Don McClain 1 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 The book of Ephesians is Paul’s essay on the church belonging to Jesus Christ, the glorious bride of Christ, the most precious institution on earth today.  The word “church” occurs nine times in the letter (1:22; 3:10,21; 5:23,24,25,27, 29,32). The term “body” (referring to the church) occurs nine more times (1:23; 2:16; 3:6; 4:4, 12, 16 (twice); 5:23, 30). Don McClain 2 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 Christ - the head of the church, 1:22; 5:23.  The fullness of Christ, 1:22, 23.  God’s manifold wisdom - 3:10.  God is glorified in it - 3:21.  There is one body or church - 4:4.  Christ loves her - 5:23.  Christ is the savior of it - 5:23.  Christ gave himself for it, 5:25.  It is to be holy and without blemish, 5:27.  It shall be presented to Christ - 5:27.  Is the beloved bride of Christ, 5:31, 32. Don McClain 3 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 To the saints & faithful IN CHRIST – (1)  Those in Christ are recipients of grace & peace – (2)  Blessed Father of our Lord, [ praise be to God ] – (3)  ALL spiritual blessings are in Christ – (3)  Heavenly places - where all Christians have their citizenship. Cf. Phil.3:20. Don McClain 4 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 “That we should be holy and without blemish before God,” – ( 1:4; cf. 5:27).  “That we should be to the praise of the glory of his grace,” – ( 1:6,12,14 )  “That…he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth,” – ( 1:10 ) The Purpose of the Spiritual Blessings: Don McClain 5 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 The “elect” are those “in Christ” – The chosen one is Jesus – ( Isaiah 42:1 ) -  Election in Christ must be understood as the election of God’s people, thus corporate in nature. – (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9)  All who choose by faith to be baptized into Christ will be counted among the chosen – ( Rom. 6:3-6; 16,17; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Cor. 12:13 ) “He chose us in him,” 1:4 Don McClain 6 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 Those to whom Paul spoke were in the sphere chosen “Before the foundation of the world,” i.e. IN HIM – (cf. 1 Tim.1:9; 1 Pet. 1:18-21 ).  God chose the character of those chosen in Christ - ( Cf. Mat 5:3-10; Rom 12:1, 2; 2 Cor 6:17,18; 7:1; 1 Thes 5:21-24; Tit 2:11,12; 1 Pet 1:15,16; 1 John 1:7; Rev 2:10; 1 Cor 13:1-8; Gal 5:6; 1 Cor 16:14 ). “He chose us in him,” 1:4 Don McClain 7 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 God predetermined the “boundaries” of His spiritual kingdom – ( 1:10; 3:11 )  “US” - Paul was writing to those who had entered that sphere by their own free will by being born again – ( 1:1; Ac 19:1- 10; John 3:3-5; Gal 3:26-29; 1 Pet 1:22,23 )  The invitation is open to all - ( Mat 11:28-30; John 3:16; 6:44, 45; 1 Tim 2:3-6; Rev 22:17 ) “Adoption as Sons” 1:5 Don McClain 8 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 All of God’s children in Christ, i.e. the church, by virtue of what Jesus accomplished – ( Acts 2:47; Gal 3:26-29 )  Those in Christ have been reconciled to God – ( Eph. 2:16; Rom 5:10; 2 Cor 5:18; Col 1:21,22 )  All of this is accomplished “according to the good pleasure of His (God’s) will,” - ( cf. Eph 1:9; Phili 2:13; 2 Thes 1:11 ). “Adoption as Sons” 1:5 Don McClain 9 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 God’s grace is worthy of commendation and exaltation – which was manifested in the sacrifice of Jesus – ( 1:10; Tit 3:3- 5; Rom 5:6-8,11 )  It is by God’s grace that “acceptance” in Christ is made available – ( 2:1-9 )  This grace that brings salvation has appeared to all men - ( Titus 2:11,12; John 3:16; 2 Pet 3:9; 1 Tim 2:4 ) “Accepted In Christ” 1:6 Don McClain 10 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 Redemption, refers to deliverance or a releasing from bondage or setting one free by paying a ransom. – ( John 8:34 cf. Rom. 7:14; 3:23 )  We have redemption ONLY through his (Christ’s) blood - ( Mat 20:28; 26:28; Acts 20:28; Rom 3:23-26; 1 Cor 6:20; Gals 3:13; 4:5; Col 1:13,14; 1 Timothy 2:5,6; 1 Pet 1:18-20; 2 Peter 2:1 ) “Redemption & Forgiveness” 1:7,8 Don McClain 11 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 We are Redeemed by virtue of being forgiven - ( Col. 1:14; 3:23 )  Our sins are forgiven, washed away, cut away when we are by faith baptized into Christ - ( Acts 2:38; 22:16; Col. 2:11-13 )  Is “according to the riches of his grace,” so freely granted to us that it abounds – ( 3:20,21; Rom 5:15-21; 2 Cor 9:8; Phili 4:13; Col 1:9-12; 2:2-10 ) “Redemption & Forgiveness” 1:7,8 Don McClain 12 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 A key point of the epistle - ( 1:18,19; 3:1-6,10 )  What had been a mystery is now made known in its completeness through His apostles and prophets in accordance with God’s good pleasure - ( John 16:13; Rom 16:25-27; Col. 1:26-28; 1 Cor 2:10-12 )  As He had purposed – ( 3:11 ) “Having Made Known To Us The Mystery” 1:9,10 Don McClain 13 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 “That,” as v.10 affirms, “in the dispensation of the fullness of times” (this dispensation when God sent forth his Son, made of woman, made under the law, etc., Galatians 4:4,5; 1 Pet 1:20),  “He might gather together in one all things in Christ…” under the headship of Christ (1:22,23; cf. 2:15; 3:15; Col. 1:19,20; 2:9,10). “Having Made Known To Us The Mystery” 1:9,10 Don McClain 14 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 “In whom also we were made a heritage, (ASV) – ( cf. v. 12,18 ) - “We ( both Jews and Gentiles ) are made the heritage of God Himself in Christ.”  We are thus heirs with Christ having obtained “an inheritance“ in Him– ( Acts 26:18; Gal 4:7; Mark 10:30; Titus 1:2; Rom 8:24, 25; 1 Peter 1:3-5, 9; 1 John 2:25 ) “Obtained An Inheritance” 1:11-14 Don McClain 15 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 This was no after-thought, but was according to God’s plan and purpose “in Christ before the foundation of the world,” - ( 1:4; Isa. 46:10; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter 1:18-20 ).  “That we ( Jewish Christians, or apostles in contrast with the “you” of 13 ), should be a people devoted to the praise of his glory.” – ( Acts 3:26; Rom 1:16 ) “Obtained An Inheritance” 1:11-14 Don McClain 16 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 “In whom you also” ( you also were included in Christ - [NIV] Gentile or every other believer ) – ( 2:11,12; Col. 1:21-23; 1 Pet. 2:10 )  “Having heard [ASV]” - It’s through the gospel that we receive the inheritance – ( Mark 16:15,16; Jam 1:18-25; 2 Thes 2:13,14; Rom. 1:16,17; Acts 8:30-39 )  “Having believed” = Bapt. B. - ( Acts 16:34; Gal 3:26,27 ) “Obtained An Inheritance” 1:11-14 Don McClain 17 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 In whom... “You were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” - Identified as belonging to God - ( 4:30; 2 Cor. 1:22 ASV; cf. Rom. 8:14-17 )  Denotes “ ownership and security, together with destination... [occurred] at the time of their regeneration ”—Vine‘s –  When does one become identified as a child of God? “Obtained An Inheritance” 1:11-14 Don McClain 18 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 “Who is the guarantee ” ( ASV says “which is...” ) – Gal. 4:4-7  A “pledge,” “an assurance, pledge or guarantee of something that would be forthcoming, not “a down payment” or “partial payment” for something - ( Gen.38:15-20 )  This guarantee is given BY the Spirit – 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5 –ASV - “the earnest of the Spirit” “Obtained An Inheritance” 1:11-14 Don McClain 19 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

 While all material blessings also come from God - James 1:17; Matthew 5:45; Genesis 8:22.  All spiritual blessings are found only in Christ, given only to those who are in Christ, and are of much greater value to us than the material - Matthew 16:  In view of that, the spiritual should be appreciated more highly and sought after more diligently than the material. Don McClain 20 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

Inside Christ Saved / Hope 1.ALL spiritual blessings 2.Chosen – 3.A child of God – 4.Accepted – 5.Redeemed – 6.Forgiven – 7.A Heavenly Inheritance Don McClain 21 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009

Don McClain 22 W. 65th St. church of Christ / June 28,2009