Our Daily Scripture – 7/11/22

SCRIPTURE:  EPHESIANS 1

INTRODUCTION:

Paul wrote Ephesians while he was imprisoned in Rome about AD60.  His central subject was about unity of church under one head – Christ focusing on relationship of love towards each other.  His theme is Christ and the church, the eternal plan of God to gather all things in Christ Jesus.

Ephesus was one of the great cities of Asia Minor.  It was a Roman capital, a wealthy commercial center and the custodian of the temple of Diana.  The temple of Diana was one of the seven wonders of the ancient word.  That was why the city was devoted to worship of idolatry.

BIBLE VERSES:

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves,” (Ephesians 1:4-6)

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” (Ephesians 1:7-11)

SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS IN CHRIST (vs. 3-14)

Paul emphasized on the subject of salvation:

  1. Salvation comes from God (v. 4)
  2. Salvation is freely given by grace to us (v. 6)
  3. Salvation is for the praise of his glory (v. 12)
  4. Salvation guarantees our inheritance in heaven (v. 14)

BLESSINGS FROM THE FATHER:

  1. He chose us (v. 4)
  2. He adopted us (v. 5)
  3. He freely gave his glorious grace (v. 6)

BLESSINGS FROM THE SON

  1. He redeemed us (v. 7a)
  2. He forgave us (v. 7b)
  3. He lavished us with all wisdom and understanding (v. 8)
  4. He made known to us the mystery of His will (v. 9)

BLESSINGS FROM THE SPIRIT

  1.  He marked us with a seal that guarantees our inheritance (v. 14)

THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER (vs. 15-23)

PRAYER OF PAUL:

  1. That God may give them the Spiritual understanding of wisdom and revelation to know him better (v. 17)
  2. That God may enlighten the eyes of their hearts so that they may know the hope of His calling (v. 18b)
  3. That they may know the riches of his glorious inheritance (v. 18c)
  4. That they may know his power (vs. 19-23)

THOUGHTS:
1.  Paul was very pleased when he heard about the faith in the Lord Jesus and the love for all the saints in Ephesian church.  May our church also manifest to the world our faith for the Lord and love for all the saints.

2.  Salvation is given to us by his grace.  Because of his infinite love, he chose us and adopted us as his own children.  How are you responding to his call?

3.  The church is the body of Christ.  As we worship, work or serve in church, we need to be united under one head, Christ Jesus and show love to one another.