Ephesians 1:3-14 The Riches of Gods Treasure House

Ephesians 1: 3 - 14   The Riches of God’s Treasure House

Our Spiritual Bank Account

• Overview of this lesson
• God’s great love for us.   (Psalm 103:1-13)
• We have many spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ.
• God has the right to chose who he will save.  Jesus also states ‘Who shall ever come to me will be saved”..  God’s makes a sovereign choice to chose us, we do not choose God.  We receive God and God accepts and redeems us through his grace.
• God sees our flawed personality, but he also sees our potential.  People will look at themselves as flawed.   We must realize we are a work of God’s art, that we are work in progress, and we can only be perfected through God.
• Forgiveness of sins.
• The Old Testament used a Scape Goat for atonement of sins..   (Leviticus 16:5, 7-10).
• The New Testament has Jesus dying on the cross to wash us of our sins.
• A great mystery.
• God is letting us in on a secret.  We have a new life through Jesus Christ.  We now have a new family, a new culture, and we have gained an inheritance to Eternal Life in Heaven with our LORD and Savior.
• All 3 members of the Trinity are involved in our salvation.
• God chooses us.
• Jesus Christ saved us and bought us.
• The Holy Spirit seals us and convicts us.
• Predestination.
• Why would God choose you?  What merit does God see in our human nature?
• The answer is God’s Character (Deuteronomy 7:6-15)
• God choose us because he loved us.
• Creates 2 questions and problems.
• Did we make the choice to follow Jesus Christ?
• Who has God ordained for salvation and ordained for damnation?  
• God’s wish is that none should perish.
• Irresistible Predestination through Grace (Calvinism)
• You can not do anything about your salvation.
• God’s choice vs. People’s choice.
• Even if you want to be saved, you can not be saved unless you are predestined.
• Jesus says ‘Come to me, you who are burdened and I will give you rest’.
• Limited atonement (Repent and Return).
• Jesus Christ only died for those saved.
• 1 John 2:2 (Jesus died for the sins of the whole world).
• Ephesians 1:4
• We have 2 conclusions that seem to contradict each other.  Which one is correct?
• Verse 4: Guaranteed Inheritance.
• Our downpayment is the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, and guarantees our eternal life in heaven.
• We receive all the Spiritual Blessings when we come to Jesus Christ.
• It is not part or some, it is not a promise, it is not conditional, and it does not come in stages.
• We stand blameless and holy before God.
• We are adopted Children of God
• We instantly have redemption.
• We are received through the riches of God’s grace.
• If we live in spiritual poverty it is because we don’t realize what is already ours through Jesus Christ.
• The main purpose of Paul’s letter to the Church of Ephesus was to enable others to discover the spiritual blessings available.
• Once we understand our blessings our life will never be the same.
• Verses 4 - 6: Adopted Children.
• Leads to the phrase in our culture, ‘Not the real child’.   To the parents of an adopted child, they are loved just as much as biological children.
• God’s adoption of us as his children is a picture of God’s sovereign grace.   The child does not chose his parents, but the parents choose the child.
• When God adopts us, he gives us his very nature.   We take on the very nature of Jesus Christ, we become like him, we become what Christ is, and we become new creations.   (2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:29)
• Verses 7 - 10: According to his Riches.
• Before we were adopted, Jesus died on the cross for us, Jesus paid the price for our sins.
• We were slaves to sin before our adoption.
• Everything belongs to God.   God held nothing back by allowing his Son to die for our sins, he gave according to his richness.   It was something that would be missed by God instead of something that was insignificant or just a ‘donation’.   It was the ultimate sacrifice.
• God lavished his grace upon us.
• Lavished - God poured out all his grace upon us freely and extravagantly.  His grace is endless as an ocean, vast as the universe.  God’s grace knows no limit, no end, or no boundary.
• A believer who continues to sin does not understand the lavish grace of God and they take advantage of his grace.
• A sanctified sinner understands the lavish grace of God which deters him from sinning.
• God’s Mystery - God’s plan for our life.  We may not understand it completely but we all have a role to play.
• Verses 11 - 14: Guarantee of our Inheritance.
• When we accept Jesus, we receive full inheritance and it is not by chance but by grace.
• These verses offer us another great mystery that we do not fully understand - Predestined.   (Psalm 139:13-16).
• Before the earth was formed, God said ‘You are the object of my love, grace, mercy, redemption, blessing, and choice.   God has formed us at our mother’s womb.  God has willed it that we be his children.  God has opened our spiritual eyes so that we can see that we desperately need him.
• God has blessed us through Jesus with spiritual blessings.
• Peace                           (John 14:27)
• Joy                              (John 15:11)
• Strength in our lives     (Philippians 4:131)
• In times of trouble we need to praise God for our spiritual blessing.
• How should our prayer sound and do we bargain with God.   (page 26).
• Verses 12 - 14:  To the Praise of His Glory.
• This means that God has blessed us, saved us, redeemed us, lavished us with his grace, and he has made known his mysteries to us.
• Everywhere we go we should praise others regardless of the difficulties faced, problem situations, and problem people.   (Romans 8:17)
• Conclusion.
• God’s treasure house is filled with blessing, strength, and power for our lives.   Let us be aware of these riches and claim them every day.  Let us claim all of God’s blessings every day and not miss out on them.

Ephesians 1:1-2 The Introduction

Ephesians 1: 1 - 2   The Introduction

• Resources for this study
• Book - Leading the way Through Ephesians by Michael Youssef.
• Radio Broadcast series - Skip Heitzig
• History
• Apostle Paul
• Paul had been a Christian for 30 years and wrote this letter from prison in Rome while awaiting his trial.  Paul was under house arrest and allowed to travel freely while in prison.  He was chained to a Roman Praetorian while under house arrest.   Many of the guards chained to Paul became Christians.  Tychicus was one of the guards who eventually delivered Paul’s letter to Ephesus.   (Eph 6:21)
• Paul had visited Ephesus on his 2nd missionary trip (Acts 18), at which time he established the church there.   Paul also stayed in Ephesus for 3 years teaching during his 3rd missionary trip (Acts 19).
• The original transcripts do not include ‘Who are in Ephesus” which indicates this was added after Paul wrote this letter.
• Ephesus
• Ephesus was a commercial, political, and religious center for all of Asia Minor (modern day Turkey).  It was also the capital of Asia Minor as well.    Ephesus was located on the main trading route.
• The city became famous for its worship to the Roman Goddess Diana (Greek - Artemis).  It took 220 years to build the temple for Diana.  It was considered one of the 7 Wonders of the World and the temple was 4 times the size of the Parthenon in Acropolis.   (Acts 19)
• Ephesus was first influenced by the Greeks and then later became a Port of the Roman Empire.   Approximately 500,000 people lived in Ephesus.   Many Jews had settled in Ephesus because of the trade routes.   There were Ephesians located in the upper room at Pentecost.
• Timothy was the first Bishop of the church of Ephesus.   The Apostle John and Mary the Mother of Jesus had moved there to live.
• Paul had revealed all about God’s glory to the Ephesians (Acts 20).
• The apostle John had warned the church of Ephesus that they had strayed from what they were taught and Jesus had asked them to return and repent to do the things the first did from Paul’s teachings.   (Revelation 2:1-7)
• In the 10th century, Ephesus no longer existed and was buried and in ruins.
• Main Themes
• The fullness of our inheritance in Christ.
• The infinite power that is in us through Jesus.
• The inexhaustible grace that we have in Jesus.
• The glorious position that is ours in Jesus.
• Important things to notice in the letter to the Ephesian church.
• The riches of God’s grace.                (Eph 1:7).
• The unsearchable riches of Jesus.    (Eph 3:8)
• The riches of God’s glory.                 (Eph 3:16)
• The word “riches” is repeated 5 times.
• The word “grace” is repeated 12 times.
• The word “glory” is repeated 6 times.
• The word “fullness” is repeated 4 times.
• the words “in Christ” is repeated 13 times.
• God is building a new culture which can change this existing culture.  God gives us new standards of living, a new life in Jesus Christ, and warfare for the spiritual battle which surrounds us.   
• 3 word summary of what we have with Jesus Christ in our lives: Wealth, Walk, and warfare.
• Paul would make his writings first doctrinal then application.   Ephesians chapters 1 through 3 are considered doctrinal where chapters 4 through 6 are application.
• Ephesus was considered ‘the Bank of Asia Minor’ where the letter Paul wrote to the Ephesians is considered ‘the Spiritual Bank Account’.

Philippians 4 – Don’t Worry, Be Happy

Philippians 4 – Don’t Worry, Be Happy

·         History and Background

o   Written by Paul while he was in prison in Rome awaiting his trial.

o   Written to the Philippian Church which was established by Paul on his second missionary journey.

o   The church was the first Christian Congregation in Europe, which was located in Macedonia.

o   The Church at Philippi supported Paul through prayer, money, and goods.

o   Paul starts this chapter by admonishing 2 of the woman leaders of the Philippi Church to work out their differences.   Paul encourages them to be of the same mind

o   .  His uses this encouragement to further encourage others within the Philippi Church.

·         6 Promises we have from God  

o   (verse 5)               The presence of God to accompany us.

o   (verse 6)               The privilege of prayer to help us in our life.   (Matthew 6:25-34, Psalm 1:2)

o   (verses 7 and 8)  The peace of God to help us.                              (Daniel 6, Psalm 19)

o   (verse 11)             The policy of contentment to calm us.

o   (verse 13)             The power of Jesus Christ to strengthen us.

o   (verse 19)             The promise of God’s provision for us.

·         Main Themes

o   We should be full of joy as God has all things and God is in control.

§  Our rejoicing is a testimony that can be seen by others.

o   Take everything in Prayer to God

§  Prayer brings peace and removes our cares and worries.

§  The peace of God will produce a calm heart and mind.

o   Be thankful in everything.

§  Paul acknowledged that God would supply him with everything he needed for the work in his ministry.

§  Paul was thankful that God used the Philippian Church to provide for his needs.

o   Offering encouragement to others.

§  Paul encouraged the Church to stay involved in the ministry because their fruits would be added to their account in heaven.

§  God’s blessing would be upon them because their involvement in God’s work

o   To glean Paul’s secrets for joy peace, contentment, and strength.

·         Questions to Ponder/Life Lessons.

o   In what are we to always rejoice?

§  In the Lord always.

o   Why are we to let our gentleness be known to all?

§  The Lord is at hand.

o   What is the antidote for anxiety?

§  Letting our requests be made known to God with an attitude of thanksgiving.

o   What will the peace of God do in response to our thankful prayer?

§  Guard our hearts and mind through Christ Jesus.

o   Upon what things should we meditate?

§  Things that are noble (high moral principles and ideals), Just, pure, lovely, things of good report (give an account of), anything of virtue, and anything of praise.

o   What had Paul learned about his journey through life with Jesus as his Lord and Savior?

§  To be content in whatever state he found himself in.

o   How was Paul able to do all things?

§  Through Christ who strengthens him.

Parables of Jesus - Lesson 18

The Parables of Jesus

Lesson 18 

·         Smaller and Shorter Parables of Jesus

o   The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Publican).    (Luke 18: 9 - 14)

§  This parable concludes our studies of the Parables of Jesus.  This parable was taught sometime before Jesus made his trip to Jerusalem to be crucified.

§  To better understand this parable let us look at the 3 different elements involved.

·         The temple was the center of worship for the people of Jerusalem.  They would go there often to pray.

·         The word Pharisee translates to mean “the separate ones”.  A Pharisee was a member of a Jewish sect that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic Laws in both its oral and written form.  The Pharisee would separate themselves from others to obey all the rules they created in addition to the Law of Moses.   They were meticulous and zealous about obeying the do’s and don’ts.  Because of this they did not mingle with believers, but instead looked down upon them.   Jesus often criticized the Pharisees because of their knowledge of the Old Testament.   They failed to see the fulfillment of the Messiah through the words of the Prophets.

·         A Tax Collector was a hired official by the Roman Government.   A Tax Collector would provide a bid to the Roman Government for the Province that he lived in.   The bid was for the amount of Taxes he would collect for the Government.   The person with the highest bid would be hired to collect the bid Tax in that Province.   The Tax Collector then had 1 year to collect the Tax Money.   Any money that was above and beyond the Tax Bid was kept by the Tax Collector.   They were typically very rich and shrewd people.  They were considered traitors, extorters, and exploiters by their fellow Jews.  Matthew and Zaccheus  are Tax Collectors that we are familiar with from the New Testament.

§   In this parable we notice that both men, the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, went into the same temple on the same day.  They were also praying to the same God.

§  The difference between these 2 men can be easily seen.  The difference between these 2 men was not their outward actions or words, but in their hearts.  The Tax Collector realized that he as a sinner and that he needed God’s mercy, forgiveness, and grace.   The Pharisee went to the temple to announce to anyone who could hear his prayer that he was a good and righteous person, while the Tax Collector went to recognize his sins.

§  Related Readings

·         Psalms 24:3-4, Leviticus 6:2-5 (Pharisees view of Tax Collectors), Luke 19:8 (Zaccheaus), Romans 7:18, Revelation 3:17, Jeremiah 17:9, Luke 14:11, Jeremiah 31:19

·         Questions to Ponder/Life Lessons.

o   Self-righteousness can lead to pride, which can hinder our learning anything from God.

o   Are we humble in our response to God who has given us everything in Jesus Christ?

o   What is the intent of our Prayers?    The prayer of the Tax Collector should be our prayer as we need God’s grace and mercy every day.

o   Do we depend upon our performance before God to receive God’s acceptance?

o   Do not let pride in our achievements distract us from our relationship with God, being mindful God blesses us with our talents and possessions.  God is the true owner of all things as we are here as Stewards of God’s creation.

o   Jesus knows that man cannot save himself.  He did not come to condone sin, but to save them and turn them from their wicked ways and past.

o   Definition of Pride from today’s Parable: Coming to trust in our own abilities rather than trusting in God.  Coming to regard other people with contempt and disrespect rather than seeing them as created equally in the image of God.

Parables of Jesus - Lesson 16

The Parables of Jesus

Lesson 16

·         Smaller and Shorter Parables of Jesus

o   The Lowest Seat at the Banquet.    (Luke 14: 7 - 14)

§  A prominent Pharisee had invited Jesus to his home.  The intent of the Pharisee was to catch Jesus into breaking one of the Pharisee’s Laws on the Sabbath or trapping him in discussion.  We find it is the Sabbath and Jesus has just healed a man with dropsy.  If you remember from previous lessons, Luke was a doctor.

§  At a banquet meal during Jewish times the places of honor would have been closest to the host.  Couches for a meal were usually set in a ‘U’ shape with 2 to 4 guests reclining on each couch.   The host sat at the base of the ‘U’ with the honored guests to his left and right.  After the guests were seated they would wash there hands.

§  Jesus taught 2 lessons with this parable.  First he spoke to the guests instructing them not to seek the places of honor to be seated at a banquet.  Second he talked to the hosts telling them not to exclude guests who are needy as the Kingdom of God is open to everyone who is invited.

§  Jesus’s point is not that we should connive to receive greater honor, instead Jesus is telling us that honor cannot be seized.  Honor is awarded.   Jesus was not against giving honor to someone who deserves it, but he was against using power and prestige for recognition.  God honors the humble, as the humble person recognizes how strong his need for God is, and not his need for a blessing from God.

§   Jesus’s instructions to the host were to open their dinner table to the needy that are unable to repay the host for his kindness.   Typically a person who hosted a festive meal would be placed on the invitation lists for future meals at the guest’s home.   Hospitality should be open to all.   ‘Payback’ should not be the motive for our hospitality.

§  To be moved from an honor chair to a lower seat would bring shame and dishonor to this person.   Jesus was using this point to illustrate the inward appearance of a person, not his outer appearance or status.   Humbleness and modesty are more important to God than arrogance.

§  Related Readings

·         Luke 11:37-53, Philippians 2:1-11, James 2:1-5, James 4:6, James 5:1-6, Mark 7:1-4, Ezekiel 17:24, Luke 6:20-26, Luke 18:9-14

o   The Great banquet   (Luke 14: 16 - 24)

§  This parable was told right after our last parable, ‘The Lowest Seat at the Banquet’.

§  During biblical times, as we had mentioned in an earlier parable, it was customary to send out 2 invitations to a party.   The first invitation was to announce the event.   The second invitation was then sent to tell the guests that everything was ready.   To accept the first invitation and then reject the second invitation was considered an insult to the host.

§  The guests in the parable insulted the owner by making excuses as to why they could not attend the banquet at the second invitation.  Jesus uses the excuses to show the foolishness of them.

·         Only a fool buys a piece of land and then goes to inspect it.

·         Only a fool buys 10 oxen and then tests them after his purchase.

·         A man who put his family before everything as he had just married a wife.

·         By saying ‘I cannot come’ suggests that someone had made up his mind and was no longer open to any argument.

§  In Israel’s history, God’s first invitation to the Jewish people came from Moses and the Prophets.  The second invitation to the Jews came from Jesus, God’s only begotten son.   The religious leaders had accepted the first invitation, as they believed God had chosen them as his people.  These same religious leaders rejected the invitation, of God’s son, Jesus Christ.  Just as the Master sent his servant out into the streets to invite the needy to the banquet, God sent his son, Jesus, into this world to the needy to tell them that God’s Kingdom had come and it was ready and open to them.

§  Jesus also stresses against seeking status in this parable as well.  Jesus extends his favor to hard work and suffering instead.  God never asks us to suffer for the sake of suffering.   God is calling us to use humility and self-sacrifice so that we too can join in the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.

§  Related Readings

·         Isaiah 25:6 (Feast for All), Revelation 19:9, Acts 13:46-47.

·         Questions to Ponder/Life Lessons.

o   In today’s culture, people are eager to raise their social status.  This can be done through being with the right people, how we dress, or driving the right car.

o   Do we look for a place to serve instead of a place of prestige?

o   How can we humble ourselves?   Truly humble people compare themselves to Jesus and realize their sinfulness and they understand their limitations.

o   What do we perceive as heavenly rewards in comparison to earthly rewards?

o   If Christianity is so true and so good, why don’t more embrace it?   Why don’t more accept the invitation?

o   ‘Excuses are fashioned for convenience and clung to in desperation’.

Parables of Jesus - Lesson 17

The Parables of Jesus

Lesson 17 

·         Smaller and Shorter Parables of Jesus

o   The Cost of Discipleship.    (Luke 14: 28 - 33)

§  There was a large crowd following Jesus and he had just told them what it would take to be a disciple of his.   (Luke 7: 25 – 27)

§  Jesus uses these 2 stories to show the necessity of “Counting the Cost” of discipleship.   Jesus commands a commitment to finish the discipleship journey that begins or not beginning at all.  Following Jesus is an all or nothing proposition.

§  Jesus is calling us to a discipleship that is not cheap, not easy, and not to be entered into without a deep consideration of the consequences and costs.   This passage speaks of loyalty and allegiance to Jesus over all other competing loyalties.

§  Jesus’s command to “Follow Me” is both a gift and a demand.  We should not only speak about God’s grace through salvation, but we should also be mindful of what is expected in our relationship by being loyal to God.

§  Those who become Christians should be prepared to make the sacrifices required in the Gospel.  Christians should consider these costs even before Baptism and commit themselves to fully follow the teachings of Jesus

§  Related Readings

·         Philippians 3:7-21

o   The Master and His Servant   (Luke 17: 7 - 10)

§  Jesus was speaking directly to the 12 Apostles who were asking Jesus how they could increase their faith.

§  The context of this passage depicts the relationship between a Master and his Slaves.   The slave was expected to obey whatever his Master told him to do.   The slave obeyed because he knew it was his task to do so.  There was no need for the Master to thank the slave.

§  Notice how Jesus uses the word “All/Everything” in verse 10.   The disciples could not pick and choose what to obey.  

§  The word “Unworthy” does not imply useless, but means “Not Yielding Gain”.  From the perspective of the parable, we are all unprofitable servants because our best service does not bring gain to God.  We do not add anything to God that he didn’t have before.  At best, we have done our duty, to have God’s name glorified instead.

§  A Disciple/Christian should never forget his position before God.  We have been bought to the Kingdom of God by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.   Because Jesus paid the price with his blood, a believer can not take credit for the work he does in God’s kingdom.  A believer’s attitude should be that of a humble and grateful servant.

§  Jesus is not rendering our service as meaningless or useless, nor is he doing away with rewards.  He is attacking our self-esteem and spiritual pride

§  Related Readings

·         I Corinthians 9: 15 -23.

·         Questions to Ponder/Life Lessons.

o   When a builder doesn’t count the cost or estimates it inaccurately, his building may not be completed.   Will our Christian life be partially built and then abandoned because we did not count the cost of our commitment to Jesus?  What are those costs?

o   Christians can face loss of social status, wealth, and health.   They may have to give up control over their money, their time, their possessions, or their career.   They can be hated, separated from their family, and even face death.   Following Jesus does not mean a trouble free life.  We must count the cost of becoming Christ’s disciples so that we will know what we are getting into and we won’t be tempted later to turn back.

o   If we have obeyed God, we have only done our duty and we should regard it as a privilege.  Do we sometimes feel that we deserve extra credit for serving God?

o   Remember, obedience is not something extra we do, it is our duty to God.