Week 38: Ephesians 2

Transcription

1 Week 38: Ephesians 2 Memory Verse For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 Overview of the Chapter This chapter is about you were versus you are now. It is a powerful description of the change in status with God a person attains when they are saved. 1. Ephesians 2:1 - were dead in sins (now quickened) 2. Ephesians 2:2 - in time past, children of disobedience 3. Ephesians 2:3 in times past children of wrath 4. Ephesians 2:5 were dead in sins (now quickened) 5. Ephesians 2:10 created unto good works that we should walk in them 6. Ephesians 2:11 in time past Gentiles in the flesh 7. Ephesians 2:12 at that time were without Christ, aliens and strangers, having no hope and without God 8. Ephesians 2:13 were far off (now made nigh) 9. Ephesians 2:17 were afar off (now reconciled vs 16) 10. Ephesians 2:19 no more strangers and foreigners (now fellow citizens) *9 times were and now are contrasted. This is the context change, not faith without change. Ephesians 2 (KJV): 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly

2 places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

3 Day 1 The course of this world Extra Study Pages Ephesians Chapter 2 Verses 1-3 Webster s dictionary defines culture as the totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought of a population or community. There are only 2 cultures recognized by the Bible in the New Testament the church and the world. When the Bible talks about the world, sometimes it is speaking of the literal world the earth. Sometimes it is talking about the culture of the world its beliefs, values, and customs. The culture of the world is evil and against God: Matthew 16:26 what profit to gain world (culture same Greek word) and lose soul? John 3:19, 1Corinthians 11:32, Hebrews 11:7 world condemned John 14:17 world cannot receive Spirit of truth John 7:7, John 8:23, John 15:18-19, John 17:14 & 16 world hated Jesus, hates disciples John 17:9 I pray not for the world not only means not at this time, also means our goal is not to change the culture of the world, it is to bring people into the culture of the church John 17:25 the world hath not known thee John 1:10, 1Corinthians 1:21, 1Corinthians 2:8, 1John 3:1 & 13, 1John 4:4, Revelation 12:9 Romans 12:2 be not conformed but transformed 1Corinthians 1:20-21, 1Corinthians 2:6, 1Corinthians 3:18-19 wisdom of this world is foolish 1Corinthians 4:9 & 13 apostles spectacle and filth to world Galatians 1:4 deliver us from evil world Galatians 4:3, Colossians 2:8 & 20 elements (foundational principles), rudiments same word Ephesians 2:12 without God in the world Colossians 2:8 rudiments of world not after Christ 2Timothy 4:10 Demas forsook, having loved world Hebrews 11:38 world not worthy of saints James 4:4 adulterers, friendship of world enmity w. God 2Peter 1:4 corruption in world 2Peter 2:20 pollution of world 2Peter 2:5, 2Peter 3:6 - flood on world

4 1John 2:15-16 love not the world, not of the Father, passeth away 1John 4:1 & 5 false prophets in world 1John 4:3 spirit of antichrist in world 1John 5:19 whole world in wickedness 2John 7 deceivers in world Revelation 16:14 whole world gathered against Christ Satan is the prince of this world (John 14:30, 2Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:2, Ephesians 6:12). The church is to be in the world, but not of the world (John 15:19, John 17:6 & 11 & 14 & 16, Philippians 2:15). The church is to be separated in lifestyle, but not isolated (2Corinthians 6:14-18, James 1:27). This is what Jesus did. He was known as a friend of publicans and sinners (Matthew 11:19), but He did not partake of their behavior. He was separate from sinners (Hebrews 7:26). He knew no sin (2Corinthians 5:21). He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). He did no sin (1Peter 2:22). He came to be a doctor for sinners (Matthew 9:12, Luke 4:13), yet He did not join Himself to them (John 2:23-25). Christians are to follow His example. There have always been people who have tried to ride the fence between the church and the world. They try to twist the scriptures to justify their sin, but they are only condemning themselves (John 5:39, Galatians 1:6-9, 2Peter 3:16, Jude 4). Although there is some value in understanding the cultural setting of a passage of scripture, we do not interpret scripture by culture. We interpret culture by scripture. The Bible is the measure, not the world. Day 2 By grace are ye saved through faith Verses 4-9 This is one of the most misinterpreted passages of scripture along with Romans 10:9-10. Just as Romans 10:9-10 is taken out of context, so is Ephesians 2:8-9. These verses do not teach that grace allows us to continue in sin. Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein (Romans 6:1-2)? Grace changes us (Titus 2:11-13, Jude 4). He saves us from our sins, not in our sins Acts 3:26, Acts 26:18, Rom 6, Rom 8:2, 1Jn 3:8). Faith is not instead of works, it is the basis of works (James 2:14-26). We do not earn salvation through our own works. It is based on His work. That does not mean that after we are saved, God does not expect any change. The word, repent, means to change your mind. After we repent, we are to bring forth fruit showing we did (Matthew 3:8 & 10, Matthew 17:17-19, Matthew 12:33, Matthew 13:23 & 26, Luke 13:6-7, John 15:2). Trees that bear no fruit are removed and burned. The saved no longer live in sin, but sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

5 Day 3 Created in Christ Jesus unto good works Verses People that quote Ephesians 2:8-9 to justify Calvinism should read on to verse 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Although God dealt with Gentiles throughout the Old Testament, there was no covenant between God and them like there was with Israel. They were aliens, which means shut out from the fellowship and intimacy of God. They were not part of the commonwealth, which means they did not have the rights of citizenship. Now through the blood of Jesus, the Gentiles have access to a covenant relationship with God. God intended for the Jews to also be part of the new covenant, but as a people they rejected Jesus. Therefore God offered it to the Gentiles (Matthew 21:28-44, Matthew 22:1-14, Romans 9-11). Day 4 One new man Verses There was a wall and enmity between the Jews and the Gentiles. Jesus broke down that wall, abolished and slew the enmity, and made peace. Now Jews and Gentiles have the same standing before and access to God by the cross. God offers the Holy Ghost to Jew and Gentile alike. The Gentiles are no longer on the outside looking into the kingdom of God with no rights. God has created out of the Jews and Gentiles a new group the church. He made one new nation out of all nations (John 11:51-52, Acts 2:5, Acts 10:35, 1Pet 2:9, Rev 5:9, Rev 7:9). Our main identity is not our cultural or national background. It is our citizenship in the household of God (Mk 3:31-15, Mt 23:8, Eph. 3:15). Day 5 The building fitly framed together Verses God never asked for a building dedicated to Him (2Samuel 7:7). When Israel sinned, He let the Philistines take the ark (1Samuel 4). When they sinned again later, He let the Babylonians spoil and destroy the temple (2Kings 24). God did not need a house. What He wanted was a relationship His people. The place He wants to inhabit is our hearts. He wants us to be His temple (1Cor 3:9, 1Pet 2:5), built on the apostle s doctrine, which they received from the Lord. He is the chief cornerstone (Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 28:16, Zechariah 10:4, Matthew 21:42, Acts 4:11, 1Peter 2:6-7). When a new facility is built, there is sometimes a symbolic laying of a cornerstone. There is usually a ceremony of dedication.

6 Sometimes the stone is carved with an inscription marking the date of its laying. Then the rest of the building is built around it. Jesus Christ is the main stone of the building, but each Christian is also a stone in that structure, and has an important role. This building is well designed, each piece fitting closely together. Each stone relies on the next one to hold it in place. Each stone touches the next one, and helps support the weight of the whole structure. We are not to be isolated pieces, but interconnected and helping form the whole. It is not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). This building is not a fixed, set structure with no additions to be made. This temple is to be continually growing. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end (Isaiah 9:7). And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved (Acts 2:47). The church is not the building. It is the people who are filled with the Holy Ghost, whose bodies are His temple.