Category: Ephesians

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It seems to be deeply ingrained in human beings to want to earn whatever comes to us. In our pride we want to pay our own way, and not have to depend on the kindness of others. This often translates to religious life as well, with many world religions advocating 5 pillars or 10 steps in order to get what we need. But Christianity is totally different, it is a story not of us climbing to heaven, but of God coming down to us by Grace.

Questions for Reflection:

• In what ways have you tended to rely on yourself rather than God?
• Why do you think so many religions operate on a basis of earning?
• What is Grace?
• Why is it so easy to fall into the trap of working for love instead of working from love?

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By Grace Through Faith

2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ² in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— ³ among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body^[a] and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.^[b] 4 But^[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them

Why do we keep going and persevere in this world? We see in this passage in Ephesians 3, that we must maintain a biblical picture of what God is doing in the church and the world in order to persevere as a church. John explains.

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Ephesians 3: 7 -13 (ESV)

⁷ Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. ⁸ To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹ and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in^[a] God, who created all things, ¹⁰ so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. ¹¹ This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. ¹³ So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

This week we are looking at discipleship: How we can help others follow Jesus. One aspect of this is the way we use our speech. With so many fears and anxieties that can discourage us in our Christian life, it is vital that our speech is speech that encourages and builds up, rather than corrupts.

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Ephesians 4: 29 – 30 ESV

²⁹ Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

This week we are taking time out from Revelation briefly to look this week at what Paul says in Ephesians 4 about unity. Unity is something that we instinctively think is a good thing, but what is Christian Unity, and what is it based on?

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In Him. In Christ. Union with Christ. Being joined to Christ. It’s the beating heart of our Christian Faith. This week we are joined by Ben Hudson from Grace Presbyterian Church Dunedin looking at this idea in Ephesians 1, and to help us grow as Christians.

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Ephesians 1:3-14 (ESV)

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, ⁴ even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love ⁵ he predestined us^[a] for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, ⁸ which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight ⁹ making known^[b] to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

¹¹ In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, ¹² so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. ¹³ In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee^[c] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,^[d] to the praise of his glory.

In Christ we have redemption. Ben Hudson from Grace Presbyterian Dunedin continues in Ephesians 1 to understand what this means for us.

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Ephesians 1:3-14 (ESV)

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, ⁴ even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love ⁵ he predestined us^[a] for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, ⁸ which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight ⁹ making known^[b] to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

¹¹ In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, ¹² so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. ¹³ In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee^[c] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,^[d] to the praise of his glory.

When we feel spiritually dry, we can be tempted to look in all kinds of places to satisfy our souls. Paul shows us a better way at the end of his prayer in Ephesians 3.

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Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV)

¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Paul finishes off his letter to the church in Ephesus with Peace and Grace. So often our church is not the place of Grace and Peace that it should be. That makes Paul’s closing prayer for the Ephesians important for us to pay attention to.

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Ephesians 6:21-24 (ESV)

²¹ So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. ²² I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

²³ Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Standing alongside the command to take up the whole armour of God, is a call to pray. As Christians we sometimes pray with some perseverance. In this passage, Paul uses the word “all” 4 times, and this teaches us about the nature of prayer.

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Ephesians 6:18 (ESV)

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints