Ephesians # 16 Eph 4-8 thru 4-10

We’re going to continue on the book of Ephesians. Last week we didn’t get too far, but there was a lot to cover. So today were going to pick up from where we left off, But I don’t thing that were going to get too far today.

   I. EPH 4:8

       A. In this V Paul is basically giving a summary from PSA chapter 68.

          1. In our V here in (EPH 4:8) it says, “When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive.”

              a. This is dealing with the time that Jesus rose from the dead and Ascended into heaven.

          2. When Jesus ascended into heaven it says that He led captivity captive.

              a. To understand this, you have to understand that those that had their faith in God in the OT could not go into Heaven when they died.

                 i. They received salvation the same way we do, by faith in the Lord.

                 ii. In (ROM 4:17-5:1) we can see that Abraham was counted righteousness because of His faith.

              b. But Abraham and all those in the OT that had faith in God could not be born-again or have that recreated spirit.

                 i. They were not made the righteousness of God in Christ. (2COR 5:21)

                 ii. Turn with me to ROM 4:1-5

              c. Abraham was not made Righteousness, he was Counted as being Righteous.

                 i. His sins could not be taken away until Jesus came and paid the price for our sins.

                 ii. Because his sins could not be taken away and the fact that he was only counted righteous, he could not go into heaven at the time of his death.

          3. The next question is “Then where did he go?”

              a. If you remember in (LUKE 23) when Jesus was on the cross, placed between 2 thieves, The 1 said to Jesus, “Remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.”

                 i. Jesus said to Him, “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

                 ii. In (EPH 4:9) it says, “He (Jesus) also descended first into the lower parts of the earth.”

                 iii. Paradise is or at least was in the lower part of the Earth.

              b. In (LUKE 16:19-23) Paradise is also called Abraham’s bosom.

                 i. In those Vs it clearly says that Hell was different from Abraham’s Bosom or Paradise.

              c. In (EPH 4:8) When he says that Jesus ascended up on high, he led captivity captive.

                 i. The captive that He led out of Captivity were those in Paradise. He led them into Heaven.

          4. Just a little side thought, But now that Jesus has been has been raised from the dead, Paradise is no longer referred to as being down or below the earth.

              a. 2 COR 12:2-4

                 ii. Because Jesus has risen from the dead, you and I along with those that were the OT saints, are now made the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

       B. The end of (EPH 4:8) Says, , “He gave Gifts unto men.” Now this is after Jesus ascension into heaven.

          1. 1 of the Gifts was the outpouring of the HS., He also gives the Gifts of the HS.

              a. He also gave ministry gifts.

                 i. 1COR 12 27

                 ii. This V not only talks about ministry gifts, but it also talks about the ministry of helps.

                 iii. Jesus gave those that are in the ministry of helps as a gift to the body of Christ.

          2. But what He is really referring to in (EPH 4:8) are the 5 ministry gifts seem in (V 11).

              a. (EPH 4:11) Says, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. We’ll get into that later.

   II. EPH 4:9

          A. Turn to MATT 12:38-40

                 1. Jesus told them that the only sign that they would receive was that of Jonah.

                        a. Meaning that Jesus would go into the earth for 3 day and nights (As Jonah was in the whale’s belly 3 days and nights) and then Jesus would be raised from the dead on the 3rd day.

                 2. After Jesus death He went into Hell. Where He paid the price for our sins.

                        a. (Acts 2:27) Says, “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” This is part of a prophecy.”

                               i. It’s referring to when Jesus died on the cross and descended into the lower parts of the earth.

          B. EPH 4:10

                 1. This is talking about Jesus Ascending into heaved after He descended into Hell.

                 2. This V also says something very interesting and if we were to just read this quickly you might miss it.

                        a. It says that He ascended into heaven that He might fill all things.

                        b. The Word “Fill” there means “Complete.”

                               i. When Jesus went to the cross for us died, went into hell for us and then rose and ascended into heaven, He completed all things.

                               ii. Meaning that all the promises are completed, the work is finished.

                               iii. The promises belong to us, the work has been done, all we have to do is to receive it.

                        c. Something else that goes along with the work being complete, is that You are complete in Him.

                               i. You are excepted in the beloved, complete in Him, now you are an heir of God, joint heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ. You are now the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians #16 Eph4:8-10.docx

WOLCC Thurs. 6/13/96