Jan. 22, 2023

"SUPER-natural"       Ephesians 1:15-23 

Paul’s Writing Formula: 

            Indicative – Who we ARE in Christ (Chapters 1-3)

            Imperative – HOW we are to Now Live in RESPONSE (Chapters 4-6)

1/8 - MEMORY VERSE:

Ephesians 4:1 I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Philippians 3:16 Let us live up to what we have already attained. 

The Historical Context in Ephesus:

1/15 - MEMORY VERSE:

Ephesians 1:4–5 ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.

Ephesians 1:6-7 ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins…

Matthew 9:5–8 ⁵ Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? ⁶ But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” ⁷ Then the man got up and went home. ⁸ When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.

Ephesians 1:16–17 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 of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 

Ephesians 1:18–19 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. 

“EXPERIENCE”… 

1.) The PAST Reality of our Salvation that Produced HOPE.

2.) The FUTURE INHERITANCE that God Has for Believers. 

3.) The PRESENT POWER of God that is Available to Believers. 

Ephesians 1:13–14 ¹³ When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance 

Ephesians 1:19–21 ¹⁹ 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 hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,