Ephesians 1
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
The first part of chapter 1 is an affirmation that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. And we are CHOSEN before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Then he continued to tell of the rescue plan God has for us, all summarized.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
Apostle Paul did not stop giving thanks for the Ephesians and remembered then in his prayers. 2 things that he prayed for them:
1) Spirit of wisdom & revelation
- To know Him better
2) Enlightenment of the eyes of their hearts
- To know the hope to which He has called them
- To know the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints
- To know His incomparably great power for them who believe
Conclusion: It is ALL ABOUT GOD! Something that we should pray for each other!
Ephesians 2
Made Alive in Christ
Like written in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We are made alive through His grace and mercy. And this came at a price. So we must remember that we live not for ourselves but for the One who has bought us at a price.
So what’s our plan after being made alive? In verse 10 it says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
One in Christ
After reading this passage, we must give thanks that God included the Gentiles in His rescue plan. In the past the division was Jews and Non-Jews. Now, believers of God and pre-believers of God. Jews or not, we have access to the Father by one Spirit and so the promises in the Bible! In verse 19 & 20, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”
Ephesians 3
The mystery of Christ… to reach out to us! And what God refer us as… unsearchable riches of Christ!!! We are His hidden treasure! So now we can approach God with freedom and confidence in Him and through faith in Him.
With that Paul prayed a powerful prayer over us –
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 4 – 5:21
Unity in the Body of Christ
When there is unity, there is power. Remember the story of the tower of Babel? It was God who said this, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them…"
It is important for the Body of Christ to be united and this is not going to be easy, because it is written that we need to be COMPLETELY humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Doesn’t this sound impossible? But with Christ, all things are possible! So, not going to be easy but it is possible!
Living as Children of Light
The day we’ve accepted Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we are a new creation, born again! We should no longer live in our old ways. We need to put off our old self and put on our new self. This is possible because we have God. Don’t upset the Holy Spirit by still harbouring anger, bitterness, unforgiveness and etc… But be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, like Christ has forgiven you.
Be imitators of God, as we are made in His image! Live a life of Love!
Keep away from darkness and being disobedient, but live in the light and found out what pleases God and do them! There are many traps set by Satan, and we need to be careful of how we live.
Ephesians 5:22 – 6:9
Roles in a household:
Wives are to submit to their husbands, and husbands are to love their wives.
Children are to obey their parents in the Lord; parents don’t provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them, but bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord (NLT)
Slaves are to obey their earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart. [This part of the passage also applies to how we obey God]
Masters are not to play favouritism and don’t threaten them.
Ephesians 6:10 – 24
The Amour of God
It is not easy to live in holiness on earth. We definitely need help! Therefore we have the amour of God to put on to help us!
1) Belt of Truth
2) Breastplate of Righteousness
3) Shoes of Gospel of peace
4) Shield of Faith
5) Helmet of Salvation
6) Sword of the Spirit
And all these accompanied with prayers!
We must remember that we are always battling in the spiritual realm. When we are tempted to do something that displeases God, it is when the battle is the fiercest! Strictly speaking there is no grey area, it is either black or white. But either due to ignorance or compromises we make it seems that is it a “grey area”. I believe if we put it in front of God, He will surely tell you whether it is white or black. Or we can do is that the Holy Spirit will always guide us and prompt us to look beyond the grey area. Ignorance is not a good excuse… So always pray for wisdom!
