The Journey Continues

Ephesians Chapter 1

1) How would you describe people who have a close relationship?  What words would describe the depth of their connection?

2) What’s a down payment?  What does it mean to make a deposit on an item?

3) What does God make available to His children because of their relationship with Christ?  What do we have on hand because we are following Christ?

Blood brothers.  Soul sisters.  Two peas in a pod.  All of these describe people who are well connected.  But there is an even greater connection for those that are following Christ.  In the opening section of Ephesians, Paul helps us understand the depth of our relationship with Christ.  To do this, he uses the phrase “in Christ” (“in the One He loves”, “in Him”) six times (verses 3, 4, 6, 7, 11 and 13).  Much more than a casual relationship, our life, our hope and our identity are found in Christ. 

A deposit is something given as a pledge or down payment.  The deposit represents a portion of the total and indicates a commitment to provide the rest.  Paul speaks of the Holy Spirit as a “deposit guaranteeing our inheritance (1:13-14)”.  We know that the Holy Spirit was given after Jesus went to heaven as the One Who would be with us and in us.  But God in us isn’t all there is.  Our full inheritance is a place in heaven where we will be with Him forever.  The Holy Spirit is God’s promise that there is more to come!

Paul's prayer for us is found in verses 15-23.  But be sure to slow down and read what he prays.  He does not pray politely that we would have a good day.  He does not pray that everything would work out well.  Instead, he prays boldly for our understanding of what we have available in Christ.  Specifically, he prays that we would come to realize the hope, riches and power that are ours because of Jesus (1:18-19).  Consider Paul’s prayer.  How would you live differently if you came to better understand what God has for us?

 

Ephesians Chapter 2

1) Name some contrasts that you regularly observe.  For example, dark and light; sweet and sour.

2) But – however – nevertheless.  What do these words do in a sentence?  How do things change when we read these words of transition?

3) How can your life be a positive reflection on God?  In what way can you be a show off for His work in you?

A theme we find in Ephesians Chapter 2 is that of contrast.  Paul compares our life before Christ with our life in Christ.  Look at his descriptions in verses 5, 13 and 19.  Never forget the incredible nature of the work Christ did in your life.

In the opening section of Chapter 2, Paul describes what our lives were like before Christ (dead in sin, following the ways of the world, objects of wrath).  Then God puts His “but” in (one “t”, not two!).  It’s these first three letters of verse 4 that make all the difference in the world.  No matter where you are today, God can bring about a tremendous change in your life if you will allow Him to bring about the changes He desires in you.

Nobody likes a show off, but what about when you’re showing off what God can do?  In 2:6-7, Paul indicates that through His work in our lives, God is able to show the world what His grace is like.  Every day, you have the opportunity to let people see Whose you are.

Ephesians Chapter 3

1) How complicated is the gospel? How complex is the truth of God’s Word?

2) Have you ever taken on a task that you knew you could not complete? Can you think of a time you set out to accomplish something that could not be fully achieved?

3) What is the biggest crowd you’ve ever been in? What is the most money you’ve ever held in your hand? What is the tallest building you’ve ever seen in person?

Indeed at one level, the truth of God’s Word is exceedingly complex. In it is contained all truth for all times. And yet, we must admit that the core truths of the Bible are quite basic. They are profound, but not complicated. In 3:9, Paul states that his task was to take God’s truth and make it plain to those around him. Let’s live out and share a simple faith with those around us so the message of Christ is communicated in a plain manner.

To know that which can’t be known. That’s what Paul prays for in 3:17-19. Here he speaks about God’s love; a love that we can know through experience and a love that we can never fully know or comprehend. Yet Paul pushes us higher by praying that our measure of being filled would be not according to our ability, but according to God’s capacity.

The sky may be the limit, but with God, not even that comes into play. Paul ends chapter 3 by giving praise to God and he does this by speaking about an incredible aspect of Who He is. God’s power has no limits; He can do more than we can even think of. And while this is indeed amazing, what is even more fascinating is the fact that God chooses to demonstrate His power through us. God has given us the opportunity to enter into a partnership with the One Who has unlimited resources.