Grace and Peace to You!
This is the end of Ephesians. I feel we have only begun to uncover the treasures of this book... but I wanted to spend this post on looking at what we have read about grace and peace in this book.
"Grace and Peace" begins 11 books in the New Testament (NIV), by 3 different authors.
In Ephesians we read this about Grace:
Grace is Glorious (1:6)
Grace is Freely Given to us (1:6)
We are redeemed through Jesus' blood and forgiven our sins in accordance with the riches of God's grace (1:7)
We have been saved by Grace (2:5)
God's shows the incomparable riches of his grace when he expresses kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (2:7)
I am saved by grace through faith (2:8)
Paul was given the administration of God's grace so that he could make known the gospel(3:2)
God's grace was given to Paul through the working of His power (3:7)
Paul was given the grace to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ (3:8)
Each one of us has been given grace n the form of spiritual gifts as Christ apportioned it (4:7)
And then, finally, today we read:
"Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love." (Ephesians 6:24)
It seems to me that grace is even more than "unmerited favor". It certainly is unmerited; it is not given us as a reward for good behavior, but instead it is the benevolent gift of God. He gives it to us richly, freely and there seems to be no scarcity of grace for the children of God. Grace is not only a vital part of our salvation, but also our call to serve God in this life - gifting, equipping and empowering us. Grace goes beyond mercy to giving us transformational power to be different people. It enables us to do what God calls us to do and to become more and more like his Son, our Lord, Jesus.
Peace in Ephesians:
Jesus, himself, is our peace between peoples (2:14)
Jesus has made peace by making us all one in belief in Himself (2:15)
He preached peace to both Jew and Gentile, those far and near (2:17)
We are to keep the Unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (4:3)
We are to be ready with the good news of peace (6:15)
And finally today:
"Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 6:23 NIV)
Paul lived in a time where there was separation and hostility between people groups. He had a passion to share that, through Jesus, we all can have peace with God... and with each other.
Final Words
Thank you for journeying with me through Ephesians. I know that I have seen things I never noticed before and that the word of God has changed me and I pray it will continue to do so.
I now part with these powerful words... Grace and Peace.
Grace to You, that you may know the power of salvation through Jesus and Christ and may have all that you need to walk out the life that God has called you to today.
Peace to You, may you know and enjoy peace with God through Jesus Christ, and may you be a peace maker as you go out into the world today.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Ephesians 6:10-20 The Armor of God
Grace and Peace to You!
Paul ends Ephesians by describing the need for armor, that we are facing a battle. That our enemy is scheming, and we need to be prepared. How are we to prepare?
Know the Truth.
Know that you now are Righteous through Jesus Christ--that you have a right relationship with God.
Know that you have peace with God, and be prepared to tell others how they can have peace with him, too.
Have Faith in God and his Word, so that you can trust what He has spoken, even when the things are tough and confusing.
Protect your mind with the truth of your Salvation.
Know the Word of God and test everything against it as your standard. Use it to refute lies about God and yourself.
And pray all the time, in many different ways for yourself and for others.
Be alert. Know that you will face trials, temptations, and deceptions. Be on the look out for them and be prepared.
This makes me think about Peter and how he was tested... Luke 22:31-34 NIV:
The trial was coming, and Peter denied it instead of preparing for it.
So, as Paul was closing out this letter, it seems he was saying, you are going to be tested and tried in life, so be prepared.
Comment:
How do you think you could prepare for the coming tests and trials this week?
Paul ends Ephesians by describing the need for armor, that we are facing a battle. That our enemy is scheming, and we need to be prepared. How are we to prepare?
Know the Truth.
Know that you now are Righteous through Jesus Christ--that you have a right relationship with God.
Know that you have peace with God, and be prepared to tell others how they can have peace with him, too.
Have Faith in God and his Word, so that you can trust what He has spoken, even when the things are tough and confusing.
Protect your mind with the truth of your Salvation.
Know the Word of God and test everything against it as your standard. Use it to refute lies about God and yourself.
And pray all the time, in many different ways for yourself and for others.
Be alert. Know that you will face trials, temptations, and deceptions. Be on the look out for them and be prepared.
This makes me think about Peter and how he was tested... Luke 22:31-34 NIV:
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.
But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.
And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today,
you will deny three times that you know me.”
But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.
And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today,
you will deny three times that you know me.”
The trial was coming, and Peter denied it instead of preparing for it.
So, as Paul was closing out this letter, it seems he was saying, you are going to be tested and tried in life, so be prepared.
Comment:
How do you think you could prepare for the coming tests and trials this week?
Ephesians 5:22-6:9 Submitting to One Another
Grace and Peace to You!
Well, our group missed our last meeting because of a snow day. We had a lot of material to cover, and so I am going to try to hit the high points.
Different relationships are described in this passage:
Wives and Husbands
Children and Parents
Slaves and Masters
This final one was one I wanted to draw out. Could we apply this teaching about slaves and masters to the modern day workplace in the U.S.? The principles being...
1. Obey your earthly boss with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
2. Obey your boss, not just when he/she is looking, but really do the will of God from your heart.
3. Serve wholeheartedly at work, as if you were serving the Lord, because you know God will reward everyone for the good he does... whether is the subordinate or the boss.
4. Bosses, treat your workers in this same way. Do not threaten them. God is the master, or boss, over both of you, and he shows no favoritism.
Comment:
Do you think that it would be God's will that we would follow these principles in our present day workplaces?
How do you think that God will reward everyone for the good he does?
Well, our group missed our last meeting because of a snow day. We had a lot of material to cover, and so I am going to try to hit the high points.
"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)
Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)
Different relationships are described in this passage:
Wives and Husbands
Children and Parents
Slaves and Masters
This final one was one I wanted to draw out. Could we apply this teaching about slaves and masters to the modern day workplace in the U.S.? The principles being...
1. Obey your earthly boss with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
2. Obey your boss, not just when he/she is looking, but really do the will of God from your heart.
3. Serve wholeheartedly at work, as if you were serving the Lord, because you know God will reward everyone for the good he does... whether is the subordinate or the boss.
4. Bosses, treat your workers in this same way. Do not threaten them. God is the master, or boss, over both of you, and he shows no favoritism.
Comment:
Do you think that it would be God's will that we would follow these principles in our present day workplaces?
How do you think that God will reward everyone for the good he does?
Monday, December 7, 2009
Ephesians 4:17-5:21 Living as Children of Light
Grace and Peace to You!
This week we had a couple things that I really wanted to share from our group's discussion of this lengthy passage.
1. That our desires can deceive us. Ephesians 4:22 talks about our "deceitful desires". We often think if only I could have that, or do this or that or if that would happen, then I would be happy, satisfied, successful, important, etc. How often does that actually work? God is the one who fills us with joy through his Holy Spirit, He satisfies our desires with good things, He is the one who has placed such importance on us that Jesus Christ died for us, so that we might know the life that is truly life. Our selfish desires lie to us!
2. Next, in the instructions for godly living, we noticed a pattern.
For example, in Ephesians 4:28 (NIV) we read:
"He who steals must steal no longer, but must do something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need."
So it says: DO NOT STEAL
Then goes on to say: INSTEAD, DO WORK SO THAT YOU CAN SHARE WITH THOSE WHO NEED IT.
In Ephesians 4:29(NIV) we read:
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others us according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
So it says: DO NOT TEAR PEOPLE DOWN WITH YOUR WORDS.
Then it goes on to say: INSTEAD, USE YOUR WORDS TO BUILD PEOPLE UP.
I think we could generalize and say that, as we live as children of light we should
1. DO NO HARM.
But it doesn't stop there, we must go further and....
2. BE PROACTIVE IN DOING GOOD.
These verses maybe sum that up well:
Ephesians 4:31-5:1
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander along with every form of malice."
(DO NO HARM)
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
(DO GOOD)
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children."
(BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT GOD IS LIKE, AND YOU ARE HIS KIDS!)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Application:
1. Investigate some of your longings... are they "deceiving" you?
2. Examine your behavoir to see if you are just trying to "avoid doing harm" or are you going forward, by the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, to "do good"?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Assignment:
Ephesians 5:22-6:23 (finishing the text.)
Review Ephesians to investigate what it says about "grace" and "peace"!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Comment:
Do you have any other examples of where God is wants us not just to avoid evil, but to do good?
This week we had a couple things that I really wanted to share from our group's discussion of this lengthy passage.
1. That our desires can deceive us. Ephesians 4:22 talks about our "deceitful desires". We often think if only I could have that, or do this or that or if that would happen, then I would be happy, satisfied, successful, important, etc. How often does that actually work? God is the one who fills us with joy through his Holy Spirit, He satisfies our desires with good things, He is the one who has placed such importance on us that Jesus Christ died for us, so that we might know the life that is truly life. Our selfish desires lie to us!
2. Next, in the instructions for godly living, we noticed a pattern.
For example, in Ephesians 4:28 (NIV) we read:
"He who steals must steal no longer, but must do something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need."
So it says: DO NOT STEAL
Then goes on to say: INSTEAD, DO WORK SO THAT YOU CAN SHARE WITH THOSE WHO NEED IT.
In Ephesians 4:29(NIV) we read:
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others us according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
So it says: DO NOT TEAR PEOPLE DOWN WITH YOUR WORDS.
Then it goes on to say: INSTEAD, USE YOUR WORDS TO BUILD PEOPLE UP.
I think we could generalize and say that, as we live as children of light we should
1. DO NO HARM.
But it doesn't stop there, we must go further and....
2. BE PROACTIVE IN DOING GOOD.
These verses maybe sum that up well:
Ephesians 4:31-5:1
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander along with every form of malice."
(DO NO HARM)
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
(DO GOOD)
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children."
(BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT GOD IS LIKE, AND YOU ARE HIS KIDS!)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Application:
1. Investigate some of your longings... are they "deceiving" you?
2. Examine your behavoir to see if you are just trying to "avoid doing harm" or are you going forward, by the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, to "do good"?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Assignment:
Ephesians 5:22-6:23 (finishing the text.)
Review Ephesians to investigate what it says about "grace" and "peace"!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Comment:
Do you have any other examples of where God is wants us not just to avoid evil, but to do good?
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Ephesians 4:1-16 Unity in the Body of Christ
Grace and Peace to you this sunny morning!
Well, it's been a while. I've got some catching up to do.
Paul begins this passage urging us to "live a life worthy of the calling you have received." The whole rest of Ephesians seems to tell us "how to" do just that.
He explains that all Christians have certain things in common: (vs4-6)
No matter if we are Jew or Gentile, these things all Christians hold in common.
Paul goes on to say, "But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it." Given, as a gift.
There are different gifts, and Christ decides and hands them out as He wills.
"It was He who gave some to be:"
For what purpose? "To prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." And, so that we all reach this unity he's been talking about... unity in our faith and our knowledge of the Son. Also, so that we can become mature, which I think means to become more like Christ himself.
He goes on to say, when we've reached this unity and maturity, we won't be taken in by "every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming." (Ephesians 4:14 NIV)
He ends the passage saying that as we live this life we've been called to, as we grow in unity and maturity, as we prepare God's people for works of service by using the grace gifts we've been given, we build up the Body of Christ, the Universal Church, the family of Christians, in love... "as each part does its work." (Ephesians 4:16 NIV)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Application:
So... what is your part? What is the grace God has given you to build up the Church?
What is the "work" He is calling you to do through His powerful grace today?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Assignment:
Ephesians 4:17-5:21 For next week...
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Comment:
Paul seems to say in this passage that when we've reached unity and maturity in our faith, we won't be taken in by "every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming." (Ephesians 4:14 NIV) Do you see that happening today? Are Christians taken in by fads? Are they deceived by clever teachers?
Well, it's been a while. I've got some catching up to do.
Paul begins this passage urging us to "live a life worthy of the calling you have received." The whole rest of Ephesians seems to tell us "how to" do just that.
He explains that all Christians have certain things in common: (vs4-6)
One Hope
One Lord
One Faith
One Baptism
One and the same God and Father
One and the same Holy Spirit
Members of one Body... Christ's body
One Lord
One Faith
One Baptism
One and the same God and Father
One and the same Holy Spirit
Members of one Body... Christ's body
No matter if we are Jew or Gentile, these things all Christians hold in common.
Paul goes on to say, "But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it." Given, as a gift.
There are different gifts, and Christ decides and hands them out as He wills.
"It was He who gave some to be:"
Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers.
It seems that this "grace" given to some and empowers them to act in these roles.For what purpose? "To prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." And, so that we all reach this unity he's been talking about... unity in our faith and our knowledge of the Son. Also, so that we can become mature, which I think means to become more like Christ himself.
He goes on to say, when we've reached this unity and maturity, we won't be taken in by "every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming." (Ephesians 4:14 NIV)
He ends the passage saying that as we live this life we've been called to, as we grow in unity and maturity, as we prepare God's people for works of service by using the grace gifts we've been given, we build up the Body of Christ, the Universal Church, the family of Christians, in love... "as each part does its work." (Ephesians 4:16 NIV)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Application:
So... what is your part? What is the grace God has given you to build up the Church?
What is the "work" He is calling you to do through His powerful grace today?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Assignment:
Ephesians 4:17-5:21 For next week...
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Comment:
Paul seems to say in this passage that when we've reached unity and maturity in our faith, we won't be taken in by "every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming." (Ephesians 4:14 NIV) Do you see that happening today? Are Christians taken in by fads? Are they deceived by clever teachers?
Monday, November 16, 2009
Ephesians 3:14-21 Prayer for Ephesians
Grace and Peace to You!!!
This week we tried to let our hearts fill with WONDER.
Wonder at how Paul, the man who had persecuted Christians--who had hated them and loved the law--how he now was kneeling before God - not the common way to pray back then - and praying for Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians together to what? To know the love of God that, in his words, surpasses knowing. Paul had been changed. He had tasted this love... a love he did not deserve and nevertheless was his in Christ. A love that had no boundaries... could not be measured... a love that never fails. Paul seems convinced that knowing this love would lead to fullness of life, to transformation... that it was crucial and life-changing to know this love of God.
All this is possible through the powerful work of the Holy Spirit in our "inner being", in our heart.
So, in trying to simplify this prayer, we broke it down as much as we could and came up with this...
This week we tried to let our hearts fill with WONDER.
Wonder at how Paul, the man who had persecuted Christians--who had hated them and loved the law--how he now was kneeling before God - not the common way to pray back then - and praying for Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians together to what? To know the love of God that, in his words, surpasses knowing. Paul had been changed. He had tasted this love... a love he did not deserve and nevertheless was his in Christ. A love that had no boundaries... could not be measured... a love that never fails. Paul seems convinced that knowing this love would lead to fullness of life, to transformation... that it was crucial and life-changing to know this love of God.
All this is possible through the powerful work of the Holy Spirit in our "inner being", in our heart.
So, in trying to simplify this prayer, we broke it down as much as we could and came up with this...
We pray that you
May have power
To know God
To know His Love
And to be...
TRANSFORMED!
May have power
To know God
To know His Love
And to be...
TRANSFORMED!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Application:
Pray this prayer for yourself and others!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Assignment for next week:
Read Ephesians 4:1-16
Unity in the Body of Christ...
Remember how Paul is stressing the oneness of the Church, both Jews and Gentiles together, in the entire book of Ephesians.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment:
What do you think of when you read that God "...is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that at as work within us..." (Ephesians 3:20 NIV)?
Application:
Pray this prayer for yourself and others!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Assignment for next week:
Read Ephesians 4:1-16
Unity in the Body of Christ...
Remember how Paul is stressing the oneness of the Church, both Jews and Gentiles together, in the entire book of Ephesians.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment:
What do you think of when you read that God "...is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that at as work within us..." (Ephesians 3:20 NIV)?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Ephesians 3:1-13 The Mystery Revealed
Grace and Peace to you!
This week we discussed the mystery that God revealed by His Spirit to Paul and the apostles, namely that through the gospel all people, Jewish and Non-Jewish, are now "...heirs together with Israel, members together of one body and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." (Eph 3:6 NIV)
We discussed what this passage has to say about grace, in particular that Paul was given grace, through the working of God's power, to DO what God called him to do. In his case, to preach the "insearchable riches in Christ" and make the "mystery" clear to people. (Ephesians 3:8-9 NIV)
So, grace may be "unmerited favor", but it's more than a sense of honor, it is the godly, holy power to do the thing God calls us to do. We see grace closely linked with the word "power" in this passage... hmmm... more to this idea of "grace" all the time!
So, could part of what "grace and peace to you" means be "may you have the power to do what God calls you to do in your life today"?
Finally, we loved verse 3:12 (NIV) After reading that what God had purposed to do had been accomplished in Christ we read: "In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." Through Christ's death all of us can approach God with confidence... but do we?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Applications:
We can pray for the grace to do the things God calls us to do today! And pray that for others.
We can start each day for the next week approaching God with "freedom and confidence", reminding ourselves that it's only by the blood of Jesus that we have been brought near to God, but that it is completely sufficient! We don't need to be afraid to draw near to God. If we feel convicted of sin we confess it, and it is removed from us. (1 John 1:9) Jesus has made the way for us to approach God so that we may receive mercy and grace when we need it! (Hebrews 4:16)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Assignment:
We didn't get as far as I thought we would, so we are finishing up Ephesians 3 next week. So, I suggest we read Ephesians 3:14-21 this week. Consider writing Paul's prayer in your own words; try to come up with something memorable so you can pray it for yourself and others often!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment:
What can keep you from approaching God with freedom and confidence?
This week we discussed the mystery that God revealed by His Spirit to Paul and the apostles, namely that through the gospel all people, Jewish and Non-Jewish, are now "...heirs together with Israel, members together of one body and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." (Eph 3:6 NIV)
We discussed what this passage has to say about grace, in particular that Paul was given grace, through the working of God's power, to DO what God called him to do. In his case, to preach the "insearchable riches in Christ" and make the "mystery" clear to people. (Ephesians 3:8-9 NIV)
So, grace may be "unmerited favor", but it's more than a sense of honor, it is the godly, holy power to do the thing God calls us to do. We see grace closely linked with the word "power" in this passage... hmmm... more to this idea of "grace" all the time!
So, could part of what "grace and peace to you" means be "may you have the power to do what God calls you to do in your life today"?
Finally, we loved verse 3:12 (NIV) After reading that what God had purposed to do had been accomplished in Christ we read: "In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." Through Christ's death all of us can approach God with confidence... but do we?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Applications:
We can pray for the grace to do the things God calls us to do today! And pray that for others.
We can start each day for the next week approaching God with "freedom and confidence", reminding ourselves that it's only by the blood of Jesus that we have been brought near to God, but that it is completely sufficient! We don't need to be afraid to draw near to God. If we feel convicted of sin we confess it, and it is removed from us. (1 John 1:9) Jesus has made the way for us to approach God so that we may receive mercy and grace when we need it! (Hebrews 4:16)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Assignment:
We didn't get as far as I thought we would, so we are finishing up Ephesians 3 next week. So, I suggest we read Ephesians 3:14-21 this week. Consider writing Paul's prayer in your own words; try to come up with something memorable so you can pray it for yourself and others often!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment:
What can keep you from approaching God with freedom and confidence?
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