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Ephesians 3:14-21

8/28/2022

Teacher: Rusty Kennedy
Series: Ephesians

Rusty's Notes

This passage is the second of two prayers recorded in Ephesians, the first one being Ephesians 1:15–23.
In the first prayer, the emphasis is on enlightenment;
but in this prayer, the emphasis is on enablement.[1]
Knowing vs being
“know what you have, but start appropriating for your daily life.”
Paul is writing from prison and focused on the spiritual needs of man rather than the physical.
If we can focus on the inner man as the priority, then the outer man will be supplied as a byproduct.

PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL POWER
EPHESIANS 3:14-21
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father

Abraham and Solomon stood
David sat
Jesus fell on his face in the garden
No protocol in Scripture for praying posture
Paul was attached to Roman Guard
More of a heart issue

15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.

Creator – Father of all men/women
Savior – Father of those who believe
In reference to creation means all Jews & Gentiles

16 I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to (1) be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit,

Still goes back to knowing what you have
Then trusting for it to work
Miss Marvel and She-Hulk discover powers and then learn how to use them.
But it is not our strength but through His Spirit.
How do you let the Spirit work through you?
Someone has said, “If God took the Holy Spirit out of this world, most of what we Christians are doing would go right on—and nobody would know the difference!” Sad, but true.[2]
“According to the riches of His glory”, not out of His riches…
Not a portion, but a proportion
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. [3]
It is only when we yield to the Spirit and let Him control the inner man that we succeed in living to the glory of God.[4]

17 and that (2) Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

“Dwell” – to settle down and feel at home (permanently)
“nesting” – get settled at camp
Settle into a relationship… not just surface.
That would be hard to do if it was just God alone.
But there is a Spirit of God that dwells within you.
You have a super power that is super-natural
Super and natural
“through faith” – believe and trust
Simple as sitting in the chair

I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, 18 (3) may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love,

Rooted is an architectural term; it refers to the foundations on which we build[5]
Building footers as a foundation.
The deeper your foundation in Christ, the stronger you will be able to stand in the storms of life.
Phil Tooley – God’s timeline is a plane.
It is more than a plane… it has height and depth.
$240 billion spent on loan relief… that’s politics
I got $400 from the state this week… that’s politics
That’s just a drop of God’s riches
I can complain all I want about my $$$ and where it goes… but it’s the principle… the bigger picture is… it’s not mine in the first place… I haven’t missed a meal yet.
Stay focused on the inner man and outer man will be provided for out of God’s riches.
“with all the saints”

19 and to (4) know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Knowledge is good but it is not greater than love
Knowledge leads to being puffed up… about you.
Knowledge is good but worthless without love.
What if you had the Bible memorized yet never loved?
What if you loved and had no knowledge?
What if you knew that you had the love of God walking with you every day?

20 Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us--

Our faith walk is just a portion of God’s riches.
There is a lot of time, energy, money and life being poured out in our house for a one-day wedding.
The question keeps coming up, how do we get it all done in 90 days?
That one day is a drop in God’s limitless riches.
Sam & Chloe’s marriage and family will be above and beyond that wedding day
According to the power… not a portion but a proportion.

21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.[6]

Where is the glory?
In the Church
In Christ Jesus

Always Only Jesus

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 30). Victor Books.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 32). Victor Books.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 4:16–18). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 32). Victor Books.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 32). Victor Books.
[6] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 3:14–21). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

Ephesians 3:1-13

8/21/2022

Teacher: Rusty Kennedy
Series: Ephesians

Rusty's Notes

Jewish population in the world (2021)
Just over 15 million Jews worldwide
7.3 million Jews in America (48.1%)
Just under 7 million Jews in Israel (46.1%)
7,637,261,000 world population
.2% - Jewish population

PAUL’S MINISTRY TO THE GENTILES
EPHESIANS 3:1-13
1 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles--

After discussing the union of Jewish and Gentile believers in the church (Ephesians 2:11–22), Paul began to offer a prayer on their behalf.
However, he stopped unexpectedly in the middle of the sentence and digressed on the subject of the divine mystery.
He explained the meaning of the mystery and returned to his prayer in v. 14.
Verse 1 is tied in with verse 13.
Put 2-12 in parenthesis.

Rome controlled the world and Caesar was the emperor.
Paul does not say he is the prisoner of Caesar.
He realized all authority is established by God - Romans 13:1 - Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God.[1]
Just as Pilate had no authority over Jesus - John 19:10-11 - So Pilate said to Him, “You’re not talking to me? Don’t You know that I have the authority to release You and the authority to crucify You?” 11 “You would have no authority over Me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above. This is why the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.”
Paul was sent to the Gentiles as Peter was sent to the Jews - Galatians 2:8 - since the one at work in Peter for an apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in me for the Gentiles.[2]

2 assuming you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that he gave me for you.

You have heard, haven't you?" - (Ephesians 2:11-22)
You were here last week?
Remember that Paul spent 3 years in Ephesus as well. ‎
The word “dispensation” is oikonomia, made up of oikos, “a house” and nomos, “law,” thus, “the law of the house.”
The word speaks in general of the stewardship, oversight, management, or administration one has over something. ‎
Our English word “economy” is derived directly from the Greek oikonomia, “the law of the house,” or “a stewardship, a management.”
God gave him a “dispensation” (stewardship) that he might go to the Gentiles, not only with the Good News of salvation through Christ, but also with the message that Jews and Gentiles are now one in Christ.
God has different ways of managing His program from age to age, and these different “stewardships” Bible students sometimes call “dispensations” (Ephesians 1:9–10).
God’s principles do not change, but His methods of dealing with mankind do change over the course of history.
“Distinguish the ages,” wrote St. Augustine, “and the Scriptures harmonize.”

3 The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have briefly written above.

Galatians 1:11-12 - For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. 12 For I did not receive it from a human source and I was not taught it, but it came by a revelation of Jesus Christ.[3]
Paul went away to Arabia for 3 years.
It was 14 years after that when he met with the Apostles.
He was able to describe in detail what happened in the upper room at the last supper.
Can you imagine the shock on Peter, James & John's faces?
"As I have written above/before" - Ephesians 2:11-22.

4 By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ.

Insight - "critical understanding"
A mystery is something previously concealed but now made known in the Gospel. ‎
‎“Mystery”, a sacred secret purpose of God which when uncovered is understood by the Spirit-taught believer.
The unredeemed are incapable of comprehending this mystery for it is revealed through Jesus.
‎That the Gentiles were to be saved was no mystery (Romans 9:24–33; 10:19–21).
The mystery ‘hid in God’ was the divine purpose to make of Jew and Gentile a wholly new thing— ‘the Church, which is His (Christ’s) body, formed by the baptism with the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:12, 13) and in which the earthly distinction of Jew and Gentile disappears (Ephesians 2:14, 15; Colossians 3:10, 11).

5 This was not made known to people in other generations as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:

Abraham, Moses, Joshua, King David, Isaiah, Daniel or any OT prophet did not know what Paul knew... nor did they have the capabilities.
They knew that a Savior was to come for the purpose of dying for the sin of man.
But they had no idea about the church age...
"I had no idea..."
It is insight that could only be attained through the Spirit.

6 The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

It wasn't that the Jews had a problem believing the Gentiles could be saved.
They believed that ever since Genesis 12:3.
But becoming one in Christ with no racial distinction was incomprehensible for the Jew.
The mystery is therefore, "Christ Himself", in whom both Jew and Gentile believers have everything.

7 I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power.

"made" = God ordained
Minister = Servant
"working" = God's energizing
"His power" = everything needed to complete the task
It is God who calls, sustains and empowers ministers.
If this were not true, then both you and I suffer.

8 This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ,

and he later calls himself the “chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).
This has to be in light of the way he previously persecuted the church before his conversion.
What/who are the incalculable riches of the Jesus? We are!

9 and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.

Paul wanted all Jews and Gentiles to know that they could be one in Christ.
Even though Paul's ministry was to the Gentiles, he made it a priority to visit the Jewish synagogues first when entering a new city.
He did so because he understood that the Gospel was to be presented "to the Jews first and also to the Greek" Romans 1:16.

10 This is so that God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens.

Ephesians 6:12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.[4]
Nowhere in the Old Testament would Satan find any prophecies concerning the church, “the mystery” of Jews and Gentiles united in one body!
Satan could see unbelieving Jews rejecting their Messiah, and he could see Gentiles trusting the Messiah, but he could not see both believing Jews and Gentiles united in one body, seated with Christ in the heavenlies, and completely victorious over Satan!
Had Satan known the far-reaching results of the Cross, no doubt he would have altered his plans accordingly.

11 This is according to his eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God’s program today is not “the headship of Israel” (Deuteronomy 28:1–13), but the headship of Christ over His church.
We today are under a different “stewardship” from that of Moses and the prophets, and we must be careful not to confuse what God has clarified.
God's ultimate goal is that everything in the created realm glorify Him.
Acts 17:25 - Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.[5]
God requires that we worship Him, not for His benefit, but for ours.
It is through beholding His glory and majesty that we latch on to God's perspective of life and enter into true joy and peace.

12 In him we have boldness and confident access through faith in him.

Many saints are deficient in the area of worship because they feel they are unworthy to enter God's presence.

13 So, then, I ask you not to be discouraged over my afflictions on your behalf, for they are your glory.[6]

You could either be upset about Paul's situation or get fired up about it!
Warren Wiersbe - The reason many churches are weak and ineffective is because they do not understand what they have in Christ. And the cause of this is often spiritual leaders who are not good “stewards of the mystery.” Because they do not “rightly divide the Word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), they confuse their people concerning their spiritual position in Christ, and they rob their people of the spiritual wealth in Christ.
Paul made it clear that physical, material blessings are not always the experience of the dedicated Christian (2 Corinthians 4:7–12; 11:23–12:10).[7]
‎When you know what God is doing in the world, and you work with Him, you can be sure that He will work in you and for you.
All of His divine resources are available to those who sincerely want to do His will and help Him accomplish His purposes on earth.
‎But an understanding of God’s program in this present age not only gives the believer confidence toward God.
It also gives him courage in the difficult circumstances of life.
Paul’s sufferings for the Gentiles would mean glory for the Gentiles.
In the Old Testament age, when God’s people obeyed, God blessed them materially, nationally, and physically (Deuteronomy 28); and if they disobeyed, He withdrew these blessings.
This is not the way He deals with the church today. Our blessings are spiritual, not material (Ephesians 1:3); they have all been given to us completely in Christ.
We appropriate them by faith; but if we disobey God, He does not revoke them.
We simply lose the enjoyment and the enrichment of them.

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 13:1). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Ga 2:8). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Ga 1:11–12). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 6:12). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible (Ac 17:25). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 3:1–13). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 30). Victor Books.

Ephesians 2:11-22

8/14/2022

Teacher: Rusty Kennedy
Sereis: Ephesians

Rusty's Notes

UNITY IN CHRIST
EPHESIANS 2:11-22
11 So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by human hands.

But since the hour that God called Abraham, God made a difference between Jews and Gentiles.
He made this difference, not that the Jews might boast, but that they might be a blessing and a help to the Gentiles.
God set them apart that He might use them to be a channel of His revelation and goodness to the heathen nations.
Sad to say, Israel kept this difference nationally and ritually, but not morally.
Genesis 15:6 - Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.[1]
Genesis 17:1-8 – When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him, saying, “I am God Almighty. Live in my presence and be blameless. 2 I will set up my covenant between me and you, and I will multiply you greatly.”
Then Abram fell facedown and God spoke with him: 4 “As for me, here is my covenant with you: You will become the father of many nations. 5 Your name will no longer be Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I will make you the father of many nations. 6 I will make you extremely fruitful and will make nations and kings come from you. 7 I will confirm my covenant that is between me and you and your future offspring throughout their generations. It is a permanent covenant to be your God and the God of your offspring after you. 8 And to you and your future offspring I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as a permanent possession, and I will be their God.”[2]
Genesis 17:9-12 – God also said to Abraham, “As for you, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations are to keep my covenant. 10 This is my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you, which you are to keep: Every one of your males must be circumcised. 11 You must circumcise the flesh of your foreskin to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and you., 12 Throughout your generations, every male among you is to be circumcised at eight days old—every male born in your household or purchased from any foreigner and not your offspring.[3]
Romans 2:28-29 - For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. 29 On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter. That person’s praise is not from people but from God.[4]

12 At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world.

Kenneth Wuest - 5 Things were true about uncircumcised Gentiles:
1) They were "without Christ"‎ - The Ephesians worshiped the goddess, Diana, and, before the coming of the Gospel, knew nothing about Christ.
2) They were "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel" - no rights - ‎A Gentile could enter the nation as a proselyte, but he was not born into that very special nation.
Genesis - Theocratic Kingdom
God had complete authority over the universe.
Adam (man) was given dominion over the earth.
The fall came and power was given to Satan.
God chose the Jews to reestablish His theocracy.
3) They were "strangers from the covenants of the promise"‎.
While the blessing of the Gentiles is included in God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3 – The Lord said to Abram: Go from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.[5])
God did not make any covenants with the Gentile nations.
The Gentiles were “aliens” and “strangers”—and the Jews never let them forget it.
4) They had "no hope"‎
Historians tell us that a great cloud of hopelessness covered the ancient world.
Philosophies were empty; traditions were disappearing; religions were powerless to help men face either life or death.
5) They were "without God in the world"
The heathen had gods aplenty, as Paul discovered in Athens (Acts 17:16–23).
Someone in that day said that it was easier to find a god than a man in Athens.

13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

The Gentiles, through faith in Jesus, now have access to the Father anytime they like.
A privilege that no Jew possesses while living under the Law in his lost condition.

14 For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh,

Picture of the Temple and the Gentile Court.‎
Description found at Herod's Temple in 1871 - "No foreigner may enter within the barricade which surrounds the sanctuary and enclosure. Anyone who is caught doing so will have himself to blame for his ensuing death."
Enmity - deep-rooted hatred. “15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring.[6]” (Gen. 3:15).
The friendship of the world is “enmity with God” (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15, 16).
The “carnal mind” is “enmity against God” (Rom. 8:7).
Galatians 3:28 - There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus.[7]

15 he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create in himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace.

“He made no effect” - "Abolish" - To make in operative or inactive
Jesus did away with this ceremonial Law to free all believers to live by grace.
"one new man" - A new creation in Christ.
The old man inherited by Adam was crucified and eradicated in Christ's body.
Peace replaces enmity and unity prevails as the byproduct.

16 He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by which he put the hostility to death.

It was not a question of the Gentile becoming a Jew to become a Christian, but the Jew admitting he was a sinner like the Gentile.
“since there is no distinction. 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God[8]” (Romans 3:22–23).
‎The same Law that separated Gentile and Jew also separated men and God, and Christ bore the curse of the Law.
Paul reminds us that unbelieving Gentiles were under the Law as well. (Romans 7:4 - Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you also were put to death in relation to the law through the body of Christ so that you may belong to another.[9]).
Once in Christ, any disunity between Jews & Gentiles is a direct result of sin, not a result of the previous barriers that existed under the Law.

17 He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

He came into the world to serve as the mediator who would restore peace between God and man.
"far away" - Gentiles
"near" - Jews

18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

As God's children, who possess His Spirit, we can enter into the Father's presence through the avenue of Jesus Christ anytime we like.
Hebrews 4:16 - Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.[10]

19 So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household,

Through Jesus, Gentiles "are no longer strangers and aliens".
Saints - All believers of all time... from Genesis 1:1 - Revelation 22:21 - All saints are members of God's household.
‎Sin has divided mankind, but Christ unites by His Spirit.
‎All believers, regardless of national background, belong to that “holy nation” with citizenship in heaven (Phil. 3:20–21).

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.

The apostles being ones who lived with and were trained by Jesus.
The prophets being those equipped with the message of the apostles during the formative years of the church.
The cornerstone binds the structure together[11]
This reference to the temple would be meaningful to both the Jews and the Gentiles in the Ephesian church: the Jews would think of Herod’s temple in Jerusalem, and the Gentiles would think of the great temple of Diana.
Both temples were destined to be destroyed, but the temple Christ is building will last forever.
Now referring to the Church which is believers in Acts 2 all the way up to Christ’s return.

21 In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

"in Him"
These stones are the believers that are being fit together today.

22 In him you are also being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit.[12]

Oswald Chambers - It is one thing to have participated in regeneration and sanctification and quite another thing to enjoy the knowledge that your body is “the temple of the Holy Ghost.” That is not an experience, it is a revelation, and a revelation which takes some believing, and then some obeying.
Who inhabits the temple? The Holy Spirit.
‎I have to see that I instruct myself regarding these revelations which are only interpreted to me by the Holy Ghost, never by my natural wisdom.

God's masterpiece!

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Ge 15:6). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Ge 17:1–8). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Ge 17:9–12). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 2:28–29). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible (Ge 12:1–3). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible (Ge 3:15). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible (Ga 3:28). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 3:22–23). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 7:4). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible (Heb 4:16). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 25). Victor Books.
[12] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 2:11–22). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

Ephesians 1:20 - 2:10

8/7/2022

Teacher: Rusty Kennedy
Series: Ephesians

Rusty's Notes

Ephesians 1:18-19
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.[1]

Power – dunamus – dynamite

GOD’S POWER IN CHRIST
EPHESIANS 1
20 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead

“exercised” – energized
Computer gets bogged down… run updates… refresh.
The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11)
God’s power enables us to use God’s strength & wealth.
You will never experience the power of His resurrection in the daily affairs of life until you know him intimately.
Authority and power for victorious living come only through knowing Him and living by His very life.

and seating him at his right hand in the heavens--

He is sitting… It is done!
Chapter 2 gets even better!

21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

His power will supersede anything ever created.

22 And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church,

Jesus supplies the very life of the church.
We live by His life!

23 which is his body,

Christ being the head and the believers being His body.

the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

The fullness of the deity of resides in us.
When we learn to walk in the Spirit, we walk in this fullness.
The Gospels display the power of the Father working through the Son.
Acts displays the power of the Father working through the Spirit in the form of believers.

FROM DEATH TO LIFE
EPHESIANS 2
1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins

Spiritually dead…
Can’t communicate with God
Unable to understand and appreciate spiritual things.
God is Spirit and we have no spiritual life
Spirit is dead in relation to God
Sin (acts) is a result of your natural behavior
trespasses = deviate from righteousness
sin = miss the mark

2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world,

“world” – this evil age
the world’s system of values and perspective of things
Satan has power in this system

according to the ruler of the power of the air,

Ruler = prince, chief of the atmosphere
We are in a battle and natural tendency is to protect our child.
There is only one way to protect your child…
1) Know Jesus 2) Trust Him.
1 Peter 5:8 – Roaring lion (Simba-pounce)
2 Cor 11:14 – Angel of light

the spirit now working in the disobedient.

spirit – way of thinking.

3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires,

* Beware of sinful nature in NIV84 & NLT.
The flesh refers to that fallen nature that we were born with, that wants to control the body and the mind and make us disobey God.[2]
This is the state in which bad habit patterns get lodged in the brain (flesh)

carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts (mind),

Unregenerate man – soul & spirit are not redeemed at this point.
Soul being mind, will & emotions.

and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.

It is our nature that condemns us.
Since we have not been saved by our good works, we cannot be lost by our bad works.[3]
Answer the baby question (2 Sam 12:23)

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us,

This is God’s true nature
Love is one of God’s intrinsic attributes, but when this love is related to sinners, it becomes grace and mercy.[4]

5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!

“Us” being the believers (church)
We received eternal life… no beginning or end… no timeline… freedom.
Grace - 1) God’s unmerited favor
2) God’s ability in you on a daily basis

6 He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,

God has no timeline… He sees us there now
If you see yourself in the flesh and here on earth rather than in the Spirit hanging out with the Father… you never win the battle that is going on here on earth.
You presently have access to all that is God’s
A.W. Tozer - Earth may have been good enough for that creature who was created from the dust and clay, but it is not good enough for the living soul who is redeemed by royal blood!

Earth was fit and proper to be the eternal dwelling place for that creature who was made by God’s hand, but it is not appropriate nor sufficient to be the eternal dwelling place of that redeemed being who is begotten of the Holy Spirit. Every born-again Christian has been lifted up—lifted up from the level of the fallen Adamic race to the heavenly plane of the unfallen and victorious Christ. He belongs up there!
7 so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

What are His immeasurable riches?

8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift--

Salvation comes through faith alone
The division is what is the word “this” in reference to… salvation or faith. (Just another distraction).

9 not from works, so that no one can boast.

Not as a result of man’s efforts
The Law confirmed this
Who has to perform at Christmas to receive their gifts?
This is what Santa teaches! Naughty or nice?

10 For we are his workmanship,
- creation = workmanship, masterpiece

It is God’s work that saved us (through the cross)

created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.[5]

good works being the natural byproduct of our salvation.
this is Christ working through us… not us trying to imitate Christ through working hard.
Paul viewed this as his life “in Christ”

GO back to Verse 2:7
7 so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
In the midst of yesterday’s grief for Officer Noah Shahnavaz… we heard how he lived his life for Jesus.
He was serving the city of Elwood only through his desire to serve the Lord.
The Lord was working through Noah.
It’s as if the Lord was saying to Noah and even to you sitting here in this very room…
“You’re so good… I made you good… I love you… I know you’re restricted in your flesh… It’s gonna be OK… This is not what I intended for you… you’re already in heaven with me. Look…
Look… stay focused on me… I truly love you!”

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 1:18–19). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 18). Victor Books.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 19). Victor Books.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 19). Victor Books.
[5] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 1:20–2:10). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

Ephesians 3:14-21

Rusty's Notes

Ephesians 3:1-13

Rusty's Notes

Ephesians 2:11-22

Rusty's Notes

Ephesians 1:20 - 2:10

Rusty's Notes

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