Made Alive with Christ

Ephesians 2:1-7 NLT^2:1 
Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. ² You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. ³ All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
⁴ But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, ⁵ that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) ⁶ For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. ⁷ So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

Examine the scriptures:

Ephesians 2:1-7 NLT
Made Alive with Christ

^2:1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 

Romans 3:23 NLT
²³ For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 

Romans 5:12 NLT
¹² When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

Romans 6:23 NLT
²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

• When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

Sin separates us from God

Sin is like a wall between us and God.

We have no way to get over, under, or through this wall.

We were all spiritually dead with no inclination toward God.

This is a picture of total sinfulness and total lostness. 

² You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.  

2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT
⁴ Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 

1 John 5:19 NLT
¹⁹ We know that … the world around us is under the control of the evil one. 

• The unsaved are in the clutches of Satan and follow in his opposition to God.

Satan dominates his human subjects.

• We are surrounded by Satan’s evil forces.

Ephesians 6:12 NLT
¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

³ All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

Psalm 51:5 NLT
⁵ For I was born a sinner—
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.

Romans 2:5 NLT
⁵ But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

• By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger. The wages of sin is death. 

⁴ But 

God is so rich in mercy,

Mercy:

kind and forgiving treatment of someone (who deserves punishment),
showing forgiveness and compassion to those in need,
the withholding of a just condemnation,
compassion and love expressed in tangible ways,
compassionate treatment of those in distress,
compassion, lovingkindness, and pity.

Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT
²² The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
²³ Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.

and he loved us so much, 

• God is rich in mercy.

⁵ that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

When we were dead, God gave us life.

Romans 5:8-10 NLT
⁸ But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. ⁹ And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. ¹⁰ For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 

• ⁸ But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. ⁹ And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 

John 3:16 NLT
¹⁶ “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 

Romans 10:13 NLT
¹³ For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

• Since unsaved people are dead, they have to be made alive before they can believe. This is why salvation can only be by grace alone.

1 Peter 1:3 NLT
³ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, ⁴ and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

 ⁶ For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.  

Colossians 1:13 NLT
¹³ For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 

Philippians 3:20 NLT
²⁰ But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 

• God raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms. 

⁷ So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

 

Ephesians 3:20 NLT
²⁰ Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 

Revelation 7:10-12 NLT
¹⁰ And they were shouting with a great roar,
“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne
and from the Lamb!”
¹¹ And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. ¹² They sang,
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and strength belong to our God
forever and ever! Amen.”

• Our salvation is for God’s glory.

 

Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

A great prayer to pray for your students, your own family, coworkers, other believers, or anyone else you relate to.

Ephesians 1:15-23 NLT
¹⁵ Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, ¹⁶ I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, ¹⁷ asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. ¹⁸ I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
¹⁹ I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power ²⁰ that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. ²¹ Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. ²² God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. ²³ And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

Examine the scriptures:

Ephesians 1:15-23 NLT
Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

Verses 15-23 are one sentence in the Greek.

¹⁵ Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 

Paul had spent some time in Ephesus a few years earlier, but he would not have known the newer believers or others who may have read his letter.

Paul made similar statements to other churches.

Colossians 1:4 NLT
⁴ For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, 

2 Thessalonians 1:3 NLT
³ Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. 

Paul’s description of the Ephesians:

The Ephesians had faith in the Lord Jesus – a right vertical relationship.

The Ephesians had a love for God’s people everywhere – a right horizontal relationship.

• A proper relationship with God should lead to a proper relationship with other Christians.

Matthew 22:37-39 NLT
³⁷ Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 

Galatians 5:6 NLT
⁶ For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

Remember – Faith and love come from God.

Ephesians 6:23 NLT
²³ Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. 

1 John 4:7 NLT
⁷ Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. 

Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT
… And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith…

• Faith and love come from God. 

Paul’s prayer: 

¹⁶ I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,  

• Paul begins his prayer giving thanks to God.

Because of the Ephesians’ faith and love, Paul continues to give thanks for them. 

¹⁷ asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Paul’s request.

to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.  

Praying for spiritual wisdom and insight.

To know God personally, not just to know about Him intellectually.

We can know God.

John 14:7 NLT
⁷ If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” 

1 John 2:3 NLT
³ And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. 

To know God we must know His Word.

• Paul prayed that the Ephesians would know God personally and intimately. Paul wanted them to have the spiritual understanding to grasp the full significance of all that God had done for them. 

¹⁸ I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—

Paul prayed that the Ephesians would have a spiritually enlightened mind.

Paul prayed that the Ephesians would be able to understand the confident hope God has given to those he called.

The assurance of eternal life.

• Paul prayed that the Ephesians would understand the hope he gives to those he has called. 

his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

Understand that we are a part of God’s family.  We belong to God.

Romans 8:17 NLT
¹⁷ And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.

¹⁹ I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.

Paul prayed that the Ephesians would be able to understand God’s great power.

God’s power for us who believe him.

The power of God’s Spirit at work in and through His people.

This is not our power, rather it is the power at work in us.

• Paul prayed that the Ephesians would understand the incredible greatness of the power of God’s Spirit at work in and through His people.

This mighty power: 

This is the same mighty power ²⁰ that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. ²¹ Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 

²² God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 

²³ And the church is his (Christ’s) body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

This mighty power:

Power over death.

Jesus’ power and authority transcend all rival powers, in this world and in the world to come.

The church is made full and complete by Christ.

 

Inheritance in Christ

God saved you (us) for a reason.

Don’t forget God’s reason for saving you (us).

Ephesians 1:12-14 NLT
¹² God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. ¹³ And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. ¹⁴ The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.

Examine the scriptures:

Ephesians 1:12-14 NLT
Inheritance in Christ

¹² God’s purpose was that we Jews (this was written by Paul) who were the first to trust in Christ

Romans 1:16 NLT
¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

Chronologically many Jews became believers before Gentiles became believers.

would bring praise and glory to God. 

This verse: God’s purpose was that Jews who put their trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God.

Verse 13-14: God’s purpose was that Gentiles purchased by God would bring praise and glory to God.

Westminster Shorter Catechism

1. 1. 1. 1. What is the chief end of man? A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

• God’s glory is the supreme purpose of redemption. 

¹³ And now you Gentiles

• God’s plan includes salvation for Gentiles.

Acts 9:15 NLT
¹⁵ But the Lord said (speaking to Ananias), “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.

Acts 28:28 NLT
²⁸ So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.”

1 Corinthians 12:13 NLT
¹³ Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you.

Heard the truth.

Romans 10:14-15 NLT
¹⁴ But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? ¹⁵ And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

Romans 10:17 NLT
¹⁷ So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

• Faith comes from hearing the Good News about Christ.

The ministry at Redeemer Day School is to tell the students about Jesus.

And when you believed in Christ,

And believed in Christ.

John 1:12 NLT
¹² But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

John 3:16 NLT
¹⁶ “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

 

Romans 10:9-15 NLT
⁹ If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. ¹¹ As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” ¹² Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. ¹³ For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

¹⁴ But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? ¹⁵ And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

• If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

How God’s sovereignty and human responsibility work together is a mystery no one fully understands. 

he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 

Acts 2:38 NLT
³⁸ Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 1:22 NLT
²² and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. 

Ephesians 4:30 NLT
³⁰ And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (NIV)

• The Holy Spirit in our life (in a believer’s life) identifies us as one of God’s own children. 

¹⁴ The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised 

and that he has purchased us to be his own people.

2 Corinthians 1:22 NLT
²² and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.

Galatians 3:29 NLT
²⁹ And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

Galatians 4:7 NLT
⁷ Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Colossians 1:12 NLT
¹² always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

Titus 3:7 NLT
⁷ Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

• The Holy Spirit living in us is God’s guarantee that He will give us the inheritance He promised. 

He did this so we would praise and glorify him. 

Ephesians 1:6 NLT
⁶ So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.

Colossians 1:12 NLT
¹² always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. 

David does this well. 

Psalm 108 NLT
A song. A psalm of David.
¹ My heart is confident in you, O God;
no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart!
² Wake up, lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn with my song.
³ I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.
⁴ For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
⁵ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth. 

This is something done well at Redeemer Day School where the students memorize Psalm 100 each year at Thanksgiving. 

Psalm 100 NLT
¹ Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
²     Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
³ Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation. 

• Scripture instructs us to praise and glorify God. 

Remember:

God chose us.
Jesus redeemed us.
The Holy Spirit protects (seals) us.

We should praise God for choosing us.  (Ephesians 1:3-6)
We should praise Jesus for redeeming us.  (Ephesians 1:5-13)
We should praise the Holy Spirit for protecting (sealing) us.  (Ephesians 1:13-14)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God’s Mysterious Will

Ephesians 1:9-11 NLT

⁹ God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. ¹⁰ And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. ¹¹ Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

Examine the scriptures:

God’s Mysterious Will
Ephesians 1:9-11 NLT

⁹ God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—

• His (God’s) mysterious will revealed to us. A previously hidden divine truth, now revealed by God.

Ephesians 3:9 NLT
⁹ I (Paul) was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. 

which is to fulfill his own good plan.  

God’s mysterious will (God’s plan) is multifaceted.  It has many different parts. 

• God has a good plan, from the beginning of time, which He will fulfill.

Psalm 33:11 NLT
¹¹ But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever;
his intentions can never be shaken. 

Proverbs 19:21 NLT
²¹ You can make many plans,
but the Lord’s purpose (plans) will prevail. 

Ephesians 3:9 NLT
⁹ I (Paul) was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.

One part of God’s plan:

Ephesians 2:10 NLT
¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

A major part of God’s mysterious will:

¹⁰ And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.  

Since we have the New Testament, much of it written by Paul, we know as much of God’s mysterious will that we need to know. 

• Christ is the center of God’s plans.

1 Corinthians 15:27 NLT
²⁷ For the Scriptures say, “God has put all things under his(Christ’s) authority.” 

(Of course, when it says “all things are under his authority,” that does not include God himself, who gave Christ his authority.) 

Philippians 2:10-11 NLT
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

 1 Timothy 3:16 NLT
¹⁶ Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith:

Christ was revealed in a human body
and vindicated by the Spirit.
He was seen by angels
and announced to the nations.
He was believed in throughout the world
and taken to heaven in glory. 

Christ, as described in Scripture:

Colossians 1:16-20 NLT
¹⁶ for through him (Christ) God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
¹⁷ He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
¹⁸ Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.
So he is first in everything.
¹⁹ For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
²⁰ and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

1 Timothy 6:15 NLT
¹⁵ For,

At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

Revelation 19:16 NLT
The Rider on the White Horse
¹¹ Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. ¹² His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. ¹³ He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. ¹⁴ The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. ¹⁵ From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. ¹⁶ On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

• Jesus Christ is the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

Repeat: God’s mysterious will (God’s plan) is multifaceted.  It has many different parts.

Other aspects of God’s mysterious will:

Ephesians 3:3-6 NLT
³ As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. ⁴ As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. ⁵ God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

⁶ And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. 

Ephesians 6:19 NLT
¹⁹ And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News (the Gospel) is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 

Colossians 1:26-27 NLT
²⁶ This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. ²⁷ For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

Colossians 2:2 NLT
² I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.

¹⁹…For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.

Mark 4:11 NLT
¹¹ He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, 

• Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

¹¹ Furthermore, because we are united with Christ,

we have received an inheritance from God, 

• Those who are united with Christ, those adopted into God’s family, have received an inheritance from God. 

Romans 8:17 NLT
¹⁷ And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.

Galatians 3:29 NLT
²⁹ And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

Salvation.

Eternal life in heaven and all that goes with this. 

for he chose us in advance,

Review Ephesians 1:5
⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  

Romans 8:29-30 NLT
²⁹ For God knew his people in advance … 

Colossians 3:12 NLT
¹² Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves …

1 Thessalonians 1:4 NLT
⁴ We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people.

• God chose us in advance.

and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

A brief summary of God’s plan for his people.

Romans 8:28-30 NLT
²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. ²⁹ For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

• God is firmly in control of history. 

 

Quick review:

God chose us.

Jesus redeemed us.

The Holy Spirit protects us.

 

Praise God for His Amazing Grace

Ephesians 1:2-8 NLT
² May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Spiritual Blessings
³ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. ⁴ Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. ⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. ⁶ So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. ⁷ He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. ⁸ He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

Examine the scriptures:

Ephesians 1:2-8 NLT
Praise God for His Amazing Grace.

² May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

These words are more than just a “greeting”.

• Grace and peace are major themes in the book of Ephesians.

Paul uses the word “grace” 12 times and “peace” 7 times in Ephesians.

Grace:

In Christianity, God’s grace and God’s mercy are often confused. Although they are similar expressions of God’s favor and love, they possess a clear distinction. When we experience God’s grace, we receive blessings from God that we do not deserve. When we experience God’s mercy, we are spared from punishment that we do deserve.

Grace can even be defined by the acronym God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.

Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God’s kindness.

Grace expresses God’s steadfast love toward man.

In the next chapter of Ephesians:

Ephesians 2:4-5 NLT
⁴ But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, ⁵ that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

 Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT
⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Peace:

Peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 2:14 NLT
¹⁴ For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people …

Ephesians 6:15 NLT
¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News …

Other writings from Paul:

Galatians 5:22 NLT
²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Both are gifts from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1-2 NLT
5 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. ² Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

• Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God’s kindness.

• God’s saving grace is a theme found throughout the book of Ephesians.

• The Good news of God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ is for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews.

• Peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit.

Note: In Greek, verses 3-14 are one sentence.

³ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 

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. NIV

God’s superabundant blessings are given to all of His adopted children.

We are able to be called His children because of what Christ has done for us.

The words “Christ” or “Son” appear, or are implied, in verses 1-7.

2 Peter 1:2-4 (Peter an apostle expands on this thought.)
² May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. ³ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. ⁴ And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

• God has equipped us with everything we need to live the life he has planned for us. 

⁴ Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us (see verse 5)

This form of the Greek verb “chose” indicates that God not only chose by Himself but for Himself to the praise of His own glory. 

in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

Colossians 1:22 NLT
²² Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

Titus 3:5-7 NLT
⁵ he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. ⁶ He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. ⁷ Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

Jude 24 NLT
²⁴ Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 

• As a result of what Jesus did for us, God sees us as holy and blameless.

 ⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  

Ephesians 1:11 NLT
¹¹ … he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

 Romans 8:29-30 NLT
²⁹ For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. 

Colossians 3:12 NLT
¹² Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves …

1 Thessalonians 1:4 NLT
⁴ We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people.

Titus 1:1 NLT
¹ This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen …

John 6:44 NLT
⁴⁴ For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. 

• God decided in advance to adopt us (believers) into his own family, and it gave Him great pleasure. 

⁶ So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.  

• Praising God is an appropriate response for all He has done for us.

1 Chronicles 16:34 NLT
³⁴ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.

Revelation 5:12 NLT
¹² And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”

What did God do for us?

Colossians 1:13 NLT
¹³ For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness (destination – Hell) and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, (destination – Heaven)

Praise God.

Psalm 150:6 NLT
⁶ Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!

Praise the Lord! 

• Praise God for His amazing grace. 

⁷ He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 

• God is rich in kindness and grace.

We read about God’s kindness and grace throughout scripture.

Ephesians:

Ephesians 1:14 NLT
¹⁴ The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.

Ephesians 2:13 NLT
¹³ But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 4:30 NLT
³⁰ … Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Other scriptures:

Romans 3:24 NLT
²⁴ Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Mark 10:45 NLT
⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

1 Peter 1:18-19 NLT
¹⁸ For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. ¹⁹ It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 

• God purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

⁸ He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

We can ask God for wisdom and understanding.

Colossians 1:9 NLT
⁹ So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Proverbs 2:6 NLT
⁶ For the Lord grants wisdom!
From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Colossians 3:16 NLT
¹⁶ Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.  

• God has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

 

This thought continues in verse 9

Disclaimer
There is a big difference between Scripture and commentary.
Scripture is God’s Word.  Commentary is man’s word.
Most of the content in this lesson is from the Scripture.  Some of the content is from commentaries.

Introduction to Ephesians.

Ephesians 1:1-2 NLT
Greetings from Paul¹ 
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.
I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus,
who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
²May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Examine the scriptures:

Ephesians 1:1-2 NLT

Greetings from Paul 

¹ This letter is from Paul,

Also Ephesians 3:1 NLT
When I think of all this, I, Paul, …

• Written by Paul – about 60-62 A.D. – while in prison in Rome – one of the Prison Epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon)

There are some differences in dates and locations in other commentaries. (5 of the commentaries I used support the above bullet point.) 

chosen by the will of God

A sovereign God fulfilling His plan.

God’s sovereignty, a theme throughout the book of Ephesians.

Ephesians 1:5 NLT
⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

Ephesians 1:9 NLT
⁹ God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan.

Ephesians 1:11 NLT
¹¹ Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. 

Ephesians 2:10 NLT
¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 

Other scriptures:
Psalm 139:16 NLT
¹⁶ You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed. 

to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. 

Apostle: The word means “Messenger” or “send forth” and served as official title for Paul and the twelve disciples, who were eyewitness of the resurrected Jesus and were chosen by God to lay the foundation for the church. 

• It was God’s plan, not Paul’s plan, for Paul to be an apostle.
  • Commissioned and sent by God with the gospel message.
  • Paul’s authority comes from God.
  • 2 Timothy 3:16 (written by Paul) tells us that all of Paul’s writings were inspired by God.

2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 

I am writing to God’s holy people (saints) in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.

God’s holy people described in the book of Ephesians:

Ephesians 1:15 NLT
¹⁵ Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere …

Ephesians 1:18
¹⁸ I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

Ephesians 2:19
¹⁹ So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.

Ephesians 3:18
¹⁸ And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

Ephesians 4:12
¹² Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

Ephesians 5:3
³ Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.

• Paul is writing this letter to God’s holy people.
• God’s holy people (Saints) are set apart for God’s use.
• The recipients of this letter are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
• The recipients of this letter are “believers” in Christ Jesus. 

1:1 The most ancient manuscripts do not include in Ephesus. 

Because the name Ephesus is not mentioned in every early manuscript, and because there are no personal greetings in this letter, some scholars believe the letter was meant to be circulated and read among all the churches in Asia Minor and was simply sent fist to the believers in Ephesus.

Ephesians may have been a letter intended for other churches in addition to the church in Ephesus.

• To the Ephesians, but may also have been intended to be circulated among other churches. 

• The book of Ephesians is also written for us.

2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us … 

Romans 15:4 NLT
⁴ Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. 

Psalm 119:105 NLT
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.

Interesting facts about Ephesus:

Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia.

Ephesus was an important port city.

Ephesus was located at an intersection of major trade routes.

At this time was the 4^th largest city in the Roman Empire, with an estimated population of 500,000 people.

Known for its temple of Artemis, (or Diana to the Romans).

This temple was regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.

Important political, educational, and commercial.

Why is all of this significant?  (Not much different than many cities in America.)

Paul visited Ephesus:

Acts 18:18-23   NLT
Paul Returns to Antioch of Syria (second missionary journey)          A.D. 49-52 (51-53)*
¹⁸ Paul stayed in Corinth for some time after that, then said good-bye to the brothers and sisters and went to nearby Cenchrea. There he shaved his head according to Jewish custom, marking the end of a vow. Then he set sail for Syria, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him.
¹⁹ They stopped first at the port of Ephesus, where Paul left the others behind. While he was there, he went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews. ²⁰ They asked him to stay longer, but he declined. ²¹ As he left, however, he said, “I will come back later, God willing.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. ²² The next stop was at the port of Caesarea. From there he went up and visited the church at Jerusalem and then went back to Antioch.
²³ After spending some time in Antioch, Paul went back through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the believers.

(third missionary journey)^19:1 
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers.
⁸ Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God. ⁹ But some became stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking against the Way. So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him. Then he held daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus. ¹⁰ This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord.
¹⁸ Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices.  

Acts 20:17 & 31 NLT
Third missionary journey A.D. 54-57
¹⁷ But when we landed at Miletus, he sent a message to the elders of the church at Ephesus, asking them to come and meet him.

³¹ Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.

• Paul was very familiar with the believers in Ephesus.

The first three chapters are theological, emphasizing New Testament doctrine,

while the last three chapters are practical and focus on Christian behavior.

• The book of Ephesians challenges the reader to focus on Christ and the Church and teaches practical Christian living.

Example of focusing on the church.
Ephesians 6:18 NLT
¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

• Jews and Gentiles make up the church.

Ephesians is a letter of encouragement and admonition.  The book talks a lot about the church, God’s grace, and who we are in Christ.

Unlike Galatians and Corinthians, Ephesians was not written to address a specific concern or concerns within the church. Instead, it was written to emphasize all that we receive when we become a Christian, and to appreciate the high goals God has for the church.

² May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

These words are more than just a “greeting”.

Grace and peace are major themes in the book of Ephesians.

Paul uses the word “grace” 12 times and “peace” 7 times in Ephesians.

Grace can even be defined by the acronym God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.

In Christianity, God’s grace and God’s mercy are often confused. Although they are similar expressions of God’s favor and love, they possess a clear distinction. When we experience God’s grace, we receive favor that we do not deserve. When we experience God’s mercy, we are spared punishment that we do deserve.

Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God’s kindness.

Grace expresses God’s steadfast love toward man.

Peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22 NLT
²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Both are gifts from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1-2 NLT
5 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. ² Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

• Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God’s kindness.
• God’s saving grace is a theme found throughout the book of Ephesians.
• The Good news of God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ is for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews.
• Peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit.

Overall goal:

Immerse our minds, hearts, and souls in the beauty of God’s Word.

Introduction:

Remember Your Mission, Your Ministry, Your Calling.

When we examine current events:

We see the demise of America as we once knew it.

We are surrounded by moral decay.

It’s easy to become discouraged.

It’s easy to lose focus.

            We read about the rise and fall of nations (God’s people) in the Old Testament.

The outcome for America is predictable.

Don’t lose your focus.

What is something that God has called you to do?

Our ministry (from the scriptures)

Ephesians 2:10 NLT
¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 

Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT
¹¹ Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. ¹² Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

Psalm 78 (NLT)
¹O my people, listen to my instructions.
Open your ears to what I am saying,
²for I will speak to you in a parable.
I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—
³stories we have heard and known,
stories our ancestors handed down to us.
⁴We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders.
⁵For he issued his laws to Jacob;
he gave his instructions to Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
to teach them to their children,
⁶so the next generation might know them—
even the children not yet born—
and they in turn will teach their own children.
⁷So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting his glorious miracles
and obeying his commands.

Actions

¹O my people, listen to my instructions.
Open your ears to what I am saying, (be receptive) 

YOU:

Listen – hear  (God speaks to us!)

Bible study is all important!

I will teach you …

I will speak to you …

• Listen to God’s instructions. Open your ears to what God is saying to you. (be receptive)

Tell:

⁴We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the LORD,
about his power and his mighty wonders. 

Desired outcome:

⁶so the next generation might know them—
even the children not yet born—
and they in turn will teach their own children.

⁷So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting his glorious miracles
and obeying his commands.

• Help others

You want them to:

Know God’s Story – Biblical truths.
Trust in God.
Remember Biblical truths.
Obey Biblical truths.

• Repetition is good.

How

• Remember Your Mission.

Deuteronomy 6 (NLT)
⁴ “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. ⁵ And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. ⁶ And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. ⁷ Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. ⁸ Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  ⁹ Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Repeat again and again.

• Start with yourself.

YOU: You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.  

⁶ And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 

• Repeat them (Biblical principles) again and again to your children.

Readily available resource.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
¹⁶All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. ¹⁷God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 

Remember Your Mission.

Remember, Redeemer Day School is a preschool.  We are here to establish a foundation for our students.  We are not building the entire building.

• Building on a Solid Foundation

Luke 6:46-49 NLT
Building on a Solid Foundation
⁴⁶“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? ⁴⁷I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. ⁴⁸It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. ⁴⁹But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

Matthew 7:24-29 NLT
Building on a Solid Foundation
²⁴“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. ²⁵Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. ²⁶But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. ²⁷When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
²⁸When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, ²⁹for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

• We want our students to hear and obey basic Biblical principles.

Foundations

Costly to build.
Construction most people do not see.
Rain will come.  Foundations will be tested.

We are not in this alone. (Picture the following.)

Isaiah 41:8-10 NLT
⁸ “But as for you, Israel my servant,
Jacob my chosen one,
descended from Abraham my friend,
⁹ I have called you back from the ends of the earth,
saying, ‘You are my servant.’
For I have chosen you
and will not throw you away.
¹⁰ Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Final comments:

Proverbs 22:6 NLT
⁶Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (ESV)

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT)
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Psalm 127:1 NLT
Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.

 

 

Overall goal:
     Immerse our minds, hearts, and souls in the beauty of God’s Word 

Introduction:
     Remember Your Mission, Your Ministry, Your Calling (September 2022 Part one)

 Look at Psalm 139:13-16 NLT

¹³ You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
¹⁵ You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
¹⁶ You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.

¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.  (ESV)

 ¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (NIV)

• We are not here by mistake.

Look at Ephesians 2:10
New Living Translation
¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

New International Version
¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

• A Sovereign God is in control and has a plan for our lives.

1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT
³¹ So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

• Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Current events

When we examine current events: (Just to name a few.)

Inflation
Recession
Coronavirus
Our Southern Border
Left wing policies – government spending – government defying the constitution.
Events in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Russia, China, Israel, Palestine, etc.
Support of Pro-abortion views.
The “woke” mentality.
The modern revolt against marriage.
The breakdown of the Biblical “male” and “female” marriage.
Wide spread acceptance of alternate life styles.
LGBTQ+
Trends in education

We see the demise of America as we once knew it.

We are surrounded by moral decay.

It’s easy to become discouraged.

It’s easy to lose focus.

When we read about the rise and fall of nations (God’s people) in the Old Testament.  The outcome for America is predictable.

Don’t lose your focus.

Remember Your Mission, Your Ministry, Your Calling.

• Don’t lose your focus.

• Remember Your Mission, Your Ministry, Your Calling. 

Remember Your Mission, Your Ministry, Your Calling.

Where do we start?

Philippians 4:6-9 NLT
⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ⁹ Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

You all know a lot of scripture.  Focus on what you know.  Do the things you know you should be doing, and don’t be sidetracked by the things you don’t understand.

Actions:

Don’t worry about anything.

Pray about everything. – Tell God what you need.

Thank God for all He has done.

Fix your thoughts on Scripture.

Put into practice all you learned from scripture.

• Keep putting into practice all you learned.

Results:
You will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

• You know a lot of scripture. Focus on what you know.

What are some things that you know?

• God is Sovereign

God is the supreme authority.

God is sovereign over history and time.

Ephesians 1:11 NLT
¹¹ Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

Psalm 47:7-9 NLT
⁷ For God is the King over all the earth.
Praise him with a psalm.
⁸ God reigns above the nations,
sitting on his holy throne.
⁹ The rulers of the world have gathered together
with the people of the God of Abraham.
For all the kings of the earth belong to God.
He is highly honored everywhere. 

Psalm 125:2 NLT
² Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever.

• Some things never change.

• God never changes.

Malachi 3:6 (NLT)
⁶“I am the Lord, and I do not change. …

Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)
⁸Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  

Numbers 23:19 (NLT)
God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

• God’s Word never changes.

Isaiah 40:8 (NLT)
⁸The grass withers and the flowers fade,
but the word of our God stands forever.”

Psalm 119:89 (NLT)
⁸⁹Your eternal word, O Lord,
stands firm in heaven.

Luke 21:33 (NLT)
³³Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

John 10:34-35 (NLT)
³⁴Jesus replied … ³⁵And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. 

Matthew 5:18 (NLT)
¹⁸I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.

• Our philosophy of Christian Education should never change.

Ephesians 4:14 NLT
¹⁴ Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.

 

To be continued in:
“Remember Your Mission, Your Ministry, Your Calling (September 2022 Part two)”

 

Paul’s Final Advice

Galatians 6:11-18 NLT
¹¹ Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting.
¹² Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. ¹³ And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.
¹⁴ As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. ¹⁵ It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. ¹⁶ May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.
¹⁷ From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.
¹⁸ Dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Examine the scriptures:
Galatians 6:11-18 NLT

Paul’s Final Advice 

¹¹ Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting.

• Paul frequently took the pen from his secretary and added a postscript in his own handwriting.

Romans 16:22 NLT
²² I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord’s followers.

1 Corinthians 16:21 NLT
²¹ Here is my greeting in my own handwriting–Paul.

Colossians 4:18 NLT
¹⁸ Here is my greeting in my own handwriting–Paul.

2 Thessalonians 3:17 NLT
¹⁷ Here is my greeting in my own handwriting–Paul.  I do this in all my letters to prove they are from me. 

Paul did this to show that the letter really did come from him

And

In this case to make a final appeal.

The large letters may have been used for emphasis. 

¹² Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others.

Throughout the book of Galatians Paul was addressing a group of Judaizers in Galatia who claimed that Paul’s teaching about the Good News was inadequate.  The Judaizers argued that Paul’s law-free gospel was incomplete, and they claimed that the real gospel required Gentiles to be circumcised and to keep other aspects of the law.

Paul continues to address this topic in his closing comments.

Paul believed that the Judaizers were more concerned about their own reputation than with pleasing God.

The Judaizers were only thinking of themselves. They want to look good to others.

• The Judaizers wanted to look good to others.

They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. 

By advocating circumcision, the Judaizers were less likely to experience opposition from the Jewish opponents to Christianity.

1 Corinthians 1:23 NLT
²³ So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.

• The Judaizers wanted to avoid persecution.

For us it might be: criticism, opposition, condemnation, disapproval, disfavor, rebuke, etc. 

¹³ And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.

The motivation of the false teachers was self-serving. They “want to look good to others.”

They were more concerned about their own reputation than with honoring God.

“… so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.”

• The Judaizers only wanted to boast about the number of people they had convinced to be circumcised.

Some people are more interested in numbers than in truth.

¹⁴ As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s motivation was to increase, not his own reputation, but God’s glory.  Boasting about law -keeping would detract from recognition of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s writings:

1 Corinthians 1:31 NLT
³¹ Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 2:2 NLT
² For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 NLT
¹⁷ For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.
¹⁸ The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.

1 Corinthians 15:3 NLT
³ I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.

Colossians 1:20-22 NLT
²⁰ and through him (Christ) God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
²¹ This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. ²² Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

Colossians 2:14-15 NLT
¹⁴ He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

Paul’s message was “salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone”.

• Paul stated that he never boasted about anything except the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 

• The things of “this world” no longer attracted or influenced Paul. The “world” had no interest in Paul.

¹⁵ It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 

The Galatians missed the point.

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 NLT
¹⁶ So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! ¹⁷ This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 

Colossians 2:11-12 NLT
¹¹ When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.¹² For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

Colossians 1:21-22
²¹ This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. ²² Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. 

¹⁶ May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle;

Those who have been transformed into a new creation by the power of the cross. (V. 14-15)

 they are the new people of God.

• Those who have been transformed into a new creation are the people of God. 

¹⁷ From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. 

Paul makes one final attempt to defense of his authority as an apostle.

The false teachers, and perhaps some of the Galatians, have been misrepresenting Paul.  Paul insists on the respect that is due his ministry.

No one has a right to criticize Paul or his message because of his proven status as Christ’s servant. 

For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.

• Paul is a genuine minister of Christ and has the scars to prove it.

Acts 14:19 NLT
¹⁹ Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead.

2 Corinthians 6:4-5 NLT
⁴ In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. ⁵ We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. 

2 Corinthians 11:21-27 NLT
²¹ … But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. ²² Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. ²³ Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. ²⁴ Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. ²⁶ I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. ²⁷ I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.

Exodus 21:6 NLT
⁶ If he does this, his master must present him before God. Then his master must take him to the door or doorpost and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will serve his master for life. 

¹⁸ Dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. 

• Paul has not given up on the Galatians. He still refers to them as brothers and sisters. 

It’s all boils down to God’s grace. 

Paul ends where he began. 

Galatians 1:3-4 NLT
³ May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. ⁴ Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.

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• Paul frequently took the pen from his secretary and added a postscript in his own handwriting.

• The Judaizers wanted to look good to others.

• The Judaizers wanted to avoid persecution.

• The Judaizers only wanted to boast about the number of people they had convinced to be circumcised.

• Paul stated that he never boasted about anything except the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.

• The things of “this world” no longer attract or influence Paul. The “world” has no interest in Paul.

• Those who have been transformed into a new creation are the people of God.

• Paul was a genuine minister of Christ and had the scars to prove it.

• Paul had not given up on the Galatians. He still referred to them as brothers and sisters.

We Harvest What We Plant

Galatians 6:6-10 NLT
⁶ Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.
⁷ Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. ⁸ Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. ⁹ So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Examine the scriptures:

Galatians 6:6-10 NLT
We Harvest What We Plant 

⁶ Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. 

More from Paul:
1 Corinthians 9:11, 14, 15 NLT

¹¹ Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink? 

¹⁴ In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. 

¹⁵ Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. 

Some teachers who teach the Good News choose not to pursue these rights. 

Philippians 4:14-19 NLT
¹⁴ Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
¹⁵ As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. ¹⁶ Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. ¹⁷ I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.
¹⁸ At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. 

• Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. (Galatians 6:6 NLT) 

Teachers or pastors getting paid for their services is not the primary theme of this passage of scripture. 

⁷ Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. 

You will always harvest what you plant. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 NLT (giving to the church in Jerusalem)
⁶ Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

⁷ You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 

 ⁸ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. ⁹ As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
¹⁰ For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
¹¹ Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. ¹² So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
¹³ As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. ¹⁴ And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. ¹⁵ Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

• Share with others because you want to share with them, not in response to pressure. Give cheerfully.

More scripture relating to reaping what you plant:

Job 4:8 NLT
⁸ My experience shows that those who plant trouble
and cultivate evil will harvest the same.

Proverbs 1:31-33 NLT
³¹ Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way,
choking on their own schemes.
³² For simpletons turn away from me—to death.
Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.
³³ But all who listen to me will live in peace,
untroubled by fear of harm.”

Proverbs 22:8 NLT
⁸ Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,
and their reign of terror will come to an end.

Hosea 10:12 NLT
¹² I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness,
and you will harvest a crop of love.
Plow up the hard ground of your hearts,
for now is the time to seek the Lord,
that he may come
and shower righteousness upon you.’ 

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 NLT
¹² Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. ¹³ But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. ¹⁴ If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

• You will always harvest what you plant. 

Remember, some harvests take time.

⁸ Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature

We have a sinful nature.

Romans 7:18 NLT
¹⁸ And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.

There is nothing good in our sinful nature. 

will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature.

Sin always corrupts.

A sinful nature progressively gets worse.

Romans 6:23 NLT
²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. 

A sinful nature leads to death.

Romans 8:12-14 NLT
¹² Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. ¹³ For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. ¹⁴ For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

Christians have no obligation to do what their sinful nature urges you to do. 

Galatians 5:19-21 NLT
¹⁹ When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Those who live by the dictates of their sinful nature, will die.

• Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. 

• • • We all have a sinful nature.
    • There is nothing good in our sinful nature.

But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 

Go back to chapter 5.

Galatians 5:1-14 NLT
^5:1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. 

⁵ But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us.   (Salvation through Jesus Christ)

¹³ For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. ¹⁴ For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

¹⁶ So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 

• Live to please the Spirit. (A primary theme of this passage.) 

⁹ So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.

Don’t allow sinful behavior to creep in.
Don’t become legalistic.
Don’t yield to temptations.
Don’t give up.

Luke 18:1 NLT
^18:1 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.

At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.  

• Don’t get tired of doing what is good. Always pray and never give up. 

¹⁰ Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

• Our primary focus should be on serving other believers, but not to the exclusion of people outside the church. 

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• Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. (Galatians 6:6 NLT) 

• Share with others because you want to share with them, not in response to pressure. Give cheerfully.

• You will always harvest what you plant. 

• Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. 

We all have a sinful nature.

There is nothing good in our sinful nature.

• Live to please the Spirit.

• Don’t get tired of doing what is good. Always pray and never give up. 

• Our primary focus should be on serving other believers, but not to the exclusion of people outside the church.