Exalting Jesus In Ephesians Quotes

“The first step to becoming a student of the Bible is having a heart of humility—a heart that says, “Please, give me understanding.”
― Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians

“We need the Spirit’s help to grasp the greatness of God, the supremacy of Christ, and the rich benefits of the gospel.”
― Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians

“The Christian life involves the constant encouragement of others. If your disposition is cynical and critical and there is no warmth and encouragement, you will not be a good leader—in your job, in your family, or in a church (small group or large). Sam Crabtree says, “We can sin in two ways: by idolatrous commendation (the praise of men), or by failing to commend the commendable.” He goes on to say, “Generally, it is easier to practice affirmation early in a relationship and it can get harder later” (Practicing Affirmation, 13). This is probably true in a marriage or in a church.”
― Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians

“While Paul often refers to “Jesus Christ” or “Christ Jesus” or “Lord Jesus” or “the Messiah, Jesus,” in 4:21 we find the only mention of just the name “Jesus” in Ephesians. It seems deliberate. Paul is talking about the historical person, Jesus. He lived, died, and rose from the dead in human history. Find Him and you find truth. Find Him and you find life.”
― Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians

“heard of a little girl who was getting a swine flu shot, and the nurse asked, “Which arm do you want it in, Sweetie?” The little girl said, “In Momma’s arm.” Well, Momma cannot take your shot, and she cannot believe for you. Do you know Christ personally?”
― Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians

“Let me point out two ditches to avoid regarding experience. First, watch out for experiential abuse. Some base too much on experience. They do not filter experience through God’s Word. This can lead to mysticism. This is dangerous, as it can lead to heresy and all kinds of problems. God’s revelation must be primary. We must understand our experience through the lens of Scripture, which alone is perfect.”
― Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians

“It is not a mere intellectual appreciation of the love of Christ that Paul is after. Carson says, Paul is not asking that his readers might become more able to articulate the greatness of God’s love in Christ Jesus or to grasp with the intellect alone how significant God’s love is in the plan of redemption. He is asking God that they might have the power to grasp the dimensions of that love in their experience. (Spiritual Reformation, 191, emphasis added)”
― Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians

“While Paul was writing this letter, there was a literal wall standing in the temple that excluded the Gentiles. Josephus tells us that attached to this barrier at intervals were messages in Greek and Latin, warning that the Gentiles must not proceed further lest they die. The temple was destroyed physically in AD 70, but it was destroyed spiritually around AD 33 or so, when Jesus Christ died on the cross for sinners. “In His flesh” Jesus tore down the wall that separated these groups.”
― Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians

“Some think the cross is overemphasized. They think evangelicals are too “atonement centered.” Stephen Finlan says, “It is a mistake to identify the atonement as the Central doctrine, although it is central in Pauline tradition, to First Peter, Hebrews, First John, and Revelation. But these books in their entirety compose only 39 percent of the NT” (Problems, 120). I do not agree with his assessment, but even so, if it is central in 39 percent of the New Testament, then you cannot pretend it is not important!”
― Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians

“After saying that our works cannot save us, Paul notes the importance of works. He does not want us to think that works are unimportant. He states that works simply are not the root of our salvation. They are the fruit of salvation (cf. John 15:8; Titus 2:14). The Reformers used to say, “It is faith alone that justifies, but faith that justifies can never be alone.” We are not saved by faith plus works but by a faith that does work. We have a living faith, a functioning faith!”
― Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians

“Some get the wrong idea about election. It should not cast doubt on whether or not all are welcome to come to Jesus. All may come. That is the invitation. Russell Moore says, God is not some metaphysical airport security screener, waving through the secretly pre-approved and sending the rest into a holding tank for questioning. God is not treating us like puppets made of meat, forcing us along by his capricious whim. Instead the doctrine of election tells us that all of us who have come to know Christ are here on purpose. (Adopted for Life, 34)”
― Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians

“Some argue that election here is primarily corporate rather than individual. While I do want to emphasize the corporate purpose of our salvation, as Ephesians makes clear, I do not accept this argument. God did choose a corporate body, but that corporate body is comprised of individuals. In fact, the passage speaks about how individuals experience salvation. “Redemption,” “forgiveness,” “sealing,” and “belief” are all individual experiences, so it is not an “either/or” but a “both-and.” God chose a people for Himself, and that people is made up of believing, redeemed, forgiven members.”
― Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians

“What is interesting about the church in Ephesus is that even though it had an amazing history, the final mention in Revelation 2:1-7 about this great church is that they “abandoned the love [they] had at first.” Think about it: Priscilla and Aquila, Apollos, Paul, Timothy, and later John ministered to this church. What a heritage! Yet about 40 years after the first generation of believers, they had lost their love.”
― Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians

“Ephesus was also home to the Roman emperor cult. The worship of the emperor was a prominent feature of life at all levels in Asia at this time. Caesar Augustus was spoken of as the “Savior.” His birth was hailed as “the beginning of good tidings to the world,” and the calendar was adjusted in light of his birth (Thielman, Ephesians, 21). So there was a “gospel conflict.” Coins, statues, temples, and other items proclaimed the gospel of Augustus, but the church was proclaiming the gospel of Jesus. Today you can see the statue of the Roman emperor Trajan among the ruins in Ephesus. He ruled after Paul’s lifetime, but you can catch the spirit of Roman rulers at his time. The statue shows Trajan’s foot on top of the world, giving the idea that he was a god. Now compare this picture with 1:21-22. Only One has all things under His feet: the Lord Jesus. When Christians said, “Jesus is Lord,” they were saying that Caesar is not.”
― Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians

“Augustine hung a sign on his dining room wall: “Whoever speaks evil of an absent man or woman is not welcome at this table”
― Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians