "new creation" arrives in the world, achieved by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, the death-knoll starts to toll over the old order of things.

Ephesians 4:14

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

From Background Notes [BN] for July 26th & 27th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

We begin as infants, desiring the "pure milk of the Word" (1 Peter 2), but we should not remain in this developmental stage (see 1 Corinthians 3:1), satisfied only with the meeting of our own needs and oblivious to the needs of others.

Ephesians 4:1-2

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

From Background Notes [BN] for July 26th & 27th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

The air Paul breathed in 1:1-3:20 was rarified, to be sure. High on the mountain he stood, as he surveyed the vast landscape of God's plan and purpose for His world. And for good reason.

Ephesians 3:17b-18

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ

From Background Notes [BN] for July 26th & 27th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

The life of the church can be rooted, grounded, but flat, and without dimension. We can hold all of the correct doctrines, observe the sacraments, keep the doors open and the lights on...

Ephesians 3:16-17

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love

From Background Notes [BN] for July 26th & 27th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

How are we made strong? Paul leaves no doubt that God's plan for our growth has already been initiated when Christ came to live in our hearts. He is not talking here about our initial salvation...

Luke 16:27-31

“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

“‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

John 14:5-7

Jesus the Way to the Father

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Joshua 6:23-24

So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother, her brothers and sisters and all who belonged to her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel.

Then they burned the whole city and everything in it, but they put the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the LORD’s house.

John 21:18-19

Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Philippians 1:3-6

I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy  because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,  being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
 

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Psalm 138:2

I will bow down toward your holy temple
    and will praise your name
    for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
    that it surpasses your fame.    The LORD’s word is flawless;
    he shields all who take refuge in him

Psalm 18:30

As for God, his way is perfect:
    The LORD’s word is flawless;
    he shields all who take refuge in him

1 Peter 2:16

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.

From Background Notes [BN] for July 5th & 6th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Clearly, those who had been "set free" recognized that freedom went deeper than political servitude. Hearts bound by sin and death were set free by the liberating Jesus.

Genesis 12:3

I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

From Background Notes [BN] for July 5th & 6th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

In this role, Israel was unique. Consider: "Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great deeds of terror, all of which Yahweh your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?" (Deuteronomy 4:34).

Genesis 12:1

The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

From Background Notes [BN] for July 5th & 6th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

And so when we arrive at Genesis 12, we find Yahweh in search of a prototypic nation, one which could enrich and bless all the nations of the earth. This is why the Bible tells the story of Abraham and his descendants.