Ephesians Retrospective

Ephesians Retrospect Stats • Began March 14, 2021 • By my count, this will be our 62nd sermon (not including lessons taught in adult Sunday School) • Since we began, Covid vaccinations became a thing, two Olympics were held (Tokyo & Beijing), Russia invaded the Ukraine, Roe v. Wade was overturned, and Elon Musk bought Twitter. “Knowing” in Ephesians • Three concepts: Knowledge; Wisdom; Comprehension • Best examples: 1. 1:17-18, “… may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you …” 2. 3:18-19, “may have the strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Knowing who you are • • • • • • • We are adopted as sons (1:5) We are the body of Christ (1:23) We were dead (2:1ff) We are His workmanship We are fellow citizens (2:19) We are fellow heirs with Jesus Christ (3:16) We are light (5:8) Knowing what you have • • • • You have the lavished riches of His grace (1:7) You have obtained an inheritance (1:11) You have the Holy Spirit of God (1:13-14) You have glorious riches and immeasurable greatness of power (1:19) • You have Christ as head-over-all • You have the immeasurable riches of His grace (2:7) • You have a gracious gift for service (4:7) Knowing transformation • Considering who you are and what you have, Paul expects transformation: • To speak the truth in love (4:25) • To be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving (4:32) • To walk in love as Christ gave Himself in love (5:12) • To speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (5:19) • To live out our roles in a Christ-like way (5:22ff) • To fight for God’s glory (6:10ff) Conclusion: top-down faith • Top-down faith gives our lives cosmic purpose. • Top-down faith means that every decision begins with who we are and what we have. • Top-down faith means that we fight sin with an all new perspective.