Through the Bible in 66 Days - Ephesians

 

When Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus, he wasn’t writing to strangers. He knew these people. He had preached to them, wept with them, prayed with them, and watched God save them. Their story begins in the book of Acts, continues through Ephesians, is strengthened in 1 & 2 Timothy, and is warned again in Revelation.

And through it all, one message shines:

Salvation is God’s plan, God’s work, and God’s gift — not ours.

1. How the Gospel First Reached Ephesus (Acts 18–20)

Ephesus was a city full of idols, magic, immorality, and spiritual darkness. But God had a plan for them before the world began (Ephesians 1:4).

In Acts, we read:

• Paul preached the Gospel boldly.

• Many believed in the Lord Jesus.

• People burned their magic books.

• The whole city was shaken by the message of Christ.

This is what the Gospel does — it rescues, changes, and transforms.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.”

— Acts 16:31

Not “behave better.”

Not “try harder.”

Not “keep the rules.”

Just believe.

Through the Bible in 66 Days - Galatians

 

If you’ve ever wondered what Christianity is really about — rules or rescue, effort or grace — the book of Galatians answers it plainly. Paul writes like a man on fire because the very heart of the Gospel was under attack. Some were teaching that you needed Jesus plus good works, Jesus plus the law, Jesus plus human effort to be saved.

Paul says absolutely not.

The Gospel is Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone — or it is not the Gospel at all.

1. The Problem: People Adding to the Gospel

Some teachers had slipped into the churches of Galatia, saying:

“You need to keep the Jewish law to be saved.”

“You need to do certain works to stay saved.”

“You need to earn God’s acceptance.”

Paul responds with the force of a man defending the cross:

“If righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” — Galatians 2:21

In other words, if you could save yourself by being good, Jesus didn’t need to die.

Through the Bible in 66 Days - 2nd Corinthians

If 1 Corinthians was Paul taking the Corinthians by the shoulders and saying, “Brothers and sisters, this needs sorting,” then 2 Corinthians is him saying, “Thank you for listening — but some of you still need to take God seriously.” It is one of the most personal, emotional, and Christ‑centred letters Paul ever wrote.

1. A Letter of Thanks — and a Call to Finish the Job

Many believers in Corinth had responded well to Paul’s first letter. They had repented, corrected the immorality, and taken sin seriously. Paul rejoices in this. He says God “comforts the downcast” and that he was comforted when he heard of their obedience (2 Cor. 7:6–7).

But some still resisted. Some still questioned Paul’s authority. Some still refused to repent. So Paul writes again—thankful, relieved, yet still urging them to fully submit to the Lord.

This is the Gospel pattern:

Through the Bible in 66 Days - 1st Corinthians

 

If you ever feel like Christians should “have it all together,” the church in Corinth is a refreshing reminder that believers are people — real people — who often get things wrong. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians was written to a new group of believers who had recently come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ after hearing the Gospel of salvation. They were saved, forgiven, and loved by God — but they were also a bit of a mess.

And that’s strangely encouraging.

A Church With Problems — And a God Who Doesn’t Give Up

The Corinthians were genuine Christians, but they were disobedient, immature, and often careless. Paul doesn’t hide any of that. Instead, he deals with their issues head‑on:

• Division in the church — Some followed Paul, some Apollos, some Peter. They were acting like fans of different football clubs instead of one family in Christ.

• Immorality — One man was even sleeping with his stepmother. Paul says this behaviour wouldn’t be tolerated even among unbelievers.

• Christians taking each other to court — Instead of showing patience and grace, they dragged one another before unbelieving judges.

• Chaos at the Lord’s Supper — Some were getting drunk, others were being greedy, and the whole meeting had lost its reverence.