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Because Grace

Paul’s letter to his beloved Ephesians reveals that the church is part of God's eternal plan, being built by Christ Jesus through the power of His Holy Spirit. By the grace of God, the believer is in Christ and therefore part of His body, the church. This study will enable us to see our individual spiritual lives in the context of God’s purpose for the whole. In a world that screams for individual expression, God’s favor is poured upon the church so that believer’s together might fulfill His purpose for the world.

A Glorious Charge

 — Dale Beaver

Message Notes

Ephesians 3:14-21

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

 

Ephesians 3:20-21

20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

 

Glory to Him!

Who is able to do infinitely more

Through his mighty power at work within us

In the Church

In Christ Jesus

Through all generations

Forever and ever

Amen!

 

Ephesians 3:20a

Now all glory to God, who is able…..

 

Jude 24

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.

 
Ephesians 3:20b

...through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 

 

“A fire hydrant is small, but it can gush water in volume and force that is out of proportion to its size. That’s because the water isn’t in the hydrant.”  

-Tony Evans, Commentary, p. 1225

 

2 Corinthians 3:16-18

16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

 

Ephesians 3:21a 

Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus…

 

The church glorifies God as she is increasingly transformed into the character of Jesus and expresses him.

 

John 12:44-46

44 Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. 45 For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.

 

Ephesians 3:21b

…..through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

 

Hebrews 7:24-25

24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

 

Psalm 96:7-8

7 O nations of the world, recognize the Lord; recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. 8 Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts.

 

A Prayer for Power

 — Dale Beaver

Message Notes

Ephesians 3:14-19

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

 

Consider Your Approach

 

Ephesians 3:14-15

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.

 

Ephesians 1:4-5

4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

 

Ephesians 2:19

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.

 

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

  

Permit the Lord to make Himself at home

 

Ephesians 3:17 

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

 

John 15:4-5

4 “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

 

Power for living comes with the understanding and experience of God’s love

 

Ephesians 3:18-19

18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

 

Colossians 2:9-10

9 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

 

“If you dip a thimble into the ocean, you’ll get a thimble’s worth of ocean. That’s it. Your container is at full capacity. While many Christians want a tanker full of blessing, they only have a thimble full of relationship with the Lord.” 

-Tony Evans, Bible Commentary, p. 1225

 

Divine Privilege

 — Dale Beaver

Message Notes

Ephesians 3:7-9

7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. 

 

The mysterious plan of our salvation is eternal in scope.

 

Ephesians 3:10-11

10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. 

 

The privilege of the church is to express the unfolding of God’s plan.

 

Genesis 3:15

And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.

 

1 Peter 1:10-12

10 This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. 11 They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward. 12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.

 

Ephesians 3:12-13

12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.

 

Romans 8:18

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

 

Much of the unfolding of God’s plan is through suffering.

 

Agents of Grace

 — Dale Beaver

Message Notes

Ephesians 3:1-6

1 When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles . . . 2 assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. 3 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. 4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets. 6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

 

Ephesians 3:1

When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles . . . 

 

Acts 22:21-22

21 “But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’”

22 The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, “Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!”

 

Ephesians 3:2

…..assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. 

 

Ephesians 3:3 

As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. 

 

Ephesians 1:9-11

9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

 

Mystery…..“a truth which was once hidden but now is revealed, a truth which without special revelation would have been unknown.”  

-J.B. Lightfoot, Saint Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon, p. 166

 

Ephesians 3:4-5

4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

 

Colossians 1:24-27

24 I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. 25 God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. 26 This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. 27 For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

 

Ephesians 3:6 

6 And this is God’s plan: 

Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. 

Both are part of the same body, and 

both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

 

The Content of the Mystery Revealed

1. Gentile and Jewish believers share equally in the riches of inheritance as children of God.

2. Gentile and Jewish believers are united together in one body, the church.

3. Gentile and Jewish believers belong to Jesus and look forward to the blessings of that shared relationship.

 

His House

 — Dale Beaver

Message Notes

Ephesians 2:14-22

14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. 16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. 17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. 19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

 

Those in Christ have become supernaturalized citizens of His kingdom.

 

Ephesians 2:19a

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people.

 

Ephesians 2:11-12a

11 Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel.

 

More intimate than the state is the home to which we belong.

 

Ephesians 2:19b

You are members of God’s family.

 

Ephesians 1:4-5

4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

 

The stability of our home corresponds to the architecture of the house.

 

Ephesians 2:20

20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.

 

Matthew 7:24

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.”

 

Isaiah 28:16

Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says:

“Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone.

It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.

 

Psalm 118:22

The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.

 

No temple on earth can accomplish what Christ has done for the church.

 

Ephesians 2:21-22

21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

 

1 Peter 2

4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. 5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.

 

His Body

 — Dale Beaver

Message Notes

In the religious landscape of the Jew, I was an alien.

 

Ephesians 2:11-12

11 Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. 

 

Through the body of Christ, humanity is reconciled to God and each other.

 

Ephesians 2:13-14

13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. 14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 

 

The termination of Jesus brought about the termination of ethnic hostility.

 

Ephesians 2:15-16

15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. 16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

 

Ephesians 1:22-23

22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

 

It is only through Christ that the hostile condition of humanity is transformed.

 

Ephesians 2:17-18

17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. 

 

Hebrews 3:1

And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest.

 

Acts 20:21

I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

 

Examples of Grace

 — Dale Beaver

Message Notes

Ephesians 2:4-10

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 

How does God save?

 

Ephesians 2:8a

God saved you by his grace when you believed.

 

How do I receive God’s salvation?

 

Ephesians 1:12-13

12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.

 

Faith occurs when I rely on something I believe to be reliable.

 

Ephesians 2:8b-9

And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

 

Salvation is the work of God and a gift to us.

 

Luke 15:29-32

29 “‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ 31 His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

 

Jeremiah 9:23-24

23 This is what the LORD says:

“Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom,

    or the powerful boast in their power,

    or the rich boast in their riches.

24 But those who wish to boast

    should boast in this alone:

that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord

    who demonstrates unfailing love

    and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,

and that I delight in these things.

    I, the LORD, have spoken!”

 

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 

Salvation is not from good things but for good things.

 

1 Corinthians 15:9-10

9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. 10 But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.

 

But God...

 — Dale Beaver

Message Notes

Ephesians 2:1-3

1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

 

Is life without Jesus really all that bad?

 

The Way We Were

Dead in disobedience

Seeking sin

Obeying the devil

Disobeying God

Following the cravings of sin

Subjected to God’s anger

 

Genesis 2:15-17

15 The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. 16 But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”

 

Jeremiah 17:9

The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?

 

Romans 1:18

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.

 

Ephesians 2:4

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much…

 

Ephesians 2:5-6

5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 

 

Is life with Jesus really this good?

 

Spiritual life is dependent upon the resurrection of Jesus and union with Him.

 

Ephesians 2:7

So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

 

Ephesians 1:12-13

12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you.

 

Super Powers for Everyday Heroes

 — David Niednagel

Message Notes

Ephesians 1:15  

Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere,

 

-strong faith - They trusted God in hard times.

-love for all believers - even those who were different

 

Ephesians 1:16  

I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God …

 

Paul thanked God and prayed for them.

He told them he thanked and prayed for them

He told them what he was thankful for and prayed for

 

He believed his prayers were necessary.  (James 4:2)

 

Luke 18:1

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.

 

Why? Because we give up!

Why? Because we don’t see enough answers to our prayers.

Jesus knows that and says “Pray anyway!” There are other reasons to pray than the answers.

 

Ephesians 1:17

asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

Who is the God Paul prayed to?

 

Glorious  = “heavy”, significant, to be taken seriously. Not “the man upstairs”.

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ - If we knew Him like Jesus did, we would go to Him like Jesus did.

 

The One who gave us all spiritual blessings (John 16:23) We can ask in Jesus’ name.

He is a God who let His Son be murdered, and lets His children suffer.

He is also a God who raises the dead. (2Corinthians 1:8-9)

 

Ephesians 1:17

asking God… to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

 

Why? Because they needed spiritual wisdom and insight.

What is wisdom?

Skill in making decisions about life. What is the best way to live?

 

What is spiritual wisdom?

 

James 3:13-17 

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy (envy) and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. …17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

 

Philippians 2:3-7

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

 

Spiritual wisdom = the mind of Christ = the mind/heart of a servant

 

Why did Paul pray that prayer every day for them?

Because it is opposite of everything else we have ever thought.

But it is what Jesus taught more than anything else: “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

 

Ephesians 1:17

“so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.”

 

Growth/maturity is not measured by head knowledge, but by conformity to the mind of Christ = servanthood.

 

Ephesians1:18 

“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—"

 

It takes divine light to “see” that choosing to be a servant leads to Life/satisfaction.

Even if conditions around us are hopeless, we have a “living hope” (1Peter 1:4) that Jesus is our “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13) and that He will raise us from death to be with Himself. (2Corinthians 1:9)

 

Ephesians 1:19-23

19  I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

 

He gives power to keep choosing the mind of Christ - to live a life of servanthood.

 

Ephesians 1:23

“The church is His body,  - “the fullness of Christ”

 

The more we all have the mind of Christ (servanthood) the more fully we represent Christ.

 

For This I Pray

 — Dale Beaver

Message Notes

Ephesians 1:15-16a

15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16a I have not stopped thanking God for you. 

 

Faith and Love are Objective and Active 

 

Galatians 5:6b

What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

 

Ephesians 1:16b-17

16b I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 

 

1 Corinthians 2:12

And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.

 

Faith is not blind but rooted in knowledge

 

Acts 9:17-18a

17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight.

 

Ephesians 1:18

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

 

Ephesians 1:19a

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.

 

To know what God has done fuels our hope for what God will do

 

Philippians 1:3-6

3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

 

Philippians 3:10 

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.

 

“The death and resurrection of Christ assault our world view and value system and replace them with a worldview and values that do justice to the God who gives life in the midst of death. Faith affirms the life-giving power of God, available both for living and dying, and looks beyond death to resurrection and future life.”  

-Ephesians, Klyne Snodgrass

Ephesians 1:15-16a

15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16a I have not stopped thanking God for you. 

 

Faith and Love are Objective and Active 

 

Galatians 5:6b

What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

 

Ephesians 1:16b-17

16b I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 

 

1 Corinthians 2:12

And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.

 

Faith is not blind but rooted in knowledge

 

Acts 9:17-18a

17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight.

 

Ephesians 1:18

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

 

Ephesians 1:19a

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.

 

To know what God has done fuels our hope for what God will do

 

Philippians 1:3-6

3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

 

Philippians 3:10 

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.

 

“The death and resurrection of Christ assault our world view and value system and replace them with a worldview and values that do justice to the God who gives life in the midst of death. Faith affirms the life-giving power of God, available both for living and dying, and looks beyond death to resurrection and future life.”  

-Ephesians, Klyne Snodgrass

 

God's Guarantee

 — Dale Beaver

Message Notes

Ephesians 1:11

Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

 

Titus 3:7

Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

 

Isaiah 19:23-25

23 In that day Egypt and Assyria will be connected by a highway. The Egyptians and Assyrians will move freely between their lands, and they will both worship God. 24 In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth. 25 For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will say, “Blessed be Egypt, my people. Blessed be Assyria, the land I have made. Blessed be Israel, my special possession!”

 

Ephesians 1:12-13

12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 

 

The birthmark of the Holy Spirit guarantees our identity.

 

Romans 8:16

For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

 

“Seals indicated not only ownership but were also used as a guarantee of the correctness of the contents.” 

-The Exegetical Key to the N.T. 

 

The Holy Spirit is the guarantee that our future is secure.

 

Ephesians 1:14

The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.

 

“This guarantee, or pledge, indicates a deposit which in itself is the promise that a full amount will be paid. The deposit is of the same kind as the full payment.” 

-The Exegetical Key to the N.T.

 

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.

 

“The first installment is a guarantee of the glory to come, a glory arriving not only when soul and body part but also and especially in the great consummation of all things at Christ’s return.”   

-Ephesians by William Hendricksen

 

God's Plan

 — Dale Beaver

Message Notes

The Results of Grace in Ephesians 1

Loved

Chosen

Adopted

Redeemed

 

In the doctrine of redemption, we see that:

Our Freedom is Secure 

Our Sins are Forgiven

Our Vision is Made Clear

 

Our Freedom is Secure.

 

Ephesians 1:7a

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son.

 

2 Samuel 7:23

What other nation on earth is like your people Israel? What other nation, O God, have you redeemed from slavery to be your own people? You made a great name for yourself when you redeemed your people from Egypt. You performed awesome miracles and drove out the nations and gods that stood in their way.

 

Matthew 20:28

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

 

Romans  6:6 

We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 

 

Our Salvation is in progression, away from sin’s penalty, power, and presence!

 

Our Sins are Forgiven.

 

Ephesians 1:7b

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

 

Luke 4:18 (Isaiah 61:1)

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free.”

 

Colossians 1:13-14

13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

 

Our Vision is Made Clear

 

Ephesians 1:8-10

8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. 9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.

 

Philippians 2:9-11

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

In the Family Way

 — Dale Beaver

Message Notes

Ephesians 1:1-6

1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.

 

doxology is for worship. It is an expression of praise to God.

 

The text before us concerns the worship of God who has blessed us because of our union with Christ. We are chosen by God for this purpose: God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy. God loves human beings and draws them to Christ purely by His extravagant grace resulting in a family relationship with God. The realization of this brings us to our knees in worship. 

 

Are you in Christ and one with him?

 

Ephesians 1:3

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

 

Romans 8:15-17

15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

 

By knowing who God is, we can discover who we are.

 

Galatians 2:20

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

 

Our identity is set according to God’s purpose.

 

Ephesians 1:4

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

 

Deuteronomy 7:7-8

7 “The Lord did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! 8 Rather, it was simply that the Lord loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is why the Lord rescued you with such a strong hand from your slavery and from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.

 

Romans 9:25

“Those who were not my people, I will now call my people. And I will love those whom I did not love before.”

 

Ephesians 1:1b, 4b

I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.

 

God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

 

Ephesians 1:5 

God decided in advance (Even before he made the world) to adopt us (loved and chose us) into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ (in Christ). This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

 

Blessed to be in the family way, we take the family way.

 

Ephesians 1:6

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.

 

Dear Church

 — Dale Beaver

Message Notes

Ephesians 1:1-2

1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.

I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.

2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

 

What makes the most unlikely of men the most undaunted of messengers?

 

Acts 9:13-15

13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”

15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.”

 

Galatians 1:13-14

13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. 14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.

 

1 Timothy 1:15

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.

 

1 Corinthians 9:1-3

1 Am I not as free as anyone else? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? Isn’t it because of my work that you belong to the Lord? 2 Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle. 3 This is my answer to those who question my authority.

 

What makes the most unlikely of people holy people?

 

Ephesians 1:1-2

1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

 

Romans 9:25

Concerning the Gentiles, God says in the prophecy of Hosea, “Those who were not my people, I will now call my people. And I will love those whom I did not love before.”

 

Our identity as holy people is both geographical and positional.

 

Colossians 2:6-7

6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

 

Ephesians 1:2

1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

 

The gospel is about the unifying work of grace and peace.

 

Galatians 3:27-29

27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.