Saturday, June 23, 2012
The Exaltation Of Christ And His Church
The Exaltation Of Christ And His Church
Ephesians 1:20-23
INTRODUCTION
1. In expressing his prayer that the Ephesians might know “the exceeding greatness of His Power toward us who believe” (Ep 1:19), Paul makes reference to the working of God’s power in...
a. Raising Jesus from the dead - Ep 1:20a
b. Seating Jesus at His right hand in the heavenly places - Ep 1:20b
-- At this point, Paul digresses slightly to expand upon the idea of “The Exaltation of Christ” - Ep 1:21-23
2. This is a theme worthy of Paul’s digression and our own careful consideration, for several reasons:
a. Without “The Exaltation of Christ”, none of the spiritual blessings already described would be possible!
b. There are some who say that Jesus...
1) Has yet to start His “kingly reign” (e.g., some pre- and post-millennialists,)
2) Or did not start it until recently (e.g., the “Jehovah’s Witness”)
c. Some amazing things are said by Paul in this passage, not only about Christ, but about His church!
[Since the Holy Spirit saw fit to lead Paul into this “digression”, we will take the time to consider what is revealed, beginning with the fact...]
I. CHRIST IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD (20)
A. SEVERAL PASSAGES PRESENT CHRIST AT GOD’S RIGHT HAND...
1. “received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God” - Mk 16:19
2. “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God” - Ac 2:33
3. In the book of Hebrews...
a. “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” - He 1:3
b. “seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” - He 8:1
c. “after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God” - He 10:12
d. “endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” - He 12:2
4. “where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God” - Co 3:1
5. As a point of interest, one passage has Jesus “standing on the right hand of God” (at the martyrdom of Stephen) - Ac 7:55-56
B. IMPLICATIONS OF CHRIST SEATED AT GOD’S RIGHT HAND...
1. Fulfillment of prophecy - cf. Ps 110:1-7
2. As indicated in this prophecy (and compared with 1 Co 15:25-26) Christ began His “kingly reign” when He sat down at the right hand of God
a. He shall “rule in the midst of [His] enemies”
b. At the right hand of God He shall “judge among the nations”
c. He shall reign “till He has put all enemies under His feet”
3. As Peter indicated in his sermon on Pentecost, by Christ’s resurrection and exaltation He has been raised to sit on “David’s throne”, and is therefore truly “Lord” - Ac 2:30-36
[But how extensive is the “reign” or “authority” of Christ? Does He have only “partial” authority? As we return to our text, we find Paul saying that...]
II. CHRIST IS FAR ABOVE ALL OTHERS, ALL ARE UNDER HIS FEET (21-22a)
A. CHRIST IS FAR ABOVE...
1. “all principality and power and might and dominion” - a likely reference to angelic beings and evil spirits - cf. Ep 3:10; 6:12
3. “every name that is named” - this would include authorities here on earth
4. “not only in this age but also in that which is come” - both in the present dispensation, and in the one to be ushered in at the consummation of all things
-- Sounds like Christ’s authority is all inclusive, doesn’t it?
B. ALL ARE UNDER HIS FEET...
1. As Christ Himself said: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” - Mt 28:18
2. As Paul described Christ: “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords” - 1 Ti 6:15; cf. Re 19:16
3. As Peter wrote: “angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him” - 1 Pe 3:22
4. As John wrote: “the ruler over the kings of the earth” - Re 1:5
-- Can anyone say that Jesus has NOT begun His “kingly reign” in view of such
statements?
[Indeed, Christ was granted all this dominion when He ascended to heaven to sit down at the right hand of God, as prophesied by Daniel (Dan 7:13-14), and as revealed by Jesus to the seven churches of Asia (Re 2:26-27; 3:21). Clearly, from the viewpoint of Christ and His apostles, He was reigning over all when the pages of the New Testament were being written. But there is more amazing truth revealed in Paul’s “digression” and that is...]
III.CHRIST IS HEAD OVER ALL THINGS “TO THE CHURCH” (22-23)
A. WHAT IS MEANT BY THE PHRASE “TO THE CHURCH”...?
1. Christ exercises His authority over all things “in the interest” of the church (Hendriksen); i.e., the rule of Christ is for the benefit of His church!
2. Because Jesus is Lord, all things work together for our benefit - cf. Ro 8:27 a. This is not to say that Christ will prevent hardship, persecution, even death b. But through Christ all such things can used to our benefit and ultimate glory! 1) “in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him” - Ro 8:35-39 2) “...the world or life or death...all are yours” - 1 Co 3:21-22
3) Even the sufferings brought on by Satan can be used by God to “perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle” us! - 1 Pe 5:8-11
B. WHAT IS “THE CHURCH”, THAT IT SHOULD BE SO BLESSED...?
1. It is “His body”, i.e., the body of Christ - Ep 1:23
a. Those who have been “called out” into the “assembly” of God’s people are like a “body” to Jesus - cf. Ep 5:28-30
b. As such, Christ loves it and gave Himself for it - cf. Ep 5:25-27
c. Thus, He is not only the “head” of the body, but the “savior” of it as well - Ep 5:23
2. The church is also called “the fullness of Him who fills all in all” - Ep 1:23
a. Hendriksen suggests that this means “the church is Christ’s complement...filling or
completing Him who fills all in all”
b. Hendriksen continues: “As to his divine essence Christ is in no sense whatever dependent on or capable of being completed by the church. But...”
1) “as a bridegroom he is incomplete without the bride”
2) “as a vine he cannot be thought of without the branches”
3) “as shepherd he is not seen without his sheep”
4) “and so also as head he finds his full expression in his body, the church” (New
Testament Commentary, Exposition of Ephesians, William Hendriksen, p.104)
CONCLUSION
1. With this “digression” of Paul we have seen...
a. The exalted position that Christ now holds, as “head over all things”
b. The exalted position of His Church, which is viewed by Christ as:
1) His “body” (which He loves, nourishes, and cherishes - Ep 5:25,29)
2) His “fullness” (the perfect complement to His being)
2. How can anyone say...
a. That Christ is not yet “ruler over the kings of the earth”?
b. That the church is not important, a nonessential concern for those following Christ?
3. In view of such truths concerning Christ and His Church...
a. Are we freely submitting today to His authority? - cf. Ps 110:3
b. If you have not done so yet, will you allow Him who is “head over all things” add you to His church? - cf. Ac 2:47
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Paul’s Prayer For The Ephesians- Ephesians 1:15-20
Paul’s Prayer For The Ephesians- Ephesians 1:15-20
INTRODUCTION
1. We have seen Paul describe how richly blessed we are in Christ in the “doxology” of verses 3-14 in this first chapter of Ephesians.
2. Paul now proceeds to reveal what sort of things he has been praying for on behalf the Ephesians...
a. Paul does the same thing in his epistles to the Philippians and Colossians - cf. Ph 1:9-11; Co 1:9-12
b. In noticing such prayers, I find it helpful to remember that Paul is writing by inspiration
1) I.e., the things mentioned were not just Paul’s desire for his readers, but the desire of God as well!
2) And in most cases, what concerns are expressed in these prayers are just as applicable to us as they were to the original recipients of these epistles
3. With that thought in mind (i.e., Paul’s prayer is God’s desire for us as well), let’s take a close look at this prayer...
[Beginning with a recognition of their faith and love (verse 15) and a mention of his unceasing thankfulness for them (verse 16), Paul then states that in his prayers his concern for the Ephesians is...]
I. THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW GOD (17)
A. TO “KNOW” GOD IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE...
1. More important than human wisdom, glory, or might - cf. Jer 9:23-24
2. It is eternal life itself! - Jn 17:3
3. Failure to know God will lead to everlasting destruction! - 2 Th 1:7-9
-- Of course, we are speaking here of knowledge that comes through close and personal
association, not casual awareness
B. THIS KNOWLEDGE OF GOD COMES BY “A SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND
REVELATION” (17)...
1. Paul could have reference here to either the Holy Spirit Himself, or a spiritual gift that the Holy Spirit gives
2. In either case, it likely refers to that process that was still going on in the first century, where the Spirit of truth was guiding the apostles and early Christians into all the truth (cf. Jn 16:13; 1 Jn 2:20,27)
3. Today, we have the full and final revelation in the pages of God’s Word, where we can go to learn the truth about God (e.g., cf. Ep 3:3-4)
[Do you “know” God? Many people know “about” God, but it is God’s will that we come to know “Him”. Through the Word of God as we have it today, you can allow the “spirit of wisdom and revelation” give you that “saving knowledge” of God Himself!
We now observe that Paul’s concern for the Ephesians included their “eyes being opened”...]
II. THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THE HOPE OF GOD’S CALLING (18a)
A. IN CHRIST, WE HAVE BEEN “CALLED” BY GOD...
1. This “calling” occurred through the preaching of the gospel - 2 Th 2:14
2. God is “calling” us into His own kingdom and glory - 1 Th 2:12
3. We have been “called” out of darkness into God’s marvelous light - 1 Pe 2:9
B. PAUL’S DESIRE IS THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THE “HOPE” OF THIS
CALLING...
1. The word “hope” means “desire with expectation”
2. What is the expectant desire of this “calling” by God?
a. Paul has already revealed some of this hope in verses 4-5
1) To be holy and without blame
2) To be adopted as sons
b. Paul will reveal more about it later in the epistle - cf. Ep 2:19-22
3. In this way, Paul is helping to fulfill his own prayer by the writing of this epistle
[Do we appreciate the “hope” of God’s calling? Again, it is through the revealed Word of God (like this epistle to the Ephesians) that we are able to have our own eyes enlightened. There is no reason for us to be ignorant of our wonderful “hope”! In addition to their knowing the “hope of His calling”, Paul prays...]
III.THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THE RICHES OF GOD’S INHERITANCE (18b)
A. PAUL HAS ALREADY MADE REFERENCE TO...
1. The fact that we were predestined to adoption as sons - Ep 1:5
2. The fact that we have obtained an inheritance - Ep 1:11
3. The fact that the Holy Spirit was given as a guarantee - Ep 1:14
B. HE WILL WRITE MORE CONCERNING OUR “INHERITANCE” LATER ON...
1. Speaking of the exceeding riches of God’s grace in the ages to come - Ep 2:7
2. Speaking of how Gentiles can be “fellow heirs” - Ep 2:12-13; 3:7
[Again we see how Paul by writing this epistle is attempting to help answer his own prayer for the Ephesians. There is one more thing that Paul wanted the Ephesians, and if the way he elaborates is an indication of its importance then Paul more than all else prayed...]
IV. THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THE POWER OF GOD (19-20)
A. “POWER” DESCRIBED AS...
1. Exceedingly great (“the exceeding greatness”)
2. Shown toward those who believe (“toward us who believe”)
3. In accordance with the same power that...
a. Raised Jesus from the dead!
b. Seated Him at the right hand of God in the “heavenly places” (cf. Ep 1:3)
-- How can it be said that such power is available to us who believe? (The next section suggests how)
B. CONCERNING THIS GREAT “POWER”...
1. Paul gives an example in Ep 2:1-6
a. We who were “dead in trespasses” (2:1-3) were “made alive” (4-5) and “raised up” (6)
b. I.e., in Christ we who were spiritually dead have been made spiritually alive - cf. Co 2:12-13
c. This may not sound as impressive as being raised from the dead physically (as Jesus was, but it cannot happen without the same sort of Divine Power!
d. As Jesus said when He raised the paralytic, “Which is easier...?” - Mt 9:2-8
1) To raise the sick (and the dead), or to forgive sins (and make spiritually alive)?
2) Both require Divine Power!
2. Paul speaks of its source in Ep 3:16
a. It is through God’s Spirit in the inner man that we can be “strengthened with might”
b. Just as we were “renewed” by the Spirit upon our baptism - Jn 3:5; Ti 3:5
c. So we can be strengthened by the Spirit in our daily battles against sin - Ro 8:12-13
3. Paul speaks of its greatness in Ep 3:20
a. It comes from Him (God) “who is ABLE to do”
b. With ability that is “exceedingly”, “abundantly”, “above all” that we ask or think!
c. Such ability is “according to the power that works IN us” - cf. Ep 3:16 (“through His Spirit in the inner man”)
4. Finally, Paul charges the Ephesians to stand strong in this power in Ep 6:10ff
a. By putting on the “armor of God” - Ep 6:11a
b. For we are in a battle against the devil and his forces - Ep 6:11a-13 (dare we fight this battle dependent upon our own strength alone?)
c. The “armor of God” described - Ep 6:14-18
CONCLUSION
1. It appears that Paul followed that saying “Pray as though it all depends upon God, but work as though it all depends upon you!”
a. For while he prayed for the Ephesians that they might know...
1) God
2) The hope of God’s calling
3) The riches of God’s inheritance
4) The power of God
b. Paul takes it upon himself (with the aid of inspiration, of course) to write of these things in this epistle
2. How is our knowledge of God, the hope of His calling, His riches, His power?
a. Certainly it is God’s will that we increase in our understanding, appreciation, and application of these blessings!
b. With the help of God’s Word, especially a book like Ephesians, we can grow in all these things!
But before growth can occur, there must be life. Have you been “made alive together with Christ”? - cf. Ep 2:5-6; Co 2:12-13
INTRODUCTION
1. We have seen Paul describe how richly blessed we are in Christ in the “doxology” of verses 3-14 in this first chapter of Ephesians.
2. Paul now proceeds to reveal what sort of things he has been praying for on behalf the Ephesians...
a. Paul does the same thing in his epistles to the Philippians and Colossians - cf. Ph 1:9-11; Co 1:9-12
b. In noticing such prayers, I find it helpful to remember that Paul is writing by inspiration
1) I.e., the things mentioned were not just Paul’s desire for his readers, but the desire of God as well!
2) And in most cases, what concerns are expressed in these prayers are just as applicable to us as they were to the original recipients of these epistles
3. With that thought in mind (i.e., Paul’s prayer is God’s desire for us as well), let’s take a close look at this prayer...
[Beginning with a recognition of their faith and love (verse 15) and a mention of his unceasing thankfulness for them (verse 16), Paul then states that in his prayers his concern for the Ephesians is...]
I. THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW GOD (17)
A. TO “KNOW” GOD IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE...
1. More important than human wisdom, glory, or might - cf. Jer 9:23-24
2. It is eternal life itself! - Jn 17:3
3. Failure to know God will lead to everlasting destruction! - 2 Th 1:7-9
-- Of course, we are speaking here of knowledge that comes through close and personal
association, not casual awareness
B. THIS KNOWLEDGE OF GOD COMES BY “A SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND
REVELATION” (17)...
1. Paul could have reference here to either the Holy Spirit Himself, or a spiritual gift that the Holy Spirit gives
2. In either case, it likely refers to that process that was still going on in the first century, where the Spirit of truth was guiding the apostles and early Christians into all the truth (cf. Jn 16:13; 1 Jn 2:20,27)
3. Today, we have the full and final revelation in the pages of God’s Word, where we can go to learn the truth about God (e.g., cf. Ep 3:3-4)
[Do you “know” God? Many people know “about” God, but it is God’s will that we come to know “Him”. Through the Word of God as we have it today, you can allow the “spirit of wisdom and revelation” give you that “saving knowledge” of God Himself!
We now observe that Paul’s concern for the Ephesians included their “eyes being opened”...]
II. THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THE HOPE OF GOD’S CALLING (18a)
A. IN CHRIST, WE HAVE BEEN “CALLED” BY GOD...
1. This “calling” occurred through the preaching of the gospel - 2 Th 2:14
2. God is “calling” us into His own kingdom and glory - 1 Th 2:12
3. We have been “called” out of darkness into God’s marvelous light - 1 Pe 2:9
B. PAUL’S DESIRE IS THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THE “HOPE” OF THIS
CALLING...
1. The word “hope” means “desire with expectation”
2. What is the expectant desire of this “calling” by God?
a. Paul has already revealed some of this hope in verses 4-5
1) To be holy and without blame
2) To be adopted as sons
b. Paul will reveal more about it later in the epistle - cf. Ep 2:19-22
3. In this way, Paul is helping to fulfill his own prayer by the writing of this epistle
[Do we appreciate the “hope” of God’s calling? Again, it is through the revealed Word of God (like this epistle to the Ephesians) that we are able to have our own eyes enlightened. There is no reason for us to be ignorant of our wonderful “hope”! In addition to their knowing the “hope of His calling”, Paul prays...]
III.THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THE RICHES OF GOD’S INHERITANCE (18b)
A. PAUL HAS ALREADY MADE REFERENCE TO...
1. The fact that we were predestined to adoption as sons - Ep 1:5
2. The fact that we have obtained an inheritance - Ep 1:11
3. The fact that the Holy Spirit was given as a guarantee - Ep 1:14
B. HE WILL WRITE MORE CONCERNING OUR “INHERITANCE” LATER ON...
1. Speaking of the exceeding riches of God’s grace in the ages to come - Ep 2:7
2. Speaking of how Gentiles can be “fellow heirs” - Ep 2:12-13; 3:7
[Again we see how Paul by writing this epistle is attempting to help answer his own prayer for the Ephesians. There is one more thing that Paul wanted the Ephesians, and if the way he elaborates is an indication of its importance then Paul more than all else prayed...]
IV. THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THE POWER OF GOD (19-20)
A. “POWER” DESCRIBED AS...
1. Exceedingly great (“the exceeding greatness”)
2. Shown toward those who believe (“toward us who believe”)
3. In accordance with the same power that...
a. Raised Jesus from the dead!
b. Seated Him at the right hand of God in the “heavenly places” (cf. Ep 1:3)
-- How can it be said that such power is available to us who believe? (The next section suggests how)
B. CONCERNING THIS GREAT “POWER”...
1. Paul gives an example in Ep 2:1-6
a. We who were “dead in trespasses” (2:1-3) were “made alive” (4-5) and “raised up” (6)
b. I.e., in Christ we who were spiritually dead have been made spiritually alive - cf. Co 2:12-13
c. This may not sound as impressive as being raised from the dead physically (as Jesus was, but it cannot happen without the same sort of Divine Power!
d. As Jesus said when He raised the paralytic, “Which is easier...?” - Mt 9:2-8
1) To raise the sick (and the dead), or to forgive sins (and make spiritually alive)?
2) Both require Divine Power!
2. Paul speaks of its source in Ep 3:16
a. It is through God’s Spirit in the inner man that we can be “strengthened with might”
b. Just as we were “renewed” by the Spirit upon our baptism - Jn 3:5; Ti 3:5
c. So we can be strengthened by the Spirit in our daily battles against sin - Ro 8:12-13
3. Paul speaks of its greatness in Ep 3:20
a. It comes from Him (God) “who is ABLE to do”
b. With ability that is “exceedingly”, “abundantly”, “above all” that we ask or think!
c. Such ability is “according to the power that works IN us” - cf. Ep 3:16 (“through His Spirit in the inner man”)
4. Finally, Paul charges the Ephesians to stand strong in this power in Ep 6:10ff
a. By putting on the “armor of God” - Ep 6:11a
b. For we are in a battle against the devil and his forces - Ep 6:11a-13 (dare we fight this battle dependent upon our own strength alone?)
c. The “armor of God” described - Ep 6:14-18
CONCLUSION
1. It appears that Paul followed that saying “Pray as though it all depends upon God, but work as though it all depends upon you!”
a. For while he prayed for the Ephesians that they might know...
1) God
2) The hope of God’s calling
3) The riches of God’s inheritance
4) The power of God
b. Paul takes it upon himself (with the aid of inspiration, of course) to write of these things in this epistle
2. How is our knowledge of God, the hope of His calling, His riches, His power?
a. Certainly it is God’s will that we increase in our understanding, appreciation, and application of these blessings!
b. With the help of God’s Word, especially a book like Ephesians, we can grow in all these things!
But before growth can occur, there must be life. Have you been “made alive together with Christ”? - cf. Ep 2:5-6; Co 2:12-13
Friday, March 25, 2011
Blessings Involving The Holy Spirit- Ephesians 1:13-14
Blessings Involving The Holy Spirit- Ephesians 1:13-14
INTRODUCTION
1. In studying verses 4-12 in which Paul is praising God for the “spiritual riches” in Christ, we have seen blessings which involve both the Father and the Son...
a. Blessings involving the Father include our being:
1) “Chosen by God”, to be holy and without blame before Him in love (1:4)
2) “Predestined by God”, to receive the adoption as sons of God (1:5-6a)
3) “Accepted by God”, that is, to be highly favored by Him (1:6b)
b. Blessings involving the Son also include the following:
1) “God has redeemed us” through the precious blood of His Son (1:7a)
2) “God has forgiven us” of our sins by virtue of His grace (1:7b-8)
3) “God has revealed His Will to us ” pertaining to His plan to gather into one all things in Christ (1:9-10)
4) “God has given us an inheritance” as part of His predetermined plan (1:11-12)
2. Verses 13-14 close out this “doxology”, by pointing out blessings we have in Christ that relate in particular to the work of the Holy Spirit
[What are these “Blessings Involving The Holy Spirit”? The first one is...]
I. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR “SEAL” (13)
A. DEFINING “SEAL”...
1. The word is sphragizo {sfrag-id’-zo}, which means “to set a seal upon, mark with a seal, to seal”
2. A “seal” was used for various reasons, including:
a. To guarantee the genuine character of a document (Esther 3:12), or, figuratively, of a person (1 Co 9:2)
b. To mark ownership (Song 8:6)
c. To protect against tampering or harm (Mt 27:66; Re 5:1)
B. HOW IS THE HOLY SPIRIT OUR “SEAL”...?
1. It could be in every sense of the word...
a. In Ro 8:16, the Spirit Himself “bears witness” that we are children of God (i.e.,
guarantees our genuine character)
b. In Ro 8:9, the indwelling Holy Spirit is considered evidence that we are truly Christ’s(i.e., a mark of ownership, cf. also 1 Co 6:19-20)
c. In Ro 8:13-14, it is by the Spirit of God that we “put to death the deeds of the body” so we can live (i.e., to some degree helping to protect against tampering or harm, cf. also Ep 3:16)
2. However, the context of Ephesians makes me think that “proof of ownership” is what Paul had in mind...
a. He goes on to speak of the Holy Spirit as a “guarantee...until the redemption of the purchased possession” - Ep 1:14
b. He later says that we were sealed by the Spirit “for the day of redemption” - Ep 4:30
-- So until that “day of redemption”, the Holy Spirit is given to the Christian as evidence that we truly belong to God
C. WHEN ARE WE “SEALED” WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT...?
1. It is after, not before...
a. One hears the word of truth, the gospel - Ep 1:13
b. One believes the gospel - Ep 1:13; cf. Jn 7:37-39
c. One becomes a son of God - Ga 4:6-7 (which occurs when a believer is baptized into
Christ - cf. Ga 3:26-27)
2. Thus it is only when we obey the gospel of Jesus Christ that we are “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise”...
a. As Peter told the crowd on the Day of Pentecost - Ac 2:38-39
b. And as he told the Sanhedrin Council - Ac 5:32
[This “seal” as a “mark of ownership” is something that might be of more significance to God (and to Satan, who would try to steal what belongs to God) that it does to us, but we can take comfort in knowing that God considers us His property, and that the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to be evidence of such ownership. Paul describes the Spirit in this passage as “the Holy Spirit of promise”, which could be understood in two ways: 1) the promised Holy Spirit (cf. Ac 1:4-5; 2:33,38-39); or 2) the Holy Spirit which gives promise of what else lies ahead. In view of what we learn next about the Holy Spirit, I suspect Paul refers to the latter, for...]
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR “GUARANTEE” (14)
A. DEFINING “GUARANTEE” (“EARNEST”, KJV)...
1. The word is arrabon {ar-hrab-ohn’}
2. It is used to refer to “money which in purchases is given as a pledge or down payment that the full amount will subsequently be paid”
3. In the LXX (Septuagint Version of the OT), the word is translated “pledge” three times in Gen 38:17-20
B. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A “GUARANTEE OF OUR INHERITANCE”...
1. God has given the Holy Spirit in our hearts as a “deposit” (“earnest”, KJV, and is the same Greek word) - 2 Co 1:22
2. He is a guarantee of what God has prepared for us - 2 Co 5:1-5
3. The blessing of the Holy Spirit working in our lives is only a foretaste of the glory that will one day be ours
4. And yet, as an example of what the Holy Spirit can do for us now...cf. Ro 15:13; Ep 3:16; Ga 5:22-23
C. HE SERVES AS SUCH “UNTIL THE REDEMPTION OF THE PURCHASED
POSSESSION”...
1. While in one sense we have been redeemed (Ep 1:7) through the blood of Christ, in
another sense God has yet to redeem those who are truly His (Ep 4:30)
2. Until that day, the Holy Spirit serves as a guarantee that the final redemption will one day take place
3. Hendriksen comments: “At the moment when believers receive THEIR full
inheritance, which includes a glorious resurrection body (4:30), the redemption of
GOD’S own possession takes place, that is, the full release to him of that which is
his by virtue of the fact that he both made it and bought it.”
CONCLUSION
1. So we have the Holy Spirit as a “seal” and a “guarantee”. What should our reaction be?
2. For the third time (1:6,12,14), Paul says these blessings are “to the praise of His glory”!
3. Thus our reaction should be the same as Paul as stated at the beginning of this section...
a. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with
every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” - 1:3
b. I.e., praise God!
Are you praising God for His wonderful grace and mercy? Later on, Paul will tell us how we can “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Ep 4:1), but he sums it up very nicely in Ro 12:1-2...
INTRODUCTION
1. In studying verses 4-12 in which Paul is praising God for the “spiritual riches” in Christ, we have seen blessings which involve both the Father and the Son...
a. Blessings involving the Father include our being:
1) “Chosen by God”, to be holy and without blame before Him in love (1:4)
2) “Predestined by God”, to receive the adoption as sons of God (1:5-6a)
3) “Accepted by God”, that is, to be highly favored by Him (1:6b)
b. Blessings involving the Son also include the following:
1) “God has redeemed us” through the precious blood of His Son (1:7a)
2) “God has forgiven us” of our sins by virtue of His grace (1:7b-8)
3) “God has revealed His Will to us ” pertaining to His plan to gather into one all things in Christ (1:9-10)
4) “God has given us an inheritance” as part of His predetermined plan (1:11-12)
2. Verses 13-14 close out this “doxology”, by pointing out blessings we have in Christ that relate in particular to the work of the Holy Spirit
[What are these “Blessings Involving The Holy Spirit”? The first one is...]
I. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR “SEAL” (13)
A. DEFINING “SEAL”...
1. The word is sphragizo {sfrag-id’-zo}, which means “to set a seal upon, mark with a seal, to seal”
2. A “seal” was used for various reasons, including:
a. To guarantee the genuine character of a document (Esther 3:12), or, figuratively, of a person (1 Co 9:2)
b. To mark ownership (Song 8:6)
c. To protect against tampering or harm (Mt 27:66; Re 5:1)
B. HOW IS THE HOLY SPIRIT OUR “SEAL”...?
1. It could be in every sense of the word...
a. In Ro 8:16, the Spirit Himself “bears witness” that we are children of God (i.e.,
guarantees our genuine character)
b. In Ro 8:9, the indwelling Holy Spirit is considered evidence that we are truly Christ’s(i.e., a mark of ownership, cf. also 1 Co 6:19-20)
c. In Ro 8:13-14, it is by the Spirit of God that we “put to death the deeds of the body” so we can live (i.e., to some degree helping to protect against tampering or harm, cf. also Ep 3:16)
2. However, the context of Ephesians makes me think that “proof of ownership” is what Paul had in mind...
a. He goes on to speak of the Holy Spirit as a “guarantee...until the redemption of the purchased possession” - Ep 1:14
b. He later says that we were sealed by the Spirit “for the day of redemption” - Ep 4:30
-- So until that “day of redemption”, the Holy Spirit is given to the Christian as evidence that we truly belong to God
C. WHEN ARE WE “SEALED” WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT...?
1. It is after, not before...
a. One hears the word of truth, the gospel - Ep 1:13
b. One believes the gospel - Ep 1:13; cf. Jn 7:37-39
c. One becomes a son of God - Ga 4:6-7 (which occurs when a believer is baptized into
Christ - cf. Ga 3:26-27)
2. Thus it is only when we obey the gospel of Jesus Christ that we are “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise”...
a. As Peter told the crowd on the Day of Pentecost - Ac 2:38-39
b. And as he told the Sanhedrin Council - Ac 5:32
[This “seal” as a “mark of ownership” is something that might be of more significance to God (and to Satan, who would try to steal what belongs to God) that it does to us, but we can take comfort in knowing that God considers us His property, and that the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to be evidence of such ownership. Paul describes the Spirit in this passage as “the Holy Spirit of promise”, which could be understood in two ways: 1) the promised Holy Spirit (cf. Ac 1:4-5; 2:33,38-39); or 2) the Holy Spirit which gives promise of what else lies ahead. In view of what we learn next about the Holy Spirit, I suspect Paul refers to the latter, for...]
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR “GUARANTEE” (14)
A. DEFINING “GUARANTEE” (“EARNEST”, KJV)...
1. The word is arrabon {ar-hrab-ohn’}
2. It is used to refer to “money which in purchases is given as a pledge or down payment that the full amount will subsequently be paid”
3. In the LXX (Septuagint Version of the OT), the word is translated “pledge” three times in Gen 38:17-20
B. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A “GUARANTEE OF OUR INHERITANCE”...
1. God has given the Holy Spirit in our hearts as a “deposit” (“earnest”, KJV, and is the same Greek word) - 2 Co 1:22
2. He is a guarantee of what God has prepared for us - 2 Co 5:1-5
3. The blessing of the Holy Spirit working in our lives is only a foretaste of the glory that will one day be ours
4. And yet, as an example of what the Holy Spirit can do for us now...cf. Ro 15:13; Ep 3:16; Ga 5:22-23
C. HE SERVES AS SUCH “UNTIL THE REDEMPTION OF THE PURCHASED
POSSESSION”...
1. While in one sense we have been redeemed (Ep 1:7) through the blood of Christ, in
another sense God has yet to redeem those who are truly His (Ep 4:30)
2. Until that day, the Holy Spirit serves as a guarantee that the final redemption will one day take place
3. Hendriksen comments: “At the moment when believers receive THEIR full
inheritance, which includes a glorious resurrection body (4:30), the redemption of
GOD’S own possession takes place, that is, the full release to him of that which is
his by virtue of the fact that he both made it and bought it.”
CONCLUSION
1. So we have the Holy Spirit as a “seal” and a “guarantee”. What should our reaction be?
2. For the third time (1:6,12,14), Paul says these blessings are “to the praise of His glory”!
3. Thus our reaction should be the same as Paul as stated at the beginning of this section...
a. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with
every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” - 1:3
b. I.e., praise God!
Are you praising God for His wonderful grace and mercy? Later on, Paul will tell us how we can “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Ep 4:1), but he sums it up very nicely in Ro 12:1-2...
Monday, March 21, 2011
Blessings Involving The Son- Ephesians 1:7-12
Blessings Involving The Son- Ephesians 1:7-12
INTRODUCTION
1. We saw in the previous lesson that Paul starts his epistle to the Ephesians with praising God for the spiritual riches (blessings) that we have in Christ - Ep 1:3
2. Throughout Ep 1:4-14 Paul lists some of these wonderful blessings that are ours, and in verses 4-6 we saw those blessings which center around the Father, how we who are in Christ are:
a. “Chosen by God”, to be holy and without blame before Him in love (1:4)
b. “Predestined by God”, to receive the adoption as sons of God (1:5-6a)
c. “Accepted by God”, that is, to be highly favored by Him (1:6b)
3. How is it that we who are sinners are so blessed by God?
a. The answer is hinted at in verses 4-6 by the repeated reference to Christ:
1) “chose us in Him”
2) “adoption as sons by Jesus Christ”
3) “made us accepted in the Beloved”
b. Thus it is only through Jesus Christ that we can receive these wonderful blessings! (1:3)
4. This becomes even clearer as we now consider verses 7-12, as Paul expands upon “Blessings Involving The Son”...
a. Please note that the distinction being made between blessings involving the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a narrow one
b. For each of the blessings usually involve two or more Persons in the Godhead
c. But for memorization purposes it can be helpful to divide up the blessings in the way we have done
[The first blessing we notice in this section is that through His Son...]
I. GOD HAS REDEEMED US (7a)
A. DEFINING “REDEMPTION”...
1. The Greek word is apolutrosis {ap-ol-oo’-tro-sis}
2. It means “a releasing effected by payment of ransom”
3. As Hendriksen defines it, “deliverance as a result of the payment of a ransom”
4. Hendriksen goes on to suggest that this “redemption” implies:
a. “emancipation...from the guilt, punishment, and power of sin” - cf. Jn 8:34; Ro 7:14; Ga 3:13
b. “restoration to true liberty” - cf. Jn 8:36
B. OUR REDEMPTION IS “THROUGH HIS (CHRIST’S) BLOOD”...
1. The price paid in order to redeem us was the blood of Jesus - cf. 1 Pe 1:18-19
2. By His death on the cross, Jesus has paid the price to deliver us from the bondage of sin, for which He deserves our highest praise! - cf. Re 5:9, 12
[We now see how God could carry out His choice to have a people who are holy and without blame, adopted as sons unto Him, when all He had to work with were “sinners”. Through the death of Jesus and the shedding of His blood, God was just to “redeem” or “deliver” sinners from the bondage of sin! There is another way to express what God has done to make it possible for us to be “holy and without blame before Him in love”, and that is, through His Son...]
II. GOD HAS FORGIVEN US (7b-8)
A. DEFINING “FORGIVENESS”...
1. The Greek word is aphesis {af’-es-is}, and it’s shades of meaning include:
a. “release from bondage or imprisonment”
b. “forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty”
2. With the shedding of Jesus’ blood, it is now possible to be “forgiven”, that is, “pardoned” so that we are no longer guilty of or imprisoned by sin
B. WHAT HAS BEEN FORGIVEN ARE OUR “SINS” (TRESPASSES)...
1. The Greek word here is paraptoma, {par-ap’-to-mah}
a. Lit., it means “a sideslip (lapse or deviation)”
b. Thus it refers to (unintentional) error or (willful) transgression
2. The very sort of things (faults, offenses, sins, trespasses) that would keep us from being “holy and without blame”
3. Through Jesus’ blood, we can obtain “pardon” from such things, and be “holy and without blame”!
C. THE BASIS FOR BOTH “REDEMPTION” AND “FORGIVENESS” IS GOD’S GRACE...
1. “according to the riches of His grace” - 7c
2. “which He made to abound toward us” - 8a
3. As Paul told Titus, it is by God’s mercy and grace we are justified - Ti 3:3-7
4. This wonderful grace is manifested by God in all...
a. “wisdom” - from the Greek word sophia, {sof-ee’-ah}
1) Defined by Hendriksen as “that ability to apply knowledge to the best
advantage, enabling a person to use the most effective means for the
attainment of the highest goal”
2) In God’s case, His wisdom is often beyond the capability of man to find out on his
own - cf. Ro 11:33
b. “prudence” - from the Greek word phronesis {fron’-ay-sis}
1) Meaning “mental action or activity, i.e. intellectual or moral insight:
prudence, wisdom.”
2) With much thought God has chosen to show His grace toward us!
[According to His wisdom, prudence, and grace, God has provided “redemption” and “forgiveness” through the blood of His dear Son! But there is more! While God’s wisdom is often beyond the ability of man to find out on his own, through His Son...]
III.GOD HAS REVEALED HIS WILL TO US (9-10)
A. “HE HAS MADE KNOWN TO THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL”...
1. As explained by Paul later in this epistle (cf. Ep 3:3-5), this “mystery”...
a. Was not made known to mankind in other ages - 3:5a
b. But has now been revealed by the Spirit to the apostles and prophets - 3:5b; Ro 16:25-27
2. Making known the “mystery of His will” is due to “His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself”
a. It pleased God in planning to reveal His will to us
b. Just as it pleased God to predestine our adoption as sons through Jesus Christ - 1:5
B. THE “WILL OF GOD” THAT IS NOW REVEALED PERTAINS TO WHAT GOD HAD PLANNED TO ACCOMPLISH IN JESUS CHRIST...
1. God’s “plan” was to be carried out “in the dispensation of the fullness of the times”
a. I.e., in the period of time when everything is right and ready - cf. Ga 4:4-5
b. Hendriksen suggests that the reference is to the entire New Testament era...
1) Particularly to the period which began with Christ’s resurrection and coronation
2) But not ending until the Lord, upon His glorious return, pronounces and executes
judgment (New Testament Commentary, Exposition of Ephesians, pp. 85-86)
2. God’s “plan” was to “gather together in one all things in Christ...”
a. B. W. Johnson comments: “He might gather in one all things in Christ. That the
scattered families and tribes of men, both Jews and Gentiles, should all be
gathered and united under one head, Christ. Nay, not only men, but angels...”
b. Paul elaborates upon this thought in Ep 2:16, and in Co 1:19-22
1) By the death of Christ, Jew and Gentile can become one body
2) By the blood of the cross, God is able to reconcile all things to Himself
3) The ultimate consequence of this “reconciliation” is that we might be presented
“holy, and blameless, and irreproachable in His sight” - Co 1:22; cf. Ep 1:4
[Finally, we also learn that through the Son....]
IV. GOD HAS GIVEN US AN INHERITANCE (11-12)
A. “OBTAINED AN INHERITANCE” OR “MADE A HERITAGE”...?
1. Some translations and scholars understand that verse 11 should read “we were made a heritage”, speaking of God’s inheritance, with an appeal to:
a. Ep 1:14b - where Paul speaks of “the redemption of the purchased possession”
b. Ep 1:18c - where Paul speaks of “His inheritance”
2. Reasons for accepting the rendering found in the KJV and NKJV are offered by
Hendriksen:
a. The immediate context speaks of “our inheritance” - Ep 1:14a
b. In the NT “the inheritance” is ever said to be “ours” or “intended for us” - Ac 20:32; Ga 3:18; Co 3:24; He 9:15; 1 Pe 1:4 (including Ep 1:18c, where “His inheritance” can mean that which God is giving to us)
c. Ep 1:5 speaks of “adoption as sons”, and in Ro 8:15-17 Paul connects the idea of
adoption with that of being heirs
d. In an epistle with many similarities to Ephesians, Paul certainly speaks of how we are “heirs” - Co 1:12
B. THIS INHERITANCE IS PART OF GOD’S “PREDESTINATION”...
1. Just as God “predetermined” that those in Christ would receive “adoption as sons” (Ep 1:5), so He “predetermined” that His “sons” would receive an “inheritance”!
2. This is in accordance with God’s grand “purpose”, who has the power to “work all things according to the counsel of His will”
C. THE FINAL RESULT IN RECEIVING THIS INHERITANCE...
1. “that we...should be to the praise of His glory”
a. That “those in Christ” (and what God has made them) will be a reason to give God
glory
b. As Paul wrote the Thessalonians: “that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be
glorified in you...” - 2 Th 1:12
2. Some understand that Paul is now beginning to distinguish between those like him (Jewish believers) and those like his readers (Gentile believers), for a reason that will become clear later (cf. Ep 2:11-22)
a. For Paul speaks of “we who first trusted” in verse 12...
b. ...and then says “you also trusted” in verse 13
3. Even if so, one cannot make too much of this distinction...
a. Because all that is said in verses 3-11 (where “we” is found) applies to Gentile
believers
b. And all that is said in verses 13-14 (where “you” is found) applies to Jewish believers also
CONCLUSION
1. In Christ, then, we have every reason to praise God, knowing that...
a. God has redeemed us (7a)
b. God has forgiven us (7b-8)
c. God has revealed His Will to us (9-10)
d. God has given us an inheritance (11-12)
2. But there is even more! And in the next lesson we shall examine what that is, as we consider “Blessings Involving The Holy Spirit”
For the time being, have you experienced that wonderful redemption, the forgiveness of sins, through the blood of Jesus? The apostle Peter tells how we can in Ac 2:36-41...
INTRODUCTION
1. We saw in the previous lesson that Paul starts his epistle to the Ephesians with praising God for the spiritual riches (blessings) that we have in Christ - Ep 1:3
2. Throughout Ep 1:4-14 Paul lists some of these wonderful blessings that are ours, and in verses 4-6 we saw those blessings which center around the Father, how we who are in Christ are:
a. “Chosen by God”, to be holy and without blame before Him in love (1:4)
b. “Predestined by God”, to receive the adoption as sons of God (1:5-6a)
c. “Accepted by God”, that is, to be highly favored by Him (1:6b)
3. How is it that we who are sinners are so blessed by God?
a. The answer is hinted at in verses 4-6 by the repeated reference to Christ:
1) “chose us in Him”
2) “adoption as sons by Jesus Christ”
3) “made us accepted in the Beloved”
b. Thus it is only through Jesus Christ that we can receive these wonderful blessings! (1:3)
4. This becomes even clearer as we now consider verses 7-12, as Paul expands upon “Blessings Involving The Son”...
a. Please note that the distinction being made between blessings involving the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a narrow one
b. For each of the blessings usually involve two or more Persons in the Godhead
c. But for memorization purposes it can be helpful to divide up the blessings in the way we have done
[The first blessing we notice in this section is that through His Son...]
I. GOD HAS REDEEMED US (7a)
A. DEFINING “REDEMPTION”...
1. The Greek word is apolutrosis {ap-ol-oo’-tro-sis}
2. It means “a releasing effected by payment of ransom”
3. As Hendriksen defines it, “deliverance as a result of the payment of a ransom”
4. Hendriksen goes on to suggest that this “redemption” implies:
a. “emancipation...from the guilt, punishment, and power of sin” - cf. Jn 8:34; Ro 7:14; Ga 3:13
b. “restoration to true liberty” - cf. Jn 8:36
B. OUR REDEMPTION IS “THROUGH HIS (CHRIST’S) BLOOD”...
1. The price paid in order to redeem us was the blood of Jesus - cf. 1 Pe 1:18-19
2. By His death on the cross, Jesus has paid the price to deliver us from the bondage of sin, for which He deserves our highest praise! - cf. Re 5:9, 12
[We now see how God could carry out His choice to have a people who are holy and without blame, adopted as sons unto Him, when all He had to work with were “sinners”. Through the death of Jesus and the shedding of His blood, God was just to “redeem” or “deliver” sinners from the bondage of sin! There is another way to express what God has done to make it possible for us to be “holy and without blame before Him in love”, and that is, through His Son...]
II. GOD HAS FORGIVEN US (7b-8)
A. DEFINING “FORGIVENESS”...
1. The Greek word is aphesis {af’-es-is}, and it’s shades of meaning include:
a. “release from bondage or imprisonment”
b. “forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty”
2. With the shedding of Jesus’ blood, it is now possible to be “forgiven”, that is, “pardoned” so that we are no longer guilty of or imprisoned by sin
B. WHAT HAS BEEN FORGIVEN ARE OUR “SINS” (TRESPASSES)...
1. The Greek word here is paraptoma, {par-ap’-to-mah}
a. Lit., it means “a sideslip (lapse or deviation)”
b. Thus it refers to (unintentional) error or (willful) transgression
2. The very sort of things (faults, offenses, sins, trespasses) that would keep us from being “holy and without blame”
3. Through Jesus’ blood, we can obtain “pardon” from such things, and be “holy and without blame”!
C. THE BASIS FOR BOTH “REDEMPTION” AND “FORGIVENESS” IS GOD’S GRACE...
1. “according to the riches of His grace” - 7c
2. “which He made to abound toward us” - 8a
3. As Paul told Titus, it is by God’s mercy and grace we are justified - Ti 3:3-7
4. This wonderful grace is manifested by God in all...
a. “wisdom” - from the Greek word sophia, {sof-ee’-ah}
1) Defined by Hendriksen as “that ability to apply knowledge to the best
advantage, enabling a person to use the most effective means for the
attainment of the highest goal”
2) In God’s case, His wisdom is often beyond the capability of man to find out on his
own - cf. Ro 11:33
b. “prudence” - from the Greek word phronesis {fron’-ay-sis}
1) Meaning “mental action or activity, i.e. intellectual or moral insight:
prudence, wisdom.”
2) With much thought God has chosen to show His grace toward us!
[According to His wisdom, prudence, and grace, God has provided “redemption” and “forgiveness” through the blood of His dear Son! But there is more! While God’s wisdom is often beyond the ability of man to find out on his own, through His Son...]
III.GOD HAS REVEALED HIS WILL TO US (9-10)
A. “HE HAS MADE KNOWN TO THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL”...
1. As explained by Paul later in this epistle (cf. Ep 3:3-5), this “mystery”...
a. Was not made known to mankind in other ages - 3:5a
b. But has now been revealed by the Spirit to the apostles and prophets - 3:5b; Ro 16:25-27
2. Making known the “mystery of His will” is due to “His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself”
a. It pleased God in planning to reveal His will to us
b. Just as it pleased God to predestine our adoption as sons through Jesus Christ - 1:5
B. THE “WILL OF GOD” THAT IS NOW REVEALED PERTAINS TO WHAT GOD HAD PLANNED TO ACCOMPLISH IN JESUS CHRIST...
1. God’s “plan” was to be carried out “in the dispensation of the fullness of the times”
a. I.e., in the period of time when everything is right and ready - cf. Ga 4:4-5
b. Hendriksen suggests that the reference is to the entire New Testament era...
1) Particularly to the period which began with Christ’s resurrection and coronation
2) But not ending until the Lord, upon His glorious return, pronounces and executes
judgment (New Testament Commentary, Exposition of Ephesians, pp. 85-86)
2. God’s “plan” was to “gather together in one all things in Christ...”
a. B. W. Johnson comments: “He might gather in one all things in Christ. That the
scattered families and tribes of men, both Jews and Gentiles, should all be
gathered and united under one head, Christ. Nay, not only men, but angels...”
b. Paul elaborates upon this thought in Ep 2:16, and in Co 1:19-22
1) By the death of Christ, Jew and Gentile can become one body
2) By the blood of the cross, God is able to reconcile all things to Himself
3) The ultimate consequence of this “reconciliation” is that we might be presented
“holy, and blameless, and irreproachable in His sight” - Co 1:22; cf. Ep 1:4
[Finally, we also learn that through the Son....]
IV. GOD HAS GIVEN US AN INHERITANCE (11-12)
A. “OBTAINED AN INHERITANCE” OR “MADE A HERITAGE”...?
1. Some translations and scholars understand that verse 11 should read “we were made a heritage”, speaking of God’s inheritance, with an appeal to:
a. Ep 1:14b - where Paul speaks of “the redemption of the purchased possession”
b. Ep 1:18c - where Paul speaks of “His inheritance”
2. Reasons for accepting the rendering found in the KJV and NKJV are offered by
Hendriksen:
a. The immediate context speaks of “our inheritance” - Ep 1:14a
b. In the NT “the inheritance” is ever said to be “ours” or “intended for us” - Ac 20:32; Ga 3:18; Co 3:24; He 9:15; 1 Pe 1:4 (including Ep 1:18c, where “His inheritance” can mean that which God is giving to us)
c. Ep 1:5 speaks of “adoption as sons”, and in Ro 8:15-17 Paul connects the idea of
adoption with that of being heirs
d. In an epistle with many similarities to Ephesians, Paul certainly speaks of how we are “heirs” - Co 1:12
B. THIS INHERITANCE IS PART OF GOD’S “PREDESTINATION”...
1. Just as God “predetermined” that those in Christ would receive “adoption as sons” (Ep 1:5), so He “predetermined” that His “sons” would receive an “inheritance”!
2. This is in accordance with God’s grand “purpose”, who has the power to “work all things according to the counsel of His will”
C. THE FINAL RESULT IN RECEIVING THIS INHERITANCE...
1. “that we...should be to the praise of His glory”
a. That “those in Christ” (and what God has made them) will be a reason to give God
glory
b. As Paul wrote the Thessalonians: “that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be
glorified in you...” - 2 Th 1:12
2. Some understand that Paul is now beginning to distinguish between those like him (Jewish believers) and those like his readers (Gentile believers), for a reason that will become clear later (cf. Ep 2:11-22)
a. For Paul speaks of “we who first trusted” in verse 12...
b. ...and then says “you also trusted” in verse 13
3. Even if so, one cannot make too much of this distinction...
a. Because all that is said in verses 3-11 (where “we” is found) applies to Gentile
believers
b. And all that is said in verses 13-14 (where “you” is found) applies to Jewish believers also
CONCLUSION
1. In Christ, then, we have every reason to praise God, knowing that...
a. God has redeemed us (7a)
b. God has forgiven us (7b-8)
c. God has revealed His Will to us (9-10)
d. God has given us an inheritance (11-12)
2. But there is even more! And in the next lesson we shall examine what that is, as we consider “Blessings Involving The Holy Spirit”
For the time being, have you experienced that wonderful redemption, the forgiveness of sins, through the blood of Jesus? The apostle Peter tells how we can in Ac 2:36-41...
Friday, March 18, 2011
Blessings Involving The Father- Ephesians 1:4-6
Blessings Involving The Father- Ephesians 1:4-6
INTRODUCTION
1. As suggested in the previous lesson, the “theme” of Ephesians is “The Believer’s Riches In Christ”
2. After his brief salutation (1:1-2), Paul immediately begins in 1:3 by praising God for the blessings or riches) we have in Christ...
a. This “doxology” actually continues throughout verses 4-14
b. The spiritual “possessions” that are mentioned in this passage can easily be outlined as:
1) Blessings involving the Father (4-6)
2) Blessings involving the Son (7-12)
3) Blessings involving the Holy Spirit (13-14)
3. In an effort to appreciate how spiritually blessed we are in Christ, we will examine this section(4-14) in three separate lessons
[With verses 4-6, then, we focus in on “Blessings Involving The Father”, beginning with the fact that in Christ we are...]
I. CHOSEN BY GOD (1:4)
A. DEFINING THE TERM “CHOSEN”...
1. Comes from the Greek eklegomai {ek-leg’-om-ahee}, and means “to pick out, choose, to pick or choose out for one’s self”
2. Related to the idea of “election” which comes from ekloge {ek-log-ay’}, meaning “the act of picking out, choosing”
B. THE “TIME” OF THIS CHOICE...
1. “before the foundation of the world”
2. Before the world was ever created, God made His “choice” or “election”
3. Just as with Christ Himself, who was foreordained “before the foundation of the world” - 1 Pe 1:20
C. THE “OBJECTS” OF THIS CHOICE...
1. The Calvinist believes that this choice was...
a. Individual (only certain select individuals have been chosen)
b. Dependent solely upon God’s gracious and mysterious will, without any foreknowledge of good or evil on the part of those selected
c. Unconditional and final ( there is no possibility of apostasy)
2. The Arminian believes that this choice was...
a. Individual (certain select individuals have been chosen)
b. Based upon foreknowledge of those souls who would respond to the gospel and
persevere in the faith
c. Unconditional and final, in the sense that God already knows those who will persevere to the end
3. Paul says simply “...chose us in Him (i.e., Christ)”, and I understand this election by God to have been...
a. General, not particular; corporate, not individual
b. The body of Christ, the church as a whole, which God chose for His divine and
gracious purposes He planned to carry out in Christ
c. And that while in the “corporate” sense this choice is unconditional and final, as
“individuals” we must be “diligent to make your calling and election sure”
- 2 Pe 1:10
1) Just as Israel (as a nation) had been chosen by God to receive His blessings
2) But individually, the Israelites also had to “make their calling and election sure”
D. THE “PURPOSE” OF THIS CHOICE...
1. “that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love”
2. The goal of God’s choice in eternity was to produce a people in Christ Jesus who would be:
a. “holy” - set apart for a special purpose
b. “without blame” - free from condemnation
c. “in love” - walking before God in a “sphere” of love - cf. Ep 5:1-2
[In Christ Jesus, then, we are blessed to be God’s “chosen” people (cf. 1 Pe 2:9). How God was able to carry out the “purpose” of His choice when all He had to work with were sinners will be explained in verses 7-12. But first we also learn that in Christ Jesus we have been...]
II. PREDESTINED BY GOD (1:5-6a)
A. DEFINING THE TERM “PREDESTINED”...
1. From the Greek word, proorizo {pro-or-id’-zo}, meaning “to predetermine, decide
beforehand”
2. Thus this verse speaks of that which God “predetermined beforehand”
-- WHO was it that God “predetermined”?
B. THE SUBJECTS OF GOD’S “PREDESTINATION”...
1. Paul simply says “us”
2. As with election, I understand Paul to speaking of the church as a whole
3. As B. W. Johnson says: “The whole line of argument is general instead of
particular.” (The People’s New Testament)
--WHAT was it that God “predetermined”?
C. THE PURPOSE OF GOD’S “PREDESTINATION”...
1. “adoption as sons”
2. Quoting Johnson again: God has “foreordained that we, the church of Jesus Christ,
should be adopted as his children.”
3. As Wiersbe points out, the word “predestination” refers primarily to what God does for saved people: “Election seems to refer to people, while predestination refers to
purposes” (The Bible Exposition Commentary, Vol. 2, p. 11)
3. So it is here, that Paul reveals that which had been predetermined beforehand was the church (all those who are saved) would be “adopted” into the family of God
-- WHY did God “predetermine” this?
D. THE BASIS OF GOD’S “PREDESTINATION”...
1. “according to the good pleasure of His will”
2. Putting it simply, the idea “pleased” God!
a. It is something He wanted to do
b. And by His Divine Will He has made it possible!
[What should our reaction be to all this? To praise God for His glorious grace (“to the praise of the glory of His grace”)! For it is His “grace” by which we can now be...]
III.ACCEPTED BY GOD (1:6b)
A. DEFINING THE TERM “ACCEPTED”...
1. Comes from the Greek word charitoo {khar-ee-to’-o}, and means...
a. To be highly favored
b. To peruse with grace, compass with favor
c. To honor with blessings
2. It is used in Lk 1:28 in reference to the virgin Mary (“highly favored one”)
3. Like Mary, those in Christ are “highly favored” in God’s sight!
B. THE BASIS UPON WHICH WE ARE “ACCEPTED”...
1. “in the Beloved” (Jesus Christ)
2. As emphasized in 1:3 and throughout verses 4-14, all these blessings (including acceptance by God) are “in” and “by” Jesus Christ:
a. God chose us “in Him (Christ)” - 1:4
b. God predestined us to adoption as sons “by Jesus Christ” - 1:5
c. God has made us accepted “in the Beloved (Christ) - 1:6
3. Therefore it is by our being “in” Christ that we are privileged to be “highly favored” by God, and showered by these wonderful blessings!
CONCLUSION
1. And what should our reaction be?
a. To praise God for His glorious grace! - cf. Ep 1:6
b. Offering such praise is a form of “spiritual sacrifice” by which we can say “thank you!” - cf. He 13:15
2. How can God afford to be so gracious to those who are sinners? Our next lesson will examine how in detail, but notice Ep 1:7
a. Have you experienced this redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins?
b. To learn how, carefully read Ac 2:36-41...
INTRODUCTION
1. As suggested in the previous lesson, the “theme” of Ephesians is “The Believer’s Riches In Christ”
2. After his brief salutation (1:1-2), Paul immediately begins in 1:3 by praising God for the blessings or riches) we have in Christ...
a. This “doxology” actually continues throughout verses 4-14
b. The spiritual “possessions” that are mentioned in this passage can easily be outlined as:
1) Blessings involving the Father (4-6)
2) Blessings involving the Son (7-12)
3) Blessings involving the Holy Spirit (13-14)
3. In an effort to appreciate how spiritually blessed we are in Christ, we will examine this section(4-14) in three separate lessons
[With verses 4-6, then, we focus in on “Blessings Involving The Father”, beginning with the fact that in Christ we are...]
I. CHOSEN BY GOD (1:4)
A. DEFINING THE TERM “CHOSEN”...
1. Comes from the Greek eklegomai {ek-leg’-om-ahee}, and means “to pick out, choose, to pick or choose out for one’s self”
2. Related to the idea of “election” which comes from ekloge {ek-log-ay’}, meaning “the act of picking out, choosing”
B. THE “TIME” OF THIS CHOICE...
1. “before the foundation of the world”
2. Before the world was ever created, God made His “choice” or “election”
3. Just as with Christ Himself, who was foreordained “before the foundation of the world” - 1 Pe 1:20
C. THE “OBJECTS” OF THIS CHOICE...
1. The Calvinist believes that this choice was...
a. Individual (only certain select individuals have been chosen)
b. Dependent solely upon God’s gracious and mysterious will, without any foreknowledge of good or evil on the part of those selected
c. Unconditional and final ( there is no possibility of apostasy)
2. The Arminian believes that this choice was...
a. Individual (certain select individuals have been chosen)
b. Based upon foreknowledge of those souls who would respond to the gospel and
persevere in the faith
c. Unconditional and final, in the sense that God already knows those who will persevere to the end
3. Paul says simply “...chose us in Him (i.e., Christ)”, and I understand this election by God to have been...
a. General, not particular; corporate, not individual
b. The body of Christ, the church as a whole, which God chose for His divine and
gracious purposes He planned to carry out in Christ
c. And that while in the “corporate” sense this choice is unconditional and final, as
“individuals” we must be “diligent to make your calling and election sure”
- 2 Pe 1:10
1) Just as Israel (as a nation) had been chosen by God to receive His blessings
2) But individually, the Israelites also had to “make their calling and election sure”
D. THE “PURPOSE” OF THIS CHOICE...
1. “that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love”
2. The goal of God’s choice in eternity was to produce a people in Christ Jesus who would be:
a. “holy” - set apart for a special purpose
b. “without blame” - free from condemnation
c. “in love” - walking before God in a “sphere” of love - cf. Ep 5:1-2
[In Christ Jesus, then, we are blessed to be God’s “chosen” people (cf. 1 Pe 2:9). How God was able to carry out the “purpose” of His choice when all He had to work with were sinners will be explained in verses 7-12. But first we also learn that in Christ Jesus we have been...]
II. PREDESTINED BY GOD (1:5-6a)
A. DEFINING THE TERM “PREDESTINED”...
1. From the Greek word, proorizo {pro-or-id’-zo}, meaning “to predetermine, decide
beforehand”
2. Thus this verse speaks of that which God “predetermined beforehand”
-- WHO was it that God “predetermined”?
B. THE SUBJECTS OF GOD’S “PREDESTINATION”...
1. Paul simply says “us”
2. As with election, I understand Paul to speaking of the church as a whole
3. As B. W. Johnson says: “The whole line of argument is general instead of
particular.” (The People’s New Testament)
--WHAT was it that God “predetermined”?
C. THE PURPOSE OF GOD’S “PREDESTINATION”...
1. “adoption as sons”
2. Quoting Johnson again: God has “foreordained that we, the church of Jesus Christ,
should be adopted as his children.”
3. As Wiersbe points out, the word “predestination” refers primarily to what God does for saved people: “Election seems to refer to people, while predestination refers to
purposes” (The Bible Exposition Commentary, Vol. 2, p. 11)
3. So it is here, that Paul reveals that which had been predetermined beforehand was the church (all those who are saved) would be “adopted” into the family of God
-- WHY did God “predetermine” this?
D. THE BASIS OF GOD’S “PREDESTINATION”...
1. “according to the good pleasure of His will”
2. Putting it simply, the idea “pleased” God!
a. It is something He wanted to do
b. And by His Divine Will He has made it possible!
[What should our reaction be to all this? To praise God for His glorious grace (“to the praise of the glory of His grace”)! For it is His “grace” by which we can now be...]
III.ACCEPTED BY GOD (1:6b)
A. DEFINING THE TERM “ACCEPTED”...
1. Comes from the Greek word charitoo {khar-ee-to’-o}, and means...
a. To be highly favored
b. To peruse with grace, compass with favor
c. To honor with blessings
2. It is used in Lk 1:28 in reference to the virgin Mary (“highly favored one”)
3. Like Mary, those in Christ are “highly favored” in God’s sight!
B. THE BASIS UPON WHICH WE ARE “ACCEPTED”...
1. “in the Beloved” (Jesus Christ)
2. As emphasized in 1:3 and throughout verses 4-14, all these blessings (including acceptance by God) are “in” and “by” Jesus Christ:
a. God chose us “in Him (Christ)” - 1:4
b. God predestined us to adoption as sons “by Jesus Christ” - 1:5
c. God has made us accepted “in the Beloved (Christ) - 1:6
3. Therefore it is by our being “in” Christ that we are privileged to be “highly favored” by God, and showered by these wonderful blessings!
CONCLUSION
1. And what should our reaction be?
a. To praise God for His glorious grace! - cf. Ep 1:6
b. Offering such praise is a form of “spiritual sacrifice” by which we can say “thank you!” - cf. He 13:15
2. How can God afford to be so gracious to those who are sinners? Our next lesson will examine how in detail, but notice Ep 1:7
a. Have you experienced this redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins?
b. To learn how, carefully read Ac 2:36-41...
Monday, March 14, 2011
Introduction To Ephesians- Ephesians 1:1-3
Introduction To Ephesians- Ephesians 1:1-3
INTRODUCTION
1. Have you ever heard of “Hetty” Green, known as “America’s Greatest Miser”?
a. She died in 1916, and left an estate worth over $100 million
b. Yet, it is said that...
1) She ate oatmeal cold, because it cost to heat it
2) Her son’s leg was amputated, because she delayed too long looking for a free clinic
c. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it?
1) For someone who had such great assets, to go through life miserable
2) Living the life of a pauper, when great wealth was at her disposal
2. But the same could be said of many Christians today...
a. For in Christ Jesus, we have countless spiritual blessings! - cf. Ep 1:3
b. However, many of these blessings go unused
1) Blessings that are wonderful, but unappreciated by many
2) Resulting in some Christians living what Thoreau would call “lives of quiet desperation”
3. God would have us to know about these blessings, or spiritual “riches”, and in the New Testament one book in particular describes many of them...
a. It is the book of Ephesians
b. One expressed purpose of the book is that we might know “what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” - cf. Ep 1:18
4. Lest we become the spiritual equivalent of “Hetty” Green, we begin a series devoted to the Epistle to the Ephesians, in which we plan to “mine” for the riches that are ours in Christ Jesus
[In Ep 1:1-3, Paul addresses the brethren at Ephesus and begins immediately to speak of our “spiritual blessings”. Let’s first more closely consider...]
I. THE AUTHOR (1:1a)
A. PAUL...
1. Formerly, “Saul of Tarsus”, the persecutor of the church - Ac 9:1-2
2. But who became the “apostle to the Gentiles” - Ac 9:15
B. AN APOSTLE OF JESUS BY THE WILL OF GOD...
1. His apostleship was not of his own choosing - cf. Ga 1:1
2. He knew it was by the grace of God that he had been so called - Ep 3:8a
3. His charge? To “preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” - Ep 3:8b
C. WHOSE WORK HAD BROUGHT HIM TO EPHESUS...
1. First, for a short stay - Ac 18:19-21
2. Then for over two years, one of his longer periods of service in one place - Ac 19:1-10
3. He also met with the Ephesian elders at Miletus - Ac 20:17-38
D. WRITING NOW AS “AN AMBASSADOR IN CHAINS”...
1. At the time Paul wrote this epistle, he was awaiting trial in Rome - cf. Ep 3:1; 4:1; 6:20
2. This epistle was written about the same time as Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon,approximately 60-62 A.D.
3. I.e., during the time period briefly described in Ac 28:30-31
[Now for a few thoughts on...]
II. THE RECIPIENTS (1:1b)
A. THE SAINTS WHO ARE IN EPHESUS...
1. The recipients of this letter were called “saints”
a. The word “saint” means “one who has been set apart”
b. It is related to the word “sanctified” which means “set apart”
c. ALL Christians were called saints in the New Testament, for in Christ Jesus even the vilest sinners are “sanctified” upon their conversion - cf. 1 Co 6:9-11
2. The recipients of this letter were those brethren “in Ephesus”
a. This is called into question by some, for in a few manuscripts “in Ephesus” is omitted
b. For a detailed examination of this question, cf. New Testament Commentary,
Exposition Of Ephesians, William Hendriksen, Baker Book House, pp. 56-61
c. Hendricksen’s conclusion: this letter was written to the churches of Ephesus and
surroundings
3. Historical background concerning the work in Ephesus can be found in Ac 18:19-28;
19:1-41; 20:17-38
B. AND FAITHFUL IN CHRIST JESUS...
1. This describes the character of those “saints” in Ephesus
2. They are “faithful in Christ Jesus”; that is, they trusted in Him for their salvation - cf. Ep 1:13
3. They were “faithful” in another sense, also, in that they were trustworthy in their stand for the truth - cf. Re 2:1-3, 6
4. However, they were to be later rebuked for leaving their “first love” - Re 2:4-5
[To these “faithful saints”, Paul give his customary greeting in which he prays for grace and peace to come upon them from God and Jesus (1:2). With the very next verse, Paul begins to praise God for the blessings we have in Christ, which reveals to us . . .]
III.THE THEME: THE BELIEVER’S RICHES IN CHRIST (1:3)
A. THE SOURCE OF OUR BLESSINGS (RICHES)...
1. They come from “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”
2. As revealed later, they come to us a result of the “riches” of . . .
a. God’s grace - Ep 1:7
b. God’s glory - Ep 1:18
c. God’s mercy - Ep 2:7
3. As James wrote, “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights . . .” - Ja 1:17
B. THE SCOPE OF OUR BLESSINGS (RICHES)...
1. They include “every” spiritual blessing; not just a few, but every single one!
2. Blessings that are “spiritual” in nature; unlike many of the blessings to the nation of Israel of old, which were but material
C. THE SPHERE OF OUR BLESSINGS (RICHES)...
1. First, they are “in the heavenly places”
a. Lit., “in the heavenlies”, a phrase found only in Ephesians (1:3; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12)
b. Referring to the spiritual realm, as opposed to the physical
2. Secondly, they are “in Christ”
a. It has been counted that this phrase “in Christ” occurs 27 times in this epistle
c. Emphasizing that it is only by being “in” Christ that one can have access to “every” spiritual blessing
[With verse three, then, we have the “theme” of this epistle stated, and one would do well to think of it as the “key verse”. Before we close this introduction to Ephesians, it may be helpful to consider the following outline of the book as presented in The Bible Exposition Commentary, Volume 2, Warren W. Wiersbe, p. 7...]
IV. A BRIEF OUTLINE
A. DOCTRINE: OUR RICHES IN CHRIST (chapters 1-3)
1. Our spiritual possessions in Christ (1:4-14)
a. From the Father (1:4-6)
b. From the Son (1:7-12)
c. From the Spirit (1:13-14)
-- First Prayer: for enlightenment (1:15-23)
2. Our spiritual position in Christ (2:1-22)
a. Raised and seated on the throne (2:1-10)
b. Reconciled and set into the temple (2:11-22)
-- Second Prayer: for enablement (3:1-21; with verses 2-13 as a parenthesis)
B. DUTY: OUR RESPONSIBILITIES IN CHRIST (chapters 4-6)
1. Walk in unity (4:1-16)
2. Walk in purity (4:17-5:17)
a. Walk not as other Gentiles (4:17-32)
b. Walk in love (5:1-6)
c. Walk as children of light (5:7-14)
d. Walk carefully (5:15-17)
3. Walk in harmony (5:18-6:9)
a. Husbands and wives (5:18-33)
b. Parents and children (6:1-4)
c. Masters and servants (6:5-9)
d. Walk in victory (6:10-24)
CONCLUSION
1. In our next lesson, we will begin our study of this Epistle to the Ephesians in earnest, noticing immediately some of those “unsearchable riches of Christ”
2. But as we have already seen, the “sphere” in which these blessings (riches) are to be found is “in Christ”. How does one get “into” Christ?
The answer is found in Ga 3:26-27, where we learn that those who have been “baptized into Christ have put on Christ”. Are you in Christ...?
INTRODUCTION
1. Have you ever heard of “Hetty” Green, known as “America’s Greatest Miser”?
a. She died in 1916, and left an estate worth over $100 million
b. Yet, it is said that...
1) She ate oatmeal cold, because it cost to heat it
2) Her son’s leg was amputated, because she delayed too long looking for a free clinic
c. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it?
1) For someone who had such great assets, to go through life miserable
2) Living the life of a pauper, when great wealth was at her disposal
2. But the same could be said of many Christians today...
a. For in Christ Jesus, we have countless spiritual blessings! - cf. Ep 1:3
b. However, many of these blessings go unused
1) Blessings that are wonderful, but unappreciated by many
2) Resulting in some Christians living what Thoreau would call “lives of quiet desperation”
3. God would have us to know about these blessings, or spiritual “riches”, and in the New Testament one book in particular describes many of them...
a. It is the book of Ephesians
b. One expressed purpose of the book is that we might know “what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” - cf. Ep 1:18
4. Lest we become the spiritual equivalent of “Hetty” Green, we begin a series devoted to the Epistle to the Ephesians, in which we plan to “mine” for the riches that are ours in Christ Jesus
[In Ep 1:1-3, Paul addresses the brethren at Ephesus and begins immediately to speak of our “spiritual blessings”. Let’s first more closely consider...]
I. THE AUTHOR (1:1a)
A. PAUL...
1. Formerly, “Saul of Tarsus”, the persecutor of the church - Ac 9:1-2
2. But who became the “apostle to the Gentiles” - Ac 9:15
B. AN APOSTLE OF JESUS BY THE WILL OF GOD...
1. His apostleship was not of his own choosing - cf. Ga 1:1
2. He knew it was by the grace of God that he had been so called - Ep 3:8a
3. His charge? To “preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” - Ep 3:8b
C. WHOSE WORK HAD BROUGHT HIM TO EPHESUS...
1. First, for a short stay - Ac 18:19-21
2. Then for over two years, one of his longer periods of service in one place - Ac 19:1-10
3. He also met with the Ephesian elders at Miletus - Ac 20:17-38
D. WRITING NOW AS “AN AMBASSADOR IN CHAINS”...
1. At the time Paul wrote this epistle, he was awaiting trial in Rome - cf. Ep 3:1; 4:1; 6:20
2. This epistle was written about the same time as Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon,approximately 60-62 A.D.
3. I.e., during the time period briefly described in Ac 28:30-31
[Now for a few thoughts on...]
II. THE RECIPIENTS (1:1b)
A. THE SAINTS WHO ARE IN EPHESUS...
1. The recipients of this letter were called “saints”
a. The word “saint” means “one who has been set apart”
b. It is related to the word “sanctified” which means “set apart”
c. ALL Christians were called saints in the New Testament, for in Christ Jesus even the vilest sinners are “sanctified” upon their conversion - cf. 1 Co 6:9-11
2. The recipients of this letter were those brethren “in Ephesus”
a. This is called into question by some, for in a few manuscripts “in Ephesus” is omitted
b. For a detailed examination of this question, cf. New Testament Commentary,
Exposition Of Ephesians, William Hendriksen, Baker Book House, pp. 56-61
c. Hendricksen’s conclusion: this letter was written to the churches of Ephesus and
surroundings
3. Historical background concerning the work in Ephesus can be found in Ac 18:19-28;
19:1-41; 20:17-38
B. AND FAITHFUL IN CHRIST JESUS...
1. This describes the character of those “saints” in Ephesus
2. They are “faithful in Christ Jesus”; that is, they trusted in Him for their salvation - cf. Ep 1:13
3. They were “faithful” in another sense, also, in that they were trustworthy in their stand for the truth - cf. Re 2:1-3, 6
4. However, they were to be later rebuked for leaving their “first love” - Re 2:4-5
[To these “faithful saints”, Paul give his customary greeting in which he prays for grace and peace to come upon them from God and Jesus (1:2). With the very next verse, Paul begins to praise God for the blessings we have in Christ, which reveals to us . . .]
III.THE THEME: THE BELIEVER’S RICHES IN CHRIST (1:3)
A. THE SOURCE OF OUR BLESSINGS (RICHES)...
1. They come from “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”
2. As revealed later, they come to us a result of the “riches” of . . .
a. God’s grace - Ep 1:7
b. God’s glory - Ep 1:18
c. God’s mercy - Ep 2:7
3. As James wrote, “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights . . .” - Ja 1:17
B. THE SCOPE OF OUR BLESSINGS (RICHES)...
1. They include “every” spiritual blessing; not just a few, but every single one!
2. Blessings that are “spiritual” in nature; unlike many of the blessings to the nation of Israel of old, which were but material
C. THE SPHERE OF OUR BLESSINGS (RICHES)...
1. First, they are “in the heavenly places”
a. Lit., “in the heavenlies”, a phrase found only in Ephesians (1:3; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12)
b. Referring to the spiritual realm, as opposed to the physical
2. Secondly, they are “in Christ”
a. It has been counted that this phrase “in Christ” occurs 27 times in this epistle
c. Emphasizing that it is only by being “in” Christ that one can have access to “every” spiritual blessing
[With verse three, then, we have the “theme” of this epistle stated, and one would do well to think of it as the “key verse”. Before we close this introduction to Ephesians, it may be helpful to consider the following outline of the book as presented in The Bible Exposition Commentary, Volume 2, Warren W. Wiersbe, p. 7...]
IV. A BRIEF OUTLINE
A. DOCTRINE: OUR RICHES IN CHRIST (chapters 1-3)
1. Our spiritual possessions in Christ (1:4-14)
a. From the Father (1:4-6)
b. From the Son (1:7-12)
c. From the Spirit (1:13-14)
-- First Prayer: for enlightenment (1:15-23)
2. Our spiritual position in Christ (2:1-22)
a. Raised and seated on the throne (2:1-10)
b. Reconciled and set into the temple (2:11-22)
-- Second Prayer: for enablement (3:1-21; with verses 2-13 as a parenthesis)
B. DUTY: OUR RESPONSIBILITIES IN CHRIST (chapters 4-6)
1. Walk in unity (4:1-16)
2. Walk in purity (4:17-5:17)
a. Walk not as other Gentiles (4:17-32)
b. Walk in love (5:1-6)
c. Walk as children of light (5:7-14)
d. Walk carefully (5:15-17)
3. Walk in harmony (5:18-6:9)
a. Husbands and wives (5:18-33)
b. Parents and children (6:1-4)
c. Masters and servants (6:5-9)
d. Walk in victory (6:10-24)
CONCLUSION
1. In our next lesson, we will begin our study of this Epistle to the Ephesians in earnest, noticing immediately some of those “unsearchable riches of Christ”
2. But as we have already seen, the “sphere” in which these blessings (riches) are to be found is “in Christ”. How does one get “into” Christ?
The answer is found in Ga 3:26-27, where we learn that those who have been “baptized into Christ have put on Christ”. Are you in Christ...?
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Epistle To The Ephesians- Chapter One study guide
The Epistle To The Ephesians- Chapter One study guide
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To review the wonderful blessings God has provided in Christ
2) To understand what Paul desired the Ephesians that they know
3) To notice the greatness of God's power toward those who believe
4) To consider the exalted position of Christ and His church
SUMMARY
Following a brief salutation (1-2), Paul begins this epistle with an expression of praise to God for the spiritual blessings that are in Christ (3). In this doxology is a list of blessings divided into three sections. The first section describes those blessings related to the Father, how He has chosen us in Christ, predestined us to adoption as sons to Himself, and made us accepted in the Beloved (4-6). The second
section focuses on those blessings in relation to the Son, e.g., redemption through His blood, forgiveness of sins, the revelation of His will concerning Jesus Christ, and the inheritance we have obtained, as predestined according to God's will (7-12). The third section describes blessings related to the Holy Spirit, how we are sealed with the Spirit of promise, and how He serves as a "guarantee" (or deposit) of our inheritance (13-14). The key phrase throughout this section is "in Him" (or "in Whom") which stresses the point that all spiritual blessing come through Jesus Christ and enjoyed by those who are "in" Him (cf. 1:1,3).
The last half of the chapter contains Paul's first of two prayers that are in this epistle. The prayer in this chapter is for their "enlightenment", that their knowledge and understanding might increase. Paul especially desires that they might know God more fully, what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the great power of God toward those who believe (15-19). Regarding this "power", it is the same power God used to raise Jesus from the dead and seat Him at His right hand. The exalted position now enjoyed by Christ includes authority over all things, especially the church which is described as "His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."(20-23)
OUTLINE
I. INTRODUCTION (1-3)
A. THE AUTHOR (1a)
1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ
2. By the will of God
B. THE RECIPIENTS (1b)
1. The saints (who are in Ephesus)
2. The faithful in Christ Jesus
C. THE SALUTATION (2)
1. Grace and peace
2. From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
D. THE THEME OF THE EPISTLE (3)
1. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is to be blessed (praised)
2. For He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
II. OUR SPIRITUAL POSSESSIONS IN CHRIST (3-14)
A. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE FATHER (4-6)
1. We are chosen by God (4)
a. Chosen in Christ before the world began
b. Chosen to holy and without blame before Him in love
2. We are predestined by God (5-6a)
a. Predestined to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself
b. Predestined according to the good pleasure of His Will
-- To the praise of His glorious grace
3. We are accepted by God (6)
a. Accepted by virtue of His glorious grace
b. Accepted in the Beloved (Christ)
B. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE SON (7-12)
1. God has redeemed us (7a)
a. Redeemed in Christ
b. Redeemed through His blood
2. God has forgiven us (7b-8)
a. Forgiven us of our sins
b. Forgiven us according to the riches of His grace
1) Which God has made to abound toward us
2) Abounding in all wisdom and prudence
3. God has revealed His will to us (9-10)
a. Revealed the mystery of His will
1) According to His good pleasure
2) Which He purposed in Himself
b. Revealed how He will gather together in one all things in Christ
1) Things in heaven
2) Things on earth
4. God has given us an inheritance (11-12)
a. An inheritance predestined by God
1) According to His purpose
2) Who works all things according to His will
b. An inheritance...
1) For those who first trusted in Christ
2) So they can be to the praise of God's glory
C. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE HOLY SPIRIT (13-14)
1. The Holy Spirit is our "seal" (13)
a. Having trusted in Christ after hearing the word of truth, the gospel of salvation
b. Having believed, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise
2. The Holy Spirit is our "guarantee" (14)
a. The guarantee of our inheritance
b. The guarantee until the redemption of the purchased possession
-- To the praise of God's glory
III.PAUL'S FIRST PRAYER: FOR THEIR ENLIGHTENMENT (15-23)
A. THAT WHICH PRECIPITATED HIS PRAYER (15-16)
1. Having heard of their:
a. Faith in the Lord Jesus
b. Love for all their saints
2. Resulting in his:
a. Unceasing thanks for them
b. Making mention of them in his prayers
B. THE CONTENT OF HIS PRAYER (17-23)
1. To whom addressed (17a)
a. The God of our Lord Jesus Christ
b. The Father of glory
2. That God would...
a. Give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation (17b)
b. Enlighten the eyes of their understanding (18a)
3. That they might know...
a. The knowledge of God (17c)
b. The hope of His calling (18b)
c. The riches of the glorious inheritance in the saints (18c)
d. The exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe (19a)
4. Regarding this power toward us who believe...
a. It is according to working of God's mighty power in Christ (19b-20a)
b. The same mighty power which...
1) Raised Christ from the dead (20b)
2) Seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places (20c-21)
a) Far above all principality, power, might, dominion, and every name
b) Not only in this age, but also in that which is to come
3) Put all things under His feet (22a)
4) Gave Him to be head over all things to the church (22b-23)
a) Which is His body
b) Which is the fullness of Him who fills all in all
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- Introduction (1-3)
- Our spiritual possessions in Christ (3-14)
- Paul's first prayer: for their enlightenment (15-23)
2) Why is God to be blessed (praised)? (3)
- Because He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
3) What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the Father? (4-6)
- He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world
- He predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ
- He made us acceptable in the Beloved (Jesus)
4) What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the Son? (7-12)
- God has redeemed us through His Son's blood - God has revealed His will to us
- God has forgiven us of our sins - God has given us an inheritance
5) What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the Holy Spirit? (13-14)
- We have been "sealed" by the Holy Spirit
- We have received the Spirit as a "guarantee" of our inheritance
6) What had Paul heard, that prompted his prayers in their behalf? (15-16)
- Of their faith in the Lord Jesus; of their love for all the saints
7) Concerning what did Paul pray that his readers might know and be enlightened? (17-19)
- The knowledge of God
- The hope of His calling
- The riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints
- The exceeding greatness of His power toward those who believe
8) According to what is God's power toward those who believe? (20)
- The power God worked in Christ, in raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand
9) What is Christ's exalted position at God's right hand? (21)
- Far above all principality, power, might, dominion, and every name that is named, both now and in the age to come
10) What has been placed under His feet? Over what is He the head? (23)
- All things; the church
11) What is the church in relation to Christ? (23)
- His body; the fullness of Him who fills all in all
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To review the wonderful blessings God has provided in Christ
2) To understand what Paul desired the Ephesians that they know
3) To notice the greatness of God's power toward those who believe
4) To consider the exalted position of Christ and His church
SUMMARY
Following a brief salutation (1-2), Paul begins this epistle with an expression of praise to God for the spiritual blessings that are in Christ (3). In this doxology is a list of blessings divided into three sections. The first section describes those blessings related to the Father, how He has chosen us in Christ, predestined us to adoption as sons to Himself, and made us accepted in the Beloved (4-6). The second
section focuses on those blessings in relation to the Son, e.g., redemption through His blood, forgiveness of sins, the revelation of His will concerning Jesus Christ, and the inheritance we have obtained, as predestined according to God's will (7-12). The third section describes blessings related to the Holy Spirit, how we are sealed with the Spirit of promise, and how He serves as a "guarantee" (or deposit) of our inheritance (13-14). The key phrase throughout this section is "in Him" (or "in Whom") which stresses the point that all spiritual blessing come through Jesus Christ and enjoyed by those who are "in" Him (cf. 1:1,3).
The last half of the chapter contains Paul's first of two prayers that are in this epistle. The prayer in this chapter is for their "enlightenment", that their knowledge and understanding might increase. Paul especially desires that they might know God more fully, what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the great power of God toward those who believe (15-19). Regarding this "power", it is the same power God used to raise Jesus from the dead and seat Him at His right hand. The exalted position now enjoyed by Christ includes authority over all things, especially the church which is described as "His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."(20-23)
OUTLINE
I. INTRODUCTION (1-3)
A. THE AUTHOR (1a)
1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ
2. By the will of God
B. THE RECIPIENTS (1b)
1. The saints (who are in Ephesus)
2. The faithful in Christ Jesus
C. THE SALUTATION (2)
1. Grace and peace
2. From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
D. THE THEME OF THE EPISTLE (3)
1. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is to be blessed (praised)
2. For He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
II. OUR SPIRITUAL POSSESSIONS IN CHRIST (3-14)
A. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE FATHER (4-6)
1. We are chosen by God (4)
a. Chosen in Christ before the world began
b. Chosen to holy and without blame before Him in love
2. We are predestined by God (5-6a)
a. Predestined to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself
b. Predestined according to the good pleasure of His Will
-- To the praise of His glorious grace
3. We are accepted by God (6)
a. Accepted by virtue of His glorious grace
b. Accepted in the Beloved (Christ)
B. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE SON (7-12)
1. God has redeemed us (7a)
a. Redeemed in Christ
b. Redeemed through His blood
2. God has forgiven us (7b-8)
a. Forgiven us of our sins
b. Forgiven us according to the riches of His grace
1) Which God has made to abound toward us
2) Abounding in all wisdom and prudence
3. God has revealed His will to us (9-10)
a. Revealed the mystery of His will
1) According to His good pleasure
2) Which He purposed in Himself
b. Revealed how He will gather together in one all things in Christ
1) Things in heaven
2) Things on earth
4. God has given us an inheritance (11-12)
a. An inheritance predestined by God
1) According to His purpose
2) Who works all things according to His will
b. An inheritance...
1) For those who first trusted in Christ
2) So they can be to the praise of God's glory
C. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE HOLY SPIRIT (13-14)
1. The Holy Spirit is our "seal" (13)
a. Having trusted in Christ after hearing the word of truth, the gospel of salvation
b. Having believed, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise
2. The Holy Spirit is our "guarantee" (14)
a. The guarantee of our inheritance
b. The guarantee until the redemption of the purchased possession
-- To the praise of God's glory
III.PAUL'S FIRST PRAYER: FOR THEIR ENLIGHTENMENT (15-23)
A. THAT WHICH PRECIPITATED HIS PRAYER (15-16)
1. Having heard of their:
a. Faith in the Lord Jesus
b. Love for all their saints
2. Resulting in his:
a. Unceasing thanks for them
b. Making mention of them in his prayers
B. THE CONTENT OF HIS PRAYER (17-23)
1. To whom addressed (17a)
a. The God of our Lord Jesus Christ
b. The Father of glory
2. That God would...
a. Give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation (17b)
b. Enlighten the eyes of their understanding (18a)
3. That they might know...
a. The knowledge of God (17c)
b. The hope of His calling (18b)
c. The riches of the glorious inheritance in the saints (18c)
d. The exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe (19a)
4. Regarding this power toward us who believe...
a. It is according to working of God's mighty power in Christ (19b-20a)
b. The same mighty power which...
1) Raised Christ from the dead (20b)
2) Seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places (20c-21)
a) Far above all principality, power, might, dominion, and every name
b) Not only in this age, but also in that which is to come
3) Put all things under His feet (22a)
4) Gave Him to be head over all things to the church (22b-23)
a) Which is His body
b) Which is the fullness of Him who fills all in all
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- Introduction (1-3)
- Our spiritual possessions in Christ (3-14)
- Paul's first prayer: for their enlightenment (15-23)
2) Why is God to be blessed (praised)? (3)
- Because He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
3) What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the Father? (4-6)
- He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world
- He predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ
- He made us acceptable in the Beloved (Jesus)
4) What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the Son? (7-12)
- God has redeemed us through His Son's blood - God has revealed His will to us
- God has forgiven us of our sins - God has given us an inheritance
5) What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the Holy Spirit? (13-14)
- We have been "sealed" by the Holy Spirit
- We have received the Spirit as a "guarantee" of our inheritance
6) What had Paul heard, that prompted his prayers in their behalf? (15-16)
- Of their faith in the Lord Jesus; of their love for all the saints
7) Concerning what did Paul pray that his readers might know and be enlightened? (17-19)
- The knowledge of God
- The hope of His calling
- The riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints
- The exceeding greatness of His power toward those who believe
8) According to what is God's power toward those who believe? (20)
- The power God worked in Christ, in raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand
9) What is Christ's exalted position at God's right hand? (21)
- Far above all principality, power, might, dominion, and every name that is named, both now and in the age to come
10) What has been placed under His feet? Over what is He the head? (23)
- All things; the church
11) What is the church in relation to Christ? (23)
- His body; the fullness of Him who fills all in all
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