Ephesians 1

Ephesians 1:1-6

1:1-14 THE ROOM Praise for Redemption (1:1-14)

1. Chosen by the Father (1:1-6) - (Blessed by God’s plan) 2. Redeemed by the Son (1:7-12) - (Blessed by the Son’s performance) 3. Sealed With the Spirit (1:13-14) - (Blessed by the Spirit’s presence)

Welcome to the Monument Room explore it and let the Spirit of the house enlighten you. The Monument Room is a place where God has manifested His artistic work of Salvation, it’ s so full of details that it will take us eternity discovering all its details.

1. CHOSEN BY THE FATHER (1:1-6) A. The position we have in Christ (1-3) B. The plan of God makes it possible (4-6)

A. The position we have in Christ (1-3) (The first monument: Blessing) V.1 a) Ministry -

Paul received his ministry by the will of God.

b) Mailed -

The letter was sent to the saints in Ephesus.

c) Made -

Saints are those who are made by God in Christ and not by man.

d) “ In Christ” Occurs about 130 times in N. T. and about 25 times in this epistle.

I. Ch.1-3 is an explanation of what it means to be “ in Christ” .

II. If we abide in Christ we will be faithful. John 15:4-8 V.2 a) Grace and peace is available only through Christ and those in Christ.

b) There can only be grace and peace when the Father and Jesus is received as God and Lord

c) Grace and peace is a person. 2.Tim.2:1; Eph.2:14 V.3 a) First - The blessing is to God, the Father is God over the man Jesus Christ but not over the Son of God.

b) Second - Blessing is the Father’ s full spiritual blessing. 2.Pet.1:2-4 c) Third - This heavenly blessing is in Christ and therefore secure.

d) Forth - The 1st monument of blessing is revealed and explained throughout the book.

B. The plan of God makes it possible (4-6) (3 monuments: Holiness, predestination and adoption) V.4 a) Decision -

The decision of the Father - His choice of making us holy and therefore loveable in Christ, this was planned before the creation, because He saw us choosing Him. Ps.139:13-16; 1.Pet.1:2; 2.Tim.1:9 b) The 2nd monument of holiness is explained throughout Ch. 4-6.

V.5 a) Design -

The design of the Father - The 3rd monument of predestination is unpacked throughout the book.

b) His predestination in Christ is to make us His lovable children.

I. We do not get into the family of God by adoption but by the new birth. (John 3:3-7)

II. We are adopted as His mature sons. (Gal. 4:4-7). He gives His ‘born ones’ an adult standing in the family. III. It’ s done that we might immediately begin to claim our inheritance and spiritual wealth.

c) The 4rth monument of adoption is explained throughout the book in terms like children, calling, ministry, blessing, gift and love

d) Desire -

The desire of the Father - His good pleasure did it sovereignly.

e) God has desired and designed all men to be in Christ but many refuse. Eph.1:10; 2 Pet.3:9 V.6 a) This verse concludes with praise of the Father for his glorious grace in accepting us.

b) All 3 sections (1-6, 7-12, 13-14) ends with “ the praise of His glory” - giving glory to the Triune God for His work.

Ephesians 1:7-12

2. BY THE SON (1:7-12) A. The Person, price, pardon and provision that makes our redemption possible (7-8) B. The plan of God (9-11) C. The purpose of redemption (12) D. The promise of redemption (13-14)

A. The person, price, pardon and provision that makes our redemption possible (7-8) (2 monuments: Redemption and forgiveness) V.7 a) Person -

“ In Him” describes the Person - Jesus Christ.

b) Price -

“ Through His blood” describes the price.

c) Pardon -

“ Forgiveness” describes the pardon.

I. Forgiveness (Gr. aphiemi) means - to send away.

II. On the Day of Atonement. Two goats were used. Lev.16:5-22

1. One was killed. (Christ died)

2. One was released into the wilderness. (Our sin is sent away)

d) Redemption (Gr. apolutrosis) means - release by a ransom. (Like from slavery) Rom. 3:24; 8:23; 1 Cor. 1:30; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:15; 11:35 e) On the Ephesians market place at the slave block you could:

I. Buy a slave to own.

II. Buy a slave to set free.

f) The 5th monument of redemption is explained throughout Ch. 2-6 in terms of remembering where we came from and the new life we have in Him, our deliverance from sin, the world and the devil.

g) The 6th monument of forgiveness is explained throughout the book in terms of grace and peace, love and “ help” .

h) Provision -

“ The riches of His grace” describes His provision.

I. How rich is the grace of God toward us?

II. Grace upon grace. John 1:16; 2.Cor.9:14; 1.Tim.1:14; James 4:6; 1.Pet.4:10; 5:10 III. You can’ t outrun the grace of God, you can only resist it. (If you could outrun the grace of God then your sinful nature was more rich than the grace of God)

IV. The grace of God enables you to see His face and run the race.

V. How much grace does God want give us? 2.Cor.9:8 V.8 i) “ All wisdom and prudence” also describes His provision. Eph.3:10; 1.Cor.2:7-8 B. The plan of God (8-11) (2 monuments: Unity and Inheritance) V.9 a) Manifestation -

“ having made known” through revelation. Eph.3:4-5 b) Mystery -

The hidden unknown will of God.

c) Means -

It was His purpose that brought forth His good pleasure. Gen.1:31 All is done according to His pattern. 2.Chr.4:20; Ex.25:9 V.10 a) Time -

“ Dispensation of the fullness of the times” 1.Tim.2:6 b) Tri-unity -

I. All things will be in harmony, a perfect triune harmony - All in heaven and earth united in Christ for only He can unite. As God is One yet different in persons, so creation will be one in Christ yet with its differences. Col.1:15-18 II. The 7th monument of unity is explained throughout the book in terms of “ in Christ” , new man, body, building, temple, Church and love.

V.11 a) Collect -

I. “ Obtained an inheritance” Paul distinguish in v.11-13 between two different groups by saying you and we. “ We” are the believing Jews and “ you” are the Gentile Christians.

II. All believing Jews and Gentiles have an inheritance to collect in heaven. Col.1:12; Heb.9:15; 1.Pet.1:3-4 III. The 8th monument of inheritance is explained throughout the book in terms of seal, the Spirit, in Christ, gift, grace and fullness.

b) Choice -

“ Predestined according to the purpose” He chose us because He knew beforehand that we would respond to His drawing. John 6:44; Matt.22:14 c) Counsel -

“ Counsel” Nothing can be done except God allows it and all things works together for good if we love God. Rom.8:28, 35-39; Heb.6:17; Is.46:9-10; Prov.19:21; Ps.33:10-11 God reveals His counsel through the Spirit of counsel. Is.11:2; Ps.73:24 C. The purpose of redemption (12) V.12 a) Faith -

The trust and faith we have is from God. Rom.12:3; Jude 3 b) Finality -

A part of the inheritance of Christ is the praise of the believing Jews. 1.Pet.2:9

Ephesians 1:13-14

D. The promise of redemption (13-14) (4 monuments: Salvation, sealing, guarantee and possession) V.13 a) Scripture -

“ The word of Truth” The Scripture is Truth not only true. John 17:17-19 b) Salvation -

I. “ Gospel of your salvation” Because the Scripture is Truth it has the power to save through Christ Jesus. John 8:32; Rom.1:16-17 II. The 9th monument of salvation is explained throughout the book, for Ephesians is an explanation of the gospel.

c) Sealing -

I. “ Sealed” A seal is something that ensures and encloses. Every believer can be sure of their inheritance, why? Because of the seal of God.

II. The seal of God comes through the baptism of the Spirit and this is called “ the promise of the Spirit” . Acts 1:4-8; 2.Cor.1:21-22 III. All the covenants had an outward sign of the seal of God.

Edenic covenant - Sign was the tree of life. Gen.2:9 Adamic covenant - Sign was the skin of covering. Gen.3:21 Noahic covenant - Sign was the rainbow. Gen.9:12-17 Abrahamic covenant - Sign was the circumcision. Gen.17:11 Mosaic covenant - Sign was the Sabbath. Ex.31:12-17 Palestinian covenant - Sign was the Sabbath rest of the land. Lev.1-27 Rain and fruitfulness. Lev.25:18-22; Deu.11:10-17 Davidic covenant - Sign was the sun, moon and stars. Ps.89:34-37 New covenant - Sign are the gifts of the Spirit through Spirit baptism. Mark 16:17-20; 1.Cor-12:7-11 IV. The 10th monument of sealing is explained throughout the book every time the Spirit is mentioned it involves His working seal in our lives.

V.14 d) Security -

I. “ Guarantee of our inheritance” The very proof of our inheritance is the receiving of the Holy Spirit, He is the down payment and deposit of our inheritance of the kingdom of God. 2.Cor.1:20-22; Rom.14:17; Luke 12:31-32 II. Our guarantee is not a bag of money neither gold or diamonds (things) but He gives Himself as a guarantee.

III. The 11th monument of guarantee is explained throughout the book through the work of the Spirit as He confirms and witness of our inheritance. Rom.8:16-17 e) Sacrifice -

“ Purchased” The price of our paid inheritance is not a bag of money neither gold or diamonds (things) but He gave Himself as a sacrifice on a cross of shame.

f) Storage -

“ Possession” The day of receiving the full inheritance. The 12th monument of possession is explained throughout the book through what we have in Christ.

There are different possessions:

I. Our bodily resurrection. Rom.8:23; 4:30 II. Crowns. 1.Cor.9:25; 1.Th.2:19; Jam.1:12; 2.Tim.4:8; 1.Pet.5:4 III. Treasury. Matt.6:19-21 IV. Glory. Rom.8:18; 1.Cor.15:40-44; Dan.12:2-3 V. Eternal life. John 3:16 g) The knob, the bud and the flower of the lampstand. Ex.25:34 I. The knob. The Father’ s choice and plan. V.3-6

II. The bud. The Son’ s redemption. V.7-12

III. The flower. The Spirit’ s empowerment. V.13-14

Conclusion h) The 12 monuments: Blessing, choice, predestination, adoption, redemption, forgiveness, inheritance, unity, salvation, sealing, guarantee and possession.

I. 4 of the Father: Predestination blessing, holiness and adoption.

II. 4 of the Son: Forgiveness, inheritance, redemption and unity.

III. 4 of the Spirit: Salvation, possession, guarantee and sealing.

Ephesians 1:15-19

1:15-19 THE CHAPEL OF Prayer for Wisdom and Revelation (1:15-19)

1. The Cause of the Prayer (1:15-18a)
2. The Content of the Prayer (1:18b-19)

Welcome to the Chapel of Acknowledgement explore it and let the Spirit of the house enlighten you. The Chapel of Acknowledgement is a place where His work in details is acknowledged (its not only seen but understood) by the help and light of the Spirit of God.

1. The Cause of the Prayer (1:15-18a) V.15 a) Cause - of His prayer: He heard, Faith (toward God) and love (toward man).

V.16 b) Characteristic - of His prayer:

I. Patience “ Do not cease” . 1.Thess.5:17 II. Thanks and mentioning. Phil.4:6 V.17-18 c) Concern - of His prayer: Col.1:9 I. The gift: Knowledge -

1. (Gr. epignosis) refers to exact, complete and experiential knowledge.

2. The Spirit of wisdom and revelation through knowledge. Is.11:1-2; Matt.16:13-17

3. To know God -

• Personally is salvation. John 17:3.
• Increasingly is sanctification. Philippians 3:10.
• Perfectly is glorification. 1.Cor. 13:9-12 II. The result: Light - Our eyes - understanding being enlightened. Eph.4:17 2. The Content of the Prayer (1:18b-19) V.18 a) Has done -

“ Hope of His calling” (All spiritual calls are from the Father). This sentence is also the label of the epistle.

b) Will do -

“ Glory of His inheritance” (Its His inheritance, we have our inheritance in Him). All spiritual inheritances are in the Son.

V.19 c) Is doing -

“ Exceeding greatness of His power” (All spiritual workings are through the Spirit)

I. Power:

1. Above demonic power. V.21

2. Through our ministry. 3:7

3. By His energizing strength to live. 3:16

4. God’ s willingness to answer prayer through us. 3:20

II. Exceeding:

1. That power comes from His rich grace. 2:7

2. “ Passes” same Greek word for exceeding.

A. We are encouraged to know that exceeding powerful love. 3:19 B. Hope leads to greatness and greatness leads to glory. C. Rom.8:30 (called, Justified, glorified) D. Calling leads to power and power leads to inheritance. Phil.1:6 E. (Begun, work, complete) F. Like Eph. talks about the calling and Col. about His power (authority as the head) and Phil. about the prize or inheritance. In that way is our inheritance enclosed by His calling and power as Eph. and Col. encloses Phil. Peter does the same in 1.Pet.1:3-5 G. Not only power but greatness of power, if we still doubts His greatness of power to give us an inheritance he then adds exceeding great power. H. 3 times exceeding (Gr. Huperballo)- To throw beyond the usual mark.

1. Exceeding great power. 1:19

2. Exceeding riches of grace. 2:7

3. Exceeding (surpassing) knowledge. 3:19

I. And 1 time (Gr.Huperekeina) - Above those parts, still farther. Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. 3:20

J. The knob, the bud and the flower of the lampstand. Ex.25:34 1. The knob - The Father’ s call to Christ and the Church. V.18

2. The bud - The Son’ s inheritance and ours in Him. V.18

3. The flower - The Spirit’ s empowerment. V.19

Ephesians 1:20-23

1:20-2:7 THE THRONE ROOM Prayer for Wisdom and Revelation (1:20-23)& Positional Relocation (2:1-7)

1. The Content of the Prayer (1:20-23)
2. The New Position in the Heavenlies (2:1-7)

Welcome to the Throne Room explore it and let the Spirit of the house enlighten you. The Throne Room is a place where God reigns and is worshipped, its here that we in details understand who God is and as well understands our true position in Him.

1. The Content of the Prayer (1:20-23) The workings of God in Christ toward us: V.20 a) Elevation -

“ Raised from the dead” We were raised spiritual and will be it bodily. Eph.2:6; Rom.6:1-4; 1.Cor. Ch. 15 b) Enthronement -

“ Seated Him at His right hand” We were spiritual seated at His right hand, the faithful will seat on thrones. Eph.2:6; Rom.5:17; Rev.3:21; 20:4 V.21 c) Exaltation -

“ Far above…” We are not above every name but seated above the fallen angels. Eph.2:6; Phil.2:9; Rev.19:12; Is.9:6; Jud.13:17-18 V.22 d) Empowerment -

“ Head over all things to the Church” We were seated in Him and given a royal and a reigning position over the fallen angels. Eph.2:6; 6:12; Luke 10:17-20; 1.Peter 2:5; Heb.2:8; 1.Pet.3:22 V.23 e) Extension -

“ Who fills all in all“ We are as the body of Christ chosen to reach corporately the fullness of Christ. Eph.4:13 This is a part of the throne room experience for all Christians, as the gazing of the glory of the Father will cause amazement, so what He has done for us cause amazement.