EPHESIANS CHAPTER 1 STUDY GUIDE
Ephesians Chapter 1, Verses 1-4
Saved By Grace Through Election?
[6-6-21]
Ephesians 1:1-4) [KJV] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
QUESTION: Whose will was it that Paul was an apostle?
ANSWER: It was God’s will.
QUESTION: Whom is Paul writing to?
ANSWER: He’s writing to Christians in Ephesus and to “the faithful in Christ Jesus.” That’s us!
2) Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
QUESTION: What did Paul want his readers, including us, to walk in?
ANSWER: He wants his readers to walk in the grace of God, and, therefore, understand that they are at peace with God.
3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
(CEV) Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven!
(GNB) Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For in our union with Christ he has blessed us by giving us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world.
QUESTION: What is Paul talking about when he says, “who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ”?
“It probably refers here to everything that was heavenly in its nature, or that had relation to heaven, whether gifts or graces. As the apostle is speaking, however, of the mass of Christians on whom these things had been bestowed, I rather suppose that he refers to what are called Christian graces, than to the extraordinary endowments bestowed on the few” [Barnes].
“Notice, too, that these are spiritual blessings. The simplest way to explain this is to contrast them with the blessings of Israel under the law. In the OT, a faithful, obedient Jew was rewarded with long life, a large family, abundant crops, and protection from his enemies (Deut. 28:2-8). The blessings of Christianity, in contrast, are spiritual, that is, they deal with treasures that are nonmaterial, invisible, and imperishable” [BBC].
ANSWER: Barnes suggests that theses blessings are the blessings of the Christian graces that apply to every saint, not “the extraordinary endowments bestowed on the few.” I like the word “all”! I believe it refers to any blessing of God given to any child of God, as well as the blessings of God given to every child of God; i.e., Christian graces.
QUESTION: Where do we find these blessings?
ANSWER: They are found “in heavenly places in Christ.”
NOTE: I believe they are given to us in the spiritual realm and our faith, which is “the substance of things hoped for [Hebrews 11:1], brings those spiritual blessings into the physical realm.
Matthew 7:7-8) [KJV] Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
QUESTION: Is it true that “every one that asketh receiveth”?
ANSWER: It certainly doesn’t seem to be true when we think of all the things we’ve asked for and never received.
QUESTIONS: How do we explain that? Is Matthew 7:8 a lie?
ANSWER: I believe the explanation is to be found in my note above. I’m convinced that everyone who asks receives, because that’s what Matthew tells us. However, I’m convinced the answer to our prayers are instantly given to us in “heavenly places,” in the spiritual realm, which is more real than the physical realm because it is eternal, but we must receive the answer by faith in order to appropriate it in the physical realm.
4) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
QUESTION: When did God choose you and me?
ANSWER: He chose you, in Christ, “before the foundation of the world.”
QUESTION: What has God chosen you and me for?
ANSWER: God has chosen us to “be holy and without blame before him in love.”
QUESTION: Does the fact that God chose you and me “in him before the foundation of the world” mean that God has selected us and not selected others?
ANSWER: He definitely chose us, but did He do so simply by selecting some while rejecting others, or did foreknowledge enter in? We are going to be exploring this very question.
PLEASE NOTE:
“At the same time one would not want to use a term for ‘choose’ based upon the special worthiness of the object chosen, since this would violate the whole theological implications of God’s choice of his people. Therefore, the implication of any verb meaning ‘to choose’ must point to some purpose for the person who does the choosing and should not be dependent upon the idea of worthiness in the individual chosen” [UBS].
It “intends an eternal election of particular persons to everlasting life and salvation” [Gill].
“Before the foundations of the world were laid, God had determined that all who believed on his Son should be saved” [Zondervan].
“This does not affirm that God chose some individuals and rejected others, but that before the world was, before there was Jew or Gentile, God chose to have a people for himself, the whole church of Christ, a covenant people confined to no one earthly race” [PNT].
QUESTION: What do we notice in the above comments?
ANSWER: Commentators do not agree on what they think Paul is talking about in vs. 4.
*QUESTION: If we don’t believe in Divine Election does that mean, as USB suggests, that we therefore believe that God’s choosing has to do with the “special worthiness of the object chosen”?
*ANSWER: No! A thousand times “No”!
NOTE: All Christians have been chosen in accordance with God’s grace, without any “special worthiness” on the part of the one chosen. I am in total agreement with the Divine Election crowd on that point.
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS: Then what kicks in the grace of God through which we have all been saved? Does Divine Election determine who receives this saving grace? Does an individual’s trust in God for his/her salvation determine who receives this saving grace?
ANSWER: The answers to the above questions will differ depending on one’s view of the eternal purposes of God concerning His redemption plan.
NOTE: Whatever conclusions we reach determine what we believe about Who God is! More about that later.
EPHESIANS Chapter 1, Verses 5-6
According To The Good Pleasure Of His Will!
[6-13-21] moved to [6-20-21]
Review: Saved By Grace Through Election?
Ephesians 1:4) [KJV] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
QUESTION: Does the fact that God chose you and me “in him before the foundation of the world” mean that God has selected us and not selected others?
ANSWER: He definitely chose us, but did He do so simply by selecting some while rejecting others, or did foreknowledge enter in? We are going to be exploring this very question.
PLEASE NOTE:
“At the same time one would not want to use a term for ‘choose’ based upon the special worthiness of the object chosen, since this would violate the whole theological implications of God’s choice of his people. Therefore, the implication of any verb meaning ‘to choose’ must point to some purpose for the person who does the choosing and should not be dependent upon the idea of worthiness in the individual chosen” [UBS].
“It intends an eternal election of particular persons to everlasting life and salvation” [Gill].
“Before the foundations of the world were laid, God had determined that all who believed on his Son should be saved” [Zondervan].
“This does not affirm that God chose some individuals and rejected others, but that before the world was, before there was Jew or Gentile, God chose to have a people for himself, the whole church of Christ, a covenant people confined to no one earthly race” [PNT].
**QUESTIONS: What kicks in the grace of God through which we have all been saved? Does Divine Election determine who receives this saving grace? Does an individual’s trust in God for his/her salvation determine who receives this saving grace?
ANSWER: The answers to the above questions will differ depending on one’s view of the eternal purposes of God concerning His redemption plan.
NOTE: Whatever conclusions we reach determine what we believe about Who God is.
This Week’s Lesson: According To The Good Pleasure Of His Will!
Ephesians 1:5-6) [KJV] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Concerning “predestinated,”
“G4309: From G4253 and G3724; to limit in advance, that is, (figuratively) predetermine”
“G4253: ‘fore’, that is ‘in front of, prior’”
“G3724: ‘to mark out, or bound’ that is ‘to appoint, decree, specify.’” [Strong].
QUESTION: What does “predestinated” mean to us?
ANSWER: Please note:
Romans 8:29-30) [KJV] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
QUESTION: Again, what does “predestinated” mean to us?
ANSWER: It certainly has something to do with foreknowledge.
QUESTION: What does it have to do with God’s foreknowledge?
ANSWER: Please note:
- The Divine Election crowd would tell us that it simply means that God has always known, from eternity past, whom He would save. According to their teaching those individuals He would save are the individuals He selected before time.
- We who do not believe in Divine Election believe that God knew, from eternity past, which individuals would heed the Gospel message and accept Christ as Savior, and He then predestined that group to be “conformed to the image of his Son.”
QUESTION: What does Romans 8:30 tell us that God did next?
ANSWER: God “called” the predestined individuals, then “justified” them, and ultimately “glorified” them.
QUESTION: God calls/invites people to salvation. How does this play in to our discussion?
ANSWER: Please note:
Matthew 20:16) [KJV] So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Matthew 22:14) [KJV] For many are called, but few are chosen.
QUESTION: If God only saves the Divine Elect, those He selected to salvation from eternity past, then why does He call “many” when He has only chosen a “few”?
ANSWER: If God invites someone to salvation, but then refuses to shower them with irresistible grace, the only means of salvation, then that seems to me to be a really mean spirited joke.
NOTE: I imagine that those who teach Divine Election/Selection would probably tell us that it isn’t God calling individuals in the above stories, but it’s simply referring to individuals that are in the “audience” when the Gospel is being preached. You could make that argument regarding the story of Matthew 22, but that argument wouldn’t hold water when thinking about the story of Matthew 20. It that story, the individual representing God is the one calling and selecting.
6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
(BBE) To the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely gave to us in the Loved One:
(GNB) Let us praise God for his glorious grace, for the free gift he gave us in his dear Son!
(MSG) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.
NOTE: The King James Version doesn’t seem to have the translating of the Greek right in this verse. The Greek, according to most commentators, is expressing that God has freely bestowed His grace on us. That being said, the grace He has freely bestowed on us has placed us in a right standing with God; i.e., “made us accepted in the beloved.”
QUESTION: What should our response be to the fact that God has bestowed His grace on us in bringing us to salvation?
ANSWER: We should give God abundant praise and worship for what He has done on our behalf.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING QUOTES FROM SOME VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER:
5) according to the good pleasure of his will,
6) To the praise of the glory of his grace,
7) according to the riches of his grace;
9) according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
11) according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
14) unto the praise of his glory.
QUESTION: What do these quotes tell us about the doctrine of Divine Election?
ANSWER: If salvation depends solely on God’s selection, brought about by “irresistible grace” that He only bestows on those selected, then God has refused to give any chance of salvation to those He hasn’t selected; i.e., has rejected. And He has done this “according to the good pleasure of his will,” “to the praise of the glory of his grace,” “according to the riches of his grace,” “according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself,” “according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will,” and “unto the praise of his glory.”
NOTE: If Divine Election is a true doctrine then God is pleased to allow the non-selected to go to Hell [5], it’s His good pleasure to allow it, and they are going to Hell because God has “purposed in himself” that they should [9], He works out their condemnation “after the counsel of his own will [11], and considers that their condemnation brings “praise” to “his glory” [14].
Romans 11:33) [KJV] O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
QUESTION: Do we really know “anything” about God?
ANSWER: We know basic things about Him, things revealed to us in His Word.
NOTE: I’m ending the lesson this way this morning because I want to go on record as saying I don’t have all the answers. I don’t even know all of the questions. I’m simply sharing what makes sense to me. Don’t take my word for this stuff; ask God for understanding, and study His Word.
EPHESIANS Chapter 1, Verse 7
Justice Demands That God Forgive The Repentant Sinner!
[6-27-21]
Review: According To The Good Pleasure Of His Will!
Ephesians 1:5-6) [KJV] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
(BBE) To the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely gave to us in the Loved One:
(GNB) Let us praise God for his glorious grace, for the free gift he gave us in his dear Son!
NOTE: The King James Version doesn’t seem to have the translating of the Greek right in this verse. The Greek, according to most commentators, is expressing that God has freely bestowed His grace on us. That being said, the grace He has freely bestowed on us has placed us in a right standing with God; i.e., “made us accepted in the beloved.”
QUESTION: What should our response be to the fact that God has bestowed His grace on us in bringing us to salvation?
ANSWER: We should give God abundant praise and worship for what He has done on our behalf.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING QUOTES FROM SOME VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER:
5) according to the good pleasure of his will,
6) To the praise of the glory of his grace,
7) according to the riches of his grace;
9) according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
11) according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
14) unto the praise of his glory.
QUESTION: What do these quotes tell us about the doctrine of Divine Election?
ANSWER: If salvation depends solely on God’s selection, brought about by “irresistible grace” that He only bestows on those selected, then God has refused to give any chance of salvation to those He hasn’t selected; i.e., has rejected. And He has done this “according to the good pleasure of his will,” “to the praise of the glory of his grace,” “according to the riches of his grace,” “according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself,” “according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will,” and “unto the praise of his glory.”
NOTE: If Divine Election is a true doctrine then God is pleased to allow the non-selected to go to Hell [5], it’s His good pleasure to allow it, and they are going to Hell because God has “purposed in himself” that they should [9], He works out their condemnation “after the counsel of his own will [11], and considers their condemnation brings “praise” to “his glory” [14].
This Week’s Lesson: Justice Demands That God Forgive The Repentant Sinner!
Ephesians 1:7) [KJV] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
“redemption” – “1) a releasing effected by payment of ransom; 1a) redemption, deliverance; 1b) liberation procured by the payment of a ransom” [Thayer].
QUESTION: What was the “redemption”/cost that Jesus paid to free us?
ANSWER: Christ purchased our freedom by paying the ransom fee, which was death. He redeemed us by shedding His blood for us at Calvary!
QUESTION: From whom, or what, were we delivered?
ANSWER: There is a sense in which we were delivered from Satan, who had the “rights” to our souls. However, there is another sense in which we were delivered from God, the Judge. We had been found guilty, in the courtroom of Heaven, of sinning against God, and the sentence the court imposed upon us was death.
**NOTE: God, the Father, demanded the payment of death as the consequence of our sins. Jesus paid that penalty for us. Justice has been served!
QUESTION: What was the result of Jesus paying our ransom?
ANSWER: Our sins have been forgiven!
QUESTION: What does that mean to us?
ANSWER: Let’s go on a little Scriptural treasure hunt:
Isaiah 59:1-2) [NLT] Listen! The LORD is not too weak to save you, and he is not becoming deaf. He can hear you when you call.
2) But there is a problem — your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.
QUESTION: Again, what does that mean to us?
ANSWER: Our sins had separated us from God! Jesus paid the penalty for those sins! God’s justice has been satisfied! That means that we are no longer separated from God. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, between God and me.
Hebrews 4:12-16) [KJV] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13) Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
**15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
QUESTION: Once again, what does that mean to us?
ANSWER: There isn’t anything we do, say, or think that God doesn’t see. We are morally naked in His presence. He knows absolutely every flaw in our lives.
QUESTION: So, shouldn’t we cower in fear before Him?
ANSWER: No! We should go “boldly unto the throne of grace.”
1 John 1:9) [KJV] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
**QUESTION: How is it possible to go before a Holy God “boldly” when He knows all about us?
**ANSWER: God tells us in His Word that when we come into agreement with Him, that is, we don’t excuse our sins (because they are inexcusable), but rather, confess that we have sinned, He then forgives us and cleanses us “from all unrighteousness.”
NOTE: There is absolutely nothing between you and God! He sees every one of your flaws; He witnesses every one of your sins; yet, He receives you into His very presence as though you had never sinned in your entire life.
QUESTION: How is that possible?
Eph. 4:32) [KJV] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
ANSWER: You and I have never indebted God to us! He has never owed us anything! Yet justice demands that He forgives us when we confess our sins! Why? Jesus paid your ransom! Your sins have already been judged, and the sentence of death has already been carried out. Jesus took the blame for you sins and faced the wrath of God, His Father, on your behalf. In that sense, Jesus has indebted the Father to forgive all who come to Him through faith!! Justice now demands it!
NOTE: God, the Judge, is totally satisfied that justice has been carried out. Your sins have been paid for! You are right with God! However, God, the loving Father, is still disciplining those He loves.
Hebrews 12:6) [NIV] because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.
QUESTION: What does that mean?
ANSWER: Our legal sins have been paid for, and the court of Heaven has declared us righteous! Our acts of childish disobedience will yet face the discipline of a loving Father, but never the justice of an angry court.
EPHESIANS Chapter 1, Verses 8-14
Seeing Is Becoming!
[7-4-21]
Review: Justice Demands That God Forgive The Repentant Sinner!
Ephesians 1:7) [KJV] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
In regards to “redemption,”
“1) a releasing effected by payment of ransom; 1a) redemption, deliverance; 1b) liberation procured by the payment of a ransom [Thayer].
NOTE: Christ purchased our freedom by paying the ransom fee, which was death. He redeemed us by shedding His blood for us at Calvary!
Isaiah 59:1-2) [NLT] Listen! The LORD is not too weak to save you, and he is not becoming deaf. He can hear you when you call.
2) But there is a problem — your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.
QUESTION: Again, what does that mean to us?
ANSWER: Our sins had separated us from God! Jesus paid the penalty for those sins! God’s justice has been satisfied! That means that we are no longer separated from God. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, between God and me.
Hebrews 4:13, 16) [KJV] Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
NOTE: There isn’t anything we do, say, or think that God doesn’t see. We are morally naked in His presence. He knows absolutely every flaw in our lives.
QUESTION: So, shouldn’t we cower in fear before Him?
ANSWER: No! We should go “boldly unto the throne of grace.”
This Week’s Lesson: Seeing Is Becoming!
Ephesians 1:8-14) [KJV] Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
[NIV] that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
[NLT] He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
[NAS] 8b) which He lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight
9a) He made known to us the mystery of His will,
NOTE: Commentators and translators have some disagreement on what verses 7 and 8 are saying. Some suggest, like NLT that God has shed wisdom and insight on us, while the majority suggest, like KJV that God has lavished his grace upon us, and He did so with great wisdom and insight. Still others, like NAS, suggest that the last part of verse 8 belongs with the first part of verse 9.
9) Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
QUESTION: What has God “made known unto us”?
ANSWER: He “made known unto us they mystery of his will.”
QUESTION: What else does the above verse tell us about “the mystery of his will”?
ANSWER: This “mystery of his will” was devised “according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.”
QUESTION: What does that mean?
ANSWER: It was, and is, God’s “good pleasure” to save fallen man, and He “purposed in himself” to do it.
10) That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
[NLT] And this is his plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ — everything in heaven and on earth.
QUESTION: What is verse 10 telling us?
ANSWER: When God wraps everything up, when His plan is fully completed, there will be complete unity between all living things in Heaven and on earth. And, that unity will be realized under the headship of Christ.
11) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
NOTE: We who are Christians have received an inheritance that allows us to be a part of the total harmony that verse 10 is talking about. Consider the following:
1 John 3:2) [KJV] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
John 17:24) [KJV] Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world.
QUESTION: What is going to happen when God wraps up His eternal plan for you and me?
**ANSWER: We are going to see Jesus in His full glory; and then, we will become like Him.
IMPORTANT QUESTION: What has God “predestined” in regards to the availability of salvation?
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING QUOTES FROM SOME VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER:
5) according to the good pleasure of his will,
6) To the praise of the glory of his grace,
7) according to the riches of his grace;
9) according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
11) according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
14) unto the praise of his glory.
QUESTION: Again, what has God “predestined” in regards to the availability of salvation?
ANSWER: Whatever God has “predestined” He has done so according to all of the above quotes. If God had determined to shower me with irresistible grace, which is the only means of salvation according to the Divine Election crowd, but withhold that same irresistible grace from my neighbor, then He has withheld the only means of salvation from my neighbor “according to the good pleasure of his will,” etc.
NOTE: I do not believe that God, Who in His very nature is Love, has withheld salvation from any individual, thereby, “according to the good pleasure of his will,” has sentenced that individual to eternal Hell.
QUESTION: What has God “predestined” regarding you and me?
ANSWER: God saw you and me placing our faith in the Lord Jesus, and He saw it in eternity past. According to that foreknowledge he predetermined to call us, justify us, and glorify us. He already sees us in Heaven.
QUESTION: How do I know this?
Romans 8:29-30) [KJV] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
12) That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
QUESTION: Whom does the “we who first trusted in Christ” refer to?
ANSWER: Commentators see this “we” as the early Jewish converts to Christianity.
13) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14) Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
QUESTION: Whom does the “ye also trusted” refer to?
ANSWER: It refers to the Galatian believers, along with other Gentile believers.
QUESTION: What happened when we believed?
ANSWER: The promised Holy Spirit moved in! That’s the down payment of our inheritance. There’s more to come; much more.
EPHESIANS Chapter 1, Verses 15-23
“Seeing Is Becoming!” Review
[7-11-21]
Review: Seeing Is Becoming!
Ephesians 1:11-14) [KJV] In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
1 John 3:2) [KJV] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
John 17:24) [KJV] Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
QUESTION: What is going to happen when God wraps up His eternal plan for you and me?
ANSWER: We are going to see Jesus in His full glory; and then, we will become like Him.
12) That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
QUESTION: What has God “predestinated” regarding you and me?
ANSWER: God saw you and me placing our faith in the Lord Jesus, and He saw it in eternity past. According to that foreknowledge he predetermined to call us, justify us, and glorify us. He already sees us in Heaven.
QUESTION: How do I know this?
ANSWER: Please note:
Romans 8:29-30) [KJV] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
14) Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
EPHESIANS Chapter 1, Verses 15-23
The Apostle Paul Prays For Us!
[7-18-21]
This Week’s Lesson: The Apostle Paul Prays For Us!
Ephesians 1:15-23) [KJV] Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16) Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
QUESTION: What did they have to do to make Paul’s prayer list?
ANSWER: They needed to have faith in Jesus and love Christians everywhere.
QUESTION: Why would Paul pray for those who didn’t seem to be in need?
ANSWER: He saw great potential in believers who had a good mix of faith and love. He wanted to water that potential with prayer and give that potential plenty of sunlight with his praise.
NOTE: Believing God and loving His people is the sum total of New Testament doctrine. If we get these two things right we’ll do all right in our Christian walk. Please note:
“A third lesson is found in the combination of faith and love. Some people say they have faith, but it is hard to find any love in their lives. Others profess great love but are quite indifferent to the necessity of faith in Christ. True Christianity combines sound doctrine and sound living” [BBC].
17) That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
QUESTION: What did Paul ask God, in prayer, to do for them?
ANSWER: He wanted God to give them “the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.” He wanted God to reveal Himself to these believers in an even greater way.
18) The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
(CEV) My prayer is that light will flood your hearts
(GNB) I ask that your minds may be opened to see his light,
(MSG) your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see
QUESTION: How does he want God to reveal Himself to them?
ANSWER: He wants God to open the eyes of their minds so they can “see” what God is doing.
QUESTION: What does he want these believers to “see”?
ANSWER: He wants them to see what God is up to in their lives.
QUESTION: What is “the hope of his calling”?
**ANSWER: We are going to be conformed to the image of His Son [Romans 8:29].
QUESTION: What is the “glory of his inheritance in the saints”?
**ANSWER: We are going to become like Him when we see Him as He is [1 John 3:2].
19) And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
QUESTION: What else does Paul want his readers, which now include us, to “see”/know?
ANSWER: He wants us to know that God’s exceeding great power is at work in us.
20a) Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead,
QUESTION: What power of God is Paul talking about?
**ANSWER: He’s talking about the very power that God exerted when He raised the Lord Jesus from the dead.
**NOTE: There is no maximum and minimum power of God. His power is without measure; it’s limitless! God can raise His Son from the dead as easily as He can heal a headache.
QUESTION: If that’s the case, then why does Paul point to the power that God exerted in raising His Son from the dead?
*ANSWER: The mighty power of God that raised Christ from the dead is the power that is at work in us right now! It’s redemption power! The resurrection of Christ cemented the victory of the cross; and the victory of the cross was all about God’s eternal redemption plan. This particular operation of His power, the raising of His Son from the dead, is dealing with His eternal purpose for your life. This limitless power of God is at work in you to conform you to the image of His Son! This limitless power of God is at work in you to bring you into “the glory of his inheritance” that He has for you; that glorious inheritance in His bringing you into His glory by causing you to become like Him when you see Him as He is!
20b) and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21) Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
QUESTION: What else did God do with Jesus?
ANSWER: He set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places!
QUESTION: What does that have to do with you and me?
ANSWER: Please note:
Ephesians 2:5-6) [KJV] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
QUESTION: What does this have to do with you and me?
ANSWER: God raised Jesus from death; God raised us from death! God sat Jesus at His own right hand in the heavenly places; God has sat you and me together in Jesus in those same heavenly places!
QUESTION: Where are you and me sitting right now?
ANSWER: We are sitting in heavenly places far above principalities and powers!
Ephesians 6:12) [KJV] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
QUESTION: What does the above verse mean to you and me, when compared to verse 21 above?
ANSWER: We are currently sitting “far above” the very things we wrestle against!
22) And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23) Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
QUESTION: What is Jesus Lord over?
ANSWER: Absolutely everything! That includes the church!
QUESTION: What does verse 23 tell us about the church?
ANSWER: The collective church is the fullness of the One Who fills everything! WOW!!!
EPHESIANS Chapter 1, Verse 23
The Fullness Of Him That Fills Everything!
[7-25-21]
Review: The Apostle Paul Prays For Us!
Ephesians 1:23) [KJV] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
QUESTION: What is Jesus Lord over?
ANSWER: Absolutely everything! That includes the church!
QUESTION: What does verse 23 tell us about the church?
ANSWER: The church is the fullness of the One Who fills everything! WOW!!!
On To This Week’s Lesson: The Fullness Of Him That Fills Everything!
Ephesians 1:23) [KJV] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
QUESTION: What is the body of Christ?
ANSWER: The body of Christ is His church [vs. 22], which is comprised of all believers world wide.
QUESTION: In what way are we, His body, “the fulness of him that filleth all in all”?
ANSWER: The corporate body of Christ offers to the world all that the individual Jesus offered to the world in the area of ministry, with the exception of the work of redemption.
The Man Jesus Was An Apostle, A Prophet, An Evangelist, A Pastor, and A Teacher:
Ephesians 4:7-11) [KJV] But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8) Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9) (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10) He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
QUESTION: Was Jesus an apostle?
“apostle” – “one sent” [Word Study].
ANSWER: Absolutely! He was not simply “one sent,” but He was the One sent.
“prophet” – “Preachers and expounders under the immediate influence of the Spirit, and thus distinguished from teachers” [Vincent].
“a foreteller of future events” [Word Study].
QUESTION: Was Jesus a prophet?
ANSWER: Absolutely! He spoke the very Word of God, and He foretold future events [Matthew 24, Matthew 16:28 & Matthew 17].
“evangelists” – “Traveling missionaries” [Vincent].
“one who declares the good news” [Word Study].
QUESTION: Was Jesus an evangelist?
ANSWER: Absolutely! He traveled throughout Israel, and He declared the Good News [Matthew 11:5]. More than that, He is the Good News!
“pastor” – “a shepherd” [Vincent].
QUESTION: Was Jesus a pastor/shepherd?
“pastor” – “a shepherd” [Vincent].
ANSWER: Absolutely! He was the Good Shepherd [John 10:11].
“teacher” – “to teach. Instructor, master, teacher” [Word Study].
QUESTION: Was Jesus a teacher?
ANSWER: Absolutely! He taught His disciples, and everyone else who would listen, for three years.
The Man Jesus Operated In All of the Motivational Gifts:
Romans 12:5-8) [KJV] So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6) Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7) Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8) Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
QUESTION: Did Jesus have the motivational gift of prophecy?
ANSWER: Absolutely! Things were black and white to Him, and He spoke in absolutes.
QUESTION: Did Jesus have the motivational gift of ministry/service?
ANSWER: Absolutely! Jesus came to minister/serve [Matthew 20:28].
QUESTION: Did Jesus have the motivational gift of teaching?
ANSWER: Absolutely! He was often called “Master,” which means “teacher.”
QUESTION: Did Jesus have the motivational gift of exhortation/encouragement?
ANSWER: Absolutely! He encouraged His disciples to go into the whole world and preach. He encouraged the woman who was caught in adultery to go and sin no more.
QUESTION: Did Jesus have the motivational gift of giving?
ANSWER: Absolutely! He came to give Himself as a ransom for us all.
QUESTION: Did Jesus have the motivational gift of ruling/administration?
ANSWER: Absolutely! He gave instructions to His disciples often, and He will rule the world.
QUESTION: Did Jesus have the motivational gift of mercy?
ANSWER: Absolutely! He was quick to forgive the sinners who came to Him.
The Man Jesus Operated In All of the Gifts of the Spirit:
1 Corinthians 12:8-10) [KJV] For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9) To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
QUESTION: Did Jesus operate in the word of wisdom?
ANSWER: Absolutely! His parables often expressed Spiritual wisdom [Matthew 13:44].
QUESTION: Did Jesus operate in the word of knowledge?
ANSWER: Absolutely! He told Peter to go fishing and that the fish he caught would have enough money in its mouth for Peter to pay his taxes [Matthew 17:25-27].
QUESTION: Did Jesus operate in the gift of faith?
ANSWER: Absolutely! He was the doubtless Man! Anything He said happened.
QUESTION: Did Jesus operate in the gift of healing?
ANSWER: Absolutely! Every sick person He ever prayed for was healed.
QUESTION: Did Jesus operate in the gift of miracles?
ANSWER: Absolutely! He spoke and the fig tree dried up. He spoke and the wind ceased.
QUESTION: Did Jesus operate in the gift of prophecy?
ANSWER: Absolutely! He prophesied about the last days [Matthew 24].
QUESTION: Did Jesus operate in the gift of the discerning of spirits?
ANSWER: Absolutely! He often discerned that someone was demon possessed.
QUESTION: Did Jesus ever speak in speak in tongues?
ANSWER: Kind of! He spoke in a language no one understood while He was being crucified [Matthew 27:46-47].
**NOTE: Technically Jesus couldn’t speak in tongues because He knows every language.
NOTE: Remember, the gift of tongues was given to the church as a beginner’s gift. Tongues and interpretation worked together to accomplish what the gift of prophecy accomplishes alone. Jesus would not have had to interpret tongues because the Spirit had not given His nine gifts to the church yet.
What Is My Point In All of This Discussion?
A CLOSING NOTE: I believe that if it were possible to get every believer on this planet in one place at one time then everything that would happen if Jesus were physically here could, and possibly would, happen in that gathering of believers. Why? Because all of Jesus, the fullness of Him that fills everything, can be found in His church!