Welcome back today as we Restart and Reboot concerning our Rebirth!
Prayerfully you had an opportunity to read or listen to the book of Ephesians over the weekend, if not, don’t worry I’ve got you covered.
Every day of our lives we have the opportunity to learn why we are here on this earth. As this New Year 2020 begins many are saying it is the year to see. That this is a year to have 2020 vision. I am not against this. It is a great saying but I don't see scripture to back it up. I researched the Hebrew calendar and shared with you that this is the Hebrew year Pey and it means to say. What are we to say? We are to say what God says. In order to do so, we must read His word and find out what He said. In this book of Ephesians, we find a great starting point to begin to understand how important it is to know and say, what God says. So, let’s that a deeper look into the book of Ephesians.
The book of Ephesians is broken up into 2 major sections: Chapters 1 – 3, and 4 – 6. Ephesians is a very hefty book. It’s a little like thinking you are picking up balsa wood and lifting a bar of gold instead.
For just six chapters it is surprisingly deep. Peter O’Brien, in his commentary on Ephesians, calls the book “one of the most significant documents ever written.”
Chapters 1 – 3 are about how God has given us new life – what God has done for you. God’s great plan. Paul is telling the Ephesians and believers that God has a plan for all of us and that plan includes a holy life lived by divine love because we have been adopted by Christ into the family of God. In the Old Testament the family of God was the Jewish nation, the descendants of Abraham; but now Jesus himself has adopted us and given us the full rights and privileges of a child of God. Adoption is the Gospel and I have personal knowledge and experience in this area.
Chapters 3 – 6 are about how God wants us to live in that new life – what we do in response. Paul tells the Ephesian Gentiles that they were once aliens from the family of God and strangers from God’s covenants. They were with Christ and had no hope; however, the price of the blood of Christ made a way for Gentiles who believed in Him. You could say that the first half of the book is more theological, the second half more practical—learn the truth, and then apply the truth. Christians in action.
The Apostle Paul had been specially commissioned to work among the Gentiles, but he held no belief for a divided church. Paul’s theme in this letter is God’s glorious plan to bring all men of every nation and background together in Christ. Remember as Christians we are all on equal terms. We are one.
In Ephesians 1, it speaks of the eternal purpose of God, Christ stands at the very heart of God’s plan. Paul is encouraged and expresses how it warms his heart to hear of the faith and love of these Christians. He prayers for greater strength, understanding and clearer view of their glorious destiny. Paul want’s them to have an awareness of the power at their disposal; the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, lives in them and lives in you and me. Are you aware of the power at your disposal? What are you doing with what Christ has done for you.
The Apostle Paul clearly understood that the transformation from death to life can only come about because of the goodness of God. We were born with a sinful nature and we could not have fellowship with God, to be separated from God meant eternal death. Keep in mind in the ancient world the Jew was separated from the Gentile by racial, religious, cultural and social barriers.
Christ brought these two together, there was, and is no human gulf/divide too great for him to bridge together by his blood. Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ.
In Ephesians 1, it speaks of the eternal purpose of God, Christ stands at the very heart of God’s plan. Paul is encouraged and expresses how it warms his heart to hear of the faith and love of these Christians. He prayers for greater strength, understanding and clearer view of their glorious destiny. Paul want’s them to have an awareness of the power at their disposal; the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, lives in them and lives in you and me. Are you aware of the power at your disposal? What are you doing with what Christ has done for you.
The Apostle Paul clearly understood that the transformation from death to life can only come about because of the goodness of God. We were born with a sinful nature and we could not have fellowship with God, to be separated from God meant eternal death. Keep in mind in the ancient world the Jew was separated from the Gentile by racial, religious, cultural and social barriers.
Christ brought these two together, there was, and is no human gulf/divide too great for him to bridge together by his blood. Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ.
ACTION STEP: Read Ephesians Chapter 1:19 – 23 through 2:22. The balance of Chapter 1 talks about how central Jesus is, how powerful He is, and how literally everything in the universe focuses back on Him. In the beginning of chapter 2 we see detailed just how Jesus saved us—where we came from and what happened to us when we became His.
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