Ephesians 4:26-32

Jesus said in Matthew 12, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks...the mouth speaks." Whatever comes out of the mouth is a revealer of the heart. In other words, when others hear you talk, they get a glimpse of the state of your heart. Paul continues to teach us in this passage how we should talk to and treat one another in our words and actions. As you read these verses, ask yourself what kind of lifestyle am I imitating – the world’s or Christ’s? Thankfully, Paul gives us hope by showing us how we can embrace the Christ-centered life and lay aside the self-centered life.

Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.


As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: anger, steals, word, grace, grieve, bitterness, kind, forgiven.


Passage for the week: Ephesians 4:26-32 (NASB)

26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.
28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.
29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

DIGGING DEEPER

Monday:

List all of the characteristics of God and promises of God that you find in this passage (what God is like, His attributes).


In these verses, what does Paul tell us to put off and what does he tell us to put on?



What reason does Paul give for putting off these things?




Wednesday:

How does Paul’s teaching in these verses show the importance of healthy communication promoting unity?





Which of the commands in this passage are the hardest for you to follow? Explain why.





Friday:

What practical steps could you take this week to improve your relationships with others?



Which of these commands in this passage have you seen God strengthen you to obey this year?


Spend time right now praising God for His work in your life, and pray that He will continue to give you the grace to obey in these areas?

Ephesians 4:17-25

The way in which we live our lives is the topic of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians as we look into this passage together. Paul opens this passage by giving us a contrast between how the world lives versus how a unified group of Christ-followers should live. As you read these verses, ask yourself what kind of lifestyle am I imitating – the world’s or Christ’s? Thankfully, Paul gives us hope by showing us how we can embrace the Christ-centered life and lay aside the self-centered life.

Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.


As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: walk, hardness of heart, callous, sensuality, Christ, truth, old self, new self, renewed.


Passage for the week: Ephesians 4:17-25 (NASB)

17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;
19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
20 But you did not learn Christ in this way,
21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.

DIGGING DEEPER

Monday:

List all of the characteristics of God and promises of God that you find in this passage (what God is like, His attributes).






In this day and age, do you believe there is a difference between how Christians live and how non-Christians live? If so, what are the differences you see?





According to verses 17-19, how do the Gentiles live? Explain how you might struggle in these areas as a Christian.




Wednesday:

Paul says that the Gentiles are afflicted with a spiritual condition known as a hardness of heart (verse 18). What does this hardness of heart mean?


What are the effects of having a hardened heart (verses 17-19)?




How have you personally struggled with a hardness of heart toward God? (Be specific!)




Friday:

What does it mean to put off the old self and put on the new self? What does it require you to do?

Verse 23 tells us to be renewed in the spirit of our minds. What does this mean and how do you do this?

According to verse 24, our new self has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Because of this, how should this affect our relationships with others in the church (verse 25)?

Ephesians 4:7-16

Paul tells us in this passage of Scripture that the body of Christ is wired to serve! The Holy Spirit has gifted and equipped each one of us to serve in the local church and carry out the Lord's ministry. Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.


As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: grace, gifts, equipping, body of Christ.

Passage for the week: Ephesians 4:7-16 (NASB)

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
8 Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men.”
9 (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

DIGGING DEEPER

Monday:

List all of the characteristics of God that you find in this passage (what God is like, His attributes).




List all of the promises of God that you can find in this passage.




Read verse seven again and explain it in your own words.



Wednesday:

In verses 8-10, Christ is compared to a conquering hero whose victory march fills the whole universe, from the highest heaven to the lowest earth! He then generously gives out gifts to His loyal followers. What is the nature and purpose of these gifts? See verses 11-13 for help.

List all of the gifts that you find in verse 11. What spiritual gifts do you believe that God has given you?

While Ephesians 4:1-6 sets forth the unity we have as believers, Ephesians 4:7-11 describes our uniqueness through the individual gifts we have received by the Spirit of God. According to verses 12 and 13, what is the purpose and goal of these gifts? In other words, why did God give them to the church?



Friday:

How does spiritual immaturity differ from spiritual maturity? See verses 14-16 for help?

What winds and waves are blowing and tossing the church today?

In verse 16, Paul says that the body “grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” What steps do you need to take in order to work toward this goal?

CHEW ON THIS: (This one is long, but keep reading!)

These verses speak of that which Christians individually possess uniquely, which is another contributing factor to Christian unity. So, maybe you are wondering, "How can diversity contribute to unity?" God has purposed unity for His body, the church. We share in common all of the things mentioned in verses 4-6. Nevertheless, we also are distinct in that God has given each one of us different spiritual gifts and different spheres of service. But when each believer finds his place of service and plays out his or her part, the whole body grows and fulfills its mission and ministry (4:16).

There are other texts which also teach us about spiritual gifts (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12-14; 1 Peter 4:10-11). Our text in Ephesians 4 has some unique areas of emphasis. Let me identity these for your consideration...

The emphasis in our text is on the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the giver of these gifts. Spiritual gifts are gifts “of the Spirit,” but they are also gifts “from Christ.” It is as a result of our Lord’s victory, climaxing in His ascension (see 1:20-21), that spiritual gifts are bestowed upon believers. The gifts which are named are a small and distinct group. This list of spiritual gifts is very different from any other list. These gifts are those which are necessary and essential for all other gifts and ministries. The apostles and prophets have laid the foundation for the church and ministry and evangelists proclaim the gospel defined by the apostles and prophets. They are the obstetricians of the faith. And pastor-teachers are the pediatricians. All Christian ministry is dependent upon the operation of these gifts. The first two gifts of apostles and prophets I would understand to have been fulfilled by the apostles and prophets of the Old and New Testament eras. The latter two gifts continue to function in the church today.

The emphasis is also not on knowing your gift, but on finding your place of service. From Romans 12:3-8 and 1 Peter 4:10-11, it seems impossible for one to be a good steward of the grace of God without knowing what his or her spiritual gift is. Having said this, many Christians are waiting to serve because they have not "discovered" their gift. This text in Ephesians chapter 4 provides us with a happy solution. In this text Paul does not urge the saints to "discover their gift," but rather to find their place of service in the body of Christ. Finding our place of service is not really that difficult, as I understand the Scriptures. We know that we are to minister to the orphans and the widows (James 1:27). We are to "contribute to the needs of the saints" and "practice hospitality" (Romans 12:13). We are to "admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, and help the weak" (1 Thessalonians 5:14). All we need to do is to look around us for those things which need to be done, which our Lord has commanded us to do. In so doing, we will discover not only our place of service, but those gifts which God has given us to enable us to serve.

The focus here is not on the individual, but on the contribution which the individual makes to the body of Christ. Spiritual gifts are not given to us for our benefit as much as they are given for the building up of the body of Christ. They are for the building up of the body of Christ, and for carrying out the ministry of the church as the body of Christ. Christ indwells the church corporately (2:21-22) and the church corporately ministers on Christ’s behalf. The church is the visible manifestation of Christ on the earth. Christ not only dwells in it, it visibly manifests Christ to the world. So often, when the saints go to church, the go to be ministered to, not to minister. They go in order to be blessed, not in order to be a blessing. They leave, not asking whether Christ was exalted and whether others were edified, but whether or not they were blessed. Our text tells us that we are given gifts so that we may contribute something to the body of Christ, so that we may fulfill our mission to the church and become more like Christ.

In this plan, there is no room for self-serving religious people who sit and do nothing. The goal is that due to the active involvement and ministry of every member, the church will grow up to maturity. It will be marked by doctrinal purity and stability where people will stand firm for the truth of God's Word. It will discern those who hold to a different doctrine and refuse to be turned away from the truth. The mature church will be growing in Christ-likeness, never arriving at it in this life and never being content with how far it has grown. The mature church is committed to the truth of God’s revealed Word and ever seeking to be more closely conformed to Christ, its Head. The mature church, Paul says, is "growing up into Him who is the head" (verse 15). On the face of it, this statement seems difficult to understand. How can the body grow up into its head? We are not growing up into the Head, we are growing up to be more and more like the Head, Jesus Christ. Let me try to illustrate what I think Paul means. Christ is the "Head" of the body in several ways. He is also the one who provides for the needs of the body, and He also guides and directs the body. He is the One who is to be preeminent in the church, to receive the glory and honor. He is also the one who created the church, who brought it into existence by His incarnation, death, burial, and resurrection.

In conclusion, the Christian's conduct is to be based upon and consistent with his calling in Christ. He has been called to become an active, functioning member of the body of Christ. He has been called to obedience. The church is the dwelling place of God in the Spirit, and the instrument by which God demonstrates the glory of His wisdom, power, and grace. As we obey Him and manifest His likeness, we fulfill our calling. Christian unity is not an option, it is a command! It is both that which we possess and must preserve, and that for which we continue to strive. It is rooted in the origin and the life of the church. It is to be preserved by those who possess a servant’s spirit, and who respond to the grace of God by being gracious to their brothers and sisters in Christ who, like them, are not yet perfected.

Are you an active and vital part of a local church? The Bible never conceives of anyone coming to faith in Christ apart from becoming associated with a local church and then finding your place of service to the body of Christ. Every true believer and follower of Christ should be associated and involved in a local church and should actively pursue a place of service. May God help us to build up the body of Christ and serve one another!

For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

Ephesians 4:1-6

While Ephesians 1-3 gives us a solid foundation of doctrinal truth, Ephesians 4-6 shows how we can practically apply this truth to our lives and give glory to God in the church. In these verses, we will discover the life of unity and peace that is demanded of all believers!


Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.


As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: walk, calling, humility, diligent, peace, one.

Passage for the week: Ephesians 4:1-6 (NASB)

1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

DIGGING DEEPER

Monday:

List all of the characteristics of God that you find in this passage (what God is like, His attributes).





List all of the promises of God that you can find in this passage.





“To have unity we all must be the same.” Explain why you agree or disagree with this statement.



Wednesday:

Paul is so concerned for us as Christians that he pleads with us to live a life that is worthy of our calling. What have we been called to? See Ephesians 1-3 for some clues.



According to verses 1-3, what are the characteristics of a life that is worthy of our calling? Explain each characteristic in your own words.

Why are these virtues so important for maintaining unity?




Which of the qualities that Paul mentions will help you cultivate unity with others in your life? Which of these do you need to work on by God’s grace? Write them down and note the reason that is stopping you from living out each characteristic.

Friday:

How many times in these six verses does Paul use the word “one?” Do you think that is significant to the unity that should exist in the church? Explain.


We are commanded in this passage to keep the unity of the Spirit. What does this mean?


Paul also tells us that we have one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all. How do these truths contribute to actually living out true unity in our church?


CHEW ON THIS:

Here Paul speaks of our calling as one to live together in a way that displays the unity God has intended for His church. This passage thus sets the tone for the remainder of the letter, and provides the link with what has gone before. That link is made not only in the summarizing theme of unity in these verses but specifically in the ‘therefore’ grounds the appeal in the earlier teaching. The passage consists of two parts: the appeal to unity (verses 1–3) and a seven-fold confession emphasizing it (verses 4–6).

By introducing himself here, again, as a prisoner for the Lord, Paul points to the level of commitment he expects of himself and of others. His readers will not have failed to note that he was a prisoner precisely because of his zeal for the sort of unity he now requests of them. But first his appeal is the more general one to live in a way that is worthy of God’s calling (see 1 Thess. 2:12; Rom. 12:1; Col. 1:10). It is a call to the mutual humility, gentleness and patient, forgiving love that exemplifies reconciliation, and then clarifies this as the appeal to a life that promotes unity. This is a call for men and women to keep and hold the line on the unity God has already begun in Christ and into which we are brought by the Spirit who brings us Christ and his benefits (verse 3). The Spirit brings us the peace of God-given harmony as a uniting bond. However, this bond can be put in harm’s way when there is arrogance, deceit, pride, and selfish ambition.

In verses 4–6, Paul reminds us of how important this call to unity is with a sevenfold repetition of the word “one.” We are first given the first three components: One body, one spirit, and one hope. These “ones” point to the universal body of Christ (in other words, there are more people outside of our city that belong to Christ!), the invisible Spirit who gives our church body harmony and peace in Christ, and the hope of our calling in Christ. The second group of three (verse 5) unpack this calling we have in Christ. We have faith in Jesus as one Lord, whom we are identified with in one baptism. For a Jew in this culture to confess Jesus as the one Lord was equal to confessing Him as one with the Father.

In this passage do you see the “oneness” of your relationship with God and your unity with fellow believers? What are you doing to contribute to this kind of unity? Let’s be people who are solely committed to God and one another!

For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

Ephesians 3:14-21

What is your view of prayer? Is it something that is an add-on to your busy day, or is it an essential component of your life that you cannot live without? As we look into our next passage of Scripture, I am challenged by this prayer that Paul prays for his readers and how it is a prayer for their inner spiritual growth and knowledge of God. In light of this, I wanted to share with you an e-mail I recently received from Pastor Tim. Consider these words….

“Suppose you get up tomorrow morning and open your Bible for devotions. But much to your surprise, you discover all the references to prayer and the Holy Spirit have been removed, leaving lots of empty spaces. Here’s the question we must all face: What difference would it make in my life if there were no such thing as prayer? What if there was no Holy Spirit? Would your lifestyle be affected? How much would your heart, your home, and your church be affected? In some cases, it would make little or no difference, for much of the activity is being carried on in the energy of the flesh. The Christian Life and ministry is dependent on the inner work of Christ in you. Prayer is our declaration of dependence upon God” (Vaughan).


Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.


As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: bow my knees, strengthened with power, dwell in your hearts, rooted and grounded in love, love of Christ, fullness of God, more abundantly.

Passage for the week: Ephesians 3:14-21 (NASB)

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

DIGGING DEEPER

Monday:

List all of the characteristics of God that you find in this passage (what God is like, His attributes).






List all of the promises of God that you can find in this passage.






Paul now turns from instruction to prayer. What was the reason for Paul’s prayer in this passage?



Wednesday:

In verse 17, Paul prays that Christ would “dwell in their hearts through faith.” What is this statement referring to?




Three times in verses 14-21, Paul mentions “love” and “power.” What do we learn about power and love in these verses?




Try to comprehend the love Christ has for you – how He created you, came to earth for you, suffered for you, died for you, and rose again for you. Think about how deep His love is for you and then write down what comes to your mind.




Friday:

How do verses 20-21 apply to what Paul has been praying for his readers? How does it apply to your life?

As you look at all of the things you are going through and struggling with, explain the ways in which Paul’s prayer can encourage you.

Take these verses and make it into a prayer of your own. Pray this passage back to God for a family member, a friend, and for yourself.

CHEW ON THIS:

I hope that your view of prayer has been shaped by the example of Paul in this passage. Paul begins his prayer by showing his submission to his Father. Here we see Paul falling down before God, on his knees with his head bowed to the ground. Paul then reminds us that this Heavenly Father is over all of heaven and earth, which includes the angels and all of mankind (v.15). From verses 16–19, Paul’s prayer is made up of two main requests. These requests are not the typical prayer requests that you hear in our churches today. We tend to focus on the physical prayer requests (sickness, pain, travel, finances, etc.) – which is not necessarily wrong. However, we tend to overlook the spiritual requests that Paul mentions in his prayer. The first request that Paul prays is for God’s mighty empowering by the Spirit in their hearts (also known as the inner man). God has an unlimited supply of power and He delights in enabling and empowering us to fulfill the purpose he has given us. But notice that Paul does not pray for more physical strength or ability, but "heart strength." This is really where we need to be strengthened and God is able to do it! The reason for this is so that "Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith." This does not refer to salvation, but rather that Christ would be at home in our hearts. In other words, Christ should not be an unwanted guest whom we tolerate, but the ruler of our heart and life. As we say no to the flesh we can truly become an unclogged channel and vessel for God to use.

Paul’s second request is for deep spiritual comprehension and a real knowledge of the love of Christ. It seems like a contradiction, however, since Paul is praying for his fellow believers to know something that beyond any human knowledge. However, Paul is seeking to highlight the awesome height and depth of the love of God. The dimensions of God’s love are boundless and Paul desires for us to experience this in our hearts! And, once this love is active in our lives there is no limit to what God can do in us and through us. In fact, He can do above and beyond what we could ever ask of Him or think in our minds, and we will be able to glorify Him as a result of His working! Let’s pray this for one another this week and seek to live out these truths like we truly believed them!

For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

Ephesians 3:1-13

What do you think of when you hear the word church? A building on the corner? A stuffy group of religious hypocrites? A vibrant fellowship of people who love God and one another? In this passage, the Apostle Paul gives us the right perspective of the church and exalts its place in God’s plan.

Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.


As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: revelation, mystery, gospel, minister, power, grace, wisdom, and boldness.

Passage for the week: Ephesians 3:1-13 (NASB)

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you;
3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.
4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,
7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.
8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,
9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;
10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.
13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.

DIGGING DEEPER

Monday:

List all of the characteristics of God that you find in this passage (what God is like, His attributes).



List all of the promises of God that you can find in this passage.



Think of two or three adjectives which summarize your attitude and experience in the church and youth group. Explain.



Wednesday:


What gifts of God’s grace does Paul say he has received in verses 2, 3, and 8?


Explain the meaning of the mystery revealed to Paul in verses 2-6. How is it connected with the ministry that was given to him?


According to verses 10-11, what purpose does God have for the church?


How does this mesh with God’s overall purpose in Christ that is described in Ephesians 1:9-10?



Friday:

Paul says that he was in prison “for the sake of you Gentiles.” The Jews who arrested him reacted against the kind of teaching Paul has just expressed in Ephesians 2. Namely, Jesus has put an end to the divisive elements of the law and is creating a new people and building a new temple. How then was Paul’s imprisonment to the glory of his readers in verse 13?

CHEW ON THIS:

I know that in this passage we are given a great deal to chew on! In fact, if we are not careful, we could easily become overwhelmed with a passage like this since it is stocked with so much truth. So, let’s stick together and walk through these verses one step at a time. Paul continues his conversation about the church and the gospel as he begin chapter 3. Paul claimed to be a prisoner of Christ Jesus, knowing that Christ (not the Roman government) was sovereign over his current situation. His statement, “for the sake of you Gentiles” is what needs more explanation. Paul had devoted his ministry to traveling extensively to most of the known world to spread the gospel to the Gentiles. In verses 2-4, Paul emphasizes to us that God entrusted him with the grace of the gospel for the Gentiles by revealing the mystery to him (which he has already written in chapters 1 and 2), and that the we can begin to grasp the significance of the heart of the gospel from what he says. Then, in verses 5-6, Paul calls our attention to this mystery being revealed to the prophets in the Old Testament, but was not made known in previous generations. Now, God is revealing the gospel to the Gentiles and making them co-heirs, co-body members, and co-sharers of the promise of becoming a new creation in Christ. Unless you are of Jewish descent, this applies to you and me! This is an unbelievable privilege that we have because of what Christ accomplished through His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead! We now have access to being a part of the family of God, the promises of God, and the blessings of God!

In verses 8-12, Paul tells us that grace was given to him to preach the incomprehensible riches of Christ to these Gentiles. And not only that, but that the eternal purpose of God was that the church would be the way that God’s manifold wisdom would be seen and heard throughout the physical and spiritual realm! This is an awesome thought that we could chew on for some time.

The Apostle Paul had devoted his life to bringing the Gentiles the gospel, and desired for there to be unity within the church. This is why his bonds and chains were their glory. In fact, Paul pled for unity over and over again in his letters to the body of Christ. There is a deep challenge here for our churches today, who so easily split, and redivide again, over issues of “the truth,” often without realizing that in doing so we are compromising the central truth of the gospel of reconciliation and restoration of unity in Christ!

For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

Ephesians 2:11-22

What comes to your mind when you think of the word “unity?” Many of us desire to have unity within our church body. However, division and strife begins to set in when we find ourselves at odds with others within the church that come from different backgrounds or even live and believe differently than we do. Such problems were just as common in the Apostle Paul’s day as they are in ours. In these verses, Paul gives us several vivid images of the church and shows us how the Jews and the Gentiles are fellow citizens of the same body and that they had been purchased by the same cleansing blood of Christ.

Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.

As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: strangers, peace, enmity, foundation, cornerstone, and built.

Passage for the week: Ephesians 2:11-22 (NASB)

11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—
12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,
16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;
18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,
20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,
22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

DIGGING DEEPER

Monday:

List all of the characteristics of God that you find in this passage (what God is like, His attributes).




List all of the promises of God that you can find in this passage.




What groups of Christians do you disagree with or have trouble getting along with? What causes these tensions?



Wednesday:

In this passage, Paul uses several images to point us toward unity as a church. What are some of these images? What are these images intended to teach us?


How does verse 11 emphasize the bad feelings between the Jews and the Gentiles? What was happening to the Gentiles?

How many types of people exist in our church and our youth group? Are there any divisions that exist within those groups of people? Explain.

What kinds of name-calling do Christians engage in today with one another that contribute to disunity?

Read verses 13-15 again. How does the bond that we have in the blood of Christ unify us? What do you think would change in our church and youth group if we all focused on this?



Friday:

There was a literal dividing wall of resentment in Jerusalem. The Court of Gentiles was separated from the Temple by a stone wall. This wall signified that foreigners and Gentiles would not be allowed to enter. In what sense did the cross break down the walls of division according to verse 15?

We still see divisions among Christians today even though Christ is our peace. How do the images Paul used in 2:19-22 point out the unity Christians can have with one another?

What practical first step toward unity can you take with those in our youth group and church? For more help on this subject, read Romans 12:9-21, Ephesians 4:3, and Colossians 3:14)

CHEW ON THIS:

This passage begins with Paul highlighting the two people groups that existed in the church at this time – the Jews (also known as the “circumcision”) and the Gentiles (also known as the “uncircumcision”). Circumcision was the seal of the covenant God made with Israel, and it is what distinguished Jews from the rest of the world. The Gentiles were on the outside of this covenant and without hope in this world (verse 12). As unbelieving Gentiles, the readers of this letter would have had no part in the Christ, for the Messiah is first and foremost the king of Israel. They were not a part of the “people of God” and God’s blessing. Now that these Gentiles had become believers in Christ, their situation has dramatically changed! They were now near to God through the blood of Christ on the cross! Christ’s death on the cross broke down the wall of division between the Jews and the Gentiles. Christ is said to be our peace in that He joined these two great divisions into one, destroying the hostility and resentment! In the Old Testament, only the high priest, as Israel’s representative, had immediate access to God in the sense that only he could enter the Holy of Holies, and then only on the Day of Atonement. Israel stood at a distance, and the Gentiles were forbidden to be included. But now, through Christ’s death and resurrection, both now have immediate access to God through the gift of the Holy Spirit (verse 18). Paul uses several images to capture this truth for us - circumcision, a wall, a body, and a building. I would like to draw our attention to the last image that Paul mentions. In this passage, believers are portrayed as the very stones with which the heavenly temple itself is gradually being built. Jesus Himself is identified as the “chief cornerstone,” the One from which the rest of the foundation is built along the line of the each wall. All is built on Christ, supported by Christ, and the shape of the building is determined by Christ, the Cornerstone.

As Paul concludes this chapter, we are reminded of the enormous privilege that we are a part of this whole construction. And we are included in it because of our union with Christ, in whom all things are being brought into the harmony and peace that came by the cross. As we look at the divisions and walls that exist in our church community, let’s remember the blood of Christ and what He accomplished on the cross for us. He did not suffer, bleed, and die so we could be divided by walls of resentment and hostility! The ultimate price was paid to create new creatures in Christ who are one in Him and who are fellow citizens of the same kingdom. We can live in peace and harmony with one another because of what Christ has done for us!

For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

Ephesians 2:1-10

Do you consider yourself a good person? If you say yes, you are in for the shock of your life as we look at this passage! The depth of our sin is so great, that the Bible pronounces us dead before salvation. We were dead in our sins and without hope! There is no way that we could somehow transform ourselves or make ourselves righteous. That is why the Gospel is not merely good advice, it is GOOD NEWS! We are not people who need to be awakened from our slumber, but people who need a radical transformation from spiritual death and darkness to spiritual life and light. These ten verses in Ephesians point us to how that radical transformation takes place – God’s boundless love and grace conquering our boundless sin!

Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.

As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: dead, sins, lusts of our flesh, rich in mercy, riches of His grace, faith, workmanship.

Passage for the week: Ephesians 2:1-10 (NASB)

1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

DIGGING DEEPER

Monday:

List all of the characteristics of God that you find in this passage (what God is like, His attributes).




List all of the promises of God that you can find in this passage.




How might your life be different if God ceased to be a God of grace? Think about it and explain.



Wednesday:

In verse 1 Paul tells us that we were dead in our trespasses and sins. How did this happen and why does our sin separate us from God?



In verses 2-3, Paul outlines for us what our lives looked like before salvation. We followed the world, the flesh, and Satan himself. According to Paul, what impact did these influences have on us as non-Christians? In what way do these influences still impact you and how have you personally seen these influences at work? Please explain.



According to verses 4-7, what motivated God to save us? Why are these motives so remarkable, when you consider our boundless sin?



What does Paul mean when he says in verses 5-6 that we have been “made alive,” “raised,” and “seated” with Christ?



For those of you who want to dig a little deeper, here’s a great question to chew on: How does our union with Christ relate to the fulfillment of God’s purpose stated in 2:7 and 1:9-10?



Friday:

According to Ephesians 2:8-9, how are we saved? Do you and I have anything to do with our salvation according to these verses? Explain.

What does the word “workmanship” mean in verse 10?

Paul also tells us in verse 10 that just as God is sovereign in our salvation, He is also sovereign in our sanctification, creating us unto good works. What good works does Paul have in mind here?

Evaluate your spiritual life for a moment. Are you living in the bondage of verses 2 and 3 or are you living in the grace of verses 4-10?

List all of the things you have learned about God’s grace from Ephesians 2:4-10.



CHEW ON THIS:

In these powerful verses of Scripture, Paul draws our attention to the grace of God that brought us out of death into life. Verses 1-3 should serve as a huge wake-up call to us concerning the total sinfulness from which believers have been redeemed. We were not just totally depraved, but also totally unable to be rescued from our depravity if not for God’s grace! The cravings of our flesh, the influence of the world, and the presence of Satan in the world can seem so overwhelming. At times we may still find ourselves “indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind,” even though we have been set free by God’s grace. So, let’s dwell on that grace for a moment. God is rich in mercy and great in love – even when we were dead in our sins and without hope! And if that was not enough, God also breathed spiritual life into us and raised us up to share in His glory in heaven (this is mind-blowing!). He did all of this to display how rich His grace and kindness is and how it can conquer our seemingly limitless sin! This is a stark and breathtaking contrast to the doom of verses 1-3 and it dramatically reveals the power of God at work in us that brings us from death to life. This transformation is not a product of our works, but of His grace. Even the faith to believe this is a gift that God gives us, enabling us to trust Him and repent in salvation. However, this does not mean works are unimportant. Our former life was made up of the works of the flesh and disobedience. By contrast, verse 10 shows that we have been created in Christ Jesus unto good works! These good works (which will be seen in chapters 4-6) are still a work of grace in our lives and it is in the sovereign plan of God that we walk in them.

Are you thankful for God’s amazing grace in your life? As we ponder this grace and love that God gives us, this should cause us to have joy in their hearts, thankful worship on our lips, and strength to our fight against sin!

For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

Ephesians 1:19-23

Good morning! I came across the following article recently and it really caused me to stop and evaluate my priorities…

• Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?



• What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?



• What if we flipped through it several times a day?



• What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?



• What if we used it to receive messages from the Text?



• What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?



• What if we gave it to kids as gifts?



• What if we used it when we traveled?



• What if we used it in case of emergency?

• Where are our priorities?



• How much value do we place on the Word of God?

These are some good things to ponder as we look into the Word this week and see the power of God and His absolute control of the universe! Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.

As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: power, raised, above all, subjection, head, and church.

Passage for the week: Ephesians 1:19-23 (NASB)

19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might
20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

DIGGING DEEPER

Monday:

List all of the characteristics of God that you find in this passage (what God is like, His attributes).






List all of the promises of God that you can find in this passage.





Read Ephesians 1:15-23 to get the full context of this passage. How does Paul emphasize the tremendous power available “for us who believe” (1:19? According to verse 20, where does this power come from and when/where was it most clearly displayed?




How has this great power been active in your life? In other words, explain how you have personally experienced the power of God.





Wednesday:

Read Philippians 2:9-11, Revelation 4:9-11, and Ephesians 1:21-23. How do these verses impact you when you think about Christ being above all and in control of all?



Paul mentions Christ as head of all things, which includes the church (v.22). How is the church, the body of believers, so important to God’s plans for the universe?



Verse 23 tells us that the church is the fullness of Christ’s body who “fills all in all.” What does this statement mean?





What role does the church play in your life and how important is it?

Friday:

In Ephesians 1:3-14, Paul spends a great deal of time praising God and Jesus Christ. In 1:15-23, Paul’s prayer is dominated by intercession for his fellow believers. Explain the significance of why our intercession for others should first flow out of praise to our God.

Take a few moments and pray Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians back to God for someone you love (family member, friend, co-worker, etc.).

CHEW ON THIS:

Paul continues to pray in these verses that the readers should understand the nature and strength of the power of God already at work in them. If we only look to what we see God doing in our own lives now, it is possible that we may easily underestimate God’s power. This power Paul speaks of is the same power that God revealed in Christ’s resurrection from the dead. This is a picture of what God will accomplish in us by that same awesome power (see 1 Cor. 15:45–49; Phil. 3:21)!

Paul also assures us of God’s power in us, for he finishes by saying that Jesus has been given all power by God to the church, which He fills (22–23). This means that the full authority and power that is in Jesus is at work in the church! This should give us great encouragement, once again reminding us that we have the power of God at our disposal! These verses also prove that Christ is in the place of ultimate authority over matters on earth. There are no other powers or rulers, in the world or in the heavens, whether good or evil, that can compare to Him!

As far as the church is concerned, Paul calls the church Christ’s body (23a). In 1 Corinthians, the church as Christ’s ‘body’ includes its own ears, eyes and head (1 Cor. 12:16–21)—it is a whole body belonging to Jesus and closely united with Him. Verse 22 describes Jesus as the head or ruler, which proves that He is in complete control of the church (see Col. 1:18). In conclusion, Paul prays that his readers will understand that the power at work in the church is not only the presence of that same power which raised Christ from dead, but also that raised us from spiritual death to spiritual life. Paul also reminds us that God is at work and is in full control of everything. Why not pray this prayer of praise and power for your fellow believers like Paul? We have every reason to believe Him and trust His Word!

For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

Ephesians 1:15-18

If you’re anything like me, the morning comes all too suddenly! My alarm clock blares. I hit snooze. Minutes later, I press it again. Then, finally I’m up and awake. I have a lot to do, and I rush to get ready. I debate between spending time with God and doing all the things that are “so important.” I have a decision to make. Will I spend time worshipping the God who created me to worship and treasure Him above all else? Let’s face it. We are in a struggle and if we are not careful, the most needful thing in our lives can become the most neglected thing. Let’s be people who are consumed with worshipping our God!

Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.

As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: prayers, spirit of wisdom, enlightened, hope, and inheritance.


Passage for the week: Ephesians 1:15-18 (NASB)


15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints,
16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

DIGGING DEEPER

Monday:


List all of the characteristics of God that you find in this passage (what God is like, His attributes).




List all of the promises of God that you can find in this passage.




When you pray for fellow Christians, how do you usually pray for them? Give some specific examples.




Wednesday:

In verses 15-16, Paul says, “For this reason…I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” What are reasons why Paul is so thankful in his prayers for the Ephesian believers? Why do believe these things we so important to him?


Where is Paul’s focus as he prays? In other words, what is he praying for the Ephesians? Are these the things that you are praying for your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, or do you just focus on physical needs? Explain.


Why do you think Paul’s prayer focuses on wisdom, revelation, and knowledge? Explain why these things are so significant and vital to our Christian walk.


Friday:

Compare and contrast Paul’s prayer in this passage with the prayers you normally pray to God. How are they different? What areas of your prayer life need to change in light of this?


CHEW ON THIS:

Paul’s regular prayer for his readers is for spiritual illumination (17), to know God more deeply, and to understand the nature of the Christian hope (18) and the nature of God’s power already at work in Christians (19a). In verse 16, Paul looks back to 1:14, and through it to the whole of 1:3–14. Paul gives thanks for the readers of Roman Asia because of their faith and love. He briefly gives thanks too for what he has heard of their faith and love, indicating that he sees these as fruits of God’s grace. In verses 17-18, we see the content of Paul’s prayer. Paul prays that God would give them spirit of wisdom and revelation. These are two things that we desperately need in our spiritual walk! We need God’s perspective in wisdom and His revelation of truth. Note the purpose of the request is not for special information, but deeper perception and knowledge of God himself (as he is revealed in Christ). This even takes us back to our recent study in James 1:5 – “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”


The prayer in verse 18 is equally a prayer for spiritual understanding: the heart here signifies the mind, will and emotions. The heart is also the center of perception and decision. Our hearts do not need to be merely instructed in theological concepts, but we need the work of the Spirit applying these truths about God so that it our hearts are changed and we are living the God-centered (not self-centered) life. Paul also prays that his readers might be able to know and understand the eternal hope that lies ahead of them in a full sense. If you and I would dwell on the truth that God intends to make us (along with all believers) into a wonderful inheritance for Himself, then that knowledge will transform the way we perceive our existence. It is my prayer that you and I would come to understand this great hope that is wrapped up in our salvation. Rejoice in the hope that is yours in Christ!

For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

Ephesians 1:13-14

Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. Remember that this is an awesome privilege – you and I get to talk to the Creator God of the universe whose love for you endures forever (Ps. 118:1)! After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.

As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: gospel, salvation, sealed, Holy Spirit of promise, pledge, and redemption.


Passage for the week: Ephesians 1:13-14 (NASB)

13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
14 Who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

DIGGING DEEPER

Monday:

Read Ephesians 1:1-12 again. List all of the characteristics of God that you find in this passage (what God is like, His attributes).






List all of the promises of God that you can find in Ephesians 1:1-12.







Who is the “Him” referring to in verse 13?




Wednesday:

What is the message of truth in verse 13?




Who is the One who has sealed your salvation? What does that mean?




Explain how verse 13 can be a source of encouragement to you when you are doubting your salvation.




Friday:


What is the inheritance that God has given us?


Who is God’s special possession?



CHEW ON THIS:

Those who are in Christ, having believed the gospel, have been marked out as God’s people. (See e.g Ezk. 9:4–6 and Rev. 7:1–8 for the idea of God putting his identifying mark on his people.) The seal used to mark them was nothing less than the promised gift of the Spirit. Through this gift of the Spirit, we receive wisdom and illumination to understand the implications of the gospel (1:17–20; cf. 3:5); inner strengthening in the gospel (3:16; cf. 6:17); access to, and the indwelling presence of, God and of Christ (2:18, 22; 3:16–17); inspiration to godly living and thankful worship (4:30; 5:18–20) and help in prayer (6:18). All of these activities are what marks believers as God’s people and are indispensable to our Christian walk. The seal of the Spirit is not some second blessing—the having believed (13b) means ‘when you believed’, (i.e. ‘once you had put your trust in the gospel’). In other passages of Scripture, the Spirit with whom God marks us with his stamp of ownership is also called the ‘pledge’, ‘guarantee’, even ‘first installment’ of our inheritance (cf. Rom. 8:23; 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5). But the blessings we receive now are just a foreshadowing: according to Paul we still await our inheritance in the final and total redemption of the world by God at the end of time. Ephesians 4:30 re-emphasizes this, reminding us that we are sealed with the Spirit ‘for the day of redemption’ to come. Then God’s purpose, begun in Christ, will be brought to consummation; and seeing it from beginning to end will be reason enough for us to praise Him! This gives us great comfort in knowing that once we put our faith in Christ, He puts His stamp of ownership on us and we are secure in our relationship with Him!

For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

Ephesians 1:7-12

Good morning! If you are like me, you may already feel overwhelmed with all of the things you have to accomplish this week. The unfortunate thing is that the first thing to go in the midst of our busy lives is our time with God. Most of us would not skip class, miss a sports practice, or forget to spend time with family and friends. So, why does our time with God get so easily crowded out of our lives? I can only speak for myself, here, but I believe that it is because we do not hunger and long to be with God. We do not see the time slot as valuable enough or precious enough. I pray that God will give each one of us an unquenchable desire to spend time with God in His Word so that even if life is busy, our “God and I time” is still the most vital part of our day.

This week we get to see Christ's redemption for us, the mystery of His will, and the comfort of knowing that He is control! Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. I encourage you to continue following the plan of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication as you spend time on your knees, worshiping the Lord. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.


As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: redemption, grace, mystery of His will, fullness of the times, after the counsel of His will.

Passage for the week: Ephesians 1:7-12 (NASB)

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
8 Which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight
9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him
10 With a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him,
11 Also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,
12 To the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

DIGGING DEEPER

Monday:

What is redemption and who does it come from? How do we get redemption and forgiveness from our sins according to verse 7?



What does the blood of Christ accomplish for you?




How does the Apostle Paul describe the grace of God in verses 7 and 8?



Wednesday:

What is the mystery of God’s will? According to verse 10, what person is Paul referring to when he talks about the mystery of God’s will?


So we can better understand verse 10, let’s take a look at the New Living Translation: “And this is the plan: At the right time He [God] will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.” What does it mean when Paul says that God will bring everything under Christ’s authority?




Read Philippians 2:9-11. These verses tell us more about what is happening in Ephesians 1:10 and the importance of Christ’s authority. According to these verses, who is going to bow the knee when Christ’s name is spoken? Who will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord? How should this truth change the way we live since Christ has authority over everything and everybody?




Friday:

What is the inheritance that God has given us?


Do you really believe that God is in complete control and works ALL things according to His plan? How should this truth comfort you and change the way you live?


CHEW ON THIS:

The words “redemption through His blood” related to paying the required ransom to God for the release of a person from bondage. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross paid that price for every person – buying them from the slave market of sin and giving them true freedom in Christ! This is all accomplished by the riches of His grace - and it never runs out! It the end of this world’s history, God will gather all the believers in the millennial kingdom. After that, God will gather all things to Himself and the new heaven and new earth will be created. This new universe will be totally unified under Christ. We know that Christ will have complete authority over everything and everybody! It is also interesting to point out that Christ is the source of our salvation, and that this was something that was decided beforehand by Christ Himself. Within this plan, God works all things according to the counsel of His own will. This means that everything works according to God’s plan and that He is in control. And, as we are used by God to carry out His plan, it is all to be done to the praise of His glory.

I hope that these verses will be an encouragement to you as you consider your salvation and what you have in Christ. I also pray that we will be spurred on by these verses to live to the praise of His glory and not for ourselves!

For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

Ephesians 1:1-6

We are set to get into the book of Ephesians by looking at the first six verses this week. I encourage you to follow the prayer plan of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.


Let’s dig into the Word and see what God has to teach us!

As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: grace, peace, spiritual blessing, chose, holy and blameless, predestined, and praise.

Passage for the week: Ephesians 1:1-6 (NASB)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 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,
4 Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love,
5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
6 To the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

DIGGING DEEPER

Monday:

In verse 1, who does Paul say that he is writing to (try to recall what you read last week in Acts 19)? What is significant about these people (hint: see the last 5 words of this verse)?






How does Paul greet these believers in verse 2? What is grace and peace? Explain your answer.






Explain how comforting it would be to know that grace and peace come from God the Father and Jesus Christ. How does God's grace and peace help you in your life?



Wednesday:

What are the spiritual blessings that Paul is referring to in verse 3? What has God blessed you with personally? What are some practical ways that you can praise God for these things on a regular basis?


What are the heavenly places in Christ referring to in verse 3?


According to verse 4, what is the end result of God saving us? In other words, what kind of Christian does He want you to be?


Friday:

How did God adopt us into His family according to verse 5?


According to verse 6, how should we be living our lives?


CHEW ON THIS:

These verses are a HUGE source of encouragement for us as believers! These verses tell us about how much the Lord has done for us and how He has given us so many wonderful blessings. We can also find assurance in the salvation God has given us since He Himself secured our adoption into His family. But it does not stop there. The Apostle Paul tells us that we have been chosen by God to be holy and blameless, to the praise of His grace. And, all of this has taken place as a result of the “kind intention of His will.” We have so much to be grateful for in the blessings God has given us and for His gracious salvation that He has so freely given us. We were not seeking Him, but He sought us and made us His children by the power of His grace! Spend some time reflecting on that grace today and embrace the life of righteousness that God has planned for you.


For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

Introduction to Ephesians - Acts 19:1-41 and Revelation 2:1-7

Greetings to everyone! Welcome to the Ephesians edition of “Chew On It.” We began this study back in June, but I think it would be good to re-start our journey, so we can all get back on the same page together.

I truly hope that it will be an encouragement to your daily walk with God. Some of you might be new to this, so let me explain. The “Chew On It” series is a way for us (teens and parents alike) to walk through a book of the Bible together as a Youth Group Family. As Christians, we need to see God’s Word as a necessary part of our life, not just an add-on to our busy day. It must be something we hunger for, instead of merely an item on our spiritual checklist.

So, my challenge to you and myself is to take a journey through the book of Ephesians together. My desire in all of this is to get us to go beyond just reading Scripture by spending quality time meditating on the Word and then seeking to apply it to our lives in obedience to Christ. In other words, I want you “chew on it” and think about what the Scriptures are really saying.

Here is how it’s going to work for this semester. I will be e-mailing all of you on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with the Scripture reading for the week, some questions to answer, and some thoughts to chew on (on Friday) that will be designed to help us dig into the Scriptures. I encourage you to begin each time in prayer, asking God to open your eyes and mind to what He has to teach you through His Word and to supply you with the courage and grace to live out the truth. Please feel free to e-mail me and let me know what you are learning or any questions you might have so we can encourage one other in this study. I truly hope that you will come to treasure the Word of God and learn to find your ultimate joy in Him.

As we study the Word this week, think of it as your daily dose of fuel that will keep you going throughout the day. Ask God to give you a hunger for His Word and a desire to spend time with Him. Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. I encourage you to follow the plan we have been doing in our prayer focus times as a youth group - Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.


Passage for the week: Acts 19:1-41 and Revelation 2:1-7

Before we get into the book of Ephesians, I believe it would be beneficial for us to take a look at the church and city of Ephesus itself. Take note of the challenges that Paul faced in the city and what he faced as he went into this as a missionary. We will take time to read through Rev. 2:1-7 on Wednesday and Friday.

NOTE: If you would like to listen to the book of Ephesians, I found a website that will allow you to download the whole book for free! Check it out at http://www.listenersbible.com/free_downloads/download_now .

DIGGING DEEPER

Monday:

What was Paul’s greatest challenge in going to Ephesus?



What it a difficult place to preach the gospel in? Would you want to go there on a mission trip during that time with Paul? Why or why not?




What kind of miracles did the Lord do through Paul? How did the people respond?



Wednesday:

Read Revelation 2:1-7. What happened at the church at Ephesus?



What was Christ’s evaluation of them? Explain whether it was positive, negative, or both.



If your life was under the same examination as the church of Ephesus, what would we discover about your walk with God? Would it be any different? Explain your answer.




Friday:

What was the thing that Christ had to say against this church?



What does it mean to leave your first love? How do you know if you have left your first love – are there any signs that will show up in your life?



How can we get back to loving Christ as we should according to verse 5?




CHEW ON THIS:

Ephesus was the fourth largest city in the Roman Empire and was the home to the goddess Artemis, also referred to as Diana. The temple of Diana was one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and it stood on a hill in full view of the city. It was a place of immorality, sorcery, and devil-worship. Can you imagine coming into this city on a mission trip, like the Apostle Paul? I think it is safe to say that most of us would have been terrified! But the gospel of Christ can break through anything. God was able to do amazing things in that city for His glory to show those people who the true God really was. However, after the Apostle Paul left and the church was established, people began to drift in their spiritual walk. We see this in Revelation 2:1-7. They were doing a lot of good things, but they had neglected to do the main thing – love God! This should have been their first love, but they drifted away from it. This is so easy for us to do as well if we are not careful and intentional in our walk with God. Pray to God right now and ask Him to help you to live your life in light of who He is and to love Him with all of your heart!


I hope that by reading Acts 19 and Revelation 2 that you are now more acquainted with the people that Paul is writing to in the book of Ephesians. This will help us to understand why Paul wrote this letter and how we can apply it to our lives. It will also help us understand why the book of Ephesians deals with spiritual warfare and our secure position in Christ. We will begin next week by looking into Ephesians 1. Have a great weekend!

For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

Chew On It continues...

Well, I have decided to continue our "Chew On It" times in Ephesians once September begins. Since the summer began, it has been hard to keep it going with people on vacation, going on mission trips, etc. However, I hope and pray that you have still made getting into the Word your top priority! This week, I would like for each of you to post a comment on our "Chew On It" Wall on Facebook. Just take a few moments to share with us one thing God taught you this summer that has changed your life. I know that this will be a HUGE encouragement to all of us as we head into the fall semester of school.

I also thought it would be good to give you all something to chew on as we head into this week. God has been teaching me about the compassion that Christ had for the lost and it has revolutionized my thinking. I hope that this will encourage you!

VERSES ON CHRIST'S COMPASSION:

Matthew 9:36-37 “He felt great pity (compassion) for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn't know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few."

OTHER PASSAGES TO CONSIDER:

Matthew 20:30-34

Mark 1:40-42

Mark 6:34

Luke 7:12-15

COMPASSION..........DO YOU HAVE IT???

This is a topic that crosses my mind often. How in the world would the God of the universe care about me? What have I done to ever merit anything from Him but wrath, pain, torment, and judgment? Why would He even take notice of me in a pleasant or kind way? Why … above all this… would He ever do anything to me that would give me love and eternity in heaven to the point that it costs a great sacrifice? WOW … what an amazing thought. As we look at this familiar passage, the core issue is evident. Christ cared … REALLY cared about others. It was evidenced not only by the fact that He came and submitted to the will of the Father, but even more so as we see example after example of moments when the heart of Christ seems to break as he ponders the helpless and lost condition of those He created and loves.The thing that has stopped me in my tracks is the way in which I can care … REALLY care about those I love and know, but that I have so little love and compassion for everyone else. Do you know what I’m talking about? Perhaps this is truly at the root of why there are so few sharing the gospel … and even fewer desiring to go to other countries to do the same.Even though we are supposed to care, most of us don’t. When was the last time that our emotions were even the slightest bit stirred as I drove to a destination and passed HUNDREDS of people who may not know or understand the Gospel and most of whom are clearly destined for eternal torment and separation from God. How COMPASSIONATE are we for the lost souls all around us?I pray that we will put serious thought into this. I pray that we will strive to see God and others in a TRUE and BIBLICAL way that will force us to be moved with compassion. This is a burning desire and goal in my life. I pray that you will be convicted on this same issue and strive to see that it is changed. “Lord, cause us to be people that are moved with compassion for the things that MOVE You!”

I guess this brings a few questions to mind, especially in light of our mission trips for the summer:

1. Does the need of the lost have any impact on your life with any consistency, or is it simply a passing thought occasionally?

2. How will you impact the lost for Christ this month? Ask God to give you the courage to seize the opportunities He gives you to be a light in the darkness of this world!

3. What will you do to develop a greater burden for and outreach to those who need Christ and those for whom Christ cares?

4. As far as missions is concerned, what is God calling you to do? How are you fulfilling the Great Commission?

God has given us this privilege and responsibility of carrying the Light of Gospel and sharing His Word with others. May He find us serving Him joyfully and faithfully!

My desire is that you would...

Love Christ PASSIONATELY

Know Christ DEEPLY and

Enjoy Christ FULLY!!!

For His Name,

Pastor Stephen