Today, I start a study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Specifically, my study today examines Ephesians 1:1-14 where Paul writes to the church in Ephesus to highlight how believers there should appreciate how they have been "blessed...in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places." Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.
- What do we learn from the text about God?: V3: God has blessed believers "with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places[.]" This is impossible to fully fathom on this side of heaven - blessed indeed! V4: He chose "believers in [Christ] before the foundation of the world...[and views us as] holy and blameless before him." We are guiltless and justified before Him! V5: He "predestined us for adoption[.]" God knows everything about us, including the sin that we will commit, yet He loves us and saves us! Vv7-10: Expanding on vv5-6, Paul shares that we have "redemption" and "forgiveness," and these were provided as "grace" and he "lavished" these blessings upon us by "making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him." Any one of these alone describe lavishness, but together is again - mind blowing. Vv11-12: These spiritual blessings are described as an inheritance, planned in advance (predestined), so that believers "might be to the praise of His glory." We exist for His glory - we should understand this and act accordingly. V13-14: God sealed our salvation by providing the Holy Spirit that "guarantees...our inheritance until we acquire possession of it[.]"
- What do we learn from the text about people?: V1: Paul describes himself as "an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God." No one can claim that they accomplished faith through their own works - on the contrary it is Christ alone who saves. Paul then describes the saints - believers - in Ephesus as faithful.
- Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should avoid thinking how it is our own efforts that save us and that anything other than Christ is our highest treasure. We should claim the promise of our guaranteed inheritance of the riches of Christ. We should pray that we can be faithful as described by Paul for the church in Ephesus (keeping in mind that later this church would be described in Revelation as "falling"). We should pray that God gives us the power to appreciate spiritual blessings He bestows upon us and remain in Him.
My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who graciously and lavishly bless me beyond my comprehension - including how You save and guarantee an inheritance. Thank You for my salvation and for the blessings You pour out every day for me. I am not deserving of how You love and save. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
