EPHESIANS (2)

PRAYER

Lesson 1 Our possessions in Christ

Lesson 2 Our position in Christ

Lesson 3 Our power in Christ

Lesson 4 Our service in Christ

Lesson 5 Our walk in Christ

Lesson 6 Our separation in Christ

Lesson 7 Our relationships in Christ

Lesson 8 Our warfare in Christ

Ephesus was one of the largest and most significant cities in the ancient world, located in western Asia Minor at the mouth of the Cayster River[1][2]. As a major seaport and commercial center, it played a crucial role in the spread of early Christianity[1]. The city's population was estimated at around 300,000 people, making it the largest in the Roman province of Asia[2][3]. Ephesus was renowned for its impressive architecture, including a theater that could seat 25,000 people and a main thoroughfare lined with columns[2]. The city was also famous for housing the Temple of Artemis (known to Romans as Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World[1][4]. This massive marble structure, measuring about 420 x 240 feet, was a major pilgrimage site[4]. Ephesus played a significant role in early Christianity, with the Apostle Paul spending over two years there, establishing a church and using it as a base for spreading his message throughout Asia Minor[2][3]. The city is mentioned more than 20 times in the New Testament, highlighting its importance in early Christian history[1].

When reading the letter to the Ephesians, it is important to remember that every “you” should be translated in the plural. It’s harder to convey in English, but “y’all” or “you all” would be the closest translation. It’s important to remember that the Bible was written for us but not to us. Paul’s letter was not directed at an individual but a group of individuals. One example of why this matters is when reading Ephesians 1:13 (“In him you also, when you heard ...”) and 2:1 (“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked ...”). Paul is speaking in the plural to all non-Jewish people who now follow Jesus, not just to the reader.

In modern English, the word “apocalypse” has come to mean the end of the world. So when we hear “apocalypse,” we usually think about death, destruction, post-apocalyptic life on Earth, and perhaps even dragons and fire. The Greek word means to reveal or uncover something—literally or metaphorically. In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes about his apocalypse, inviting his audience to experience it as well.

The clear division of the epistle into two halves of nearly equal length (namely, the doctrinal section in chs. 1–3 and the practical section in chs. 4–6) also provides a strong sense of structural unity.

Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2261.

Our possessions in Christ

Lesson 1

A. Introduction

Read

Ephesians 1:1–2 ESV

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Paul wrote this book from prison in Rome. Although Paul was on trial for his life, his greatest concern was for the spiritual needs of the church he had founded. Acts 19:1-20.

2. Paul wrote to the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ. Today saints are often considered extra-spiritual servants of God, but in the Bible all believers in Christ are called "saints". Acts 9:13,32,41.

3. Paul's greeting is, "Grace and peace to you..."

Grace is unmerited favour. We have peace with God because of His grace. Grace was at the centre of Paul's thinking when he wrote this book. Acts 20:24.

4. This book is divided into three sections:

a) The riches that we have in Christ.

b) The life that we are to live in Christ.

c) The warfare that we will encounter as we live in Christ.

5. Many Christians are not able to stand against the enemy. They live defeated Christian lives because they do not have a revelation of their inheritance in Christ.

Paul first talks about what we have in Christ as a foundation for his teaching in later chapters on a victorious Christian life.

B. Chapter One

Read

Ephesians 1:3

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,”

Ephesians 1:3 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

Illustration: A true story is told of a poor family that lived for many years finding it difficult to survive. Some years after the father of this family had died in poverty, one of the largest deposits of gold was discovered just under the surface of the ground their home was built on. They were rich, but because they did not know it, they had lived in poverty.

Many Christians today are living as paupers, not realising the tremendous wealth they have in Christ. Paul lists the riches that are ours in this first chapter of Ephesians.

C. Riches from the Father

Read Ephesians 1:4-6

Ephesians 1:4–6 ESV

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

1. Chosen

Ephesians 1:4.

Ephesians 1:4 ESV

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

a) The initiative was God's. He chose us.

John 15:16 ESV

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

What a confidence! We might wonder if such a glorious God would want us. Scripture is clear that out of God's great love, He chose us for Himself.

b) "Before the foundation of the world" God desired that we be His.

c) "To be holy, blameless in His sight". The God who chose us to be holy, has the power to make us blameless.

2. Adopted

Ephesians 1:5 ESV

he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

a) "in love" - Out of His Father heart of love, He adopted us into His family.

b) "predestined" - Before the world was formed, God desired that we be His.

c) "in accordance with His pleasure" - God takes pleasure in His children.

d) "in accordance with His will" - When we are enjoying the Father, we are right in the centre of His will.

e) "to the praise of His glorious grace" - we are a praise to His grace.

f) "freely given us in the One He loves" – we have all the riches because we are in Christ.

3. Given Grace

Ephesians 1:6 ESV

to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

We cannot make ourselves acceptable to God. We are acceptable now only because we are in Christ.

Eph 1:8, He "lavished" grace on us. God gives grace in abundance.

Ephesians 1:8 ESV

which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight

D. Riches from the Son

Read Ephesians 1:7-12.

Ephesians 1:7–12 ESV

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

1. Redeemed us. Ephesians 1:7.

a) Redeem means, "to rescue by paying a price."

b) In the time of Jesus one could buy a slave, and often slaves were bought and set free.

c) Jesus bought us and set us free with His blood.

John 8:36

John 8:36 ESV

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

2. Forgiven us. Ephesians 1:7

Ephesians 1:7 ESV

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

a) If one man sins against another, the man sinned against may become resentful toward the man who has sinned against him. God does not become resentful when we sin against Him because God is love and resentment is not love.

b) However, because God is a just God, He requires punishment for sin. Jesus paid that penalty for our sins with His blood.

c) When God forgives us, He releases us from the just punishment for our sin. In Christ, God sees us as if we had never sinned.

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

3. "Made known to us the mystery of His will." Ephesians 1:9-10

Ephesians 1:9–10 ESV

making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

In Christ our eyes are opened to know God and to His will.

John 17:6,26. Colossians 2:3.

Colossians 2:3 ESV

in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

John 17:26 ESV

I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

John 17:6 ESV

“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

What a privilege! God promises great blessings for those who know Him and walk in His ways.

Joshua 1:8 ESV

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

E. Riches from the Holy Spirit

Read

Ephesians 1:13–14 ESV

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

1. Sealed us. Ephesians 1:13.

A seal on a document proves that the document is real. The Holy Spirit proves that we belong to God. Romans 8:9

Romans 8:9 ESV

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

2. Guarantees our inheritance.

Ephesians 1:14 ESV

who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

The Holy Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing that what God has promised us, will indeed come.

F. To the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:14.

God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are responsible for these riches. All I can do is receive them through grace by faith. All of the glory then goes to God. We are a praise and a glory to God.

G. Revelation of our riches

Read Ephesians 1:15-16

Ephesians 1:15–16 ESV

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,

1. In the first verses of Ephesians we are told what our possessions are in Christ. Not that we could possess these things, but rather a stated fact. These are our possessions in Christ.

2. However, these possessions will do us no good in our walk with Christ unless we know what we have. It is only the Holy Spirit who can give us that revelation.

John 16:12–15 ESV

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

We need to receive this revelation in our hearts. "...the eyes of your heart..." Ephesians 1:18a; Matthew 13:9,13.

Ephesians 1:18 ESV

having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

Illustration: A person may have a large gift deposited into his bank account. He needs to know what is in his account to take advantage of it. God wants us to know what is in our spiritual account.

We need to pray for ourselves and others to receive this revelation. "...remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking...". Paul prays that our eyes would be opened.

H. Four things to know

Read Ephesians 1:17-23

Ephesians 1:17–23 ESV

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, 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, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

1. To know God better.

Ephesians 1:17 ESV

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,

The more time we spend in fellowship with someone the more we will get to know him or her.

God does not want us to just know about Him, but rather to know Him. Knowing God better should be our primary goal in life. Philippians 3:10. Out of our knowing Him will come a confident Christian walk. 2 Peter 3:17,18.

2. To know the hope of our calling. Ephesians 1:18

Ephesians 1:18 ESV

having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

Without Christ we were without hope. Ephesians 2:12.

In Christ we have a living hope. 1 Peter 1:3. Our hope is for all that eternal life promises us. Titus 1:2. Our hope is an anchor for us in any storm that life may bring. Hebrews 6:18,19.

3. To know the riches of His inheritance in the saints.

Ephesians 1:18 ESV

having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

a) "Glorious inheritance". We need to know what our spiritual riches are. They are glorious and worth far more than the temporary things of this earth. Romans 8:17.

b) We have been told what some of our riches are, but we need a revelation in our hearts of what we have in Christ. This revelation will get our hearts focused on heavenly things rather than earthly things. Colossians 3:1-4.

c) Not only has God given us our inheritance, but we are God's inheritance. 1 Kings 8:53.

4. To know God's power.

Ephesians 1:19 ESV

and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might

a) His power is "incomparably great". What can compare with the power that raised Christ from the dead?

b) That power is available "for us who believe".

Romans 8:11 That power has seated Christ in heaven far above every other power.

Romans 8:11 ESV

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Philippians 2:9-10 That power has placed us in Christ. We are parts of His body, "the fullness of Him".

Ephesians 1:20–23 ESV

that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Memory Verse

Ephesians 1:3, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."

Ephesians 1:3 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,