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????

Ephesians: Lesson 2 - Day 1

In this lesson we will narrow our focus to Chapter 1. Read the chapter slowly and carefully. Make note of the phrase, "in Christ". What is your impression as you do that? What stands out to you? Write down your thoughts in your notebook. Do that before you continue reading my impressions. How I wish we could sit across a table and talk about what you heard!

For me ... I had a fresh sense that this first chapter is all about God. Yes, it speaks of disciples and the blessings that they can carry "in Christ" ... but I was overwhelmed by the "God-ness" of chapter 1. I dearly love and cherish the concepts so beautifully expressed in this chapter that relate to me ... the chosen-ness, the redemption, the abundance of spiritual blessing, etc. In fact, had you asked me prior to this particular reading, "what is the first chapter of Ephesians about?" my answer would have been that it is about disciples' spiritual blessings in Christ. And it is ... However, as I have reread, this chapter is all about God. Indeed, there is an abundance of spiritual blessing ... but it is all "in Christ". (1:3) Indeed, God has predestined and adopted those who would believe ... but it is because of His love and His kind intention. (1:5) Indeed, God offers redemption and forgiveness ... but it is because of the riches of His grace. (1:7) Indeed, God reveals things of Himself to us ... but it is again because of His kind intention. (1:9) Indeed, God gives an inheritance beyond anything we can even imagine to His adopted sons and daughters ... but it is because of His purposes. (1:11) Indeed, God gives hope and riches ... but it is because of His strength and might. (1:19) And my eyes are opened to see God a little clearer, a little better through this chapter.

I close out this day's work by praying for you ... all of you who are reading and studying and desiring to know God better ... and I want to pray Paul's prayer from 1: 18-19. Place your name where the pronouns are ... I am using the words as translated in "The Message" by Eugene Peterson:

"I can't stop thanking God for you - but I do more than thank.
I ask - ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory
- to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing Him personally,
your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is He
is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life
He has for Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of His work in us
who trust Him - endless energy, boundless strength!"

Ephesians: Lesson 1 - Day 3

Before we close out this overview of Ephesians, read the letter again in its entirety. As you read it again, think about purpose. Why do you think Paul wrote it? What was he wanting to communicate? If you had to identify one or two themes, what would they be? After you read, then come back.

I see this letter breaking into 3 sections.
The first is chapters 1 - 3. It is so full of language about spiritual riches and blessings that are found in Christ. It speaks eloquently of the position that Gentiles, as well as Jews, can have with the God of heaven. It references the amazing grace of God. It contains beautiful praise sentences - ones that you and I can claim from Paul and use ourselves as we worship God. It contains 2 of the most splendid prayers in all of scripture. They are 1:15 - 23 and 3: 14 - 21. These prayers also provide us with words to use when we pray for those who are dear to us. I have used them for my own words so many times! This first section is all about POSITION - where you SIT.

The second section to me is 4:1 - 6:9. This section is cram-packed with specific instructions. It is here that you find guidance on how to live life as a believer - how to treat people if you wear the name of Christ. It is intensely practical. And my guess is that we will sting a little when we begin to examine these phrases one by one! We can easily see our own humanity and flesh in the things that Paul tells us to "get rid of". But, thankfully, he continues by telling us what to put in the gap, what to fill ourselves with so that there is no void left. Remember, vacuums will be filled! So we must be intentional in deciding with what to fill the void. Paul is quite clear!
Section 2 is all about PURPOSE - how we WALK as disciples. You have heard often the phrase "If you are going to talk the talk, then you best walk the walk". Section 2 of this letter is about walking in ways that are congruent with our "talk".

The final section of this letter is about how to stand firm, 6:10 - 24. What is it that will allow us to stand firm, not to vaccilate and be bounced around like a pool ball as it careens from side to side, responding only to the things that it hits? I want to be more steadfast than that. Jesus tells a story about two men who both built houses. (Matthew 7: 24 - 27) One built on sand - it shifts, it moves. Things like hurricanes come and it falls down. Many of us Texas coast folks can relate! It cannot stand firm. And then one man built on rock. It was solid, strong. So when the hurricane blew around that structure, it held. That's where I want to be! You? This last section is all about my SECURITY, how to STAND.

Our overview is finished. In our next lesson, we will begin a more careful examination of Ephesians, Chapter 1. What a splendid little letter this is ... and how I look forward to exploring it with you.

Ephesians: Lesson 1 - Day 2

Before we begin to examine the verses of Ephesians in detail, there is a place in Acts where we get a bit of historical perspective.

Read Acts 19:1 - 20:2. These events take place during Paul's 3rd journey to establish churches. As you read, try and get a sense of the people and the culture in this magnificent city. Read this passage first ... then come back ...

I was amazed at the "spiritual"-ness of the Ephesians - they were very much into things of the supernatural world. The culture was immersed in sorcery and magicians arts ... and it was all part of the economic strength of Ephesus. The natural harbor that had been the economic strength of Ephesus had gradually receded due to silting. As a result, tourism became the major economic strength. People from all over came to Ephesus to visit the magnificent temples, the library, the theater. And, of course, souvenirs must be sold so that folks could tell of their adventure. Things haven't changed all that much have they!

As the message of Jesus Christ, and the power of His Holy Spirit, began to spread like a wildfire throughout the region, verse 19 tells us that many who practiced sorcery (magic arts) brought their books, their scrolls, into a public place and had a bonfire - burned them all - calculated to have a value of 50,000 pieces of silver. A piece of silver was considered a good day's wage. Do the math. It's staggering!! I can only fantacize about what that scene must have been like. Talk about "revival"! And it leads me to the question ... what will it take for me to experience revival in my own heart and mind? Do you need one, a revival? Don't let your mind go immediately to your spouse, or your kids, or your church ... let it rest on you, personally. Need a revival? I have loved the song, "Cleanse Me", and am always moved by the prayer in Verse 4 of that song: "O Holy Spirit, revival comes from Thee. Send a revival, start the work in me." That's where revival always begins ... in the hearts and minds of individuals who are moved by the grace of God and stirred by the invitation He offers to participate with Him in changing the world.

My world is the circle around me and yours is the circle around you; the places we go and the interactions we encounter on a daily basis. Do you want to be a difference-maker in your world? Identify the things that hold you back - the things that intefere with your surrender to the Lordship of Jesus - and have a figurative bonfire! Don't plan to store them away on a high shelf - burn them! I have read of young adults literally breaking up CDs they owned when they were convicted of ways that particular music was dulling their senses to the things of God. I have experienced the power of naming a sin that was holding me captive, writing it on a piece of paper, and literally burning it. We often pray for revival - in our homes, our churches and our country - never forget that revival always starts with the "one".

Need to have a bonfire?

Ephesians: Lesson 1 - Day 1

Welcome back! I hope your summer was good and that you had the opportunity to have something of a vacation ... even if it was in your own backyard! I find changing my routine to be invigorating. However, I am ready to get back into a regular Bible study with you and hope that you are too.

About format: This study will contain 10 weeks of lessons. Each lesson will have 3 days of study. We will conclude the week before Thanksgiving. I would suggest that you get a notebook (school has started, you know, and everyone needs a new notebook!) - a journal will be adequate - just someplace to make notes to yourself as you read and study.

This New Testament letter has remarkable descriptions by commentators. Some of them include: "the Queen of the Epistles", "the Switzerland of the New Testament"'; "the crown and climax of Pauline theology" and "one of the divinest compositions of man". WOW! That's quite a set up isn't it? When John Knox was near the end of his life, what he wanted read to him was John Calvin's "Sermons on the Letter to the Ephesians". That's it - not Psalms, not promises from Revelation - but things from Ephesians. My prayer for all of us is that by the end of these 10 weeks ... we are going to understand why!

This little letter tells us so much about our identity, who we REALLY are in Christ. (If you don't know for sure that you are "in Christ" ... email me and let's set up a time when we can talk. ) We are so susceptible to the world and culture around us telling us who we are ... and who we should be. It's wearying, no? Ephesians is going to be very clear about that. And I need that clarity!

This little letter is relational. It speaks to the relationship between God and man, God and you. But it also has much to say about our relationships with those around us, the you and me.

This little letter is transformational. It provides us with the opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us into the reflection and image of Christ - to the glory of God.

I am excited about our journey. So ... let's begin!

Your task today is to read the entire letter. Just read for content and flow. Don't stop at chapter headings - they are man-made anyway. Read it as if you just received it from a friend. In your notebook, write down who you find to be the author and to whom it seems to be written. Also, with this first run through, why do you think it was written?

Close your day's work by writing in your notebook the words of Ephesians 1:3. Or, write it on a card and put it where you will see it often throughout the day. How beautiful ...

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has
blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
in Christ.