Journies Through Ephesians

Ephesians 5

2008-11-14T18:32:00.000-08:00

I really like the first couple verses of this chapter when it says “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us...” I like it because it brings to mind all those people that impersonate other people.

Take Elvis impersonators for example, they get up on a stage and act just like Elvis did, and the good ones do so flawlessly and the reason they do it so well is because they don’t just leave their Elvis persona on stage. They are Elvis in everything they do. It’s actually a way of life, so when we are commanded to imitate God just like Christ did we are being told live like Jesus every moment of everyday. We don’t just pick up the act and go on stage on Sunday or Wednesday or any other night that we have a bible study or some church function because people can see through that act.

Our desire to be like Christ must become a lifestyle, and what’s encouraging is that the rest of this chapter gives us some very practical instructions for how to live a life like Christ did. Be encouraged because these instructions are not just a list of “do nots.” In fact it gives us more ways to act righteously in comparison to the small list of things it tells us not to do.

-Doug

Chapter 4

2008-11-14T18:30:00.000-08:00

Chapter 4 picks up where 3 left off. We have been given great power through the Holy Spirit. Power for what? To live out God’s purposes becoming more like Christ in our attitude and actions telling others the Good News. God doesn’t stop there. He says, I will give you gifts to build one another up and help each other accomplish those purposes. Ok, how amazing is our God, He gives us purpose and then equips us to accomplish those purposes. Some will have huge roles and others insignificant. Not at all, it tells us in verse 4 “that are all one body.” In other words, all are important; all have a vital role in accomplishing God purposes and building each other up. Some of my friends are brilliant and talented in ways I wish I was but God says, I’m important and to keep my focus. For I am necessary for others to do there part.

The second half starts off with “Live no longer as the ungodly do”. He’s saying since you have been saved By God, Adopted by God, Empowered by God and Equipped by God now live like it. He is saying, we are royalty now live like it. Live like we are truly the saved children of God. Walk, no run, away from your former life and purposelessness- live all out for the call of Christ. Paul is changing direction. Chapters 1-3 were about what God has done, and why He has done it. The rest of the book is about your response. Will we respond?

-Tim

Ephesians 3

2008-11-12T07:20:00.000-08:00

A Prisoner? Suffering?

After reading Chapter 3, I was confronted with the fact that I love being saved. I’m awe struck at God’s love and sacrifice for me. The fact that He adopted me blows my mind. He gives me that same power that raised Christ from the dead - unimaginable. But I’m not sure I’m willing to suffer, to be in chains, to be a prisoner for that matter, to have my life disrupted in even the slightest so that someone else might know and experience these amazing blessings. I have become selfish and controlling with the mysteries that have been revealed. I have failed to shout from a mountain top the wonders of the gospel. I have rejected God’s plan for me to herald the gospel from every corner of my life. That needs to change.

(v.6) Gentiles are heirs with Israel, members together and sharers in the promise of Jesus. I need to tell others that are living apart from Christ that His promises are for them.

(v.8) Paul, the great Apostle, he called himself the least of all God’s people. I have no excuses, even when I think I’m not equipped or ready I can’t be selfish with the message and truth that brings life. Paul describes the message of Christ as unsearchable riches. There is nothing in all the world or eternity more valuable than the truth of Christ. If I knew how to get monetary riches I would be passing it on. Why not the most priceless of truth? I need to share this great message.

(v.9) We are to tell everyone. I tell very few - as if it’s my little secret club. I have to start sharing.

(v.10) Through the church this message would unfold. That’s me! The church is all those followers of Christ. That’s me! I have been brought into the church to share this truth!

(v.12) I get to boldly go before the Father! “Boldly!” Why am I scared or reluctant? I must begin to give this truth away I have the support of the God of the universe!

(v.14-20) The more time I spend with God the more I know Him and will trust Him and the more bold I will become. The more I will be overwhelmed with His goodness, His purposes and His amazing plan for my life. He has a plan that plainly and clearly involves me sharing with the world the riches of Christ’s sacrifice, love and adoption. He can do more through me than I could ever imagine. I have to be willing to be used and I have to start sharing!!

Tim

Ephesians 2

2008-11-11T07:44:00.000-08:00

I’m Alive! I’m Alive!

If we were trapped with no way out and then found we might say, “I’m Alive!” If we were in a car accident and survived we might shout, “I’m Alive!” Today on Veterans Day I’m sure many of our combat worn veterans and POW’s have shouted, “I’m Alive!”

Paul tells us, throughout chapter 2 but especially in the beginning 1-10, “We were dead but now We’re Alive!” We were bound by our sinful passions and desires. We were trapped by our lusts and selfishness. We were incarcerated to our sin nature, it ruled our lives. Sure we would make a good choice once in a while and it even felt good, but it wasn’t our passion. All we were looking forward to was death. Then it happened, God demonstrated his love for us and saved us. It says we were not saved by our own strength, and he didn’t wait until we cleaned up our acts; but because of His actions, His love and His blood sacrifice He has freed us to live. WE’RE ALIVE!

What is this life we are free to live - a sinless, selfless, caring, compassionate, peaceful life, a life full of victory? We are free to live like Christ making God directed choices. The more we live the more Christ’s likeness becomes our first response, the more passionate we become for pleasing God. We are alive and free it says (v 10) to be about the business that God created us for – His business.
•The business of being like him and telling others about him.
•The business of helping others and holding people up.
•The business of righteousness, holiness and purity.
•The business of Loving Him and Loving Others for we have been given life and saved from death.

Paul also tells us (v 19-22) that God was so pleased with saving us, so excited for our future, so passionate about us that he made us his dwelling place - making our bodies, mind and souls his temple. Throughout time people have built magnificent temples structures and monuments to “GOD”. What does the God of the universe, the Yahweh God do? He gives us life and says, “I want to be with you not apart from you.” By making us His dwelling, His temple, He is saying, you were dead and I gave you life now let’s LIVE and LIVE TOGEHTER. Wow! Let’s not waste a moment, doesn’t our loving and giving God deserve the most amazing and holy temple? May we live such a life of holiness that our lives become a worthy temple!

Tim

2008-11-10T07:18:00.000-08:00

Ephesians:

Each morning I will share a few thoughts as I read a chapter. The verses that stand out to me might be very different than what stands out to you. Feel free to comment on what I wrote but also write about what God is revealing to you. Don’t forget to comment on one another’s thoughts. I would simply request to keep everything encouraging. Have a great day and may each of us grow our roots deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.

Ephesians One:

Isn’t our God good, great and Amazing!

In verses 3-5, we’re told that because of God’s love for us He adopted us as his children. It says that He adopted us. That means He’s not stuck with us, we’re not some accidental mess that a gracious God reluctantly let’s tag along. We are a chosen people brought into His family and called sons and daughters of the most high. It then says that this adoption was according to His pleasure and will. It is God’s pleasure to have me as His son. As if that wasn’t big enough, it says I was adopted to be found holy and blameless in His sight. As our God sits on the judgment seat, he sees us through Christ as holy and blameless. If that is how I am seen then I want to live that way. If I am loved as much as Paul is telling me then I want to please my Heavenly Father. I want to actually live a Holy and blameless life. I so often live up or down to people’s expectations or worse my own. If the God of the universe sees me as Holy and Blameless then I want to live an all out assault towards sin in my life. I want holiness, righteousness, goodness and love to be my new foundation because God sees me that way. How about you?

In case we get discouraged in this pursuit verses 18-20 remind us that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit as a deposit on our royal inheritance. It says with that deposit comes the power to live Holy and Blameless lives. How strong is this power? Well, it’s the same power that raised Christ from the dead. That means we don’t have to live in the emptiness and destruction of old lives that lead to death. We have the power to live new lives as His children and as holy and blameless royalty. Have a blast as His power and grace are sufficient for the journey.

Tim