December 16: Ephesians 1-6

December 16, Ephesians 1-6

Ephesians intro from the ESV Bible: “The apostle Paul wrote Ephesians to the churches around Ephesus (Acts 19) to display the scope of God’s eternal plan for all humanity—for Jews and Gentiles alike. This is the mystery of God, hidden for ages but now made known in Jesus Christ. The first three chapters focus on what Christians should believe, unfolding the glorious riches of God’s grace in Christ. Dead sinners are made alive and gain eternal salvation “by grace … through faith” (2:8). The last three chapters explain the implications of God’s grace for the church, for individuals, and for families. This second section comes to a climax with a command to stand with the armor of God against the devil. Paul wrote this letter while in prison, probably in Rome about a.d. 60.”

- “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” 

- “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” 

Ephesians 1 Paul is the author, and an apostle of Jesus Christ. This was written to the saints, or Christians, in Ephesus. Paul wrote this letter while in prison in Rome and still has the joy of the Lord surrounding him. Some say that God had him in prison for a season just to write so many instructive letters for them and us to glean from! God will always have His way…

Spiritual Blessings in Christ. God chose to adopt us into His family. In Christ, we are able to have redemption and forgiveness. In short, we have been thought of before the world began to be one of God’s children. Furthermore, we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit - which is the “the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Our salvation cannot be lost once we have been sealed by the Spirit. We will receive our inheritance. 

Thanksgiving and Prayer. Paul has heard about the faith and love of the Ephesians and he is very grateful to hear about their obedience. God revealed Himself to them and they are staying the course. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available for us, not for us, but available to us - for God and His immeasurable greatness. God gave full authority to Jesus. And we are His if we claim Him.

Ephesians 2 By Grace Through Faith. Before they met Christ, like us, we were dead in our sins, following the culture and sin, led by the influence and schemes of Satan. But, “God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” We are saved by Grace, not by our selves or how ‘good’ we are - He saved us and we are made alive again because of that. The big change occurs when Christ redeems us! 

One in Christ. Before Christ, we were literally alienated from God, and the promises of God. “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” We have reconciliation to the almighty God through Jesus! For real, that is good news…

Ephesians 3 The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed. What is this mystery that has been divinely revealed? “This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” The Gentiles (non-Jews) are now able to be a part of the promises of Jesus Christ and are eligible for salvation and redemption - I would say that is pretty awesome! What is Paul’s calling in all of this? “To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.” To preach to the Gentiles. Build the church. Make God known. Encourage and equip. Paul was a true servant and gave his life for the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Prayer for Spiritual Strength. Paul prays for them that they may stay strong and that through God’s grace, they would fully understand the riches of Christ. “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” We need to dive deep into Jesus…

Ephesians 4 Unity in the Body of Christ. Here we see the pastor heart of Paul very clearly. What are we to strive for? From the man in prison we hear, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” The life of a disciple is just that - live out your life in a manner worthy of our callings and reflecting the name of Jesus Christ. With humility, gentleness, patience and love - maintain unity in the body of Christ. Don’t let our own agendas get in the way of unity. Jesus prepared in advance what we would need. “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” God gave us the leaders to equip us for ministry and become mature in Him, knowing the truth and not being deceived. 

The New Life. Once you receive Christ, you cannot live your life how you used to, as a non-Christian. When we receive Christ, we are no longer in the dark but in the light. We are a new creation in Christ and it should show in our lives. What does it look like once you are a believer in Christ? “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” Live your life in such a way that the devil doesn't have a way to get in. Set yourself up for success and don’t play in the gray, Know where you stand and be kind. It is ok to be angry, but do not sin in your anger, or go to bed with anger in your heart - or the devil will have a way to get you. 

In our society, this one is a bit of a challenge if your heart is not fully for God - “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” We live in a very sarcastic culture and sarcasm rarely builds one another up - rather do the opposite… Paul goes on to talk about how a disciple should live: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Always be mindful of where your heart is at. Do not hold a grudge or be bitter against another - it is not how it should be. Rather, forgive others, as God forgave us.

Ephesians 5 Walk in Love. How then are we to live this out? “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Our lifestyle reflects our hearts and we are to imitate Christ and be humbly selfless.

Our culture is not much different than the many cultures before us, including what it was like in AD 60. “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” Yup - that is the real deal as well. If God is not number 1 in your life, you will not be with Him forever. If you love something more than God - you have no inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ & God. Get rid of all filth in your life or anything that keeps you from Him. I know I say it a lot - but if your heart is not for Christ your life will reflect it. You can only fool people for so long and you are not fooling God… Check yourself and make sure that you are living how you are supposed to be. 

No excuses or crutches or vices. Just look at the reality of where your heart is. Don’t get drunk, that is foolishness. Live with wisdom not foolishness. Always give thanks to God for what you have and what He has done. 

Wives and Husbands. “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” God set it up this way. Man is under God and woman is under man. That is not sexist or anything, it just shows that the responsibility falls on the man’s shoulders. If you run your home this way, it works the way God intended it to. But the man has some serious responsibility to lead well. “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” Christ selflessly died for the church and we are to support our wives in the same way. We are to wash our wives with the Word of God - encourage and equip your wives. Why? So that Jesus can present us to God someday without blemish or corruption. Men - love your wives and selflessly serve them - even if you don't feel like it. 

Ephesians 6 Children and Parents. Paul says this in a few of his letters, as well as the husbands and wives parts. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Kids - obey your mom and dad and you will be blessed. Dads - don't annoy or exasperate your kids but show them the way and blessings of Christ. 

Bondservants and Masters. Back then, they still had slaves and the slaves were to obey their masters with sincerity. This applies to us today as well in many aspects of life, “…not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.” Sincerely serve others and God blesses that - this is how we are to live!

The Whole Armor of God. Get ready for battle! Live your lives on the battlefield - the spiritual battlefield. Bakers Commentary did a work on this that they call seed thoughts and it is so practical and helpful…

“Seed Thoughts of Ephesians 6:10–24 (one thought for each verse)

See Verse

10. The exhortation to find one’s source of power in the Lord is reasonable, for the Lord has demonstrated his power again and again both in nature and in grace and is still doing this.

11. The omission of a single piece of armor is dangerous, for the devil will soon discover a person’s Achilles’ heel.

12. Denial of the existence and activity of a personal devil and his well-organized hosts is becoming more foolish every day.

13. In order to stand your ground in the day of evil or crisis, stand your ground today!

14. A sincere resolve to fight Satan in the strength of the Lord, coupled with right conduct, points the way to victory. Make full use therefore of the God-given effective Armor.

15. It is the guilt-eased heart that makes the feet nimble.

16. Against Sinai’s lightnings, hell’s rage, and the atheist’s ridicule the firm grip of faith in God and his promise always wins.

17. Assurance of salvation is contagious: almost everyone likes to listen to the martial music of an army marching on to victory. The word of God is mightier than any two-edged sword.

18. If prayer-life is weak, is it because you have not done justice to the four “all’s” mentioned in this verse?

19. There is great power in intercessory prayer.

20. Some take special pride in speaking “bluntly.” It is far better to ask for grace to speak “courageously.”

21. Believers take a keen interest in each other’s welfare.

22. Giving out information may be perfectly proper, particularly when the purpose is to strengthen the hearts of the listeners.

23. The peace that passes all understanding, the love that is the greatest of the three greatest, and the faith that overcomes the world, these three precious treasures are given away to anyone who sincerely requests them of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24. The gifts of God’s grace are imperishable.”

I know this is quite simple, but I like it and it makes sense. Live it!

To sum it all up: 

• Our salvation is from God and for God - not from us and for us… That wouldn't make any sense. Live your life in a way that it reflects Christ. Whether with your friends, family or church family - Reflect Christ