Marriage: God’s Design (Part 1 of 2)

A Study in Ephesians, Volume 1

The Believer’s Inheritance

The theologian John Mackay once described the book of Ephesians as “the distilled essence of the Christian religion, the most authoritative and most consummate compendium of our holy Christian faith.” Writing to a church facing timeless challenges, the apostle Paul set out to remind his readers of all that God has accomplished for us in Christ—and what we then do and become in response. Throughout history, the resulting six chapters have brought countless people to an understanding of their place in the purposes of God and the wonders of His grace and peace. In volume one of this series, Alistair Begg explores the nature, mystery, and benefits of salvation expressed by Paul in his letter’s opening. God, the initiator of our faith, lavishes us with the immense riches of His grace, found only through faith in Christ. When we bow to Christ’s authority, He ensures our spiritual inheritance and empowers us to live for God’s glory.

A Study in Ephesians, Volume 2

By Grace through Faith

The theologian John Mackay once described the book of Ephesians as “the distilled essence of the Christian religion, the most authoritative and most consummate compendium of our holy Christian faith.” Writing to a church facing timeless challenges, the apostle Paul set out to remind his readers of all that God has accomplished for us in Christ—and what we then do and become in response. Throughout history, the resulting six chapters have brought countless people to an understanding of their place in the purposes of God and the wonders of His grace and peace. In volume two of this series, Alistair Begg considers our state before conversion and the means by which God brings us to new life in Christ. As Paul writes, “By grace you have been saved through faith”—a grace that has its basis in the loving, merciful character of God Himself, raising us from spiritual death and invigorating us to do the works that He has prepared for us.

A Study in Ephesians, Volume 4

The Mystery of the Gospel

The theologian John Mackay once described the book of Ephesians as “the distilled essence of the Christian religion, the most authoritative and most consummate compendium of our holy Christian faith.” Writing to a church facing timeless challenges, the apostle Paul set out to remind his readers of all that God has accomplished for us in Christ—and what we then do and become in response. Throughout history, the resulting six chapters have brought countless people to an understanding of their place in the purposes of God and the wonders of His grace and peace. In volume four of this series, Alistair Begg examines Paul’s zeal for the Gospel despite his suffering and imprisonment. Called by God, Paul prayed and preached confidently, revealing the mystery that both Jews and Gentiles are brought near to God through Christ’s saving work. Rooted and grounded in Jesus, we will increasingly reflect His glory to the world around us.

A Study in Ephesians, Volume 5

United in Christ

The theologian John Mackay once described the book of Ephesians as “the distilled essence of the Christian religion, the most authoritative and most consummate compendium of our holy Christian faith.” Writing to a church facing timeless challenges, the apostle Paul set out to remind his readers of all that God has accomplished for us in Christ—and what we then do and become in response. Throughout history, the resulting six chapters have brought countless people to an understanding of their place in the purposes of God and the wonders of His grace and peace. Unity is the overarching theme of volume five of this series, in which Alistair Begg explores Paul’s teaching on the beliefs and behaviors that solidify Christian oneness. More than any shared experiences or some moral code practiced in a common building, union with and in Christ enables us to declare in unison that we are truly children of God.

A Study in Ephesians, Volume 6

Gifts from Above

The theologian John Mackay once described the book of Ephesians as “the distilled essence of the Christian religion, the most authoritative and most consummate compendium of our holy Christian faith.” Writing to a church facing timeless challenges, the apostle Paul set out to remind his readers of all that God has accomplished for us in Christ—and what we then do and become in response. Throughout history, the resulting six chapters have brought countless people to an understanding of their place in the purposes of God and the wonders of His grace and peace. In volume six of this series, Alistair Begg emphasizes the importance of the spiritual gifts God has given His church, focusing specifically on biblical preaching and teaching as the means by which individuals and congregations grow in spiritual maturity. The Gospel has power transform hearts when it is proclaimed boldly and faithfully. How will we respond?

A Study in Ephesians, Volume 7

The New Self

The theologian John Mackay once described the book of Ephesians as “the distilled essence of the Christian religion, the most authoritative and most consummate compendium of our holy Christian faith.” Writing to a church facing timeless challenges, the apostle Paul set out to remind his readers of all that God has accomplished for us in Christ—and what we then do and become in response. Throughout history, the resulting six chapters have brought countless people to an understanding of their place in the purposes of God and the wonders of His grace and peace. In volume seven of this series, Alistair Begg considers the implications of Paul’s instruction to “put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Being united with Christ transforms us, further conforming us into His likeness as time goes by. As we embrace this new identity, we attest to the reality of God’s gracious redemption.

A Study in Ephesians, Volume 8

Love, Light, Wisdom

The theologian John Mackay once described the book of Ephesians as “the distilled essence of the Christian religion, the most authoritative and most consummate compendium of our holy Christian faith.” Writing to a church facing timeless challenges, the apostle Paul set out to remind his readers of all that God has accomplished for us in Christ—and what we then do and become in response. Throughout history, the resulting six chapters have brought countless people to an understanding of their place in the purposes of God and the wonders of His grace and peace. In volume eight of this series, Alistair Begg helps us to understand better the biblical call to holiness and purity amid a spiritually dark and dreary world. God’s grace, he reminds us, doesn’t end with our forgiveness; it continues to fill us, enabling us to walk in the very footsteps of the Lord Jesus Himself and to make the invisible God seen through our words and deeds.

A Study in Ephesians, Volume 9

Life Together

The theologian John Mackay once described the book of Ephesians as “the distilled essence of the Christian religion, the most authoritative and most consummate compendium of our holy Christian faith.” Writing to a church facing timeless challenges, the apostle Paul set out to remind his readers of all that God has accomplished for us in Christ—and what we then do and become in response. Throughout history, the resulting six chapters have brought countless people to an understanding of their place in the purposes of God and the wonders of His grace and peace. In volume nine of this series, Alistair Begg explains how to put on the armor of God. When we trust God’s promises, we can take up the shoes of the gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit. Prayer, too, is a mighty weapon in our fight. These tools equip us to push back the darkness and direct others to the Light of the World, Jesus.

A Study in Ephesians, Volume 10

Strength for the Battle

The theologian John Mackay once described the book of Ephesians as “the distilled essence of the Christian religion, the most authoritative and most consummate compendium of our holy Christian faith.” Writing to a church facing timeless challenges, the apostle Paul set out to remind his readers of all that God has accomplished for us in Christ—and what we then do and become in response. Throughout history, the resulting six chapters have brought countless people to an understanding of their place in the purposes of God and the wonders of His grace and peace. In volume ten of this series, Alistair Begg explains how to put on the armor of God. When we trust God’s promises, we can take up the shoes of the Gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Prayer, too, is a mighty weapon in our fight. These tools equip us to push back the darkness and direct others to the Light of the World, Jesus.

A Study in Ephesians, Volume 11

Peace, Love, and Grace

The theologian John Mackay once described the book of Ephesians as “the distilled essence of the Christian religion, the most authoritative and most consummate compendium of our holy Christian faith.” Writing to a church facing timeless challenges, the apostle Paul set out to remind his readers of all that God has accomplished for us in Christ—and what we then do and become in response. Throughout history, the resulting six chapters have brought countless people to an understanding of their place in the purposes of God and the wonders of His grace and peace. In volume eleven of this series, Alistair Begg examines the final greetings with which Paul closes his letter. In the person of Tychicus we meet a loyal friend and servant of the Gospel who teaches us a lesson about humble faithfulness, while Paul’s closing blessing of peace, love, and grace points us again to the caring Father who gives us these things and more in Christ.