If This Is True… Then What? - Jeremy Duncan

Jan 26, 2026

A look at Ephesians’ if/then framework and how worship leads to ethical action. A deep dive into high Christology and Christ’s cosmic role in new creation. A fresh reading of chosen and predestined as participation in God’s plan. A provocative contrast between grace and imperial “victory then peace.”

26:27

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Birthday If-Then With Daughter

Jeremy shares a birthday anecdote where his daughter issues an if-then ultimatum to get one-on-one restaurant time.
The story models the simple logic that inspired the sermon series title and approach.

insights

INSIGHT

If/Then Frames Ephesians

Ephesians is structured as an if/then argument: two chapters of 'if' (chapters 1–3) and two of 'then' (chapters 4–6).
That framework helps decide whether a passage describes God's reality or practical response.

insights

INSIGHT

High Christology Underwrites Ethics

Ephesians contains a very high Christology that presents Jesus as central to creation and reconciliation.
Jeremy argues that this lofty Christology undergirds the ethical commands that follow later in the letter.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Series Overview: If/Then Structure

01:37 • 1min

chevron_right

Personal Story as Analogy

02:50 • 14sec

chevron_right

Ephesians' Two-Part Shape

03:04 • 2min

chevron_right

Authorship and High Christology

05:12 • 3min

chevron_right

Christ's Cosmic Role in Ephesians

08:34 • 4min

chevron_right

Greeting: Holy and Faithful in Christ

12:47 • 2min

chevron_right

Chosen, Predestined, and New Creation

14:43 • 2min

chevron_right

Grace and Peace vs Roman Gospel

17:06 • 4min

chevron_right

Living Ahead of the Curve

20:43 • 3min

chevron_right

Prayer for Courage and Imagination

• Mentioned in 18 episodes

1 Thessalonians

Moving Forward in a Backward World

Tony Beckett

Gene A. Getz

This book is a comprehensive study guide on the First Epistle to the Thessalonians. It offers practical insights and teachings from the Bible, helping readers understand how to move forward in their faith despite the challenges of the world around them. The authors provide commentary, analysis, and application of the biblical text to contemporary Christian living.

#140

• Mentioned in 144 episodes

Ephesians

Canon Martin Kitchen

This book approaches the Epistle to the Ephesians in a unique manner, deviating from the traditional verse-by-verse analysis. It acknowledges the debt of biblical studies to historical method while offering a fresh and comprehensive examination of the text. The study provides a radical and insightful look at the Epistle, making it a valuable resource for scholars and readers interested in New Testament studies.

#256

• Mentioned in 96 episodes

Romans 3

Travis Burden

This book is a work of fiction that delves into suspenseful drama, exploring themes of crime, atonement, and justice. It is part of a series and is characterized by its short length and intense narrative.

#185

• Mentioned in 119 episodes

Galatians

Scot McKnight

This commentary by Scot McKnight explores Paul's letter to the Galatians, emphasizing the Gospel message of the crucified Messiah and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding Christian morality. McKnight addresses the historical context of the letter, including the conflict over Torah observance among early Christian communities, and provides contemporary applications of the biblical text. The book is part of the NIV Application Commentary series, which aims to bring ancient messages into today's context for preachers, teachers, and students of the Bible.

#313

• Mentioned in 85 episodes

Philippians

An Expositional Commentary

James Montgomery Boice

In this commentary, James Montgomery Boice provides a thorough and insightful analysis of the Book of Philippians. The book helps readers understand the biblical text and apply its practical message, emphasizing the themes of joy, unity, and the Christian life. Boice's commentary is designed to help both pastors and laypeople experience the exuberant joy of a well-lived Christian life as described in Philippians.

#92107

Second Thessalonians

A New Testament Epistle

Paul the Apostle

Second Thessalonians is a New Testament epistle attributed to Paul the Apostle. It addresses themes such as salvation, faith, and the return of Jesus Christ. The letter provides encouragement and guidance to early Christians, emphasizing the importance of standing firm in their faith despite persecution and false teachings.

#321

• Mentioned in 84 episodes

Colossians

Ralph P. Martin

The Book of Colossians, attributed to the Apostle Paul, is a letter written to the church in Colossae. It emphasizes the supremacy of Christ, addressing theological issues and practical concerns of the early Christian community. Paul tackles false teachings that threatened the Colossians' faith, highlighting the fullness of Christ and the importance of living a life transformed by the Gospel. The letter offers guidance on various aspects of Christian life, including family relationships, and the importance of unity and love within the church. Colossians is a rich source of theological insights and practical advice for Christians today. It reminds us of the transformative power of faith in Christ and the importance of living a life that reflects His teachings.

#98982

1 and 2 Corinthians

Frederick Fyvie Bruce

This 262-page commentary provides detailed scholarly analysis of 1 and 2 Corinthians, based on the Revised Standard Version. Part of the New Century Bible Commentary series, it offers Bruce's expert interpretation of Paul's letters to the Corinthian church, examining theological themes, historical context, and textual analysis.

#772

• Mentioned in 44 episodes

Philemon

Timothy

Apostle Paul

The Book of Philemon is one of the shortest letters written by Paul and is part of the New Testament. It was written during Paul's first Roman imprisonment, around AD 60-62. The letter addresses Philemon, a wealthy Christian in Colossae, regarding his runaway slave, Onesimus. Onesimus had fled to Rome, where he encountered Paul and became a Christian. Paul writes to Philemon to appeal for Onesimus's return, asking him to treat Onesimus not just as a slave but as a brother in Christ. The letter emphasizes the themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the equal status of believers in Christ, regardless of their social positions. Paul offers to take on any debt or wrongdoing attributed to Onesimus, demonstrating the principles of Christian love and grace.

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is built around one powerful structure: if / then.
If God is already at work healing the world in Christ—if grace, not violence, is the true power shaping history—then how should we live?
In this message, we begin a four-week journey through Ephesians by sitting in the if:a bold vision of Jesus, a high Christology, and a radical redefinition of chosen, predestined, grace, and peace. Set against the backdrop of the Roman Empire’s gospel of “victory, then peace,” Paul announces an alternative good news—one where peace is already possible because of God’s self-giving love in Christ.
This sermon explores:
* The if/then structure of Ephesians
* What “chosen” and “predestined” actually mean (and what they don’t)
* Why Paul’s greeting “grace and peace” is deeply political
* How the church becomes a small working model of new creation
* What it means to live ahead of the curve of God’s healing work in the world
📖 Text: Ephesians 1🎙️ Series: If / Then📍 Commons Church, Calgary

★ Support this podcast ★

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books