Welcome to Ephesians.  Unlike Galatians, Paul does not seem to be fighting off a particular errant doctrine.  The letter still offers a lot of doctrine and teaching however.  Paul still greatly emphasizes the grace that believes have received.  We are saved through God’s lavish grace, not by human works.  Paul also promotes the unit of the body.  We are made one in Christ and He brings us to unity.  The first half of the book is doctrinal, the second half is practical.

Ephesians 1:1 Paul again reminds us that He is an apostle (sent one) by the will of God – not human will, or his own will.  God called him and willed for him to be a vessel for divine purposes.  May we all discover God’s will for our lives.

Eph. 1:3-14 is a powerful, beautiful statement of our blessed position and inheritance in and through Christ.  In these few verses, Paul describes God’s incredible grace He has bestowed upon us.  And it all is seen as a part of God’s extra-ordinary plan and pleasure.  These verses are such a reminder of grace, of what God has done on our behalf – not what we have done or can do for ourselves.  We simply by faith receive the grace of God…

v. 3 The Father of our Lord Jesus should be blessed for He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing  in Christ.  The phrase in Christ is important.  This means that every blessing God has stored up for us is made available to us through Jesus.  Much of our Christian walk should be about seeking God to discover the richness of His blessings available in Christ.  The more we understand true grace, the more we will be transformed.  Many of these blessings are alluded to through the rest of this passage.

v. 4 Who chose who?  Did you choose God?  He chose you first – long ago before creation – to be His, and to become holy and blameless.  God has called us to be set apart for Him.  Will you be His?  Will you be set apart for Him.

v. 5 God lovingly predestined us to be His adopted children through Jesus.  God long ago planned an adoption.  We call this the doctrine of election.  God was pleased to adopt you as his child.  Just as God willed Paul as an apostle, He willed you to be his child in Christ.

v. 6 This is all to the praise of His glorious grace.  He gets glory  by saving us from sin and receiving us as his children.  It displays His power and grace.  His grace has been given freely “in the One he loves” – Jesus.  All grace is available in and through Jesus Christ.

v. 7 Redemption means to “buy back” or “purchase in order to free.”  Slaves were redeemed by a price.  Jesus paid the price to free us from our slavery to sin and the power of this world. The price was his blood.  All OT covenants and sacrifices involved blood.  Bible makes clear that without blood there is no forgiveness of sin.  Now through the blood of Christ, forgiveness is ours.  WE ARE FREE!

v. 8 God’s grace through Christ is a gift lavished on us by God with wisdom and understanding.  God’s grace was very intentional and purposeful.  God’s grace to humanity is the greatest concept in all of history.  God’s grace in Christ is the greatest gift in history.  We must learn to fully open our hearts to the grace of God.  GRACE changes us.  Lord lavish your grace upon us.  Let us open our hearts to grace…

v. 9 Many in Paul’s time spoke of mystery religions that were only for a few elite people who could know the secrets.  Paul uses this mystery langauge to say that God has exposed the mystery of grace and salvation.  He is not hiding anything.  His grace is open to all.  The plan is for all to know and see, that by grace they might understand and respond.  The biggest mystery is why do we not have more appreciation for grace?  What is our problem?  Thank you Jesus.  Thank you Father for grace.

v. 10 God’s grace brings pleasure to God – and his plan of salvation through grace will bring all things in heaven and earth into submission to Christ.  Christ will be head over all.

v. 11,12 – We who are called and chosen according to God’s plan are “for the praise of His glory.”  This means that people should see God’s grace in our lives and give Him praise.  Glory comes a word meaning opinion or judgment.  People should see our lives and their opinion of God should change.

v. 13, 14 As beleivers and children of God, we are marked by the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit is a sign that God has more in store for us. He is God’s deposit in our lives guaranteeing more to come.  The best is yet to come.  Really!

Eph. 1:15-23 Great prayer from Paul for Ephesians.  He keeps asking God to give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation so they might know God better.  I pray this all the time.  Lord give me a spirit of wisdom and revelation that I might know you better.  Grant this to our church, and to all of us.  Open the eyes of our heart that we might know the hope to which you have called, your glorious inhertance in the saints, and the incomparable power we have in Christ.

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