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