Sermons on Ephesians


Knowing God’s Purpose

— Dr Peter Masters | 7:30pm | Wednesday 4 December 2013
Full chapter _____________ Ephesians 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God…

The Unique Experience of Conversion

— Dr Peter Masters | 6:30pm | Sunday 15 December 2019
It is a profound change of life only achievable by God, by which one is completely forgiven, enlightened, adopted into God's family, changed in character and given an eternal inheritance. It is so unmistakable it proves the reality and power of God. Is it our experience?

The Wonder of Electing Love

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 31 January 2021
The apostle gives glory to the Triune God, source of all spiritual blessings, given according to His sovereign election of souls. Here we answer doubts about election, whether it is fair, whether it undermines or strengthens evangelism, and how it should inspire Christian living. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is…

The Covenant of Grace

— Dr Peter Masters | 7:00pm | Wednesday 6 July 2016
There was a time, and it ran for two centuries, when Baptists held a distinctive doctrine of God’s covenants quite different from the Presbyterian view, and eminently more scriptural. Then dispensational ideas made it a minority view. But a revival is taking place. This School of Theology address presents the…

Adoption into God’s Family

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 7 February 2021
The adoption of spiritual children is rooted in the longing of God before time began. It brings the redeemed into the eternal family of love, clothed with privileges and an inheritance secured by the most costly process imaginable. Here the apostle reveals its wonders. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is…

Our Ultimate Purpose

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 14 February 2021
In five verses the apostle looks to the eternal Heavenly glory awaiting the elect: first the end-time gathering, second their inheritance, third the choir, and fourth the seal or 'down-payment' of the Spirit received even now, with its ten (at least) marvellous, amazing components. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is…

The Intense Knowing of God

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 21 February 2021
Paul desires that his readers gain wisdom to grasp the spiritual purpose in passages of Scripture - something opposed by many preachers today. Here are the proofs for true personal study and use of God's Word, with examples of the process given elsewhere by Paul. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians…

Wisdom and Revelation

— Dr Peter Masters | 7:30pm | Wednesday 14 October 2015
A refresher in personal Bible study.  Paul prays that we should have the ability to see the spiritual message.  Here is a 'check list' of the ten topics in Ephesians which we expect to find (not all every time) when we read the Word with expectant minds.

Resurrection Power

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 1 April 2018
We see first, the immeasurable, surpassing, incomparable greatness of Christ's resurrection and its chief purposes. We see also forty days of appearances, and consider the way 'resurrection' is replicated in a spiritual, moral way in the lives of believers, before their own resurrection.

The Assurance of Power

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 28 February 2021
The fifth great theme of Ephesians calls us to consider God's mighty power in our salvation and sanctification. To reflect on this gives a great surge of assurance, building our certainty and faith for the final stage of redemption - entry into eternal glory. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is…

Becoming Spiritually Alive

— Dr Peter Masters | 6:30pm | Sunday 31 December 2023
At first it shocks us that the Bible describes us as spiritually dead - walking dead; physically alive but inert and lifeless in the soul. But this picture shows what we lose and miss while away from God, and how our souls may be brought to life.

How Much We Owe

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 7 March 2021
This inspired review of Christian experience begins with the characteristics of spiritual death and the rule of the prince of the power of the air. Then we learn the extent of God's love in both initiating and accomplishing conversion, with the goal of eternal life. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians…

The Walking Dead

— Dr Peter Masters | 6:30pm | Sunday 2 January 2011
Viewed spiritually, we may be dead on our feet, responsible for our moral behaviour, and yet unconscious, of our need of God, and of the smallness of our lives. Here is the way of escape from a life of spiritual pointlessness, to discovery of spiritual life.

The Dissolving of Doubts 7

— Dr Peter Masters | 7:30pm | Wednesday 14 June 2017
A pastoral overview of the doctrines of grace showing man's great need of God's initiative in salvation, the origin of the 'five points' and the galvanising effect they should have on witness and prayer for souls. With God sovereign in salvation, we never despair.

Spiritually Alive or Dead?

— Dr Peter Masters | 6:30pm | Sunday 29 October 2017
Paul's racing analysis of the human condition before God - the extent of our spiritual lifelessness and its consequences, set alongside the astonishing power and love of Christ in the conversion of innumerable individuals, and their new lives. Here is conversion - truly a raising from the dead.

Why Faith is the Key to Conversion

— Dr Peter Masters | 6:30pm | Sunday 27 November 2022
It is not difficult to believe in God but to have a general kind of belief does not lead to true reconciliation with Him. 'Saving faith' is the vital key. Why should this be essential? What is it and how is it expressed?

Why God Insists on Faith

— Dr Peter Masters | 6:30pm | Sunday 1 November 2015
We do not need much faith to know that God is there. The Bible teaches that unbelief is inexcusable because the evidence of God's creative power is overwhelming. But faith is vital for salvation, and here are the reasons, and the way to find The Lord.

All Things New

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 14 March 2021
The sense in which conversion is a new creation - God's distinctive workmanship - and the implications for our daily walk. Also, the duties of remembering our origins; rightly esteeming the blood of Christ; and the uniting of saved Jews and Gentiles in the church. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians…

Measured by Our Hopes

— Dr Peter Masters | 6:30pm | Sunday 25 March 2012
Having no hope of God's friendship and eternal life forces all our hope and anticipation to look for short-term earthly gains. This message is about the human necessity of hope, its origin and its penalties, and especially the only satisfying hope and how to possess it.

Being Without God in the World

— Dr Peter Masters | 6:30pm | Sunday 15 May 2022
If we have no connection with Christ we have only physical life, but no experience of spiritual life, no understanding of the purpose of life, no acceptance by God, no power to shape character, and no eternal life. Here is how Christ provides all these.

Without God in the World

— Dr Peter Masters | 6:30pm | Sunday 4 January 2015
The apostle Paul describes the losses incurred from being without Christ, without heavenly citizenship, without forgiveness, without eternal hope, and without God's blessing in this life also. Here also are the overwhelming gains of having Christ and proving His power.

Analogies of the Church

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 28 March 2021
Having shown that God has brought saved Jews and Gentiles into one church, Paul presents the church's character. First, her citizenship and privileges, secondly, her family ties, thirdly her doctrinal foundation, fourthly, her unworldly saved beauty, and her sensitivity to the Spirit. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is one of…

Keeping Alive the Spirit

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 11 April 2021
In the building of a spiritual family the work of the Holy Spirit is the vital power. Here several Holy Spirit verses in Ephesians are explored (including 'Be filled with the Spirit') to show the different activities of the Spirit in the Christian life. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is…

The Mystery of the Gospel

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 18 April 2021
Paul's special calling to unfold to the Gentile world the hitherto unproclaimed grace of God, person of Christ, and oneness of saved Gentiles with saved Jews in one body. Here also are the unsearchable riches of Christ, and the ultimate purpose of the Gospel. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is…

Filled With God’s Fullness

— Dr Peter Masters | 7:30pm | Wednesday 18 December 2013
Full chapter _____________ Ephesians 3 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote…

What Conversion Is, and Does

— Dr Peter Masters | 6:30pm | Sunday 3 June 2012
Conversion is often thought to be just a change of loyalty from one religion to another, but it is far more. It involves a great change in one's life, and a new experience of God Himself. Here are the details of what Christ does for us.

The Christian’s Daily Need

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 2 May 2021
The apostle prays that believers will have Christ in their hearts (here explained), and rooted and grounded in love for Him, we will know more of His for us. Here is the scope of the breadth, length, depth and height of that love. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is one…

Christ Dwelling Within

— Dr Peter Masters | 7:30pm | Wednesday 21 September 2022
'That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled…

Communion with Christ

— Dr Peter Masters | 7:30pm | Wednesday 16 May 2012
Communion is described by Paul, not in terms of a mystical sensation, but as the realisation of Christ's love in our 'inner lives'. Here we see how His love passes knowledge; how it is a lifelong and eternally-progressive appreciation; how it transforms us; and how it makes us feel.

An Experience Surpassing All

— Dr Peter Masters | 6:30pm | Sunday 24 January 2021
To know 'the love of Christ which passeth knowledge' is to soar above all that may be learned and known in this world, however sensational the experience, or whatever the field of learning may be. Here are elements of Christ's infinite love for those who seek Him. You May Be…

God Glorified in the Church

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 9 May 2021
The true church is a demonstration to the world of God's glory. Human nature prefers to vaunt personalities, preachers, even musicians and their produce, but our God-given role is to show the fruits of the converting and sanctifying work within us.  Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is one of the…

The Christian’s Calling

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 23 May 2021
First, the nature of God's calling - irresistible and transformational, also the basis of assurance; second, the objective of the call - pardon, liberty, holiness and heaven; third, the character of the called - lowliness, meekness, patience, and forbearance among believers and before the world. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians…

The Unity of the Spirit

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 30 May 2021
Beginning with prerequisites for Christian fellowship, Paul presents seven reasons for close union within churches, each a powerful encouragement. What it means to be one body, under one Holy Spirit, with one eternal hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one Father. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is one…

The Purpose of Pastors

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 6 June 2021
The apostle first shows that the ministry of Christ's church is described in prophecy. He then identifies the different kinds of teacher by their tasks (expounded here), and states the great objectives of all ministry - soul-winning, sanctification, and closeness to Christ. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is one of…

Spiritual Growth

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 13 June 2021
Unity defined, not as membership of an organisation, but as a bond between those in union with Christ and bearing His likeness. Then, the opposition believers will know and the answer of holy living. Lastly: service and loyalty to the body, the local church. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is…

The Riches of Truth

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 4 July 2021
The apostle lays down the vital role of the entire congregation functioning together in evangelism and sanctification. The chief agent of this is 'the truth'. Here we seek to appreciate more fully the privileges and power of the faith entrusted to us. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is one of…

The New Person

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 11 July 2021
First, an analysis of the sad state of the unsaved heart. Then two levels of transformation: (1) conversion, where putting off the old and putting on the new life is God's work, and (2) details of sanctification, where believers are empowered to act by God. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians…

‘Formative’ Sins

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 25 July 2021
Formative in the sense that in addition to being deeply offensive to God, they form deep roots in the character, promoting other sins and shaping the whole person, whereas new opposite virtues (performed by the Lord's help) lead to lifelong blessing and usefulness. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is one…

The Nearness of the Spirit

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 1 August 2021
The apostle's appeal never to grieve the Holy Spirit. Here are the sins that do, causing Him to withdraw from (but never leave) us. Here also is what the sealing of the Spirit means for us, and the folly of undervaluing His grace. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is one…

Kindness, Cleanness and Substance

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 15 August 2021
The duty and treasure of kindness toward God's people, its impediments contrasted with the great motive - the full readiness of the nature of Christ's love to us, and how He yielded Himself up for eternity. Also the necessity of cleanness, and the pitfalls of jesting.  Paul’s letter to the…

Walking In and For Light

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 22 August 2021
In a marvellous overview of the Christian's walk and duties, the apostle shows how they should demonstrate the light of Christ in new life; how they should channel the message of light, and how they may enlighten their surroundings or new posting in this fallen world. Paul’s letter to the…

The Condition of Your Soul

— Dr Peter Masters | 6:30pm | Sunday 9 March 2014
What and where is the soul? Is my soul active or asleep? What am I missing if it is inactive? How is life affected? Is there fulfilment without making provision for the soul? Here is how the soul may receive life and communion with God.

Filled with The Spirit

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 12 September 2021
Charismatic thinking mistakenly sees similarities between the effects of alcohol and the filling of the Spirit. This verse describes tremendous differences between them. Here are the details of Spirit-filling together with the fruit and the means of obtaining this filling. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is one of the crowning…

Be Filled with the Spirit

— Dr Peter Masters | 7:30pm | Wednesday 29 December 2021
Full chapter _____________ Ephesians 5 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it…

Melody in the Heart

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 18 February 2018
First, the use of psalms and hymns for personal spiritual help; secondly, the biblical authority and necessity for hymns of human composition; thirdly, the nature of melody in the heart, and fourthly, the qualities needed for valid, edifying, God-glorifying hymns.

Mutual Ministry and Worship

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 19 September 2021
Beginning with the duty of conversation, admonition and encouragement between believers the apostle moves to the blessing of singing psalms plus hymns and spiritual songs (here defined), the elements of true worship (public and personal) and the importance of melody of the heart. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is one…

Correcting Spiritual Coldness

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 4 February 2018
Loss of spiritual feeling, love, joy and fervour are more serious and ominous than we may think. Attendance soon suffers and a backward drift gathers pace. Why did it happen? The spiritual warfare must come back into view, with all its measures and helps.

The Spiritual Warfare

— Dr Peter Masters | 7:30pm | Wednesday 17 October 2018
How easily, as believers, we lose sight of the spiritual warfare, proceeding undefended through daily life. Here Satanic hostility is seen at four levels: the battle for the life of the soul; for sanctification; for the spread of the Gospel, and for defence of the Truth.

Be Strong in the Lord

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 26 September 2021
The introductory passage to the magnificent description of the Christian 'armour' - all that is needed in the spiritual warfare to defend against the wiles of the devil and to preserve and enhance instrumentality for the Lord. Each item is a wonder of grace and effectiveness. Paul’s letter to the…

The Breastplate of Righteousness

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 10 October 2021
The apostle shows how righteousness acts to be protective of the heart or affections in a saved person - a large target of the devil. Here is how self-denial, love for Christ and obedience to the commandments garrison the heart from pollution and shame. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is…

The Belt of Truth

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 3 October 2021
The foundational piece of the Christian's armour is firstly objective truth - the unchanging doctrines of the faith. (The sword, later, is Scripture used 'offensively' to make Christ known). Secondly, the belt is also subjective truth, truthfulness and sincerity for which here are helpful rules. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians…

The Christian’s Great Purpose

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 17 October 2021
The third component of the Christian armour, the footwear, portrays us on the march for Gospel witness. It is readiness for Gospel work. Here are seven essential parts of readiness, and the means provided by God for these to remain present in the heart. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is…

The Shield of Faith

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 24 October 2021
Why is faith described as a shield? What are the fiery darts? Here is the centrality of faith in the Christian life, how it is tested in our earthly journey, how the shield is taken up, and the gracious accomplishments of faith. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is one of…

The Helmet of Salvation

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 31 October 2021
The helmet is the hope or anticipation of final salvation, when Heaven's glory dawns on the soul and we see Christ - the greatest possible incentive to serving Him. Here is the Lord's emphasis on eternal life, and the believer's experience of death. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is one…

The Sword of the Spirit

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 7 November 2021
In the soldier image the sword of the Spirit represents the Gospel work of the church. Here is the penetrating, searching, persuasive power of the Gospel as proclaimed by the apostles. A church or believer not proclaiming salvation is a soldier without the sword. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is…

Praying in the Spirit

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 14 November 2021
Explaining the words Paul uses in his great 'armour of God' exhortations to pray, words such as 'always - supplications - watching thereunto - perseverance' and particularly 'in the Spirit'. Here is what he does not mean, and what he does mean by this most remarkable term.

An Apostle’s Concept of Ministry

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 21 November 2021
Paul's dependence on the prayers of believers comes first, especially for openness and plainness of speech - and this is what this should mean for today. Here also are the vital components of biblical ministry, and the stirring concept of an ambassador in bonds. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is…

Is it the Real Gospel?

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 9 January 2011
Paul's Gospel caused trouble and offence, however lovingly expressed, because it called people to the Christ of Calvary, atoning for sin, and pressed the need for repentance and transformation of life. Is this really the Gospel as we understand it?

Love Analysed

— Dr Peter Masters | 11:00am | Sunday 16 January 2011
Love for Christ includes love for His cause, shown by concerned prayer for Gospel work and for fellow believers. Paul here provides for news which will fuel prayer. Here also is defined the love which brings harmony, faith and special grace into a church.