Ephesians & Colossians Spring Quarter 2012

Ephesians Chapter 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

Ephesians Chapter 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

Ephesians Chapter 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

Ephesians Chapter 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 1:15-23 Prayer 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 1:15-23 Prayer 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 1:15-23 Prayer 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 1:15-23 Prayer 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