Sheboygan eFree Church Sunday Messages Sheboygan eFree Church

In Ephesians 4-6, Paul outlines how Christian people will (and must) relate to one another and to the world around us. His instruction involves church life (4:1-5:21), family life (5:22-6:4), work life (6:5-9) and a vigilant attention to our own relationship with God (6:10-20 and chapters 1-3).

As we focus on 6:1-4, we will see clear instructions for those who have dads (like you) and those who are dads. These instructions are always life-giving to the whole church, so that those who are dads, those who are orphaned, those who had a rough situation with an earthly dad, and those who are not yet a dad will learn what is “right,” and all of us will honor our Father in heaven.

As the Apostle Paul begins a new paragraph in this letter to Timothy, the term endure seems to be central to his thoughts. In 2:10, Paul writes Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, and in 2:12 he adds if we endure, we will also reign with him. The word endure carries with it the meaning “to last,” and is associated with terms such as “endurance” and “duration.”

Jesus Christ serves as the Apostle Paul’s inspiration for endurance. This is why Paul challenges Timothy to remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead (2:8). This idea is further developed in 2:11-13, an early creedal statement marked by a series of if and then clauses. Clearly, one who belongs to Jesus Christ is one who endures as faithful to the One who remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself (2:13). Let’s ponder these thoughts, as we apply God’s word to our lives.

On this special Sunday in which we honor our high school graduates, Pastor Robert Lee delivers a message called "King of Kings and Lord of Lords,"' based on Revelation 19:11-16.

Originally called “Decoration Day,” Memorial Day is a National Day of Mourning which calls Americans to reflect upon the personal sacrifice of 1.3 million soldiers who have died in US military service for the cause of freedom and liberty in our land. Indeed, “some gave all,” and we thank God for them.

In the 27th Psalm, David teaches us how those who face great conflict and threat can have confidence in total victory as we draw near to the LORD. On this Memorial Day, it is imperative that we set our hopes on the Friend of sinners, who sacrificially laid down his life in love so that all who trust him enjoy liberty and freedom forever.

We are not surprised that the word entrust appears in this passage, since the term was used by the Apostle Paul in prior instructions to Timothy. In 1 Timothy 6:20, Paul wrote O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. In 2 Timothy 1:12, Paul states that God is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Two verses later, Paul challenges Timothy to guard the good deposit entrusted to you (2 Timothy 1:14).

In 2 Timothy 2:1-7, we can see how Paul’s transition plan is to unfold. In verse 2, the Apostle writes and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Paul hopes for a living chain of truth that will extend through the centuries. Let’s seek to understand the transition plan described in these verses and apply the insights to the times in which we live.

The heart of Mary, the mother of Jesus, is revealed in the second chapter of Luke. Upon Christ’s birth, shepherds arrived in Bethlehem to witness what God had revealed. After this occurrence, Luke tells us that Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart (2:19). At the age of twelve, Jesus joined his parents in traveling to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Passover. It was such a memorable experience that, when the family returned to Nazareth, Mary treasured up all these things in her heart (2:51). Mary’s heart was a storehouse of treasures.

The story we are considering today highlights the wisdom of Jesus, cultivated in his loving home environment (2:40, 52). Note the various stages of Jesus’ growth: baby (2:16), child (2:40), boy (2:43), and finally just his name, Jesus (2:52). On this special day, when we pause to honor our mothers, let’s examine the relationship of Mary and Jesus, applying these truths to life.