Acts 1:1-11 - I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4 While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.”[1]

• Luke wrote Acts and only the first 11 verses speak about Jesus doing ministry.
• What we have today is reliant on the Spirit working through the believers… that would be the Church.

 
Ephesians 4:7 - Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.[2]

• The gifts came from Jesus.

UNITY AND DIVERSITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
EPHESIANS 4:11-16
11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,

• (1 Corinthians 12 & Romans 12)
• These verses do not refer to individual Christian lives but to the collective life of the saints.
• The individual saint cannot be perfected apart from others.
• “He gave some to be apostles…” for what purpose? To show how clever they were, what gifts they had? No, “for the perfecting of the saints.”
• ‎No saint can ever be perfected in isolation or in any other way than God has lain down.
• Apostles - A messenger of God - one sent my Jesus Christ and God the Father.
• They had the responsibility of imparting the truth taught by Christ.
• They were the final authority in the early church (1 Corinthians 14:37).
• They had been with Jesus. (1 Corinthians 9:1).

 

• ‎Two thoughts today...
• 1) The original 12 (including Paul) plus secondary apostles who were of the early church.
• Apostles of Jesus and Apostles of the Church.
• 2) Apostles today? Silas & Timothy were referred to as apostles.
• Those who take the message of Jesus into virgin territory.
• We call them missionaries today.

 

• Prophets - ‎Refers, not to those who foretell the future, but to preachers and expounders of the Word for the purpose of encouraging and strengthening the church.
• Their message had to line up with the Apostles' doctrine.
• Apostles and prophets are viewed as necessary roles in building the foundation in the early church before manuscripts were available.
• Ephesians 2:18-22 - For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you are also being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit.[3]

 

• Evangelists - ‎travelling missionaries both in home and foreign lands.
• They are gifted with the ability to express the plan of salvation with clarity and conviction.
• Remember Romans 2:4 - God leads to repentance through his kindness.

 

• Pastors - Shepherd, one that cares for their flock. Also referred to as "elders", "overseers" or "bishops".
• Remember that the flock is not our own but is the Lord's flock.
• Jesus is the ultimate authority in the church.

 

• Teachers - Teacher of the Word.
• Pastors/Teachers are viewed as the same person. ‎

 

• If God reveals things to you above the rest of the community, he will place you in middle of that group.

 

• He doesn't give you the insight to make you better than the other people but to give you more responsibility.
• It is not something you earn or vie for.
• He will put you there.
• Your insight can cause you to become critical of the ministers and instead of being intercessors for them, you choose to be fault-finders and will be left on the outside.

12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,

• All ministries, which are God’s gifts, are given to the local bodies to equip saints for ministry to one another.
• ‎‎‎Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers can minister only to saints who assemble together in fellowship.
• That is why His Word bears down so hard on “proud flesh,” insisting that we understand and confess that no human gifts, no human talents can accomplish the ultimate and eternal work of God.
• You can write it down as a fact: No matter what a man does, no matter how successful he seems to be in any field, if the Holy Spirit is not the chief Energizer of his activity, it will all fall apart when he dies.
• ‎
• ‎‎Perhaps the saddest part about all this is that the man may be honored at his death for his talents and abilities, but he will learn the truth in that great day when our Lord judges the work of every person.
• That which is solely his own work, accomplished by his own talent, will be recognized as nothing but wood, hay and straw.
• ‎To equip saints for ministry to one another... It is the pastor/teachers responsibility to teach the flock.
• 2 Timothy 4:2-5 - Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching. 3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.[4]
• ‎Teach the saints who they are and they will naturally take care of one another.
• ‎The pastor/teacher should be the last one to visit you at the hospital.
• ‎The pastor/teacher cannot take the group to any deeper spiritual depth than he is himself.
• You want teacher studying. You want me to go deeper.
• ‎Each believer grasps their spiritual gift and learns how to use it accordingly in the body to build up the body. (small groups, everyday needs, encouragement, organization, fixing things, etc,)

13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.

• In times of testing and hardship, I have heard Christians cry in their discouragement, “How can I believe that God loves me?”
• The fact is, God loves us to such a degree that He will use every necessary means to mature us until we reach “unity of the faith” and attain “unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”
• Our unity of faith is founded on this "filter of our identity in Christ."
• Where do we get the knowledge of God's Son? Read the Word and the Spirit will reveal it to you.
• Christ's fullness - Ephesians 3:17-19 - and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, 19 and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. [5]

14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.

• Children - "not speaking infants"
• Saints are capable of verbalizing and applying what they know to be truth.
• The enemy wants to deceive even the church... but it is hard to trick the mature.

15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.

• The true Christian fears God with a trembling reverence and yet he is not afraid of God at all.
• He draws near to Him with full assurance of faith and victory, and yet at the same time is trembling with holy awe and fear.
• The world will never understand that the Christian, though born on earth, still knows by faith that he is a citizen of heaven!

‎‎
‎‎A.W. Tozer - In an effort to get the work of the Lord done we often lose contact with the Lord of the work and quite literally wear our people out as well. I have heard more than one pastor boast that his church was a “live” one, pointing to the printed calendar as a proof—something on every night and several meetings during the day.… A great many of these time-consuming activities are useless and others plain ridiculous. “But,” say the eager beavers who run the religious squirrel cages, “they provide fellowship and they hold our people together.”
‎‎To this I reply that what they provide is not fellowship at all, and if that is the best thing the church has to offer to hold the people together it is not a Christian church in the New Testament meaning of that word. The center of attraction in a true church is the Lord Jesus Christ.…
‎‎If the many activities engaged in by the average church led to the salvation of sinners or the perfecting of believers they would justify themselves easily and triumphantly; but they do not. My observations have led me to the belief that many, perhaps most, of the activities engaged in by the average church do not contribute in any way to the accomplishing of the true work of Christ on earth. I hope I am wrong, but I am afraid I am right.

• ‎We must say focused. We are learning to live our life by another... that life being Jesus

16 From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.[6]

• Through the individual relationships within the body, "the whole body" grows with a growth which is from God and each believer is empowered by Christ's life!
• The joint is where two believers, each possessing a totally different spiritual gift, come together.
• The joint is where the gifts of the Holy Spirit pass from one believer to the other for the purpose of bringing the entire body together.
• The principle of the cross - doing things for what others might receive than for what we might receive.
• An isolated Christian cannot minister to others, nor can others minister to him, and it is impossible for the gifts to be ministered either way.[7]

The Body of Jesus Christ, at rest, works!

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Ac 1:1–11). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 4:7). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 2:18–22). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (2 Ti 4:2–5). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 3:17–19). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 4:11–16). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 39). Victor Books.

• We come now to an important dividing point in this letter. The first three chapters contain doctrine, the last three, exhortation.
• In brief, God says in chapters 1–3, “I have made you a saint.”
• In chapters 4–6, He says, “Now, live a saintly life.”

 
UNITY AND DIVERSITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
EPHESIANS 4:1-10
1 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received,

• Unity is not uniformity.
• Unity comes from within and is a spiritual grace.
• “Therefore” reaches back to all the blessings and exalted positions in salvation which the saints enjoy (ch. 1–3), and reaches ahead to the byproduct with such privileges put upon the saints.
• The word “worthy” (axiōs) means “equal weight”; one’s calling and conduct should be in balance.
• The word “calling” in English sometimes means “occupation” as, “His calling was that of a shoemaker.”
• But it is not so used here.
• Paul’s thought is that sinners were called into salvation and made saints.
• They are to be obedient to that heavenly calling or summons to be saints, and live saintly lives. (Wuest)
• Matt Chandler – Suspended – inappropriate behavior
• As an overseer, be above reproach
• Reproach - a cause or occasion of blame, discredit, or disgrace.

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

• 1) Humility - lowliness
• 2) Gentleness - Meekness is not weakness - It is power under control
• 3) Patience - long-suffering - long-tempered - ability to endure discomfort without fighting back
• 4) Forbearance - accepting one another - a grace that cannot be experienced apart from love
• 5) Love - Fruit of the Spirit
• We are to bear with one another “in love.”
• It is in the sphere of the love that God the Holy Spirit produces in the heart of the yielded believer (Gal. 5:22), that we are to be patient with each other as misunderstandings arise, as cutting words are said, as unkind actions are done.
• The love shown at Calvary was a forgiving love.
• Ours should be the same.

3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

• 6) Endeavor - diligently keeping unity of the Spirit - maintain or guard
• 7) Peace - When the peace of God rules in our hearts, then we build upon unity.
• Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other?
• They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow.
• So one hundred worshipers meeting together, each one looking away to Christ, are in better tune to each other than they could possibly be were they to become “unity” conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.
• Social faith is perfected when private faith is purified.
• The body becomes stronger as its members become healthier.
• The whole church of God gains when the members that compose it begin to seek a better and a higher life. (Tozer)
• Blessed is the congregation that has found the spiritual maturity and understanding to honestly confess, “Our congregation is so keenly aware of the presence of Jesus in our midst that our entire fellowship is an unceasing communion!”
• What a joyful experience it is for us in this church age to be part of a congregation drawn together by the desire to know God’s presence, to sense His nearness.
• Unity in Christ is not something to be achieved; it is something to be recognized.
• Peace is the binding factor which will preserve the unity which the Spirit has produced.
• Peace means… sometimes it is better to just shut your mouth.

4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope, at your calling--

• Unity built on anything other than Bible truth is standing on a very shaky foundation.
• Paul names here the seven basic spiritual realities that unite all true Christians.
• 1) One Body - The body is the invisible Church, the Mystical Body of Christ composed of believers saved between Pentecost when the Church was formed and when Jesus returns.
• 2) One Spirit - The Holy Spirit that indwells every believer.
• 3) One hope of your calling - Ephesians 1:13-14 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. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.[1]

5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

• 4) One Lord - Jesus Christ - It is difficult to believe that two believers can claim to obey the same Lord, and yet not be able to walk together in unity.
• 5) One Faith - “Faith” is not the Christian Faith as a system of doctrine and its respective responsibilities.
• It refers to the principle of faith by means of which all the saints enter into salvation.
• 6) One Baptism - There was and is one common placing into the Body of Christ. (Jews & Gentiles)
• 1 Corinthians 12:13 - For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink.[2]

6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

• 7) One God and Father - We are children in the same family, loving and serving the same Father, so we ought to be able to walk together in unity.
• For Paul the unity of the church reflects the unity of the Godhead: One God, One Lord and One Spirit.

7 Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

• A spiritual gift is a God-given ability to serve God and other Christians in such a way that Christ is glorified and believers are edified.
• One having it in larger measure and another in smaller, but each getting it from the same Hand and with the same purpose.”
• We must be careful to note that this grace has to do with the exercise of special gifts for service, not the grace for daily living.
• The former is limited, and is adjusted to the kind of gift and the extent to which the Holy Spirit desires to use that gift in the believer’s service.
• The latter is unlimited and subject only to the limitations which the believer puts upon it by a lack of yieldedness to the Spirit.
• The context here, (4:11-12), is one of service, not of general Christian experience.
• Every believer (each one) has been given a spiritual gift to use for the purpose of the body of Christ.
• This is where the Church gets you to take a spiritual gifts analysis and then assigns you an assortment of tasks and committees to serve as part of the church programming.
• What is your spiritual gift? Most of you, I could tell you what it is because I can see it.
• Be involved in the fellowship and figure out what your gift is… something that edifies Christ through the people or body of Christ.

8 For it says:
When he ascended on high,
he took the captives captive;
he gave gifts to people. (Psalm 68:18)

• or "He lead the captives"
• The word here is not charisma (χαρισμα), referring to special gifts such as the gifts noted in I Cor. 12:4–11, but doma (δομα), a general term for that which is given.
• These gifts are the gifted men mentioned in 4:11.
• Christ gave these gifts to the Church when He ascended to Heaven.

9 But what does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower parts of the earth? 10 The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things.[3]

• During the OT time, the souls of the dead went to a place in the lower parts of the earth referred to as Sheoul (Hebrew) or Hades (Greek).
• Sheoul/Hades had two sides (Luke 16:19-31 - Rich Man & Abraham). The saved side is known as Abaraham's Bosom or Paradise (Luke 23:43). The lost side, hell, was a place of torment for the unrighteous dead.
• When Jesus physically died his body was placed in a tomb.
• His soul & Spirit went to the saved side of Sheoul/Hades known as Paradise.
• Jesus made a proclamation to the spirits on the hell side (1 Peter 3:19).
• God would not allow for Jesus to remain in Sheoul (Psalm 16:10) so he was joined with his resurrected body and ascended to heaven (Acts 1:1-11).
• That is one interpretation.
• What if it is in reference to Jesus descending to earth as a human being?
• What if it is in reference to the Spirit being sent to live in each believer? (Acts 2:4)
• Paul taught that Christ is the Giver of these gifts, through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:8–10).
• He ascended to heaven as Victor forevermore.
• The picture here is of a military conqueror leading his captives and sharing the spoil with his followers.
• Only in this case, the “captives” are not His enemies, but His own.
• Sinners who once were held captives by sin and Satan have now been taken captive by Christ.
• Even death itself is a defeated foe![4]
• No matter what, you have a Spirit living in you.

You have been gifted by this Spirit to love one another, therefore edifying God the Father, Jesus the Son through the work of the indwelling Spirit.

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 1:13–14). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (1 Co 12:13). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 4:1–10). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 37). Victor Books.

• 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.

• 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.

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 1:18-19
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.

- 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.

61 AD – Paul is in prison in Rome.

• About the year 53, during Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey, Paul first ministered in Ephesus but did not remain there (Acts 18:19–21 – 08/23/20).
• Two years later, while on his third journey, Paul stayed in Ephesus for at least two years and saw that whole vast area evangelized.[1] (Acts 19 – 08/30/20 & 09/06/20)

 
Sharpening the Focus:

• Ephesus is a free Greek city located at the mouth of the Cayster River, which flows into the Aegean Sea.
• It is the largest city in Asia Minor.
• The population of Ephesus is 225,000, and it has a large Jewish population.
• Ephesus is a seaport and is the first ranking city of Asia Minor in commerce, wealth, politics, and religion.
• It is the New York of the ancient world.
• The city has a central hub that connects the eastern world with the western world, making it a magnificent city of wealth.
• The city’s wealth is reflected everywhere, from its marble-paved main street to the mosaic floors in its aristocratic homes.
• One of the seven wonders of the world is also there: the great temple of Artemis (in Latin her name is Diana; she is a nature-fertility goddess).
• It took 220 years to build this temple. Built out of pure white marble, it is the largest building in existence at this time and is known worldwide.
• The temple is 220 feet by 425 feet. It is supported by 127 columns, each of them 60 feet high, and is adorned by some of the greatest sculptors of the age.
• In the temple resides a statue of Diana, which the Ephesians believe fell from the sky. Ephesus is also the center for magical arts and occult practices in Asia.

 
GREETING
EPHESIANS 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will:
To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.

• This is the body of believers that Paul spent 2.5 years with.
• He can talk about deep things with them.
• Paul had to clarify what “saints”… not the ones who referred to themselves as followers of Artemis (Diana).
• The word saint is simply one of the many terms used in the New Testament to describe “one who has trusted Jesus Christ as Saviour.”[2]
• When the sinner trusts Christ as his Saviour, he is taken out of “the world” and placed “in Christ.”
• The believer is in the world physically, but not of the world spiritually (John 17:14–16).
• Like a scuba diver, he exists in an alien environment because he possesses special equipment—in this case, the indwelling Holy Spirit of God.
• Every true believer possesses the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20), and it is through the Spirit’s power that the Christian is able to function in the world.
• The phrase “in Christ Jesus” is used twenty-seven times in this letter!
• It describes the spiritual position of the believer: he is identified with Christ, he is in Christ, and therefore is able to draw on the wealth of Christ for his own daily living.[3]

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

• Grace – “unmerited favor”
• Grace – “the desire and power to do God’s will”
• Grace – “God’s ability in us”
• Grace leads to peace.
• God and Jesus are one.
• 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 one long Greek sentence.
• It’s as if Paul is overly excited.

GOD’S RICH BLESSINGS
3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

• GOD sacrificed the agony of watching his Son crucified so that:
• 1) Jesus could have a body to express Himself to the universe.
• 2) Spirit would have a temple to dwell.
• JESUS went to Calvary so that:

        1) God can receive a family
        2) Spirit would have a temple to dwell.
 - SPIRIT glorifies:
        1) Jesus by revealing what He
                 accomplished on the cross.
        2) God by glorifying the Son

• Paul continues to teach the church not to be man centered. That is when all the issues occur.
• Think about church organizations today and all the issues they deal with.
• What happens if they are selfless?

who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ.

• Comprehend this: Jesus not only came to redeem fallen men, but to give them everything they could possibly need.
• Everything spiritually that we need.
• We are spiritual beings more than we are human beings.
• Not physically… it is not about stuff but identity.
• “Stuff” just messes us up.
• The world is definitely focused on the physical being.

4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,

• God’s timeline & our timeline
• There is absolute importance in living from the view and understanding of where you are “in Christ”.

to be holy and blameless in love before him.

• The believer, based on what Jesus has already done, is made the righteousness of God.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 -  He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. [4]

5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
        - “predestined” for what?
 - to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself,
        - as sons/children
 - Romans 8:23 - Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.[5]
- At the point of salvation, the believer is made into a finished product in his soul and spirit (in his person).

• He is as holy and blameless (Ephesians 1:4), justified (Romans 5:1), righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21), forgiven (Ephesians 4:32), complete (Colossians 2:10) and glorified (Romans 8:30) in his person as he will ever be.
• But it is not until the resurrection that body becomes immortal (1 Corinthians 15:53) – becomes a body like Christ possessed after his resurrection.
• Therefore, the resurrection is the final piece of the puzzle that allows our entire being – soul, spirit, as well as the body – to be conformed to the image of God’s son (Romans 8:29).
• To this, we are predestined when we accepted Christ – not beforehand.
• according to His favor and will,
• We’ve already seen that God’s intentions in His relationships are based on what the other party receives.

6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.
        - Any response to this verse?
        - Keep reading it until there is a response.
       
 - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 - 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.[6]
 - Try telling that to a 15 year old boy who aches to have an earthly father invest in his life.
 - Or the parent who has lost a child.
 - Or the homeless addict.
 - Or the faithful church-going religious person that can’t do enough to please their church or pastor or family.
 - Or the person who is reaping the pain and consequences because of their selfish acts.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace
[7] In Him we have redemption through His blood,
 - The Gospel… His death was necessary.
 - the forgiveness of our trespasses,
        - Hebrews 9:22 – Without the shedding
                 of blood, there is no forgiveness.
        -It has already happened… one time.
        - I John 1:9 -
        - Matthew 6:12 – Lord’s prayer.
 
according to the riches of His grace
 - “according to” is greater than “out of”
 - compare that for a moment… which would you rather have from God?
8 that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.[7]
[8] that He richly poured out (lavished)
        - Some of us need “lavished”
        - “Lavished” covers all sin… all.
on us with all wisdom and understanding.
        - Wisdom – The insight into the true nature of things.
        - Bob says, “The ability to view life from
                 God’s perspective.”
        - Because wisdom is revealed through the
                 Holy Spirit.

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 8). Victor Books.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 9). Victor Books.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 9). Victor Books.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 5:21). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 8:23). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 4:17–18). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible (Eph). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 5:21
Genesis 2:16
John 14:6
1 Corinthians 3:16
1 Corinthians 6:17
Galatians 5:16
Matthew 15:24
Romans8:28
​Galatians 5:22-23