Ephesians Journal 1-B “The Will of God for Me”

S = 1:4-5, 9-10 “…even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will… making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

 

O = This passage is about God’s will at work in ages past, in history, and in the very moment for Paul and the Ephesians. God’s plan was not new, not improvised, not an eclectic hodge-podge of revisions. He set it all in motion before the world began. He chose us to be a part not only of his plan but of his family—adopted in Christ! There is also a purpose behind it that we should be holy and blameless before him…but the deeper purpose is that all things might be “united to him.” It is his plan for the rebinding of the cosmos, and it involves us and always has!

 

A = So am I united to God in Christ, or am I still straining at his cords of love, rebelling against his loving-kindness, and short-selling his blessings for the things of the world? How can I live into his plan today and this week? I don’t have to grasp for recognition or applause of others for Christ knows me! Christ loves me!

 

P = O Lord, thanks for the assurance that I am loved and chosen in Christ before I was ever made. May I rest in being united to you this week for nothing could be a greater miracle. Show me how I can be a minister of unity and reconciliation.  Amen.

Ephesians 1-A “An Apostle…by the will of God”

S =  1:1-2 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

O = What depth of meaning is conveyed in a brief salutation at the beginning of this letter. An epistle or letter was expected to begin with the identity of the author, followed by that of the addressee. Ephesians is no different, yet how does Paul identify himself? He is an “apostle” a “sent one” of Jesus the Messiah “by the will of God.” He was hinting at a couple of things here. First, he saw himself as a slave of Christ, one sent to do what he was told, ever since that first day on the road to Damascus (found in Acts 9). Secondly, he confessed that this was not his choice but God’s. Paul gives no impression that this assignment was the result of some inherent goodness within himself. Third, He expressed his overriding desire for their good, “Grace to you and peace” through the work of the triune God.

A = I profess to believe in Jesus, but like Paul, have I recently experienced a profound moment of surrender to the Lordship of Christ Jesus? How do I respond when I am “sent” without the Lord’s asking for my input? Do I see the people of God as saints? What can I do this week to cooperate with the Lord’s communication of grace and peace to his people?

P = O Lord, you know my own willful heart and yet you are committed to rescuing me from it as you were to that of Saul/Paul so long ago. I surrender yet again to your love for me. May I show your care to others this week in practical acts of grace and peace, because of who I am in Christ!  Amen.

Ephesians: Becoming Who We Are

We have, for the most part, finished our series on Luke' Gospel entitled "Jesus for Everyone" and are now working through Ephesians.

We will return to Luke for a few weeks in March as we study "The Passion of Jesus for Everyone" in the Betrayal, suffering, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Until then you are welcome to join us for our study in Ephesians.

I will be posting SOAP style journal entries on our church Facebook page on Tuesdays about 11am, as well as here if there is interest. I welcome you comments in this regard.

Pastor Greg