Rob’s Rhetoric…

Season 3 Episode 10 Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6:10-23 1) Our struggle is not against flesh & blood but against rulers, against authorities, against powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces in the heavenly realms.      A)  Endure hardship like a good solider.  Do not get entangled in earthly things but aim to please your commanding officer Jesus Christ (II Timothy 2:4-7 Mathew 6:19-24).      B) Christians operate from a position of victory because of the finished work of Jesus Christ (I John 4:4 & Colossians 1:9-23).        C) Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Christians are called to engage in spiritual battle.  When you chose Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, you have aligned yourself against the Devil (Philippians 4:10-13). 2) Satan’s main goal is to divide and conquer and create isolationism.  Separation of Christian fellowship and daily communion with Jesus Christ is how the Devil achieves victory in the life of the believer.      A) Satan is quick to recall past failures.  Past behaviors can be an indicator of future activity but that does not have to be for a Christian.  A Christian should become a new creation in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17-20).      B) Only the Holy Spirit can change hearts and minds (Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 5:16-18, Romans 8:9-11).      C) Evil is captivating and an idle mind can be easily led astray. Guard your imagination (eye gate & ear gate).  What kind of entertainment and conversations are you attracted to (Philippians 4:4-9)? 3)  The Word of God and prayer are the Christian’s offensive weapons.      A) The Truth of God’s Word cuts through the confusion and the arguments of the Evil One (Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:105).      B) It is never too late to start praying and it is always too early to quit praying.  Pray in the Spirit on all occasions. Pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 & John 15:5).      C) Prayer is more than a weapon. Prayer is how the Christian engages in warfare. Christian battles are won in the prayer closet (James 4:3).   Discussion Question: What makes it so difficult for Christians to pray daily & diligently as they should? Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/susanCq] Creator, Researcher and Host: Rob Fell Production, Editor and Cover Art: Susan Cofer Fell Contact: susan@susancoferfell.com

Season 3 Episode 9 Godly Living within Our Family

Ephesians 5:21-33 1) Submission, humility, gentleness, patience, and respect are attributes of Christian living for those who have made Jesus Christ Lord of their lives.      A) Jesus laid down His life for the church and the church submits to His leadership and authority.      B) The wife submits to the husband’s authority and leadership while the husband is obligated to cleanse his family through the washing of God’s Word.      C) We are obligated to serve Christ in purity of thought, conversation, purpose and behavior in every situation, regardless if someone else notices or not. 2) The unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit is of great worth in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:1–7).      A) Godly leadership is a heart issue and not a title or a position earned.  A leader is  apply knowledge.      B)  Man looks at the outward appearance, God examines the heart. To obey is better than sacrifice (I Samuel 16:7, I Kings 2: 1-4)      C) A man is supposed to protect his family, his wife, his children, from the devices of Satan’s goal, which is to divide and conquer, separate and destroy.  The husband should be the tip of the spear spiritually for his family.      3) Once you make a decision to serve Jesus Christ and to get serious about righteousness, Satan gets serious about setting up obstacles of temptation and adversity in your life. A) A Godly man guards his steps and his heart.  He comes near to God to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, 1 Samuel 15:22-23).      B)  Christians are called to protect the unity of Christ among fellow believers.  The eyes of the Lord are on the righteousness and His ears are attentive to their prayers (I Peter 3:8-12).      C) A Christian is called to be holy in a pagan world.  By righteous living, a believer can silence the talk of ignorant people (I Peter 2:11-25). Discussion Question: Why is mutual submission so important in the “Body of Christ”?  Can you share an example of Biblical submission in your church or your family? Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/susanCq] Creator, Researcher and Host: Rob Fell Production, Editor and Cover Art: Susan Cofer Fell Contact: susan@susancoferfell.com

Season 3 Episode 8 Being Filled with the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 5:1-20 1) The Holy Spirit is not a cosmic force or energy field that Christians tap into. The Holy Spirit is the 3rd person of the Godhead. We have a relationship with Him.      A) Sensual/fleshly/sinful desires thwart sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.  Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:20-30).      B) An immoral person is an idolater.  God’s wrath is poured out on the disobedient.      C) The Holy Spirit helps believers walk circumspectly, with calculated understanding, making the most of the time we have left on this earth. 2) The Bible warns against people who talk too much (Ephesians 5:3-4).      A) When many words are used, sin is not absent. Christians should hold conversations that glorify Christ and use words that edify the Body of Christ (Proverbs 10:19).      B) The tongue has the power of life and death inside it (Proverbs 18:21).  The tongue can be used as a weapon to harm and destroy someone or it can be a tool to encourage and heal a person.      C) A perverse tongue stirs up conflict and separates close friends (Proverbs 16:28). 3) Our words reveal what we have allowed in our hearts. An angry heart speaks angry words.  A hateful heart speaks hateful words.      A) Guard your heart, because all of your conversations and behavior flow from the wellspring inside (Proverbs 4:23-28).      B) What images your eyes focus on and what messages your ears listen to will eventually connect with your soul (Matthew 13:13-23).      C) The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12-14).  The fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:13-26).  The indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17 & 25-27 & John 16:13-15), I Corinthians 6:17-20, Romans 8:1-11). Discussion Question: The New Covenant blessing is the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.  What are some areas in your mind that need to be emptied so the Holy Spirit can do a complete work in your life? Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/susanCq] Creator, Researcher and Host: Rob Fell Production, Editor and Cover Art: Susan Cofer Fell Contact: susan@susancoferfell.com

Season 3 Episode 7 Commitment to Christ’s likeness

Ephesians 4:17-32 1) The Christian must be aware of deceptive philosophies and traditions that place a greater emphasis on individual importance over the written Word of God.      a) Satan’s first lie to Eve began with “humans can become like God”.      b) A Salvation experience in Christ is the beginning of a transformed life not the apex.      c) Education has no ability to enhance human behavior separated from the Moral Law Giver (God) and His Moral Law (The Word of God). 2) Christians can cause the Holy Spirit pain (Grieve the Spirit) when we ignore His promptings and presence.      a) Individuals who are bent on a destiny without God are given over to idolatry.      b) Those who desire to be full of the Spirit, must be willing to pay the full price of obedience to the Word of God.      c) The Holy Spirit is a surgeon of Holiness.  He will cut away the self sins: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life.  3) The Holy Spirt does not want to hurt your pride.  He wants to kill it.      a) Reaching a lonely place of brokenness where your flesh has nothing to depend on is where you start encountering the deep love of God.      b) A vessel full of flesh needs to be emptied before it can become a vessel full of the Spirit.      c) The carnal man wants medals and happy experiences. He places himself on a path to bondage with a full fledged pursuit of pleasure and self promotion.  The Spirit filled man is content with the presence of the Lord and sinful wounds that have been healed with scars. Discussion Question: Scars tell a story of pain and healing.  In what ways has Jesus Christ pulled you out of the miry clay and set your feet on solid ground? Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/susanCq] Creator, Researcher and Host: Rob Fell Production, Editor and Cover Art: Susan Cofer Fell Contact: susan@susancoferfell.com

Season 3 Episode 6 Unity and Maturity in Christ

Ephesians 3:14-4:1-16 1) Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.      a) There is one Lord, One Spirit, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all.      b) God has given ministers in the church to equip His people for works of service, so the Body of Christ may be built up.      c) We should strive for spiritual maturity so that we may attain the whole measure of Christ available to us to maximize our potential. 2) The Unity of the Spirit is not man-made, a human manifested concept or production.      a) We are called to be ambassadors of Christ to the sphere of influence God has given us.      b) We are called to speak the truth of Christ in love. This should be done in a manner that does not compromise Biblical Truth.      c) Love is correcting in nature.  The Holy Spirit is capable of transforming lives, convicting hearts and growing believers on His own.  We need to make sure our pride and perspective does not interfere with that process. 3) When you allow the voice of Jesus to become clear and present in your life, all others' voices must get quiet and submit.      a) What voices need to be silenced in your life? What is keeping your attention from pursuing Christ?      b) We can understand what is most important to a person by watching how they invest their time and money.      c) Inner peace is not contingent upon our circumstances. It is directly related to how much space we allow Christ to occupy inside of us (heart & mind). Discussion Question:  When you tell people that you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, what does that mean?  Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/susanCq] Creator, Researcher and Host: Rob Fell Production, Editor and Cover Art: Susan Cofer Fell Contact: susan@susancoferfell.com