Ephesians Lesson 2

[Emil J Milano]

Lesson 2 Ephesians Chapter 1

 

In our last Lesson we spoke about Blessings being bestowed upon others and how at the end of our Lesson we spoke about having the power of life and death by the use of our tongue. We can bestow Blessings upon people or we can bestow cursing or we can say nothing at all. Which do you think our Father in heaven would have us do?

A simple God Bless you is not only a Blessing but a short, simple prayer to our Father in Heaven for the person or people we are speaking to. They are NOT mere words if they come from your heart.

 

We must remember the Word tells us: 2 Cor 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

 

These words have Life to them, so that means that we, BY the grace of God, are ministering Life to the hearer. This is how Paul opened up his letter to the Ephesians. Please note that this letter is more then to just the Ephesians but to both the Jew and Gentile and to the Greater Church, the Body of Christ. He greeted them with a Blessing. How do we greet one another? The same way I would hope. I know at times I fail to so Lessons like this one do me a wealth of good!

 

While we are on the subject of blessings and will be going on; Those who went ahead and those who followed him were shouting, "Hosanna! How blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Mark 11:9 ISV

 

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

 

First thing we notice in verse three is that Paul says, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I recall while being an Elder and teacher in the Church of God that there was a movement going on that was a "Jesus Only" movement. I have mentioned this in another Lesson but have since expanded sharing our Lessens in more web sites. It is good to give Glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, even though all power and authority has been given to Him, He still sits at the Right hand of the Throne of God. God see us through Jesus. Jesus tells us how we should pray in the Lord's Prayers. the first step is giving honor and praise to our Father who is in Heaven.  Paul goes on to say that it is God the Father who has Blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Places means the sphere or realm of the Christian's spiritual experiences identifying with Jesus in ALL things. Remember, we are no longer of this world, just in it. The things this part of the verse speaks about are; life, relationships, service, suffering, inheritance and future glory in the Kingdom.

 

 

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

 

Paul is teaching these believers that they have been chosen before the foundations of the world were set. Which is very easy to see and somewhat easy to understand. Unless you are one of very low self esteem and need to be built up as the Ephesians did. The verse goes on to tell the church that not only had God chosen them but that they should be holy and with out blame before him, in what? Love. Here is where we always seem to go back to;

 

 Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

 

If you go on to read the next few verses, we are told if we keep these two commandments we will keep all the commandments and laws concerning God's will.

 

 

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

 

Again, Paul is going on about Abba Father and His place and how He selected us to be in our place in His Son according to His, Father God's will. Not ours or anyone else. We can not save anyone, the most we can do is plant seed and point the way, of course prayer works wonders. Isn't it amazing, the God of the universe and beyond chose you, me before the foundations of this planet were formed and knew we would be adopted as children by Jesus unto God Himself! And, it was His God pleasure to do so! If we can not praise God for this, how can we call ourselves Christians? How immense is our God that He can decide to pick me out of billions and billions of people throughout the centuries. Of course, He has also chosen billions and billions of others so I am not going to get a fat head over it. Have to keep humble you know. Praise God.

 

 

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

 

To Praise His Glory and Thank Him for His Grace that He has made us accepted IN the BELOVED. Jesus Christ, His Son, the sacrificial lamb that gave his life for me, who shed his blood for the remission of my sins and for redemption and eternal Life. What a loving God we have. He loves us so much that He will chasten us at times to keep us in line, a good time to give Him Glory.

 

 

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

 

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Eph 1:3-8 (KJV)

 

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

1 Tim 6:17 (KJV)

 

God Bless

 

To be continued.