Ephesians 1:9-19

Teacher: Rusty Kennedy
​Series: Ephesians

Rusty's Notes

- This is the body of believers that Paul
        spent 3 years with. He can talk about deep
        things with them.
        - Grace – “unmerited favor”
        - Grace – “God’s ability in us”
        * When grace is accepted by the believer not only do they have the desire to serve God, but they also have the ability/power to do so.
-This is important for later verses.
        - As our knowledge about God/Jesus
                 increases… so does our grace (that
                 comes from them).
        - 2 Peter 1:2 - May grace and peace be
                 multiplied to you through the
                 knowledge of God and of Jesus our
                 Lord.
        - Verses 3-14 are actually one long Greek
                 sentence.
who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, in Christ;
 
[4] for He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world,
        - God’s timeline & our timeline
9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ
 - [8] He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
 - Anything the believer learns comes as a result of God’s revelation.
 - His will is only understood by the redeemed.
 - 1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ is God's power and God's wisdom,
 - We are “in Christ”.
 - “Mystery” – both Jews & Gentiles
 - “His will” – for you to walk by His Spirit
 - Believers are allowed the privilege of seeing the “good things” that come out of the “bad things” in life.
 - Get it”?
 - It’s hard to be a chaplain and not try to explain things.
10 as a plan for the right time—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.
 - In the end… all things in Christ will be restored into it’s original state. (before the fall of man)
 - Things “in Him” in heaven and earth… not hell and not “outside of him”.
 - Philippians 2:10 & Revelation 5:3 – “things in heaven, on earth and under earth.”
 - “under earth“ is not included in this verse.
11 In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will,

• Many will translate this as “we are his inheritance.”
• How can we consider ourselves worthless sinners?
• We are holy and blameless before him.
• Predestined according to the plan of the One who works (energizes) out everything in agreement with the purpose of His will,
• 2 Thessalonians 2:9 – tells us that Satan has power too. - 9 The coming of the lawless one is based on Satan’s working, with every kind of miracle, both signs and wonders serving the lie.[1]
• We need to make sure we are plugged into the correct power source.
• God’s will is that none should perish, but be saved and walk in His Spirit.

12 so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.

• Romans 8:29 – 29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.[2]
• When we are conformed to His image at the resurrection.

13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.

• Truth always exposes error.
• Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6)
• —in Him when you believed—were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
• Only “in Him” that we become God’s family.
• Sealed is similar to the significance of the signet ring in Daniel 6:17.
• Transaction was completed
• Seal was protection/security
• Seal was authentic
• Seal pointed to ownership
• Seal pointed to approval
• Seal is not to be disturbed

14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.
 - irrevocable pledge
 - engagement ring
 - The Holy Spirit is a down payment of what is to come.
 - Romans 8:29 – GLORY!
 
PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL INSIGHT
15 This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.
 - Paul prayed for their wisdom & understanding (v. 8)
 - I pray for your revelation
 - Rev 2:4 – The left their first love.
17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.
 - Or “a spirit”…
 - these are ministries of the Holy Spirit.
 - You get wisdom & knowledge by knowing Him.
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart
 - “heart” being your innermost being - emotional & mental.
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.[3]
 - so you may know what is the hope of His calling,
 - Many will translate “calling” as one’s vocation, career or job.
 - I see it as one’s journey (including our giftedness in the things we do).
 - Many of our journeys come through trials.
 - Romans 5:3-5 - but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.[4]
 - what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints,
 - If the church can see each other as this…
 - Again… take focus off of self and what you received.
 - We are not viewed as a “Biggest Donor’s List”.
 - “May be enlightened – to the wealth of His glorious inheritance in the saints”
 - In many households, only one person knows the true value of the family wealth because they pay the bills.
 - The other parties never investigate what they have in the bank.
 - It is the same way when you visualize what you have spiritually.
 - Some will truly investigate and some will be satisfied with what they already have/know.
 
 - We have to see the incredible value in one another… not based upon the size of house, or accumulation of stuff, or beauty or capabilities or even how much they help you.
 - We are His inheritance (totally selfless).

[1] Christian Standard Bible (2 Th 2:9). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 8:29). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 1:9–19). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 5:3–5). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.