| Ephesians
1:3-14 · It is one sentence in the original Greek, over 200 words in one
sentence! Someone called this the “best run-on sentence” you will ever find!
· Paul, in this long sentence, is pouring out blessing (eulogizing, praising)
God for what He planned, accomplished and will continue to do in and through
Jesus Christ.The book of Ephesians can be divided into two sections under one
theme. “Walk worthy of the calling” (4:1) · Chapters 1-3 are the “calling,”
showing that God brought all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ
and that Jews and Gentiles are all brought near by the precious blood of
Christ. This section begins and ends with glorifying God for what He has
accomplished in Christ (1:3; 3:21). · Chapters 4-6 are the “walk worthy”
section, which begins with a “therefore” in 4:1. Considering all that God has
done for us, and how He has redeemed people from all backgrounds and brought
them into the same body with the blood of Christ and by the Holy Spirit,
there is a responsibility on our part, both individually and
collectively. o The last few verses of
Ephesians end where it began, that “grace” and “peace” come to us through the
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Looking at the layers of Ephesians 1:3-14 ·
OVERTURE o In a musical or opera, you
have in the opening a piece of music called an overture that introduces in
short segments all the music you will hear throughout the opera or musical. o In these verses, Paul introduces all the
main points of what he will develop later. · THE GODHEAD o Father chooses…to the praise of His glory
(vs. 3-6). o Son redeems…to the praise
of His glory (vs. 7-12.) o Spirit
seals…to the praise of His glory (vs. 13-14).
o Also notice words like: “In Christ,” “According to,” “His,” and
“Him.” It is all about God and His will and His glory and His purpose
accomplished in Jesus Christ! · SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS IN CHRIS To Chosen before
Creation to be holy and blameless (vs. 4)
o Adopted as God’s children (vs. 5)
o Redeemed (vs. 7). o Forgiven
our sins (vs. 7). o Made to know God’s
eternal plan (vs. 9-10). o Obtained an
inheritance (vs. 14). o Sealed by the
Holy Spirit (vs. 13b-14). · “WE” OR “US” (JEWS) AND “YOU” (GENTILES) o Look at the transition from “we” to “you”
in verse 12. Those who first trusted in Christ (the Jews) are joined together
and united with those who were “afar off” (Gentiles) who have also been
brought nearby the blood of Christ and given access to the Father by the same
Holy Spirit. o This concept is repeated and developed throughout chapters
1-3, that Jews and Gentiles are brought together in one body in Christ. ·
TIME (PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE) o PAST –
His eternal plan before the foundation of the world. o PRESENT – He redeemed us (in our own
past) and we now are all living in Christ, and are all sealed now by the Holy
Spirit. o FUTURE – He sealed us with
the Holy Spirit of promise as the down payment of the ultimate redemption
that will be accomplished in heaven.“In the Heavenly Places” in Ephesians The
heavenly places is the spiritual realm, where we sit with Christ, where
Christ reigns, where we wage war, and where all the richest blessings
reside. · Blessing – Where all the
spiritual blessings are (1:3). |
