Lesson 14 Review: Ephesians in the Heart

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10, NKJV).

The letter of Paul to the Ephesians stands in relation to the rest of Paul’s letters rather like the London Eye where you can see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and the many Historic palaces and cathedrals. Paul doesn’t just focus on issues of local concern, these letters address believers all over the world. The letter indeed is timeless too. This week’s lesson will review each chapter for truths embedded in Ephesians that should continue to shape our lives as believers.

What peaks and inspiration can we see in Ephesians 1?

Ephesians 1:3-14 functions as a map at a mountain's summit that identifies the peaks of the horizon. The scenery covers the full span of salvation history, from eternity past, through God’s grace-filled actions in Christ, to eternity future. Being on a mountaintop inspires thanksgiving. Paul gives thanks to God as he prays that believers may experience the salvation God has planned for them according to Ephesians 1:15-19. We find another steep climb as Paul points us to the risen, ascended, exalted Christ, who rules over every imaginable power for all time (Eph. 1:20-23).

When will the pre-creation strategies be accomplished?

These pre-creation strategies will be fully accomplished at the end of time (Eph. 1:9, 10) when all things both “in heaven” and “on earth” will be gathered together or united in Christ, and God’s plan for “the fullness of time” (ESV) will be fulfilled (Eph. 1:10). Then, we will experience God’s mysterious plan (Eph. 1:9).

What’s the important part of God’s wide-reaching plan for the redemption of “all things”?

In the present, we may be certain that the Christ-centered salvation in which we stand is an important part of God’s wide-reaching plan for the redemption of “all things.”

When was this wide-reaching plan initiated?

“before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4), which are now being worked out in our lives (see Eph. 1:7, 8, 13, 14).

How does Paul describe the believers’ past in Ephesians 2?

Believers were bent toward rebellion against God, their lives were dominated by sin and Satan (Eph. 2:1-3)

What did God do for believers in Ephesians and us?

1.       He made us alive with Christ-Christ’s resurrection is our own.

2.       He raised us up with Christ-Christ’s ascension is our own.

3.       In heaven, He seated us with Christ-Christ’s coronation is our own (Eph. 2:4-7).

How are these actions from God possible?

God does these to save man not by our merits but by His grace (Eph. 2:8, 9).

How can we divide Ephesians 2 into sections?

Ephesians 2:1-10 teaches that we live in solidarity with Christ, Ephesians 2:11-22 teaches that we live in solidarity with others thus establishing the fact that Jesus’ death on the cross comes with both vertical and horizontal benefits.

What other benefits does the cross give as highlighted in Monday’s lesson?

Through His cross, Jesus demolishes all that divides Gentile believers from Jewish ones, including the misuse of the law to widen the gulf (Eph. 2:11-18).

What sequence does Paul follow in Ephesians 3?

Paul starts a report of his prayers for believers in Ephesus (Eph. 3:1; compare Eph. 1:15-23, NKJV) but breaks off to discuss God’s creation of the church (Eph. 3:2-13), and then completes his prayer report (Eph. 3:14-21).

What important things can we understand about God’s “plan” or “mystery”?

·         In eternity, God conceives of “the mystery” or “the plan” about the church (Eph. 3:3-5, 9, 11).

·         Through the life and death of Jesus, the long-hidden plan is “accomplished” (Eph. 3:11, NKJV; compare Eph. 2:11-22).

·         By revelation, Paul learns “the mystery” of the church and the astonishing fact that Gentiles are to be full partakers in it (Eph. 3:3-6).

·         Paul participates in spreading this good news as preacher to the Gentiles of “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8, 9).

·         With many won to Christ, the church composed as it is of both Jews and Gentiles, displays “the manifold wisdom of God” to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places” (Eph. 3:10, NKJV), announcing their coming doom (compare Eph. 6:10-20). The plan to unite all things in Christ (Eph. 1:10) is underway, and their time is short.

What motivates Paul to pray for believers?

The understanding of God’s “plan” or “mystery” motivates Paul to pray for believers.

What does Ephesians 4 begin and end with?

Ephesians 4 begins and ends with calls to care for each other as church members (Eph. 4:1-3, 32).

What invitation does Paul give between the verses of Ephesians 4?

Paul offers strong support that we should nourish unity in the church. He begins by listing seven “ones”: There is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord (Jesus Christ), one faith, one baptism, one God and Father (Eph. 4:4-6). We are bound together by these spiritual realities. We are, in fact, united.

What does unity require?

Our hard work, we should be “endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit” (Eph. 4:3, NKJV) by being an active “part” of the body of Christ Eph. 4:7-16).

What other admonitions does Paul give in Ephesians 4?

All should benefit from the work of the apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors, and teachers (Eph. 4:11, 12). All should not be tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine. All should avoid anger and harsh speech, substituting it instead with language that builds up and imparts grace (Eph. 4:25-31). All should be kind to one another.

What are we to model our behavior toward others on?

We are to model our behaviour toward others on God’s forgiveness and grace towards us.

What does Paul contrast this Christian behaviour to?

He contrasts this imitating-the-love-of-God lifestyle with the usual, pagan approach, sexual pleasure and “works of darkness done “in secret” (Eph. 5:11,12).

How are we to live as Imitators of God?

We are to redeem the time by offering thanks to God (see Eph. 5:15-21) rather than wasting our lives on drunkenness. Wives too, are to submit to their Husbands, and Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church. They should be “one flesh” (Eph. 5:28-33)

In Conclusion,

The letter to Ephesians is a letter to all believers, we are to live as Christ. We are to live our lives with the consciousness of what God has done for us. I pray that God grants us the grace to do His will in Jesus’ name.