Grant Partrick leads listeners through the Book of Ephesians, pointing out how God’s Word directs us—in light of our new and revitalized identity in Christ—to walk and live like Christ. While the world’s gravitational pull is toward selfishness, we have the ability, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to “overcome gravity.”
Key Takeaway
In light of our new identity in Christ, walk as you were designed to walk - like Jesus.
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The gravitational pull of a broken world doesn’t promote Godliness. It promotes selfishness.
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Grant Partrick
Discussion Questions
Jot down five specific people or things that you are grateful for. What Comes to mind first, and what does that say about your gratitude?
If someone were to say, “You have to be perfect to get to heaven,” what would you say in response? How is this true but also misleading?
Can you know if someone is a Christian? Why or why not?
Let’s say you face a moral dilemma dealing with the use of your phone and technology (something about which Scripture does not lend explicit guidance). How do you determine what is the “will of the Lord” for something not mentioned in Scripture? We encourage you to consult Scripture and help in answering this question (Psalm 37:3-4, Proverbs 15:22, Romans 1:10-13, Romans 1:8, Galatians 5).
When is it appropriate to call someone out for their sin? This may require a little digging (Matthew 18:15-25, Luke 17:3, 1 Timothy 1:20, 1 Timothy 5:20, Galatians 6:1, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Should Christians have unbelievers as part of their community? How should you handle interaction with people who are running away from God (See above verses; 1 Corinthians 5:11)?
Solomon prayed for it, and Proverbs contains a great deal about it, but how does a person “gain wisdom”?
What are ‘evil’ days? What does Paul mean by this?
What is your upbringing with how you were raised to think about alcohol? Were your family and friends rigid? Relaxed? Share your experience.
What did Paul mean in writing “submitting to one another”?
Scripture References
1.As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2.in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3.All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh2:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit. and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4.But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5.made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6.And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7.in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8.For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9.not by works, so that no one can boast. 10.For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
1.As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2.Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3.Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
17.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. 18.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. 19.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.20.That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21.when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22.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; 23.to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24.and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.25.Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26.“In your anger do not sin”4:26 Psalm 4:4 (see Septuagint): Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27.and do not give the devil a foothold. 28.Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.29.Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30.And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31.Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32.Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
14.This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”15.Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
In Corinth
1.After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2.There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3.and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4.Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
5.When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6.But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
7.Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8.Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.
9.One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10.For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11.So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
12.While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. 13.“This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”
14.Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15.But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” 16.So he drove them off. 17.Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.
Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos
18.Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. 19.They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20.When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21.But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22.When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.
23.After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
24.Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25.He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor18:25 Or with fervor in the Spirit and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26.He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
27.When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28.For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.
20.“For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:
“ ‘May his place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in it,’1:20 Psalm 69:25
and,
“ ‘May another take his place of leadership.’1:20 Psalm 109:8
1.Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
1.Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
1.It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
About the Contributor
Grant Partrick is a part of the team at Passion City Church and serves as the Cumberland Location Pastor. He is passionate about inspiring people to live their lives for what matters most. Grant and his wife, Maggie, live in Marietta, Georgia with their daughters, Mercy, Ember, and Charleigh. He is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary where he earned a masters of theology degree. View more from the Contributor.