September 4, 2023
September 10 | Discovery
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “The Husband Speaks” (Song of Songs 1:15; 4:1-15), by Mark Scott.
Articles for tag: Ephesians 5
March 1, 2023
Where Grace Can Be Found
By Michael C. Mack One of my favorite classes in seminary was Doctrine of Grace, taught by Jack Cottrell. It was an introduction for me in my relatively newfound faith to the nature of God, the essence of salvation, and the call of the Christian life. Thirty-five years later, I’m still learning about grace. I see it everywhere, as God’s Spirit opens my eyes and heart to it. It’s found, for example, in Paul’s instructions to husbands on how to love their wives “just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). Paul then described
June 3, 2019
Lesson for June 9, 2019: Living in Him (Ephesians 5:1-15)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 5 (weeks 21-24; May 26–June 16, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ Lesson Aim: Live as children of light seeking what pleases the Lord as wise not unwise ones. ______ By Mark Scott Charles Caleb Colton is credited as having said, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” (though others said similar things dating back as far as the time of Marcus Aurelius).
February 24, 2017
How to Be a “˜REAL Man”
By Gary Olsby What one church decided about how to help the men they serve in a day when most men are confused about how to be the man God wants. I have a friend named Nick. He”s a great guy””funny, athletic, a hard worker, a good leader, and a good citizen. He”s a good husband and a great father who provides well for his family. He”s also a loyal Northside Christian Church member (NCC is where these thoughts were developed). You”d like him, too, if you ever got a chance to know him. But Nick has some issues. You
February 14, 2017
A Command for Valentine’s Day
By Mark A. Taylor Sweetheart dinners, couples retreats, and sermons about love are all great, as long as they move us beyond the frivolous expressions typical of our culture”s shallow take on deep issues. When it comes to marriage, God has spoken. His command comes three times in Paul”s epistles, twice within a few phrases of each other. “Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,” Paul tells the Ephesians. “Husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies” (5:25-28). To the Colossians, the apostle puts it this way: “Husbands, love
November 11, 2016
Direct Our Hearts
By Diane Stortz When the prophet Samuel led Israel, he told them, “Direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you” (1 Samuel 7:3*). Later on, near the end of King David”s life, the people of Israel followed David”s lead and joyfully contributed to building materials for the future temple. Then David prayed, “O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you” (1 Chronicles 29:18). In the New Testament, Jesus tells us to seek
January 1, 2015
Faithful and True
By Mark R. Laaser If you were Satan and wanted to bring down the church””all churches and all denominations””what would you do? Attack leadership, of course. Thanks to the Internet, Satan now has that technology, and he is using it. I call addiction to Internet pornography among pastors the tsunami that is threatening to engulf the church. I am an ordained pastor who struggled with sexual addiction, and by the grace of God, found freedom in March 1987 when I went to an inpatient treatment program. Thanks to the intervention of the Holy Spirit and the best clinical resources available at
December 24, 2012
Lesson for December 30, 2012: Christ”s Love for the Church (Ephesians 5:15″“6:9)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Key passages from the book of Ephesians have been considered this month, following the theme, “Victory in Jesus.” Chapter 5 contains guidelines for Christian behavior in a pagan world. Today”s background Scripture begins in v. 15. Even before this, however, Paul warned about dangers such as sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscenity, and foolish talk (vv. 3-7). The first section of our printed text is addressed to the whole church (vv. 18-21). All Christians must be careful
December 17, 2012
Lesson for December 23, 2012: Alive in the Light of Christ (John 1:1-14; Ephesians 4:17″“5:14)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ By Sam E. Stone Today”s text is especially appropriate as the world celebrates the birth of Christ. The Christmas story does not begin in Bethlehem. Before the world was created, God existed. The prologue of John”s Gospel affirms this. That life was the light of all mankind. Paul”s message to the church in Ephesus some years later also emphasizes that light in the Lord in which all Christians walk. Life-Giving Light John 1:1-5, 14 In the beginning was the
July 7, 2012
The Mystery, the Meaning, the Love
By Rick Chromey As a man and woman exchange vows of commitment, to love for better or worse, in sickness or health, for richer or poorer, “until death” separates them, two people become one. In their physical relationship, they are one flesh. In their personal choices, they are one mind-set. In their seasons of loss, trouble, or crisis, they are one spirit. A divine thread is woven within the Christian wedding. What God has joined together, no one on earth can separate. A marriage is rock solid when God ties the knot. The bride”s white dress represents virginal purity. The
