As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions
—it is by grace you have been saved.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
(Ephesians 2:1, 5, 6 NIV)
We were literally dead, our life of sin was a living death. We were without hope. All was dark and broken.
Yet we have died and now we are alive! As we received Jesus we we were baptized into his death and resurrection. So we are alive as Christ is alive having risen from the grave victorious as we celebrated at Easter.
Yet this goes beyond temporal life in this world. This is spiritual life and death. Before Christ in us we were dead physically and spiritually. Now we are alive physically and spiritually! Though heaven is not yet fully here when Christ came he began to make things new and his kingdom began to break into the world. As Jesus sent his followers in Luke 9 and 10 to say the kingdom of God is near so we the church continue to bring pieces of heaven and the kingdom here and now around us. We are living pieces of heaven on our eternal trajectory now. We don't need to wait until heaven. We are bringing heaven even now!
Let us live abundantly and fully as citizens of heaven here and now in the world! Christ thank you for this life. Help me to live it abundantly and to bring your kingdom here and now around me!
He has risen and so have we, lets live!
Amen
Showing posts with label Ephesians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ephesians. Show all posts
Monday, April 8, 2013
Friday, April 5, 2013
Ephesians 2: saved by grace- through faith
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
(Ephesians 2:4-10 ESV)
This is the message of the Cross the gospel. That we could not and never could save our selves. For there is nothing we could do to be righteous or good. We could never earn love or forgiveness or salvation. We deserve nothing!
And yet out of the riches of Gods mercy and abundant grace upon grace Jesus gave up everything he had in order to give those spiritual blessings he had to us who did not deserve.
This is what we so often argue about:
Yet here the order is quite clear:
We are saved only by Gods grace
The means by which we accept that grace given as a gift is through faith
And out of that new life we receive we live for the good works that Christ created us to do.
Our faith and works do not earn grace. Our works are the way we live. We could never earn Gods love or our salvation by works or faith. And he grace is already given because of what Jesus did.
Thank you and thank you again!
All praise and glory be to you!
I humbly want to receive and enjoy this great gift!
Amen
(Ephesians 2:4-10 ESV)
This is the message of the Cross the gospel. That we could not and never could save our selves. For there is nothing we could do to be righteous or good. We could never earn love or forgiveness or salvation. We deserve nothing!
And yet out of the riches of Gods mercy and abundant grace upon grace Jesus gave up everything he had in order to give those spiritual blessings he had to us who did not deserve.
This is what we so often argue about:
Yet here the order is quite clear:
We are saved only by Gods grace
The means by which we accept that grace given as a gift is through faith
And out of that new life we receive we live for the good works that Christ created us to do.
Our faith and works do not earn grace. Our works are the way we live. We could never earn Gods love or our salvation by works or faith. And he grace is already given because of what Jesus did.
Thank you and thank you again!
All praise and glory be to you!
I humbly want to receive and enjoy this great gift!
Amen
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Ephesians 2: to understand Gods grace we must understand we are children of wrath
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
(Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV)
Some of my favorite bible verse follow this in Ephesians about how we are saved by grace through faith. Yet to fully understand, appreciate and accept our salvation and the immeasurable heights of Gods grace we must first accept we are children of wrath.
This is hard for me to accept because I don't like hearing I am truly evil by nature and the only thing I deserve Iis death and wrath. I like to think I am a good person. But to believe Jesus is also to believe we are all utterly sinful. For even Jesus said there is no one good but God alone. We are all sinners and that defined us in life and eternity without Christ.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23 ESV)
Our only hope is in Christ who is our righteousness. He is the one who is both he judge and just and yet also the justifier. He is our judge who condemns sin and yet takes the place at the gallows for us when we are sentenced to death.
But even this week as I struggle with processing a break up with a girlfriend I see the sin in my heart. Sometimes I resist and sometimes I give in. But that is my very nature that I follow the way of the world and the devil. I often follow the desires and passions of my heart and body and mind.
Yet despite all this there is hope because through Christ I am forgiven. He is my righteousness and the Spirit of Christ is at work in me even now. And so I say come Holy Spirit convict me of sin and change my heart. As I try to walk faithfully and righteously empower me to do so by Christ and not by anything in my power. And let all the praise be to you God!
As I grow in understanding of the spiritual reality of my sin, death and wrath please Lord grow my understanding and appreciation for your grace upon grace that you have saved me and forgiven me! Give me faith! Lord I believe, help my unbelief!
Amen
(Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV)
Some of my favorite bible verse follow this in Ephesians about how we are saved by grace through faith. Yet to fully understand, appreciate and accept our salvation and the immeasurable heights of Gods grace we must first accept we are children of wrath.
This is hard for me to accept because I don't like hearing I am truly evil by nature and the only thing I deserve Iis death and wrath. I like to think I am a good person. But to believe Jesus is also to believe we are all utterly sinful. For even Jesus said there is no one good but God alone. We are all sinners and that defined us in life and eternity without Christ.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23 ESV)
Our only hope is in Christ who is our righteousness. He is the one who is both he judge and just and yet also the justifier. He is our judge who condemns sin and yet takes the place at the gallows for us when we are sentenced to death.
But even this week as I struggle with processing a break up with a girlfriend I see the sin in my heart. Sometimes I resist and sometimes I give in. But that is my very nature that I follow the way of the world and the devil. I often follow the desires and passions of my heart and body and mind.
Yet despite all this there is hope because through Christ I am forgiven. He is my righteousness and the Spirit of Christ is at work in me even now. And so I say come Holy Spirit convict me of sin and change my heart. As I try to walk faithfully and righteously empower me to do so by Christ and not by anything in my power. And let all the praise be to you God!
As I grow in understanding of the spiritual reality of my sin, death and wrath please Lord grow my understanding and appreciation for your grace upon grace that you have saved me and forgiven me! Give me faith! Lord I believe, help my unbelief!
Amen
Ephesians 1 God has more for Christians
For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
(Ephesians 1:15-23 ESV)
Though I am a Christian, though I am a minister of Gods Word my understanding and hope in God is so small compared to the fullness he has for me. God I want to know more the hope you have called me to in Christ Jesus! Fill me with your Spirit. Give me a new heat and a new understanding. Set my heart on things that last the glorious inheritance we have through Christ. Grow my awe and gratitude for the immeasurable greatness of your work in raising Jesus victorious from the grace to lord of all seated at your right hand father. Even in this world of darkness help me to see the spiritual reality that Jesus is absolutely and totally in all authority and power and control. He is not weak, he is not needy, we are not deserving and we cannot reject Christ. For every knee will bow and recognize Christ as Lord and savior. God will get the glory! Yet we who have believed and been born again we will live again, while others will get what they choose to be apart from God. I am thankful that I can be with you and in your family and doing your works as part of the church your body the people of God as you direct us.
I pray this over my students and church friends. Though we are Christians God has so much more for us. God continue to reveal more and give us a greater hope in you and heaven and live into that hope which is our only lasting hope!
Amen
(Ephesians 1:15-23 ESV)
Though I am a Christian, though I am a minister of Gods Word my understanding and hope in God is so small compared to the fullness he has for me. God I want to know more the hope you have called me to in Christ Jesus! Fill me with your Spirit. Give me a new heat and a new understanding. Set my heart on things that last the glorious inheritance we have through Christ. Grow my awe and gratitude for the immeasurable greatness of your work in raising Jesus victorious from the grace to lord of all seated at your right hand father. Even in this world of darkness help me to see the spiritual reality that Jesus is absolutely and totally in all authority and power and control. He is not weak, he is not needy, we are not deserving and we cannot reject Christ. For every knee will bow and recognize Christ as Lord and savior. God will get the glory! Yet we who have believed and been born again we will live again, while others will get what they choose to be apart from God. I am thankful that I can be with you and in your family and doing your works as part of the church your body the people of God as you direct us.
I pray this over my students and church friends. Though we are Christians God has so much more for us. God continue to reveal more and give us a greater hope in you and heaven and live into that hope which is our only lasting hope!
Amen
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Ephesians 1 Our heavenly inheritance through Christ
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
(Ephesians 1:11-14 ESV)
Even more blessings God showers us with through Christ. Because in him is our only hope and our only lasting port property and wealth - a home he has saved for us in heaven.
In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:2, 3 ESV)
For nothing is lasting in this world not wealth, human knowledge, influence, not family, not a marriage not property or the place we call home. Our home is in heaven. Our only hope is in heaven. The heroes of faith had this in common in realizing that this world is not their home and not where heir hope was. Instead they trusted God for an eternal
Home with God.
As it says in Hebrews 11
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
(Hebrews 11:8, 13-16 ESV)
God help me set my hope not in this world in things that do not last or in circumstances in this life. God help me see the lasting and completely satisfying joy of living in heaven eternally in your presence God.
Just as David prayed in his psalm 84:
For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalm 84:10 ESV)
God change my heart because I know I seek after the wrong things. Things that are of this world and do not last.
Set my heart on heavenly things. Let me rejoice in the eternal blessings and an eternal inheritance in your house in your presence.
Amen
(Ephesians 1:11-14 ESV)
Even more blessings God showers us with through Christ. Because in him is our only hope and our only lasting port property and wealth - a home he has saved for us in heaven.
In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:2, 3 ESV)
For nothing is lasting in this world not wealth, human knowledge, influence, not family, not a marriage not property or the place we call home. Our home is in heaven. Our only hope is in heaven. The heroes of faith had this in common in realizing that this world is not their home and not where heir hope was. Instead they trusted God for an eternal
Home with God.
As it says in Hebrews 11
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
(Hebrews 11:8, 13-16 ESV)
God help me set my hope not in this world in things that do not last or in circumstances in this life. God help me see the lasting and completely satisfying joy of living in heaven eternally in your presence God.
Just as David prayed in his psalm 84:
For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalm 84:10 ESV)
God change my heart because I know I seek after the wrong things. Things that are of this world and do not last.
Set my heart on heavenly things. Let me rejoice in the eternal blessings and an eternal inheritance in your house in your presence.
Amen
Ephesians 1 Spiritual Blessings
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing
in the heavenly places,
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, to the praise of his glorious grace,
with which he has blessed us in
the Beloved.
In him we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us,
in all wisdom and insight 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. (Ephesians 1:3-10 ESV)
Wow that is the abundance and grace upon grace and showering of love in spiritual blessings that are present now and in eternity in life and in heaven. These are the blessings God has given us in Jesus Christ. We are blessed with every single spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
Even just reading this list is overwhelming and humbling to me of how much God has given me that is meaningful and lasting. Yet I spend far too much of my time complaining or demanding things that mostly don't last: success, relationships, time, health.
God direct me to change my heart and seek after things that last and to rejoice in the spiritual blessings you have given me. God please guide me to pray for things that are pleasing to you and lasting. Thank you so much God for everything I receive through all you have done for me and who you are Christ! Praise and glory be to our God and Christ who is seated at your right hand God!
Amen
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing
in the heavenly places,
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, to the praise of his glorious grace,
with which he has blessed us in
the Beloved.
In him we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us,
in all wisdom and insight 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. (Ephesians 1:3-10 ESV)
Wow that is the abundance and grace upon grace and showering of love in spiritual blessings that are present now and in eternity in life and in heaven. These are the blessings God has given us in Jesus Christ. We are blessed with every single spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
Even just reading this list is overwhelming and humbling to me of how much God has given me that is meaningful and lasting. Yet I spend far too much of my time complaining or demanding things that mostly don't last: success, relationships, time, health.
God direct me to change my heart and seek after things that last and to rejoice in the spiritual blessings you have given me. God please guide me to pray for things that are pleasing to you and lasting. Thank you so much God for everything I receive through all you have done for me and who you are Christ! Praise and glory be to our God and Christ who is seated at your right hand God!
Amen
Monday, April 1, 2013
Ephesians 4 Our new self in Christ
But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
(Ephesians 4:20-24 ESV)
What does it look like to live in the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Jesus set the greatest example. Some practical applications are:
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
(Ephesians 4:25-32 ESV)
God I can only do these things by your power! But it also takes effort and intentionality on my part. God I pray you would put a new passion and am desire to put on your likeness in Christ and by the Spirit to love others in truth and love. Not in fear and being pushovers but also speaking the truth in love.
God you say get angry but do not sin. Lord you know me better than I know myself. I wish I didn't get angry or have negative emotions but I have emotions. You made me that way God so my emotions must be good and helpful. They may be difficult also but that grows my character. I pray God you would teach me to be aware of and process my emotions in healthy ways that I would feel all my emotions and not sin.
Amen
(Ephesians 4:20-24 ESV)
What does it look like to live in the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Jesus set the greatest example. Some practical applications are:
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
(Ephesians 4:25-32 ESV)
God I can only do these things by your power! But it also takes effort and intentionality on my part. God I pray you would put a new passion and am desire to put on your likeness in Christ and by the Spirit to love others in truth and love. Not in fear and being pushovers but also speaking the truth in love.
God you say get angry but do not sin. Lord you know me better than I know myself. I wish I didn't get angry or have negative emotions but I have emotions. You made me that way God so my emotions must be good and helpful. They may be difficult also but that grows my character. I pray God you would teach me to be aware of and process my emotions in healthy ways that I would feel all my emotions and not sin.
Amen
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Ephesians 1: As Christians we need more and more of God
Sometimes in my life and faith I wish God's work in me was finished here and now. I wish that I lived righteously and holy every day. Sometimes I don't even see how Christians are much different than moral people of other faiths or who don't have a faith.
But we all (Christian and not) need Jesus and the truth of Gospel every day.
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right handin the heavenly realms
Even these people who are faithful believers in Jesus still need more of God! Paul cries out for more of the Spirit to follow God more deeply. They need to know more of the hope of Jesus as his family: glorious inheritance and great power in Jesus for us now.
It is not easy.
But I want to continue to trust in you Jesus.
I want to rely on you more and more.
Please help me Lord.
Amen
But we all (Christian and not) need Jesus and the truth of Gospel every day.
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right handin the heavenly realms
Even these people who are faithful believers in Jesus still need more of God! Paul cries out for more of the Spirit to follow God more deeply. They need to know more of the hope of Jesus as his family: glorious inheritance and great power in Jesus for us now.
It is not easy.
But I want to continue to trust in you Jesus.
I want to rely on you more and more.
Please help me Lord.
Amen
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