Ephesians: Conclusion

We have come to the end of this particular journey. How I have enjoyed taking it with you! I have developed a deep love for the book of Ephesians and a deeper love and appreciation for Paul. My prayer is that you, as well, have been blessed by the weeks we have spent looking carefully into these precious words.



To summarize this splendid letter ... I want to remember deep in my spirit ...




I have every imaginable (and even those I cannot imagine!) blessing in Christ in the spiritual realm. He has brought me, a Gentile, into the family of God. He has drawn us near to Him, breaking down the barrier wall between Jew and Gentile. He has revealed His great mystery - that Jew and Gentile are united together, in Christ, into one new entity - the church.



Therefore, in light of such astounding truth, my task is to walk worthy of that position. How do we do that? Paul tells us ...

• We walk - not as Gentiles ... not as unbelievers



• We walk - in love ... which effects everything I do and say



• We walk - in light ... no longer intrigued by the things done in "darkness"



• We walk - in wisdom ... listening to and heeding the words from God



• We walk - in victory ... wrapped in the fullness of God Himself

Let's close by saying to each other across the miles and the electronic waves ...

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow

Praise Him all creatures here below

Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Amen.

Our next study will be ... "A Light in the Darkness: Elijah and Elisha" by Casandra Martin. We will begin the second week in January, 2010. If you would like to purchase the study guide that our women's classes at Bammel Church will be using ... it can be purchased at 21st Century Publishers. You can find the study guide at: www.21stcc.com

I pray that you enjoy a wonderful holiday season. May there be more joy than heartache and more peace than chaos!

Grace and peace ...

Ephesians: Lesson 10- Day 3

Ephesians 6: 18 - 24



The Energy



Our lesson this week is focusing on our instruction from Paul to "stand firm" against the schemes, the deceptions and lies, of Satan. Don't let him pin you down. Don't let him render you ineffective in the kingdom of God. Satan does not have omnipotent power to wrestle you to the ground - you can stand - and our stand will be firm and secure.



What is the energy source for such a stand? It comes through prayer. Our energy comes from prayer. Go back and read Ephesians 3: 14 - 21 again. Will you dare to believe that? Will you believe it for yourself as well as those for whom you pray?

I am drawn closer to Paul as I read his words about prayer. He not only instructs us, as Christ followers, to be diligent in prayer (in the Spirit and for all kinds of things - no limitations!), but he also requests that these believers pray for him. He wants to be fearless - he wants to fulfill his task boldly - and so he asks them to pray. Did you ever visualize Paul as timid? afraid? This reminds me that is just a man - touched and called by God - but he, too, struggles with the flesh and the temptation to quit. He, too, struggles with feelings of insecurity. He, too, gets weary. And so he asks for prayers for himself. I wonder if the original readers of this letter used his very words to pray for him. I suspect that many did. Will you take these words and pray for your preachers and pastors and teachers? Will you pray for yourself along the same lines? Will you pray for your fellow believers that are in your church and in churches around our globe?

Prayer is the energy that keeps us faithful to the tasks that the Lord places in front of us. Prayer is the energy that provides the ability to "stand firm" in the strength of His might. Be faithful in prayer ...

One more posting and we will wrap this little study up. I am praying for you ...

Ephesians: Lesson 10 - Day 2

Ephesians 6: 13 - 17

The Equipment

The full armor of God ... familiar words to Bible students ... a familiar image to anyone who grew up going to Sunday School ... remember the drawings where we filled in the blanks on each piece of the armor?

I can imagine Paul sitting at a table, chained to a Roman guard, writing to the believers in Ephesus. He is ready to close his letter. So he writes, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might." I can then imagine him pausing, repositioning his arm, hearing the chain rattle and looking up at the man to whom he is chained. I wonder if seeing that armor on his Roman guard captivated his mind and defined the next verses from his pen? And Paul begins to describe the elements that are a necessity for us, as believers, to stand firm in the Lord.

There is truth. Even in our particular culture that is awash in relativism, my fellow believer - there is truth. And it is Jesus.

There is righteousness. Even in our particular culture that ignores the reality of sin - that believes whatever feels right to you is right - there is still the righteousness of God - available to you and I through our Lord Jesus.

There is peace. Even in our war torn, violence ridden world - the reality of peace with God through Jesus calms our fears, secures our hearts and allows us to breathe deeply.

There is faith. Even in our culture that is marked by doubt and distrust and unbelief - there is still faith. It is strong. It is sure. And it protects.

There is salvation. Even in our culture that will spew ridicule on the word and the idea - there is security and confidence in the knowing that Christ is coming back, that this will come to an end, and that the believer is WITH Christ.

There is a sword. And it is the Word of God. It provides knowledge and insight. It stretches us, molds us, teaches us, challenges us. It corrects us, disciplines us, encourages us. It allows us to discern between the lies of the prince of this world and the truth of God. Use it well. And remember to use it against the real enemy - not against each other!

The full armor of God. It must be "put on". You must conscientiously decide to claim each piece for yourself and to deliberately choose to wear it each day. Memorize those words, those elements - and every morning when you are getting dressed, mentally put these on as well ... put on ...

truth - righteousness - peace - faith - salvation

and as you pick up your purse to head out the door, mentally pick up ...

the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.

Ephesians: Lesson 10 - Day 1

Well, my friends, you have made it to the final week of this study. Perseverance is a beautiful thing - and perseverance in a Bible study is something to be celebrated! I, for one, have never had a hard time getting excited at beginnings - never had any trouble starting things. It's the "finishing well" that presents the challenge. But we are finishing ...

For Lesson 10 - read Ephesians 6:10 - 24.

We have an enemy. And this enemy is not "flesh and blood". This enemy is the devil of old. And we are in the midst of a struggle. Who is this enemy? We learn from John 8:44 that he is a murderer and the father of lies. We learn from 1 Peter 5:8 that he is like a prowling lion - looking for those to devour. Refresh your memory of some of his tactics by reading Matthew 4: 1 - 11 again. Satan knows how to attack at our weakest moments and our most vulnerable places. He knows scripture ... and can artfully twist it to suit his own purposes. Listen to Warren Wiersbe: "Many Bible students believe that Satan was the anointed cherub whom God placed in charge of the newly created earth (Ezekiel 28: 11 - 19). through pride, he fell (Isaiah 14: 9 ff) and took with him a host of angelic beings who now make up his army of principalities and powers." He is a formidable foe. But never forget - he is a defeated foe! Christ went head to head with Satan ... and emerged victorious. Satan's primary tool against man was death. And our Lord rendered that a powerless threat.

Paul calls our conflict with Satan a "struggle" (verse 12) The Greek word that he has chosen is the word pale. This word means "a wrestling contest; a contest between two in which each endeavors to throw the other, and which is decided when the victor is able to hold his opponent down with his hand upon his neck." With the choice of this particular word, I think Paul is reminding us that Satan cannot kill us! Remember who you are ... ALIVE in Christ, seated with Him in the heavenly places, sealed in Him by the Holy Spirit of promise. We have learned all of those truths in this book of Ephesians. I believe that Satan knows his power is limited. It is in this "struggle" we see Satan's work. It is to keep you down - to keep you down so that you are ineffective to the kingdom of God - to diminish your witness - to pin you down so that you doubt your hope and your security and your ALREADY victory. So Paul says, STAND ...

Always remember, this struggle is not against flesh and blood. It really is not against human beings. Even when humanity is used by Satan to spread inconceivable violence and evil ... our struggle is not really with those humans. Keep your mind clear about that. Identify the source - the true source. Strive to be "Christ" to people - all kinds of people. And "stand firm in the strength of His might" against Satan.

We have an enemy ... he is real ... he is formidable ... he is limited ... and, most importantly, he is DEFEATED!!

So BE STRONG in the LORD and STAND FIRM ...

Ephesians: Lesson 9 - Day 3

Read again today our passage for this week: Ephesians 5: 15 - 6:9



Today I want to share with you a story from the "Holman New Testament Commentary on Ephesians" by Max Anders. As you read this story, let your mind place it in your home and in your church fellowship. It applies to both.



The Story:

Long, long ago in a kingdom far away lived a man who wanted to be a football coach. He heard of a coaching position open at a college where they had recruited many of the finest football players in the land. He applied and was hired as their football coach. The day of the first game, he said: "OK, boys. I want you all to feel a part of this team. I know that a lot of you have a lot of good ideas, so when we go out on that field, I want each of you to do what he thinks is best. As for me, I will be in my office doing what I enjoy best - reading sports magazines, watching football games, and talking to other coaches."



So the team clapped their hands in unison and stormed out onto the field. The coach zipped back into his office. The team lost that day. The quarterback called a play in the huddle, but the running back didn't like it. He wanted to run a play which they had used with great success in high school, so they argued a little bit. In the end when the ball was snapped, the running back ran the play he wanted; and the quarterback ran the play he wanted. The receivers each ran the plays they wanted, and they ended up running into each other and knocking each other down.



After three downs, the punter came out to kick but had to kick into the wind. He knew it wouldn't go very far that way, and that would be embarrassing to him, so he turned around and kicked the other direction. The ball went way up into the stands. It was a long, long kick, and the punter was very happy with himself. However, they were penalized for kicking the ball the wrong direction.





The linemen felt that the other team was hitting too hard, so they decided to leave the field. If they wanted to play that rough, they could just play with someone else. Many other things happened that day which caused the team to lose badly. It seemed such a shame, because actually the players on the losing team were better than the other team



The athletic director went into the coach's office the next day and said: "Listen, we can't play football this way. The whole purpose for hiring you was so you would be responsible to see that the team played as a team - each player making his maximum contribution.



So the next Saturday, the coach drew up a game plan and explained it to each of the players. He stayed on the sidelines and paid close attention to each play. If something was going wrong, he explained it to the players, instructed them as to what they should do, and corrected the situation.



Several times he didn't know what was wrong. He asked several of the players if they understood what was going wrong. The did. When they explained it, the coach asked them if they had suggestions. The team followed up on the suggestions in the next play and scored.



The moral:

Teamwork (which I, Gail, would call mutual submission) is essential any time more than one person is needed to succeed at something. In our day we are experiencing a crisis of authority, and it is easy to understand why. Sometimes, those in authority over us have mistreated us, and we have difficulty accepting authority any more. We have had presidents who have lied to us. They have been dishonest, unethical, and immoral. Head of companies have defrauded the company and investors out of billions of dollars. Military officials have abused power. Politicians have abused power. Nationally recognized religious leaders have abused power. Educators have abused power. Doctors have abused power. Journalists have abused power. Ministers have abused power. We are living in an age of abuse of power, and understandably, this has caused a crisis of authority.



This abuse of power has filtered down to the fundamental building block of society - the home. Just as society faces a crisis of authority, so does the home. We have men who won't lead, women who won't follow, children who won't obey, and parents who won't nurture. It is every man for himself. The ship is going down, so every person is out to save his own neck.



Against the backdrop of this ominous social upheaval, the Bible still speaks; and it still speaks truth. It still speaks words which, if followed, will bring order and truth and harmony to life. If being a Christian was every going to make a difference, it needs to make a difference now - in the home. We must not allow the attitude and experience of society to keep us from living biblically. We must each understand our biblical role and fulfill it.



And so we pray ... Heavenly Father, may we come to hate sin because of what it does to us and what it does to you. May we turn from it more and more completely. May we be filled with wisdom and with Your Holy Spirit, and may our marriages be a reflection of Your work in our lives. And may You be glorified in them ...

Ephesians: Lesson 9 - Day 2

Read Ephesians 5:18 - 6:9



Before we look more intently at verses 22ff, remember how Paul emphasizes that, as believers in Christ, we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. As evidence of that filling - the person will exercise a spirit of submission. That spirit will certainly set the believer apart in this egocentric world! Paul tells the believers in Philippi to "look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4) Peter says, "Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble'." (1 Peter 5:5) The concept of Christians being driven by a spirit of humility and submissiveness rather than egocentricity and self-centeredness runs throughout scripture.



Paul moves from the general principle - submissive to one another - to 3 specific areas. Most commentators call them the "house codes". In the first century as Christianity was exploding around the Gentile world Christians were being criticized as disrupting the social order. With all of the talk about freedom in Christ and equality in the Lord, with women being included fully in the worship, the false reports about Christianity were flowing freely. Paul confronts that criticism head on.



The first of these house codes involves husbands and wives. The second involves children and fathers. The third involves slaves and masters. Keep the context in your mind as Paul addresses these groups.



Notice the groups:

Those with no power: include wives, children and slaves Those with all the power: include husbands, fathers and masters

He tells those with no power to go ahead and submit to the authority over them. He tells wives to do it with respect. He tells children to do it with honor and obedience. He tells slaves to do it with diligence and good service. It is what he tells the ones in power that is revolutionary! Those instructions most likely are the instructions that dropped the jaws of the readers. Husbands - love as sacrificially as Christ loved? Treat her as carefully as you treat your own body? Fathers - don't provoke your children to anger but nurture them, train them? Masters - quit threatening your slaves? Treat them with good will? Amazing ...

Don't rip verse 22 out of its context. Keep it in the flow of thought and honor the intent and integrity of the passage. When we do so ... we can examine our own relationships and properly evaluate them. Many of us can be quick to say, "But you don't know my husband!" or "You don't know my parents!" or "You don't know my boss!" No, but I know how Paul describes being filled with the Holy Spirit. I also know that we do not live in an ideal world. So - by the grace of God - with all humility - we strive to emulate the ideal whenever possible.



And we do all ... ALL ... as unto our LORD!!

Ephesians: Lesson 9 - Day 1

First, to those of you who are using this blog as your Bible study, I must apologize for the lack of activity last week. My schedule reached a frantic pitch and some things were rolled forward. With that said ... I ask your forgiveness and patience ... and let's move into Lesson 9.

Read Ephesians 5: 15 - 21. Reading out loud sometimes slows us down and helps us focus on the words and the flow of thought.

In these verses we encounter the wonderful phrase "filled with the Spirit". I believe there is much confusion about that. What does it mean? What does that "filling" look like? Are you? How do you know? If not, why not? This seems to be instruction to believers. As you consider those questions, I want to share a bit about the structure of these verses which I think helps clarify.

We have already seen much in this letter about "walking worthy of the call with which we have been called." We have learned that it is to be no longer as the Gentiles walk. We found that it is to be in love. (God is love) It is also to be in the light. (Jesus is the Light) Verse 15 adds to our understanding. The worthy walk is to be in wisdom. That wisdom includes our use of time. Pause for a moment and reflect on your use of time. This day is all we have. What we waste is gone. What we spend in foolish pursuits or in frivolous activity is gone. Evaluate your own use of time. Ask God to show you where you are wise and where you are perhaps foolish. Please do not hear this as a call to obsessive activity! There is great wisdom in quiet, reflective time. There is great wisdom in time to decompress when needed. There is great wisdom in setting aside time just between you and God. Make wise use of time.

Another point of wisdom is in our seeking to understand the will of the Lord. That is why we do Bible study!

In Greek, verses 18 - 21 comprise one sentence. The NIV translation uses five. That creates some interpretation challenges. In this one sentence, there are only 2 commands, 2 imperatives. Those are: 1) do not get drunk with wine and 2) be filled with the Spirit. The command to "be filled" is followed by 5 participles all describing the action. These participles give evidence of what a person filled with the Spirit does. The person filled with the Spirit is involved in speaking to fellow believers. He/she is a singing person. He/she is a 'melodying' person - makes melody in her heart (the core of who she is). Doesn't that ring of joy? He/she is a thanking person - thanksgiving comes from his lips because of Jesus. And he/she is one who submits to fellow believers. There is mutual give and take as body life is lived out. That means respect for the "other" - it means a willingness to honestly listen to the 'other' - it means that one doesn't always get their own way! Mutual submission ... indeed a revolutionary idea! That is what it means to be "filled with the Spirit".

My prayer for us today ... May we all be more open in our hearts to receive the Spirit of God. May we reflect that Spirit in all our interactions today. And may the joy of the Lord spill out of our overflowing, singing hearts!

Ephesians: Lesson 8 - Day 3

Read Ephesians 5: 1 - 14.

In Ephesians 4:22 - 24 Paul tells us to "lay aside the old self" - that corrupted, lustful, greedy, self-centered self - and "put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created to righteousness and holiness ..."

How do we put it on? I have a daughter getting married soon. So we are in the midst of all the planning and activity. One bridesmaid's dress that we looked at online is a garment that has 2 long wings for a top and you can wrap those wings in a variety of ways to create different looks. Sounds like a clever idea ... however, I kept looking at the pictures thinking, "How in the world do you put that on?" The same thought comes to mind as I think about putting on this new self that is to be righteousness and holiness. How in the world do I put that on!!

Paul does not leave us to wonder. He says that we must imitate God like little children imitate their parents. It's the same principle. It is so sweet to watch a little boy swagger behind his dad trying to match his steps. Or to watch a little girl copy her mother's placement of her hands or watch her say to her doll the things that have been said to her. (However, sometimes that is more sobering than sweet!) But the point is clear ... copy God. Do like Him. Watch Jesus and see how He interacted with people - then copy. Listen to Jesus and hear the things He said and when He said them - then copy. Watch what made Him angry - then copy. Watch His compassion - then copy. Watch His heart - then copy. Watch Him love - then copy. Watch Him forgive - then copy. "Be imitators of God" ... that's how you put on the new self.

Another thing that stands out to me in our reading today is this word "greed". We always associate that word with money. And money certainly applies. I so desperately want to "put off" this part of my nature because Paul says it is the same as idolatry! So what is it? The Greek word is pleonexia. Its meanings include: greed, a greedy desire to have more; covetousness; avarice; exploitation, taking advantage of. We can have a greedy spirit toward many things, not just money. Do you know that spirit? We live in a culture that feeds a greedy spirit. And it becomes a monster with which we must do battle. I would define the monster as "the lust for more". The monster devours contentment, drives people and marriages into horrific debt, feeds addictions and destroys peace. Ask God to show you anyplace in your life where you are "greedy". He will show you ... then, deal with it!

One final thought for today ... notice the play between darkness and light. Coming to Christ is coming out of darkness and into light. Praise God that He makes that possible! So much of what Paul is talking about is how to live in the light - how to walk in the light - how to be children of light. You really are "light in the Lord". Do you believe it about yourself? If you are a believer and have come to Christ ... you are light! Paul's wants you to stay there. He wants you to live there, to make your home there, to set up your 'nest' there. Remember the way we closed Day 1? "Light of the world You stepped down into darkness". Our task is to remain in the light. Our task is to walk in the light. How is the world going to see if there is no light? Light is an absolute necessity because ...

• light produces fruit (v. 9) and we are to produce the fruit of the Spirit of God (Galatians 5: 22 - 23)
• light exposes motives (v. 10) and we continually need a check on our motives
• light exposes evil (v. 12) and we must be able to see clearly or we can easily be deceived

Our world is in terrible darkness ... light is a necessity to be able to see ... so, my friends,

KEEP THE LIGHTS ON!!

Ephesians: Lesson 8 - Day 2

Today focus on Ephesians 4:25 - 32



Since we are NOT to walk as the Gentiles walk ... we looked into what that meant in Day 1's lesson ... how ARE we to walk? Paul begins to explain in practical ways:

1. Lay down falsehood. Quit lying. Quit deceiving and being dishonest. It is of critical importance that the words from our mouths be truth. There is more than one way to lie. We can lie in our speech - sometimes it is deliberate, sometimes it is unconscious - but it is still a lie. And there is the lie of silence. Andre' Maurois coined an interesting phrase: "the menace of the things unsaid." When we give approval by silence ... or withhold a warning or even a rebuke when it needs to be spoken ... there is falsehood alive and well. Paul's reason for this plea is that we are all members of one body. Our bodies only function well and healthy when the messages sent from one part to another are true. When your hand is placed on a burning burner the message sent to your brain needs to be accurate! We even speak of our bodies giving us "warning signs" of something amiss. Paul says for us to lay down falsehood.

2. As we experience anger in our lives, we are not to allow that anger to lead us into sin, into getting off track. There are times for anger, but it is never to be self-serving and it is never to be malicious. I love the prayer "Lord help me to be angry over the things that make you angry." Barclay says, "The anger which is selfish and uncontrolled is a sinful and hurtful thing, which must be banished from the Christian life. But the selfless anger which is disciplined into the service of Christ and of our fellow men is one of the great dynamic forces of the world."

3. It is critical to NOT steal. Don't take things that do not belong to you - things you did not work for nor own - don't take them. That includes reputations as well as things. Be scrupulous with yourself about this. Paul's reason for Christians to work is not to amass things and wealth, but to have resources to give away. That is a revolutionary teaching!

4. And finally, for today ... unwholesome words are not to come out of our mouths. The word, unwholesome, means "rotten". What is to come from our mouths? Certainly not falsehood! But words that build others up in the midst of their current needs and words that spread grace around!

To NOT deal with these behaviors ... to continue to "walk" just like the Gentile, the unbeliever ... is to GRIEVE the Holy Spirit of God. I have had people ask me just what it means to grieve the Spirit. In this context where we find that terminology, I think we must conclude that the Spirit of God grieves, feels that deep well of sadness, when we, as believers, continue to walk just like the world around us.

So get rid of that stuff. You are seated with Christ. You are a new creation, a new entity. You have been given every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus. We determine to NOT walk like that any more. Instead, we determine to walk in kindness. We determine to be tender-hearted. We determine to be people of forgiveness. Determine with me ... afresh ... today ...

I will close our day's work with a reminder. It is the same reminder that I continually gave to my daughters as they left our house in the morning ...

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE!

Ephesians: Lesson 8 - Day 1

Our text this week is Ephesians 4:17 - 5:14. The passage is a little longer than our recent ones, but it seems important to keep these thoughts together. Today - read the entire passage. Then go back and read again 4:17 - 24.



Remember, Paul has just described mature believers in verses 13 - 16: united with others in Christ's body in faith and knowledge of Christ; not easily deceived by popular doctrinal movements; continuing to grow up into Christ; doing his/her part in the building up of that body; functioning out of love. Now he turns to the difference in that mature walk and the futile life of the Gentile (the non-believer). He lists several things characteristic of futile living. It is useful to list them for yourself in your notebook. Notice ...

• futile in their minds - in their thinking


• darkened in their understanding of God


• excluded from the life of God


• hard hearts toward the things of God


• given over to sensuality in personal life


• practicing impurity


• greedy

Whew! The path of the non-believer. I am interested in the phrase, "darkened in their understanding" (verse 18). There is a lot of word-play in scripture between light and dark. Jesus described Himself as the "light of the world." (John 8:12)

Listen to the "Life Application Commentary on Ephesians": Have you ever tried to share your faith in Christ with unbelieving friends, even very intelligent ones, and they have looked at you as though you were from Mars? Your friends aren't stupid; they have darkened, unregenerate minds. Of course, you should continue to give them a reasoned defense of your faith if they're interested , but the struggle is not really a matter of explanation. It's more a need for 'illumination' - for God to 'turn the lights on'. Continue to be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you [1 Peter 3:15], but even more urgently, pray that God will lift the darkness.

A mind that stays in darkness has a devastating affect on the person. You see, a darkened mind gives way to a darkened heart. Solomon tells us: "For as he thinks within himself, so he is" (Proverbs 23:7 NAS) Then, you take a darkened mind and add a darkened heart and you have darkened behaviors. And the spiral continues to drill down into the soul of a person and into the soul of a culture.

So, as a believer, what is our task? First ... we must WALK in the LIGHT! We are going to be examining more and more of exactly what that means as we move on in Ephesians. And secondly, PRAY for the light of Christ to shine, PRAY for illumination from heaven to come. Third, with love, shine the light of Christ on those around you through your speech and your behaviors, not with any sense of moral superiority, but with grace, the grace of God.

Let's close our study time today with the words of the song ...

Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness ... Opened my eyes, let me see Beauty that made this heart adore You ... Hope of a life spent with You

So here I am to worship ... Here I am to bow down ... Here I am to say that You're my God You're altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me

Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness ... Opened my eyes ... let me see.

Ephesians: Lesson 7 - Day 3

Read Ephesians 4: 11 - 16 today.



We live in a culture enamored with youth and everything young. Watch the commercials on TV right now. For women: get rid of facial lines and gray hair and extra pounds. I don't want those things!! How about you? For men: comb out the gray, have the hair implants, take whatever medications necessary to revisit youth and vigor. Is that so bad? Only when we get obsessive about it ... when we can think of nothing else.



In Amy Grant's early career, she recorded a song titled: "Fat Little Baby". It has to do with growing spiritually. The point is, fat little babies are so precious when they are 3 or 6 or 9 months old. Fat little babies are not so cute when they are 30 or 50 years old! Do you remember Peter Pan's song ... "I won't grow up, I won't grow up, I don't wanna go to school ..."



What did you learn about maturity in these few verses we read today? Did you notice that IT IS THE GOAL!! Being a youthful Christian is not the goal. Listen to the words ... "until we ALL attain ... to a mature man ... fullness of Christ ... no longer children ... grow up in all aspects into Him" The Greek word that is translated mature is teleios. This word refers to a thing being "brought to its end, finished; a thing that lacks nothing necessary for completeness."



The goal for us individually as well as for us as a church is to grow up - to mature. It is the same sense that we hear from Paul in Philippians 1:6 "... being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." That is why God gifts individuals with spiritual gifts in the church ... to help us grow up. That's why He knits us together in community ... to help us grow up. I believe "walking worthy" also indicates the Christ-follower is on the road to maturity, to growing up with absolutely no desire to stay "forever young".

So - the questions begin to tumble out. Are you growing up? Do you see yourself more mature as a Christian this year than last? What makes you think yes or no? What do you think it means to grow up as a Christian? Do you know any Christians you would describe as mature? Why do you describe them that way? What does a mature church look like? What is she doing?
I can ask considerably more questions about this than I can answer!

I wonder ... perhaps it has everything to do with what we read at the beginning of Chapter 4. Perhaps becoming mature in Christ has everything to do with walking in humility ... with walking in meekness ... with developing patience ... with learning to be tolerant of people because of love. Perhaps our churches mature as they practice these very character traits.

Pray for yours as you pray for yourself along these lines ... I am praying for mine!

Ephesians: Lesson 7 - Day 2

For your reading today, read verse 7 then immediately go to verses 11 - 13.



In this scripture, Paul mentions four special gifts that Christ has graciously given to some individuals. There are other places in the New Testament where many other spiritual gifts are mentioned. (Those references are: Romans 12: 6 - 8; 1 Corinthians 12: 8 - 10; 1 Corinthians 12: 29 - 30)



The flow of thought seems to be: We, as Christ followers, are to strive for unity in His body, the church. This unity is based upon the 7 "ones" around which we can rally and agree. Christ gives specific spiritual gifts to individuals in His body so that the body can "attain to the unity of the faith" and can grow up. Let's consider this particular listing ... with our minds and eyes, as always, focused on application.



1. Apostles: These are given to the church universal. Apostles had seen Jesus and had witnessed the resurrection. These include the 12. We also find Barnabas called an apostle (Acts 14: 4, 14) James, the brother of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:7) Silvanus (1 Thessalonians 2:6) Also Andronicus and Junias (Romans 16:7). There may have been others but these are the names that we have. Listen to William Barclay on the subject: "In a sense the apostles were bound to die out, because before so very long those who had actually seen Jesus and who had actually witnessed the Resurrection, would pass from this world. But, in another and still greater sense, the qualification remains. He who would teach Christ must know Christ; and he who would bring the power of Christ to others must have experienced Christ's risen power." Do you know Him? Have you experienced Christ's risen power? I would love to be sitting with you right now and we could share times when we have indeed experienced that power in our own lives - and witnessed it in others!



2. Prophets: These also are given to the church universal. Do not hear the word "prophet" as a future - teller. They forth-tell. They were persons who were recognized as speaking with authority. Their words were particularly important before the New Testament writings were available to the churches. They spoke the word of God - sometimes to foretell, often to convict and often to encourage. Are you a "prophet" for anyone? Perhaps your children? All I mean by that is - are you willing to speak forth the things of God?



3. Evangelists: These gifted people were also given to the church universal. They were travelers - going from place to place to preach the word of God. They brought the good news to a variety of places. These were the missionaries of Paul's day. Are you one? To whom have you taken the "good news" of Jesus? To whom have you shared the "mystery of God" which is His church? Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:5 saying, "Do the work of an evangelist." I think Paul might say the same thing to us. Is there anyone in your life, in your sphere of influence, that needs to hear about Jesus? That's the work of an evangelist.



4. Pastors and teachers: These people are not travelers. It seems that those with these gifts are to serve in one place, a local part of the body, individual congregations of believers. The way the two things are phrased together would seem to indicate one set of people. Pastor means shepherd - one who cares for a flock, a group. A teacher is one who shapes and molds people to the word of God, the great truths and doctrines of the one faith. I must ask ... whom are you teaching? For whom are you watching out?



As you consider each of these "gifts" ... keep your eye on the purpose of them ... you find it in verse 12 ... "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, and to build up the body of Christ." Remember that there is a goal ... and it is not just to be smarter or to feel important or to maintain any illusion of control! The purpose has everything to do with growing up.



Growing up will be our focus in Day 3 ... come back!

Ephesians: Lesson 7 - Day 1

Lesson 7 will focus on Ephesians 4: 7 - 16. Begin your reading today back at verse 1 to keep the flow of thought and read through verse 16.

Paul has so eloquently addressed the unity of the body and our aim to preserve it. He has written about the things that we hold in common - the "ones" in verses 4 - 6. He now shifts gears and will begin to address the diversity that exists within the body (the church) - the diversity of individual gifted-ness and how that gifted-ness is intended to build up the body. Notice that gifts come from the grace of God.

Paul quotes Psalm 68:18 - with a twist! The image in the Psalm quotation is one of a conquering king returning from conquest. The custom was that the king led the procession back into his city, followed by the captives he had taken. The plunder received in the conquest was brought back and distributed to his soldiers and used to replenish his treasury. Paul uses that image for Jesus - but twists the words about the gifts. Paul says that this particular King, instead of taking gifts, gives them. And you, His captive (remember "a prisoner of the Lord") are the recipient. Remarkable! We will think more on this business of gifted-ness in Day 2.

There are differing opinions on the meaning of the phrase "had descended into the lower parts of the earth". Some think that it refers to Christ's descending from the splendors of heaven to earth itself. Others think that it refers to Christ's descending into Hades (indicated in Acts 2: 27 - 28 and 1 Peter 3: 18 - 22). Either may be inferred ... but it seems to me that Paul's point is that both above and below ... in all things ... Christ is conqueror and Lord. He could have plundered the entire universe ... but He chose to give gifts instead. He chose to reign over willing subjects. His reign is accepted by some, rejected by others. He completely fills all things. Christ is Lord ... and there is only one Lord ... and He fills the entire universe - past, present and future - above and below. And in a special, intimate, precious way ... He fills His body with His Spirit, His grace, His gifts.

Have you worshipped the Lord of All today? Join me ...

You are Lord of creation and Lord of my life,

Lord of the land and the sea.

You were Lord of the heavens before there was time,

and Lord of all lords You will be!

You are King of creation and King of my life,

King of the land and the sea.

You were King of the heavens before there was time,

and King of all kings You will be!

We bow down, and we worship ...

("We Bow Down" by Twila Paris)

Ephesians: Lesson 6 - Day 3

We are moving very slowly through these verses in Chapter 4 because the truths revealed are so vitally important. Unity is such a beautiful concept and one that we experience so seldom in any arena of our lives. Therefore, one more time today, read slowly through Ephesians 4: 1 - 6. This time, let your mind focus on oneness and unity.

In your notebook, list the 7 "ones" that Paul lists.

As Christ-followers, Paul outlines for us the 7 things upon which unity is based. These are the things that believers must agree upon. From this core come a variety of interpretations, of opinions, of structures. Prayerfully reflect on these 7.

One body ... this is the "mystery" of God that we have been studying. Jew and Gentile created into one new person - loved, justified and sanctified by God. The church - Christ's body on this earth. One body ...

One Spirit ... the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit through whom we are "sealed" and "secured" before God. We learned that in Ephesians 1:13. This Spirit allows us access to God. This Spirit is the Spirit of God that indwells, strengthens and guides believers. We will study more about the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 5 and 6. One Spirit ...

One hope of our calling ... only one. And that hope, that assurance, is that we are being transformed into the likeness of Christ and will live eternally with God. One hope ...

One Lord ... Jesus Christ. The Son of God whom He exalted above all. Through Whom all things were made and through Whom we live and breathe and have our very being. This Jesus was raised from the dead and ascended back into the heavenly realms. He is seated at the right hand of God and lives to intercede for His followers. One Lord ...

One faith ... the belief that Jesus Christ is Lord. One faith ...

One baptism ... the believers immersion into the very person of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Paul says it so beautifully in 1 Corinthians 12:13 "For we were all baptized in one Spirit into one body - whether Jews or Greeks - slave or free - and we were all given one Spirit to drink." One baptism ...

One God and Father ... the Jewish "Shema" states it splendidly ... "The Lord our God is one." (Deuteronomy 6:4) Those words are brought into the New Testament era in Mark 12:29. One God ...

Upon these 7 truths we can stand together. All who believe and confess these truths are united into the household of God.

Close your time today by reading John 17: 20 - 23. These words are from our Lord - His prayer for us. Let them sink deeply into your spirit. Don't miss the fact that Jesus says as we stand united in Him ... we let the world know that Jesus is who He says He is ... and that He came from God. That IS our testimony!

Ephesians: Lesson 6 - Day 2

Read Ephesians 4: 1 - 6 out loud. Watch for the character traits that are going to be necessary if we want to "walk worthy of the call with which we have been called."

Let's examine these words today ... with our eyes focused on our own spirits. It will lead you to prayer ...

To "walk worthy" requires an attitude of humility. Humility is anchored in ones view of self. It is the heart knowledge that "God is God ... and I am not". Humility is a lowliness of mind toward self - not an inflated mind toward self. It is not denying that God has given gifts to you, strengths and abilities. And they are to be used for His glory. It is not low self-esteem. In fact, how can a person called by God consider herself "of no esteem"? Humility brings to light our continual battle with ego. Beth Moore says in her Bible study on Esther, "God designed the human psyche. He knows that nothing leaves us more hollow than being full of ourselves. We have no greater burden than our own egos - and nothing more breakable. When filled with ourselves, we are fragile people." Humility ...

To "walk worthy" requires a spirit of gentleness (KJV translates the word meekness). Don't confuse it with our English word 'gentle'. Our word refers to a kind, amiable, mild person. But this Greek word has a much stronger meaning. The word Paul uses means, "that temper of spirit in which we accept God's dealings with us as good, and therefore, without disputing." (Wuest's Word Studies in the Greek New Testament) And that requires great strength! Gentle ...

To "walk worthy" requires patience. How well we know the battle to exhibit this character trait! Our culture does absolutely nothing to help us train. We are conditioned to want everything quick ... and faster is better. No waiting - ever! The Greek word includes a sense of endurance and constancy. There is steadfastness and perseverance. The part of the definition that caused me to pause and reflect ... "slowness in avenging wrongs." This is a word that describes God Himself. I want to be patient - slow in avenging wrongs - whether those perceived 'wrongs' are as minor as having to wait or as major as dealing with personal hurts. Patient ...

To "walk worthy" requires tolerance for others. Note that the tolerance is toward "one another" - it is toward people. And it is based in love. In Greek the word used means "to hold up". It has everything to do with holding up people, caring for them, accepting them, loving them. Don't confuse it with any idea of accepting sin. In an earlier post we addressed ways that sin kills ... and one of those ways was that sin kills ideals. We must never 'dumb down' the high calling that Christ has given us in regard to our behavior. Keep the ideal. Never compromise on the ideal. But be tolerant of people ... even people who fail miserable with the ideal. And - do you see - that includes yourself? Why? Because of love. Tolerant of one another ...

Lastly, to "walk worthy" requires diligence. This word means "to exert one's self, to endeavor, to do one's best, to be eager." There is no passivity allowed - not if you want to "walk worthy"! This is intentional, deliberate. And our diligence is to preserve the unity of the body. We will explore that unity of body in our next lesson. Diligence ...

Transform us, O Lord ...

Ephesians: Lesson 6 - Day 1

Ephesians 4: 1 - 16

Do you like to know the "why" of things? Do you respond better to difficulties when you understand the "why" of it? So many of us do! We don't always get a "why" ... but we certainly like it when we do. As we move into Chapter 4 of Ephesians, we are going to be examining very practical, behavioral instructions. What Paul has done in chapters 1 - 3 is develop the "why" - why behavior, why ethics, why character all matter so much. Let's summarize what we have learned ...

In Chapter 1, Paul describes our possessions in Christ. And they are lavish and extravagant and eternal and far beyond our imaginations. He then prays that we "get it" - that we understand.

In Chapter 2, Paul describes our position in Christ. And it is truly amazing. Believers are seated with Christ. We have peace of heart and are truly at home. He then begins to pray that we "get it" ... and is distracted when he considers the place of the Gentiles ... so ...

In Chapter 3, Paul describes the mystery of God revealed in Christ ... the joining together into one new person Jew and Gentile ... both having access to God, both members of God's household. He describes the mystery of God that is the church. And he prays that we "get it" - that we begin to comprehend.

Now comes the gigantic ... SO WHAT? What difference does all this make in the way I live my life everyday, in ordinary circumstances - both good and bad, pleasant and unpleasant, exhilarating and devastating?

Enter Ephesians 4:1 ... walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called. Walk worthy ... Don't be concerned right now if you don't know what that means. Believe me, Paul is going to get quite specific so that we know exactly what he means. Walk worthy ... live your life in a way that is worthy (or suitable or valuable) of the position that God has placed you in - in Christ. Walk worthy ... live your life in a way that is suitable for one carrying the possessions that you hold in Christ. Walk worthy ... live your life in a way that is worthy for one who has received the mystery of God and has become a member of this new entity - Christ's church, His body.

One author (Max Anders in Holman's New Testament Commentary on Ephesians) tells of Princess Margaret, as a young girl, sitting beside her mother, Queen Elizabeth. The occasion was the princess's first presentation to the British public. She is called upon to walk to the microphone and say a few words to the gathered dignitaries. As she prepares to stand, her mother leans over to her and says, "You are a princess. Walk like one!"

Max goes on to describe another scene ...
Eighteen-year-old Chuck has gone through twelve of the toughest weeks of any one's life in Marine boot camp in coastal South Carolina. During the last week they are forced to crawl under rolls of barbed wire with live machine gun ammunition blazing just inches over their heads. Chuck freezes. He begins to sweat. His hands dig into the red clay beneath him as panic sweeps his soul. Just then, a friend crawls up beside him and says, "Get a hold of yourself, Chuck. You're a Marine. Act like one!"

Identity is linked with actions. Character is molded from chosen behaviors. In the first 3 chapters of Ephesians, Paul is intent on you understanding that, as a believer, you are a child of God. Now ... ACT LIKE ONE!

Lord, we place ourselves in Your hands.

We pray that out of Your great mercy and love,

You will give us the courage to look ourselves squarely in the eye.

Help us focus on our own behaviors, not those of spouses, or friends,

or fellow church members.

Give us wisdom to see ourselves clearly.

Give us the determination, through the power of Your Spirit,

to quit making excuses for careless and/or bad behaviors.

We DO DESIRE to walk worthy of the call You have given us.

And through Your grace and Spirit and power, we will do it,

to the praise of Your Name.

Ephesians: Lesson 5 - Day 3

Read Ephesians 3: 14 - 21

After Paul had revealed to his readers the great mystery of God for humanity, he is again moved to pray for these Christ - followers. Let's notice a couple of things together.

First, note his posture. The word that is translated as "bowing the knee" is more dramatic than kneeling. It actually means 'to prostrate ones self'. It reflects intensity and deep humility. Barclay tells us that the "ordinary Jewish attitude of prayer was standing, with the hands stretched out and the palms upwards." Don't you know this verbal description of being on your face before God caught attention! Have you experienced being in a totally helpless state where you could not even sit ... you just laid out flat before God? It gives us a glimpse into the depth of feeling and the intensity of emotion as Paul entreats God on behalf of these believers.

Secondly, I am moved by the use of the the word "Father". Jesus was not the first to call God Father. In both the Greek and the Roman pantheons of gods Zeus (Greek) and Jupiter (Roman) were considered the father of the gods and of men. However, the word meant paternity. Men can father children and never even see them, much less care for them. And it happens all too often in this broken world. What Jesus brings to the picture of Jehovah God is the inclusion of intimacy - true fatherhood - including love and care, discipline and nurture. However, this is not mushy sentimentality. We hear Paul speak of this Father as full of glory and incredible power - worthy of praise and thanksgiving and worship. H. L. Gee tells a story about a little boy in Britain whose father was promoted to the exalted rank of brigadier. When he heard the news and the accolades that accompanied the promotion he was silent for a bit. He then said, "Do you think he will mind if I still call him daddy?" And those in my generation remember well the picture that blanketed this country of little John-John playing in the well of the desk in the oval office ... while his daddy, President Kennedy, was at work.
Father ... our Father ... who art in heaven ... hallowed is Your Name.

Third, meditate on the things for which Paul prays. He prays for this Father ... to strengthen you in your inner self through His Holy Spirit. The inner self includes your reason, your conscience, and your will. That strength only comes when Christ "dwells" in your heart through faith. I must ask each of us ... has Christ been allowed to dwell, to settle in, to set up residence in your heart? Or, is He an invited guest on occassion? The secret of strength is the presence of Christ. There is no substitute. You may be able to fake it for awhile ... but the only way to sustain steadfastness of purpose and character and strength and perseverance ... is through the very life of Christ in the person of the Holy Spirit. Talk to Him about that.

Paul longs for us all to begin to comprehend the absolute vastness of the love of Christ. It seems that he had no descriptors that were sufficient. So ... I wonder if he looked at the universe itself ... and invited his readers to imagine the limitless sky above, the limitless horizons on every side, and the depth of the earth itself with its seas. Christ's love ... he so desired that these Christ-followers grow in their depth of understanding of this incomprehensible phenomenon.

It is THIS God ... to whom Paul ascribes glory ... forever ... AMEN.

Ephesians: Lesson 5 - Day 2

Read Ephesians 3 again today. This time, as you read, focus your attention on the language about "mystery". In your notebook, make notes to yourself about what you learn. Find the verse where the mystery is defined. Then return ...



First, let's consider the word "mystery". The word used by Paul is not the same as the word in English. When we think of a mystery, we think of something that we must figure out. Mystery novels are fun to read because they challenge our mind to put the pieces together and figure out the secret. The Greek word used in this text is mysterion. "In a Semitic context it refers to what is known only because God revealed it." (NIV Application Commentary on Ephesians) The mystery of God's will has been revealed to Paul. He didn't figure it out. God revealed it to him. Paul was not the only one. God had also revealed the "mystery" to Peter. You read about that in Acts 10. Paul explains the mystery in verse 6 so that we can know also ... "that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel."

And that defines Paul's entire mission and ministry. He goes on to say that God had made him a minister (a servant) of that mystery. His task was to share that amazing revelation to the Gentile world. He also felt that his work was a gift of God's grace. God's design to include all of humanity in His love was not an afterthought. Including the Gentile world did not come about because the Jews rejected it. It was His plan all along. What an incredibly beautiful revelation that is!

Is it only Paul's task? Verse 10 includes the church in that mission. That is our task as well - to communicate to a fractured world the inclusion that can come in Christ. Too often the church has added her own exclusivity and division to the mix. We cannot, we must not, perpetuate that idea and practice. Our world is in desperate need of a voice that speaks love, unity and community. It will require "incomparably great power" - the power of the Holy Spirit working in individual believers and in the church in all of her various places and styles.

Klyne Snodgrass says, "Christians in the pews as well as the pulpits need to protest the arrogance, the superficiality, and division that mark our churches. We do not have to agree on all points to respect each other, to be driven by God's love, to recover the meaning of faith, to exhibit life in Christ, and to worship God."

A tall challenge indeed! However, with the power of the Holy Spirit alive and active in and through us, it can be met in the name of our Lord. Will you join me in prayer for Christ's church? Include your own specific congregation of God's people ... and include the church at large all around the world.

We will examine the beautiful prayer that closes this chapter in our next day's work. As you read it ... Again I encourage you to write it out ... include the names of the people you love ... AND include Christ's church.

The mystery of God ............ revealed!

Ephesians: Lesson 5 - Day 1

Today we begin our consideration of Ephesians 3. So ... read Ephesians 3 and then come back to these thoughts.......

We will stay in this chapter for all three days of work in Lesson 5. I want us to reflect on 1) the man, Paul; 2) the mystery revealed; and 3) the prayer offered.

Today, let's think about Paul - this man of giant-sized faith. Notice from verse 1 that Paul describes himself as "a prisoner of Christ Jesus". We know from previous study that Paul is in Rome, as a prisoner, waiting a trial before Nero. He did have certain privileges. He was in a house that he had rented. Friends and supporters could come and go for visits and interaction. But do not forget that he was chained to the wrist of a Roman soldier who was his guard. As he wrote these words, I wonder if the chain continually swept across the parchment. I wonder if it made noise. I wonder how tight it was and if movement rubbed and hurt. I wonder if the soldier read as Paul wrote. But what I find most curious is that Paul does not describe himself as a prisoner of Rome. Why does he describe himself as a prisoner of Christ?

I believe we see a man for whom Christ was all and in all. Christ was his very life and his work. Listen to William Barclay as he says, "If a man is in prison for some great cause he may either grumblingly regard himself as an ill-used creature, or he may radiantly regard himself as the standard-bearer of some great cause. The one regards his prison as a penance; the other regards it as a privilege. When we are undergoing hardship, we may either regard ourselves as the victims of men or as the champions of Christ. Paul is our example ..." Paul is faithfully fulfilling the work that Christ called him out to do. And his steadfastness and faithfulness is indeed a model for us. It is why he can say in 1 Corinthians 11:1 "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ."

What is it that Paul would have us imitate? In what arenas does he link himself with Christ? Listen to Jesus in John 17:4 ...

"I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do." (NIV)

Read Paul's own words in 2 Timothy 4: 4 - 8.

Paul was unyielding in faithfulness. He would not allow set-backs, hardships, conflicts and controversies, mean-spirited people, opposition, tiredness, imprisonment ... he would not allow anything to lure him off course. He was singularly driven to share the message of grace and inclusion to the Gentile world.

Is there application for you and me? Remember what we read in Ephesians 2:10 ... "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." What have you been "called" by God to do? What good works do you believe that God has laid out before you? You won't earn your salvation through them ... Paul is painfully clear on that point! But are you faithful to them? Am I? Do you persevere in the face of hard times? Do I? Are you persistent? Or do you get discouraged easily? (I am writing for myself, believe me!) Let's learn from Paul.

We are indeed all prisoners of Christ Jesus ... if we are "in Him". So the challenge I leave with each of us today ... walk faithfully. The message, the good news, of the grace of God and the inclusion into the family of God is worthy of hardship and struggle ... it is worthy of perseverance and pain.

Keep telling the story!

Ephesians: Lesson 4 - Day 3

One more time ... read Ephesians 2: 11 - 22. Let your mind focus on the beautiful pictures in verses 19 - 22.



As Paul continues to encourage his readers to understand more fully the beauty and the inclusiveness of their position in Christ, he uses the images of citizenship and family in verse 19. In our country currently there are intense debates on the situation that exists with people who are in our land illegally - they are not citizens. Should they have the same rights and privileges that citizens enjoy? How far should our government go to help and support people here illegally? The debates are important, serious and intense. The problems are huge, costly and far-reaching. And I pray for the wisdom of those in authority to handle the difficult questions. But at its core ... this is an "inclusion" question. Move into the spiritual realm and you will better understand what Paul is saying. He is telling the Gentiles (you and me) that we can have citizenship ... we can be "legal"! So the arguments about inclusion and privilege and rights can be laid to rest. The rights and freedoms of this country belong to her citizens. We must never loose sight of the fact that along with privilege comes responsibilities. So it is with the Kingdom of God. Paul tells us that we are no longer strangers, illegals ... because of the blood of Christ, because of the cross ... we are citizens of the Kingdom of God. Amazing!

But don't stop there. He then uses the picture of family. That picture is even more intimate. We are of "God's household." Again there are freedoms and rights and privileges that come with being a part of a family. There is a name to wear. And there are responsibilities to carry. The concept of being adopted into God's family is used often in scripture. (examples: Romans 8:15; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 4: 5-6) We have already looked at some of what Ephesians says to us about inheritance. That language makes sense in the concept of family. God is my Father ... you are my brothers and sisters in the Lord ... Jesus is my brother ... I am a co-heir with Him. A very privileged position indeed! Let us not follow the human tendency to begin to act as if ... or to even think as if ... that position makes us better than anyone. Remember - it is by grace alone!

The final picture Paul uses in this discussion is that of a temple. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 3:16 that we are the temple of God. Indeed - each of us that is indwelt by the Spirit of God is a temple. However, we are also part of a greater temple, Christ's church, and every Christian is a living stone built into that temple. Look again at the language in verses 20 - 22. Paul speaks of this temple "having been built" (the past), "being fitted together" (the present), and "growing into" (the future). As a part of the body of Christ, we are allowed to participate in the greatest work of God - showing Christ to the world around us.

You are the temple ................................. and You are a part of the temple.

Ubi Christus, ibi ecclesia

Where Christ is ... there is the Church.

Congratulations on walking through the first 2 chapters of Ephesians.

For our review ...

Remember ...

Chapter 1 - Possessions in Christ

Chapter 2 - Position in Christ

Spend some time in prayer over these most remarkable truths ...

Ephesians: Lesson 4 - Day 2

Read Ephesians 2: 11 - 22 again today. I find reading out loud helps my mind to focus. As you read this time pay particular attention to what Paul says about "peace". What do learn about this most elusive quality?

When the New Testament uses the word, peace, it means much more than absence of conflict. From the NIV Application Commentary: "Peace is not merely the cessation of hostility; it is a comprehensive term for salvation and life with God. The background to this use is the Old Testament concept of shalom, which covers wholeness, physical well-being, prosperity, security, good relations, and integrity." Isaiah 9:6 calls the coming Messiah, the "Prince of Peace".

Did you notice in verse 14 that Christ, Himself, IS our peace? Not that He brought it ... but that He IS it? "This suggests that not only ‘He alone’ but ‘He in His own Person’ made peace. It is not only that the peace was made by Christ and ranks as His achievement, but that it is so identified with Him that were He away it would also fail,—so dependent on Him that apart from Him we cannot have it.” (from: Wuest, K. S. Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English reader)

We learn in verse 17 that Jesus preached peace - to those near (the Jews) and to those far away (the Gentiles). The word used for "preach" here is not the usual one that means "to proclaim". A different Greek word is used that means "to bring good news". And it is good news, is it not?! There can be peace ... there really can be a hope for shalom among peoples.

William Barclay says, "It is in a common love of Him that people come to love each other. That peace is won at the price of His blood, for the great awakener of love is the Cross. The sight of that Cross awakens in the hearts of men of all nations love for Christ, and only when they all love Christ will they love each other. It is not in treaties and leagues to produce peace. There can be peace only in Jesus Christ."

Imagine using a telephoto lens and pulling back as far as possible so that you get a full view of our world. The brokenness, the warring, the hatred - it is overwhelming. The magnitude of the problems and the conflicts leave me speechless and dumb. I have no voice on that world stage. And so I begin to bring that lens in - focusing on a much closer world, my immediate world. I do have a bit of a voice in my immediate world and my immediate circles. When you focus your eyes on the world that directly surrounds you, what do you see? Is there any warring going on? Is there any hatred? Is there any brokenness and loss? Where do you need to experience peace more fully? Is it in your home, your family? Perhaps in your church? Maybe you long to experience peace in your workplace? Those are the practice fields my friends. That is where the "rubber meets the road" so to speak.

If you are "in Christ", He IS your peace. And in getting to know Him better (as Paul prays for us in Ephesians 1:17) we grow in our ability to experience peace. That will not mean that all conflict and controversy will magically disappear from your life. But it does mean that you will handle those things is a very different way. You will grow in your ability (through the Spirit of God) to handle them with love.

Remember - Christ is our peace. He has extended grace and forgiveness, inclusion and hope to us. We are called to extend that grace to others (not just the people you like!) in His name.

So ... this week ... practice with me ... living in peace, living in Christ.

Ephesians: Lesson 4 - Day 1

Ephesians 2: 11 - 22

As you read these verses today, watch again for the "before - after" scenarios. In your notebook, make two columns ... one side for the "formerly" and one side for the "in Christ". Spend some time reflecting on those things. Don't just write them down as an exercise or an assignment ... think about yourself ... how those phrases described you before you were "in Christ" ... and what it means to you to be "in Christ." It will lead you into a beautiful time of worship. Immerse yourself there! Are you not "in Christ"? Let me hear from you ... let's talk!

Now focus on verses 11 - 13. Paul tells us to "remember". This is the only imperative that Paul gives in the first 3 chapters of this letter - the only direct instruction. Why does it matter - remembering? We love to remember the good things, the joyful times, the successes. And they are important to remember because they remind us of joy and strength and victory. However, we are not as ready to remember the painful, the abusive, the failures. In fact, many of us may suppress those memories deep down never to be thought about again! But Paul calls these Ephesians to remember how bad it was! I can think of a couple of reasons to remember the painful ... First, it stands in stark contrast to the now, in Christ. The contrast keeps us from becoming so familiar with the current that we forget how far we have come! The contrast helps keep us from becoming jaded. Secondly, remembering the painful allows us to see the scars, and see how the hand of God held us or walked us or carried us through tough times and circumstances. So remember ... it is good.

Most commentators see a veiled reference to the Temple in Jerusalem in verse 13. The Temple had several courts before you came to the actual Holy Place. And the most outer ring was the court of the Gentiles. A Gentile could not go past that court. In Josephus's description of the Temple, he says: "When you went through these first cloisters unto the second court of the Temple, there was a partition made of stone all round, whose height was three cubits. Its construction was very elegant; upon it stood pillars at equal distances from one another, declaring the law of purity, some in Greek and some in Roman letters, that no foreigner should go within the sanctuary." (from: The Wars of the Jews) In fact, for a Gentile to go past the wall was his death sentence! This wall, this barrier, shut the Gentile out from the presence of God.

Imagine it ... shut out. No access. Paul knew that barrier very well. In fact, his final arrest in Jerusalem which led to his being in Rome and in prison, was because he was accused (falsely) of bringing an Ephesian Gentile, Trophimus, into the Temple beyond this wall. (Acts 21: 28 - 29)

But "in Christ" ... the barrier walls are down. You can be "brought near". No longer excluded because of country or culture or ethnicity or economics or education or history or sin or ... You can be brought near to God because of Jesus ... in Him ... through the Holy Spirit ... access to the very person of Jehovah God. Astounding. Remarkable. Awe-inspiring. Gratitude enhancing. And the "message" that our world desperately needs to hear. It is the "message" that our churches desperately needs to REMEMBER!

Do you need to remember?

Ephesians: Lesson 3 - Day 3

Today, read again Ephesians 2: 1 - 10. Pay special attention to verses 8 - 10. In your notebook, write those 3 verses out ... but write them in the first person, and include your name. I write ...

For it is by grace Gail has been saved, through faith -

and this is not from herself, it is the gift of God -

not by works, so that she cannot boast at all.

For she is God's workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for her to do.

We find ourselves at another one of the great paradoxes in Christianity.

On the one hand ... Paul makes it quite clear that our salvation is totally a gift by the grace of Jehovah God. You and I do not earn one bit of it. We do not deserve it. It is pure gift ... and our only task is to accept it.

After all, God is perfection and only perfection is good enough to be before Him - not pretty good, not almost terrific, not close to perfect - perfection. Our very nature, the hamartia (sin) which permeates our flesh guarantees our "short of perfect" stature. The only way man will ever return to the presence of God is if and when God gifts the privilege. God gives ... man receives.

Secondly, God is love, pure love. Therefore, sin is a crime - not against the law so much as against love. Imagine with me the horrific scenario of a drunk driver crashing and killing a child in another car. Let's assume he is convicted and sent to prison and heavily fined. After the years have been served and the fines have been paid, he is released. We then say of him, "Well, he has paid his debt to society." The matter is finished. He is restored to society. However, that does not mean that he is restored in relationship with the mother of the child. The only way any restoration happens between him and the mother ... is if and when that mother offers him her forgiveness. There is no payment that repays the depth and magnitude of the loss. It's the only way. We are in the same position with God ... there is nothing we do or can do that repays the magnitude of our violation of His pure love . And yet He offers forgiveness.

Paul is clear ... it is by grace we have been saved - through faith - not of ourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works.

Then there is the other hand. Those saved by grace are created to do good works? I thought works did not matter. So what is this "works" talk?

It really is not mysterious ... Barclay says, "All the good works in the world cannot put us right with God; but there is something radically wrong with the Christianity which does not issue in good works." It is the law of love. It is the response to love. Therefore, we spend our lifetimes doing good works, patterning our lives after our Lord, doing the things that He did, as we long to be worthy of that magnificent love ... as we long to bring joy to the heart of God. We will be examining that more closely when we move into Ephesians 4 - 5.

God made us ... created mankind from the dust of the earth. We were stolen from Him by Satan and sin. God wanted mankind back in relationship with Him so badly that He paid everything, His very life through the blood of His Son, Jesus, on the cross, to buy us back ... that is redemption.

So we are His workmanship ... everything about us that is good and pleasing and beautiful is by His hand. Paul tells us in verse 10 that, as God's workmanship, we are to be about the business of doing good - doing the kinds of things that God did when He walked here in flesh through the person of Jesus. That is the appropriate response to life, love and freedom.

It is as if God has done THE work so that we can be free to do the works of good.

We must close today with time for self-examination. You must do your own ... I must do mine. Where am I (you) doing good? Celebrate that before God - it is His life we are reflecting!Where am I (you) ignoring the good we could do because we just don't want to be bothered? Take that conviction to the Father with confession ... and a prayer for wisdom and strength to do the good that He places in our paths. Remember, God prepared these things for us so that we would WALK in them ...

Ephesians: Lesson 3 - Day 2

Ephesians 2: 1 - 10

We are going to spend two days reflecting on this passage. As you read those verses, focus on the word "formerly". In your notebook, make two lists side by side. On the left side, write down where a person is "formerly". Then on the right, make a list of where a person can be "in Christ". It is good to see these things "side by side". After making the lists, come back.

I find it interesting that Paul uses two words - trespasses and sins. We often lump these two concepts together and use the words interchangeably as if they were identical things. This is where it is helpful to look back and see the words in their original language and usage.

The word that has been translated, sin, is the Greek word hamartia. Some of you reading may be marksmen, or hunters. This word fits in that scenario. Imagine someone at a shooting range doing target practice. I have seen this portrayed in movies quite a lot - the marksman with pistol in hand ... the target far away ... taking aim ... firing. If that shooter misses ... he/she has just experienced hamartia - missed the target. In the spiritual realm, that is sin. We miss being all that God intended us to be. We miss living life as God intended it to be lived by this humankind He so carefully crafted.

The word Paul uses that is translated, trespasses, is the Greek word paraptoma. The sense of this word is a little different. I am writing this in the midst of the U.S. football season. From children's leagues to high schools, from colleges to pros ... many of us are caught up in the excitement of that particular game. Picture a receiver having just made a fabulous catch ... running hard down the field ... one foot steps out of bounds ... just barely! ... but out of bounds. The play is dead. The ball stops right there. No more progress on that particular play. That is the sense of paraptoma. It is falling ... getting off course ... stepping off the track.

Paul covers all bases ... there is not one of us that he misses in his descriptions of sin ... regardless of how upstanding a citizen we may be, or how good a church member we may be. Once he has "nailed" us all, Jew and Gentile alike, he reminds us that sin is "death". William Barclay, in his commentary on Ephesians, says that Paul is not talking about the life to come - he is talking about life right now in the present. Barclay identifies 3 ways that sin is death ...

1. Sin kills innocence. And with the death of innocence comes the birth of guilt.
2. Sin kills ideals. And with the death of ideals comes the birth of careless living.
3. Sin kills the will. And with the death of the will comes the birth of living in slavery to habits, compulsions, and indulgence.

Only Christ has a remedy for that "death". Only Christ can resurrect us to life again ... a life free of guilt ... a life driven by God's ideals ... a life of intentional choices that bring glory to God, and allow His glory to encompass us.

Do you have a "guilt" problem? Has the idealism that may have characterized your early days with Christ been tarnished? Are there habits you are succumbing to that you know do not glorify your God? Take heart, my friend ... we close today with Ephesians 2:4 - 5

BUT ... because of His great love for us,

God, who is rich in mercy,

made us ALIVE with Christ

even when we were dead in transgressions -

it is by grace you have been saved.

And that is the good news!

Ephesians: Lesson 3 - Day 1

Have you prayed today? If so ... what was the focus of your prayer? If we could poll the participants in this study, my guess is that the list of things would be LONG!!! And I suspect range would be BROAD!!! That would be right and appropriate because I cannot think of anything that is not worthy to be taken to our Father. He knows the desires of your heart so why not verbalize them to Him. If you or someone you love is currently in a battle with health issues - it will be in your prayers, and rightfully so - but that is not the most pressing need of the human heart. If you are struggling financially in this difficult time - job gone and nothing on the near horizon - mortgage payment due or bills stacking up - it will be in your prayers, and rightfully so ... but even that is not the most pressing need of the human heart. If you are struggling with the longing for a child and are having to deal with issues around infertility - that will be front and center in your prayers ... but it is not the most pressing need of the human heart, even your own heart. If you are facing decisions for your aging parent(s) that are so difficult - wisdom for those decisions will be central in your prayer - and rightfully so ... but, again, it is not the most pressing need of the human heart. We could go on and on with the scenarios and circumstances that we confront each day ... you make your own list. However, if things such as these are not the most pressing need ... what is? I believe we get insight into that from Paul through his prayer at the end of chapter 1.

Read Ephesians 1: 15 - 23.

Our most pressing need? It is to know God. It is in that "knowing" that we find the strength, the wisdom, the courage to encounter the things of life in this fallen world. Paul prays that these believers will fully perceive, that they will have precise and correct knowledge of the living God. If that is not part of our prayer for ourselves and those we love ... let's make it so!

In addition to that "knowledge" Paul prays for enlightenment for these believers. Enlightenment is necessary because there are some things that they must KNOW. Before we look at those 3 things, consider the word, know. In Greek, the word used here is eido. Included in the possible meanings for this word we find - "to perceive with eyes and senses, to experience". Keep that in mind as we consider the things that Paul wants us to "know".

First, he prays that we know the hope of His calling. Remember, this word, hope, is not wishing. It is not crossing your fingers. It is a full expectation and anticipation of the thing happening. What has God called you to? The "call" God has placed on every believer's life is to be holy and blameless before Him (Ephesians 1:4). And that changes everything! It changes both the way you think and the way you behave. We will read later in Ephesians 4:1 that we are to live life "worthy of the call" ... and the call is to be holy and blameless before Him. Paul wants us to KNOW, to experience, this can be a reality because of living "in" Jesus Christ.

Second, Paul prays that we know the riches of the glory of our inheritance in Jesus. We are so easily distracted by the baubles of this world. In "The Weight of Glory", C. S. Lewis says, "We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea." Paul wants us to KNOW, to experience, the reality of our inheritance.

Third, Paul prays that we know the greatness of the power of God toward us. It is power so great that it can overcome death. It is power so great that is raised Jesus from a grave and placed Him above everything we know about and everything that we can't even imagine. That power is at work ... even when I don't get my way.

Chapter 1 closes with the beautiful picture of the church as Christ's body, the fullness of Him. Exploring that fabulous metaphor will have to wait for another day!

I pray for you today ... that you may know Him more ... that you may celebrate the inheritance we share ... and that you may experience the greatness of His power working in your life, right now.

Ephesians: Lesson 2 - Day 3

Before we leave this lesson, read again Ephesians 1: 3 - 14. This time read it out loud so that you can hear with your ears as well as your mind what Paul says. In the Greek manuscripts, these verses comprise one continual sentence. None of our English translations reflect that because it would be so hard to read! It is as if Paul gets started and just can't stop. It is all too glorious ... these verses are truly one of the great "doxologies" of all time.

A doxology is an expression of praise to God. Probably the doxology that is most familiar to many of us is the one written in 1709 by Thomas Ken. Know it?

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

Paul's doxology also praises God, from whom all blessings flow, who has given all spiritual blessings in the heavenly realms. This reference to "heavenly realms" does not refer only to heaven, or the eternal hereafter. Paul uses it in the sense of the sphere beyond the material world. He is making the point that the blessings are spiritual and not material. They are eternal and not temporal. This phrase, "heavenly realms", occurs 5 times in Ephesians but in none of Paul's other writings. However, the concept is definitely in his other writings. Considers these:

So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3: 1 - 4 NIV)

Ephesians 1: 3 - 14 is really about God's valuing us.

It is breath taking to consider ... God has ...

blessed us

chose us from eternity

graced us

sent Christ for us

revealed His will to us

will sum up all things in Christ in whom we live

gave us His spirit as a guarantee

will redeem us as His own people

My question is a reverberating WHY? Why in the world would a holy, righteous, omniscient God do that for the likes of us? He tells us why through Paul in these verses ... it is to the praise of His glory.

There is only one possible response ... and that is worship and thanks to the God who values you and me that much - the God who has acted so recklessly and lavishly on our behalf.

And so we worship ...

Ephesians: Lesson 2 - Day 2

Today, reread Ephesians 1: 3 - 14. As you read, underline the phrase "in Christ" and "in Him". If you are keeping a notebook, make a list of everything you find in these verses that is "in Christ". After you have taken some time to reflect on those things, come back and read on ...


I find the list staggering. On my list I have ...
1. every spiritual blessing (1:3)
2. my chosen-ness (1:4)
3. grace (1:6)
4. redemption (1:7)
5. all things in heaven and earth will come together (1:10)
6. my inheritance (1:11)
7. my hope (1:12)
8. my security (1:12)

Oh my! This passage of scripture confronts any question about the centrality of Christ Jesus. Are there any items on this list that you would opt out of? Anyplace where you would say, "Oh, no thank you. I don't believe I want to be chosen by God or to have an inheritance or to be blessed with every spiritual blessing. Actually, Lord, I don't need hope or grace or security." Ludicrous, no? Christ is central ... to life.

Read John 15: 3 - 9. Over and over Christ says, "Abide in Me." The word translated "abide" (in NASB) and "remain" (in NIV) is the Greek word meno. In addition to the meanings of abide and remain, further descriptions of the word include: not to depart, continually, to continue to be present. How beautifully these verses in Ephesians link onto what Jesus said in John 15. It is as we continually choose to live our lives "in Christ" that these incredible blessings pour out over us! And it is ALL God's doing. So I remind you ... I remind me ... are we making Christ "central" to our lives?

In the Life Application Commentary on Ephesians (published by Tyndale House) it says,
"Because Christ is central to everything, he must be central in us - our highest value and the focus of our lives. In our high-tech, materialistic, relationship-driven, and sex-oriented society, many idols and values compete for our devotion. It becomes easy to be enticed and drawn away or to have our lives cluttered by trivial pursuits. But Christ must be at the center, receiving our total devotion and ordering our priorities. Keep your focus on him and place all your interestes, relationships, desires, possessions, and goals under his control."

In your life, what competes with Christ for that central position? Talk to Him about that. What are the "trivial pursuits" that keep me preoccupied?

Jesus said, "Remain in Me". Paul said, "All spiritual blessings, your hope and security, your redemption and inheritance ... they all lie in Christ."

Do you really want to live anywhere else????