Ephesians & ColossiansSpring Quarter 2012

EphesiansChapter 1

• Redemption: The Display of Divine Wisdom– He lavished His grace on us– He made known the mystery of His will• 1 Cor. 2:6-13

– According to His good pleasure– Which He purposed in Christ

• The Fullness of the times– All things summed up in Christ– A special relationship• Col. 1:15-20; cf., Eph. 1:22-23; Matt. 28:18; Phil. 2:9-10;

Rev. 5:13

EphesiansChapter 1

• God’s Heritage– We receive an inheritance– We are God’s heritage—His private possession– According to His purpose and the counsel of His will– That we should be to the praise of His glory– Israelites– Gentiles

EphesiansChapter 1

• Sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise– Completion– Authentication– Ownership – Security– Confirmation– 2 Timothy 2:19– Ephesians 4:30-32– Verification that God is true—John 3:31-34– 2 Corinthians 1:20-22

EphesiansChapter 1

• The Holy Spirit is God’s Pledge of Our Heritage– Earnest, pledge, guarantee– 2 Corinthians 1:22– 2 Corinthians 5:5– Romans 8:16-17

• We are His possession– He has redeemed us

• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

– Preserved for Himself• 1 Peter 2:9• Hebrews 10:39

Ephesians 1:15-23Prayer for Enlightenment

• Basis of the Prayer: Faith & Love (15-16)– Faith – loyalty– Love – attitude and action– Gal. 5:5-6– Paul’s prayer was constant

• Object of the Prayer: A Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation (17)– Wisdom – perception and discernment of the

things of God; understanding of how to practically apply the things of God to life

– Revelation – uncovering or disclosure that enlightens (Matt. 13:11)

Ephesians 1:15-23Prayer for Enlightenment

• Basis of the Prayer: Faith & Love (15-16)• Object of the Prayer: A Spirit of Wisdom and

Revelation (17)– Wisdom– Revelation– In the knowledge of Him• Acquaintance with the Lord through obedience (it is a

relationship, not just acquisition of facts)• James 3:13-18

Ephesians 1:15-23Prayer for Enlightenment

• Basis of the Prayer: Faith & Love (15-16)• Object of the Prayer: A Spirit of Wisdom and

Revelation (17)• Result of the Prayer: Enlightenment (18)– The hope of His calling

• Hope: confident desire, assured expectation (Eph. 4:4)• The eternal reward promised in the gospel, our

inheritance which we ultimately will receive.

– God’s heritage is abundant in degree (riches), sublime in quality (glory), enduring in character (inheritance), and separate in sanctified nature (in the saints).

Ephesians 1:15-23Prayer for Enlightenment

• God’s power at work in Christ (19-23)– He raised Him from the dead– He sat Him at His right hand– He put all things in subjection to Christ– Gave Him the headship of the church• His body• The fullness of Him who fills all in all