Ephesians
Christ’s Body Builders (Ephesians 4:11-12)
The gifts Christ distributed upon his ascension are the benefits of the covenant community. They relate to your redemption, sanctification, and perseverance. Pray and Read Ephesians 4:11-12. Do you remember the Power Team—popular in the 1980s—that would put on shows at megachurches demonstrating feats of strength. They would quote Phil 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me,” before smashing their head through a stack of bricks, or ripping phonebooks in half, or ramming their shoulder through several sheets…
Every Square Inch (Ephesians 4:9-10)
Psalm 68—Scripture Introduction Last week, I highlighted several verses of this psalm as an overview. This morning, we’ll read the entire psalm as the theme of Christ’s ascension continues in Eph. 4:9-10. Psalms 65-68 God calls from Mount Zion upon the nations to worship him. In Ephesians, Paul connects God’s march from Sinai to Zion to Christ’s march from his earthly manger to the heavenly throne. Theme: God’s triumphal procession from Sinai to Zion. There is a liturgical association with…
He Ascended on High (Ephesians 4:8)
He Ascended on High (Ephesians 4:8) Unity is the result of worshipping a Triune God (vv.4-6). It is strengthened by our diversity of gifts (v.7). Now, Paul provides the basis for those gifts by applying Psalm 68:18 to Christ’s ascension, which raises several questions. Pray and Read Ephesians 4:7-8. In The Revolt of the Public, Martin Gurri explains the global trend of networks to overthrow the established order. “Networks succeed when held together by a single powerful point of reference…
Perfect Unity (Ephesians 4:4-6) Part 1
For the past several weeks we have been in the second half of Ephesians in which Paul focuses on the practical implications of the first half. Paul devoted much of the first three chapters to praying that the Ephesians would know God intimately and understand the grace that has brought them into union with God and each other. He continued with that same theme in chapter four calling them to personally adopt a sacrificial commitment to their calling (1) and…
Eager For Unity (Ephesians 4:2-3)
Last week we learned that we must each walk worthy of our calling personally if we are committed to maintaining unity corporately. Paul mentioned his imprisonment to exhort his readers to be prepared to sacrifice for their calling. Marius Victorinus makes the following connection, “With lowliness and meekness they learn not to be afraid to suffer. With patience they learn how to respond if they must suffer.” Pray and Read Ephesians 4:1-3. The most intense fight in MLB history was…
Worthy of the Calling (Ephesians 4:1-3)
We’ve come to the typical transition point between doctrine and practice. After praying that his readers might have a comprehension of the love of Christ, Paul exhorts them to “walk in a manner worthy” of their calling. As we grow in our understanding of what Christ has done for us, we renew our interest in obeying God’s will. Pray and Read Ephesians 4:1-3. You’ve heard of the curse of Sisyphus—After tattling on Zeus, he is condemned to chains in the…
Forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7)
Last week we began our look at the present reality of redemption. That remains the main subject of vv.7-10. This morning we will see the first benefit of redemption; namely, the forgiveness of our trespasses.