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