Ephesians: The Wonder and Walk of Being Alive In Christ

by Darrell W. Johnson

Join Darrell Johnson as he looks at Paul's letter to the Ephesian Church through a new lens. Darrell's faithful exposition of this ancient, but deeply relevant, text invites all who read it into the wonder and walk of being fully alive in Christ. Through this letter, we are slowly, but surely, being drawn into an alternative reality. Slowly, we realize that we are not only seeing things differently; thing really are different. "Things are not as they seem" is Paul's message to his readers. Or, more precisely, "Things are not only as they seem." "I first came to know Darrell Johnson through his exceptional work 'Discipleship on the Edge'. His careful and faithful handling of Revelation set a high bar going into The Wonder and Walk of Being Alive in Christ. As I read through this helpful and stirring exposition of Paul's teaching to the church on the 'wonder of grace' and the 'walk of grace' my gratefulness to God increased and I believe this is a much-needed refresher for the people of God in these new and strange days."- Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor of The Village Church, Texas , Author of "The Explicit Gospel", "Take Heart", and "Family Discipleship"

Genres: Nonfiction

448 pages, Paperback

Published March 29, 2022

About the author

Darrell W. Johnson has been preaching Jesus Christ and His Gospel for over 50 years. He has served a number of Presbyterian congregations in California, Union Church of Manila in the Philippines, and the historic First Baptist Church in the heart of Vancouver, Canada.

He has taught preaching for Fuller Theological Seminary, Carey Theological College in Vancouver, and Regent College in Vancouver.

He has authored eight books, including The Glory of Preaching and Discipleship on the Edge: An Expository Journey Through Revelation.
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He is currently serving as a pastor at The Way Church and Canadian Church Leaders Network.
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He and his wife Sharon have been married over 50 years. Together they have raised four children adopted from four different countries of the world, and now enjoy loving 11 active grandchildren!

Reviews

[Sonya Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Darrell Johnson has 0 fans, I’m dead!

[Jeff Bjorgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using his warm, compelling style, Darrell Johnson continues to shed light on the Scriptures, this time through his excellent commentary on Ephesians. In typical fashion, his insights leaves the reader with the thought of, "I never it saw it that way before!" The key, I think, to his approach is that he is not just writing a commentary to sit in a library as a resource. These words have been preached.

The particular word picture that impacted me was geographically placing the phrase, "In Christ". It helps with the understanding of the reality believers are situated in. We may be in small town British Columbia, or in Bangkok, or in London, but we are also in "Jesus Town" and this is what it looks like. I also appreciated how he highlighted that we have been lifted into the throne room where Christ is at, somehow, in the present. In a way, we are in heaven, in that reality, even while in the reality of this world.

Always a pastor as well as preacher and teacher, even how Darrell ends the book sets a great example for all of us: his acknowledgements are a continuation of the Ephesians letter, where Paul acknowledging his need for prayer, and that he's not on this journey alone.

An excellent resource for preachers.

[HK Matter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this commentary/Bible study on the book of Ephesians! I loved Johnson's commentary/study of Revelation so much that I am hoping to try a few more of his writings. I love the humility with which he comes at each book he dives into, and I love the Christ-centered focus that I feel gets lost so often in these types of works.

Truly, I feel "Discipleship on the Edge" (the study of Revelation) was his best and most thorough work, but I got so much out of this read-through of Ephesians that I am excited to study it again. The formatting works really well with a day-to-day, slow, devotional study of the book if that is something helpful for you.

[Aaron White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A steady and inspiring walk through the book of Ephesians, based upon a series of sermons Darrell Johnson has given during his years as a pastor. The scholarship is sound, the voice is authentic, and the presentation is compelling. Johnson loves the Word, and especially loves this “realer reality”, this alternative reality that is found in Christ in the heavenly places, but is lived out in the daily stuff of earth. Highly recommended.

[Madyson Mesinar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theologically thorough, yet accessible and easy to read. I am motivated to read everything Darrell Johnson writes because nothing he wrote was cliche and shallow. His research took years, yet he breaks everything down in ways I can understand. I am challenged and stirred from this book’s call to live and be as one In Christ.

[Josh Klassen]

DJ strikes again