Paul Bound, the Gospel Unbound: Letters from Prison (Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon and later, Philippians)

by Bob Utley

Publisher:

Bible Lessons International

, 1997

Overview

Each letter addresses specific problems facing the church. Paul proclaims the cosmic lordship of Christ and refutes legalism in Colossians. He speaks against the false teachings of Gnosticism. Ephesians has been called the "crowning jewel" of Paul's theology. It emphasizes the fact that Christ is the head of the church and that Christians must live appropriately. The theme of the letter is the unity of all things in Christ. The letter of Philemon is a private letter from Paul to Philemon, a slave owner in Colossae, regarding his slave Onesimus. The letter to Philippians includes one of the finest Christological passages in the New Testament. This church was one that Paul especially loved and he expresses his thankfulness to them for their love and monetary gifts. He encourages the believers to stand firm even in the midst of persecution.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Greek root (pistis). The word’s primary OT emphasis is on the trustworthiness of God, not the enthusiasm or sincerity of a human response. Believers must respond, receive, and trust in His trustworthy character and eternal promises. The key is the object of our faith, not its intensity. Christianity is faith in Christ, not faith in faith. Christianity is an initial repentant and faith response followed by a lifestyle of faithfulness. Biblical faith is a series of human choices—repentance, faith, obedience, and perseverance.” (Page 71)

“The peace of God must be unconnected with circumstances and locked securely to the person and work of Christ.” (Page 202)

“Believers become what they think about. The eyes and ears are windows to the soul.” (Page 40)

“Believers are commanded and encouraged to resist, overcome and stand against the schemes of the devil (cf. 4:14). This is done by means of (1) the believers’ knowledge of the gospel, (2) the believer’s position in Christ, (3) the believers’ yieldedness to the indwelling Spirit, (4) the believers’ implementation of the armor provided by God, and (5) the believer’s decisive choices and actions.” (Page 139)

“God’s unalterable will for every believer is not only heaven later, but Christlikeness now (cf. Rom. 8:29–30; Gal. 4:19; 1 Pet. 1:15). Believers are to reflect God’s characteristics to a lost world for the purpose of evangelism.” (Page 74)

Product Details

• Title: Paul Bound, the Gospel Unbound: Letters from Prison (Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon and later, Philippians)
• Author: Bob Utley
• Publisher: Bible Lessons International
• Publication Date: 1997
• Pages: 227

About Bob Utley

Bob Utley is a dynamic and inspirational Bible teacher. He feels that the Lord has given him a gift of relating to all types of people, especially those who have been turned off by "religiosity." Bob was born in 1947 in Houston, Texas. He is married to the former Peggy Rutta and they have three children and three grandchildren. He has earned degrees from East Texas Baptist College, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and has done post-graduate work at Baylor University, Wycliffe Bible Translators' Summer Institute of Linguistics, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He has pastored several churches in Texas. Currently Bob conducts revivals and Bible conferences both in the United States and abroad.