In kicking off Season 5 of When God Calls, we start a group discussion with men in their 50s' efforts to fulfill God's plan in their lives. Today, Michael is joined by his good friends Geoff and Loffie to discuss God's plan for older men as described in Titus 2.

A Church Divided Over Leaders (1:10-17) Why were they divided?One possibility - teachers and philosophers wanted to share their “wisdom”.Another - we naturally follow other peopleGravitate to those we better identity with; whose ministry we understandBegin following the messenger instead of the messageLeads to competition among the “leaders”The people of Chloe’s house were courageousThey openly called out the issue of division in the church to Paul and weren’t afraid of the attribution to the...

Actual first letter Written prior to the epistle 1 CorinthiansWritten about sexual immoralityThe letter was not taken seriouslyPaul received information about the church From Chloe’s household he heard:Reports of division (1:11, 11:18)Sexual immorality (5:1)From Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus visitFrom a letter written to Paul by the. Church (7:1, 7:25, 8:1, 12:1, 16:1, 12)Based on all of this information Paul wrote what we know a 1 Corinthians From Ephesus3-4 years after leavingT...

Imitators of God! (Cont) (vs 1-9) Children obey your parentsThey are ChristiansIt’s the 5th commandmentIt is rightFathers (or parents)Don’t provoke themDon’t say one thing and mean anotherBlame and praise when appropriateDo what you say you will doDon’t do what you say you won’t doDon’t do anything that confuses the childBring them up in the discipline and admonition of the LordDiscipline themIn love not angerBe fair and consistentInstruct and encourageChristian masters (think boss or supervi...

Imitators of God! Walk in love God’s ChildGod’s beloved childPurchased with a great priceWalk as children of lightWe are set apartWe are lightWalk in wisdomWalk with purposeUse your time wisely (life is short)Days are evil (Freedom to win the lost could be taken away)God has a plan for us, a will for our lives. He gave us a mind (a choice) and we must use the Bible, prayer, meditation and worship to figure it out.The closer we become to God the more clear his will in our lives beco...

Gentiles:Know God but refuse to follow his commandsAlienated from GodCallous - have no conscience[1 Tim 4:3] living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.GreedyThinking is in vein with no purpose.Futile because because it is darkened. Believes they are enlightened because they reject the Bible and believes the latest philosophies but they are in the dark.Satan blinds the unsaved so they won’t see the truth in Jesus.Put off the grave clothes and put ...

First three chapters talk about doctrine, last three discuss our Christian responsibility.4:1 therefore - because of the doctrines that Paul covered in the first 3 chapters, we have the responsibilities in Christ that are discussed in the last three chapters.urge (KJV uses beseech) - God urges us to live for His glory. In the OT God said, “If you obey me, I will bless you.” Now, through Jesus Christ, God has already blessed us so because of His love and grace should obe...

First prayer was for God to give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation That they may know Him and the hope that is in Christ because of His resurrection and authority.Second prayer was for Spiritual strengthSo Christ can dwell in their hearts because of their faithTo comprehend the complete love of ChristFor this reasonWhat reason?We are one in Christ; Jew/GentilePaul kneeled before GodAbraham stood [Gen 18:22]Solomon stood [1 Kings 8:22]David sat [1 Chronicles 17:16]Jesus fell on hi...

I today's episode, Paul reveals the mystery of the Gospel. The revelation placed the Gentiles on equal footing with the Orthodox Jews. "This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel." (Ephesians 3:6)

This week we continue our study of Ephesians by seeing how Jesus reconciled the Gentiles with the Jews into one humanity and then reconciled all the people with God. These reconciliations provided unity for all believers in Jesus Christ.