Justin Coleman

The Measure of God’s Love – Ephesians 3

When disaster strikes, relief always follows – people rush in to restore what’s been broken. In Ephesians 3, we’re reminded that God is doing something even greater: He is building a people who move toward the broken, just as Christ has moved toward us. Where Israel once failed to reflect God to the world, the Church now stands as a living display of His wisdom and grace – bringing together all people, no longer outsiders, but family with full access to the Father. Even in struggle, we can trust that God is at work with purpose and precision. Paul doesn’t pray for easier circumstances, but for something deeper – that Christ would dwell fully in our hearts. Not just on Sundays, but in every part of our lives, rooted and grounded in love. This message calls us to a stronger inner life, anchored in Christ and filled with the fullness of God. His love is beyond measure – unchanging, unstoppable, and greater than anything we could ever comprehend. His love endures forever. Psalm 136

April 19, 2026 No Comments

But Now… Brought Near – Ephesians 2:11-22

What has God done for us – and what is He building through us? In Ephesians 2:11-22, we see one of the clearest pictures of life without God: distant, separated, and far from His family. From the moment humanity was driven out of the garden in Genesis 3, the story has been one of brokenness and separation. But God never stopped pursuing His people. Then everything changes. “But now, in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near…” Not by our effort, but by His grace – through the blood of Christ. Jesus lived the life we could not live and died the death we deserved, making a way for us to be reconciled to God. This isn’t just about being fixed – it’s about being made new. God is creating a new humanity, a people in whom He now dwells. The temple is no longer a place, but a people. And if God’s Spirit lives in us, then we carry His presence – and His mission – into the world. Join us as we explore how, in Christ, the way to God is open to all – and how we are called to proclaim that good news. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ~~ Ephesians 2:13

April 12, 2026 No Comments

But God – Ephesians 2:1-10

In Ephesians 2:1-10, we’re confronted with a question we all feel but often misunderstand: Why do we struggle? Why does sin feel so powerful? Why does the world feel so broken? The Apostle Paul walks us through four defining moments: we are dead… but God… He made us alive… and He gives us purpose. Paul doesn’t soften the diagnosis. He doesn’t say we’re sick or just struggling – he says we are dead in our trespasses and sins. Not drifting, not barely staying afloat – but lifeless. We don’t need a life preserver; we need resurrection. This isn’t a behavior problem – it’s a death problem. From the fall in Genesis to now, sin has shaped our nature and broken our world. But then come two of the most powerful words in all of Scripture: “but God.” Rich in mercy, He stepped in. He did what we could never do for ourselves. He made us alive in Christ and gave us a new purpose. This is the story of salvation – not what we achieve, but what God has done. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. ~~ Ephesians 2:4-5

April 5, 2026 No Comments

Eyes Opened to the King – Ephesians 1:15-23

In this passage, the Apostle Paul isn’t praying surface-level prayers – he’s going deeper. He’s asking God to open our eyes to see what has been true all along. These are the “whys” behind how we pray. Paul gives us three powerful anchors for our prayer: that we would know God better, understand the hope of His calling, and experience the greatness of His power. This isn’t about asking God to fix our circumstances – it’s about asking Him to reveal Himself to us. Because prayer isn’t about changing God – it’s about changing us. It aligns us, shapes us, and draws us into real relationship with Him. Paul prays that the eyes of our hearts would be enlightened. The issue isn’t information – it’s vision. In Christ, we have a secure and guaranteed future, a hope that cannot be shaken. And the same resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in us. What could possibly be greater than that? God moves where His people pray. The question is – are we praying just to receive from Him, or to truly know Him? “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” Philippians 3:10

March 29, 2026 No Comments

The Glory of the Triune God – Ephesians 1:3-14

As we begin our journey through Ephesians 1:3-14, we step into one of the richest and most debated passages in all of Scripture. Written by Paul the Apostle while in chains and on his way to Rome, this is not a cold theological argument – it is worship. Yes, these verses speak to deep truths like predestination, redemption, and what it means to be chosen. But if we stop at the debate, we miss the point. Paul isn’t sitting at a desk building a case – he’s overwhelmed, writing as God inspires him, pouring out praise. What we see here is the full picture of a triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – perfectly working together. The Father is the source, the Son is the center, and the Spirit is the one who brings it to life in us. Every blessing, every act of salvation, flows through Jesus Christ. This passage doesn’t just explain salvation – it reveals the heart of God. The Father chose us in Christ from the very beginning. Jesus was never a backup plan – He has always been the center. God is forming a family, and through Christ, we are adopted into it. As we dig into this text, we won’t just study doctrine – we’ll be drawn into worship. Swept up into the love of the Father, standing in awe of the Son, and made alive by the Spirit, all for the praise of His glory. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. ~~ Colossians 1:15-20

March 22, 2026 No Comments

Prayer of Proclamation

As we conclude our “This Is War” series from Ephesians 6:10-20, we are reminded that the Christian life is not a playground – it is a battlefield. Paul calls believers to stand united, clothed in the power and armor of Christ, understanding that we are engaged in a real spiritual conflict. In verses 19-20, Paul reveals the heart of our mission. Writing from chains as he is taken to Rome to stand before Caesar, knowing death likely awaits him, Paul does not ask for comfort, protection, or release. Instead, he asks for prayer – that he would have the boldness to proclaim the mystery of the gospel. Even in prison, Paul understands that his circumstances do not define him. He is an ambassador of Christ. An ambassador represents the Kingdom to which they belong, and every believer carries that same calling. Wherever God has placed in – in every situation and season – we are representatives of the Kingdom of Heaven. The message we proclaim is the mystery once hidden for generations but now revealed through Jesus Christ: salvation by grace through faith. (Eph. 2:8-9) As Paul explains, this mystery shows that salvation is not earned or purchased but given as the gift of God, extended to all who come to Him. Through the gospel, both Jew and Gentile are brought together as one body, heirs of the promises of Christ, revealing the wisdom of God to the world. (Eph 3:3-10) These final verses remind us that we are not merely spectators in God’s plan – we are participants in His mission. Like Paul, our prayer should not simply be for easier circumstances, but for boldness to proclaim the gospel wherever God places us. And as we carry out that mission, we must also remember those who are serving across the world. Pray for missionaries who are boldly declaring the unsearchable riches of Christ, often in difficult and dangerous places, that the gospel may continue to advance to every nation. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing: it is the gift of God,” ~ Ephesians 2:8

March 15, 2026 No Comments

Power of Prayer

In Ephesians 6:18, after describing the Armor of God, Paul reminds us of something essential: prayer. If spiritual warfare is real, if the armor is real, and if the enemy is real – why is prayer often the first weapon we put down? Too often we try to fix our problems ourselves and bring prayer in last, when the battle has already worn us down. But the battle belongs to the Lord, and we are called to bring our needs and struggles to Him first. Prayer is not another piece of metal or leather added to the armor. Prayer is the atmosphere in which the armor is worn. It is the air the Christian breathes while standing in the fight. Through prayer we communicate with our Commander and connect to the power of heaven. In many ways, prayer is the seventh piece of the armor – signifying completion – because there is no moment in the battle where prayer is not necessary. Prayer is not an afterthought: it is what makes the armored work. First, prayer is the ammunition of the believer. It is the communication line in spiritual warfare. Prayer is not retreat – it is invasion. To pray constantly does not mean we are always kneeling, but that we live in continual connection with God, breathing prayer as naturally as we breathe air. (Thessalonians 5:16-18) Second, perseverance is the posture of the warrior. In Colossians 4:2, we are told to continue steadfastly in prayer, staying alert with Thanksgiving. Prayer is not passive. The warrior remains watchful, standing guard, because the enemy never sleeps. Even when answers delay, we do not stop praying – because our battle is not against flesh and blood. (Ephesians 6:12) Third, intercession reminds us that this is a family battle, The Church fights together. When one believer grows weak, another believer prays. When one is under attack, another stands in the gap. And above all, Christ Himself is always interceding for us. (Hebrews 7:25) When the Church prays, heaven moves, the enemy trembles, and darkness begins to retreat. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” ~ Ephesians 6:12

March 8, 2026 No Comments

Sword of the Spirit

As we continue through the Armor of God in Epistle to the Ephesians, we come to the sword of the Spirit – the Word of God. This is not a heavy broadsword swung wildly from a distance, but a short dagger designed for close-range combat. The enemy does not attack from afar; he comes near with lies, temptations, and distortions of Truth. And like Jesus in the wilderness (see Gospel of Matthew 4), we do not argue or rely on human aggression. We answer with precision: “It is written.” Every lie is stopped by Truth. This sword – the Word of God – is not merely logos (information on a page) – but rhema: a Spirit-empowered, spoken Word for the moment. The Word must already be hidden in our hearts (Psalms 119:11), shaping and transforming us from within. Deuteronomy 6:4-6 reminds us that God’s commands are not just to be known, but to dwell in our hearts. When attacks come, we will not have time to run and retrieve the Word – we must prepare daily by meditating, reading, and studying so that Truth is ready on our lips. The enemy is not threatened by a Bible that stays closed. But he trembles at a believer who proclaims the Gospel: “Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ is coming again.” The Word and the Spirit are inseparable. Dry knowledge cannot change a heart – but Spirit-filled truth proclaimed in faith will never return void (Isaiah 55:11). Victory over temptation comes not by strength of will, but by the sword of the Spirit, anchored in truth and alive in us. “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” ~ Psalm 119:11

March 1, 2026 No Comments

The Helmet of Salvation

As we continue through this series about the Armor of God, we come to the Helmet of Salvation – a vital piece for real spiritual warfare. This is not a game. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces that seek to divide churches, attack marriages, disrupt homes, and most of all, assault our minds. Helmets are designed to resist chaos, confusion, and crushing blows – and that is exactly why salvation guards the believer’s mind. The enemy whispers doubt, fear, shame, depression, and confusion. He targets our thoughts because he knows the head is a primary target in battle. But Scripture reminds us in Psalm 140:7, “O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.” O LORD, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. ~ Psalm 140:7 Salvation means rescue. We were dead in our sin – and dead men cannot save themselves. As Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, “For by grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Salvation is 100% God and 0% us. We were rescued by grace through Christ alone. When you know you are covered, you stop living timidly. The helmet of salvation gives faith, hope, and confidence in the fiercest fight. We don’t fight for victory – we fight from victory. Because our future is secure in the Kingdom of God, we can stand firm, think clearly, and move forward boldly. Protect your mind. Guard what you watch, what you listen to, and what you allow to shape your thoughts. The helmet is on – stand your ground.

February 22, 2026 No Comments

The Shield of Faith

Every day we live in the reality of spiritual battle. Scripture reminds us that our struggle is not against one another, but against the powers of darkness that continually resist the light of Christ. (Ephesians 6:10-16) The enemy fires arrows from a distance – fear about the future, desire that whispers “you’re missing out”, painful trials that cause us to question God’s goodness, and even seasons of success that tempt us toward pride and spiritual complacency. Yet believers are not called to live in fear; we are called to stand prepared, already holding the shield of faith. (Jeremiah 29:11) Faith is not mere optimism or emotion – it is trust in the character and promises of God Himself, who declares, “I am your shield.” (Genesis 15:1) Our confidence rests not in our own strength but in the crucified, risen, and reigning Christ. And we do not stand alone. Like soldiers locking shields together, the church is called to gather, encourage one another, and strengthen one another’s faith. (Hebrews 10:24-25) In every circumstance, lift the shield, trust the Lord, and stand firm – because the victory has already been won. So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. ~ Romans 10:17

February 15, 2026 No Comments

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