EPHESIANS - Chapter one

EPHESIANS– chapter one
Feb. 7th, 2010


Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is concerned first of all with “God’s plan…..to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as Head.” (1: 10)
He also appeals to God’s people to live out this great plan for the unity of mankind through oneness with Jesus Christ.
It shows us how this oneness is to be worked out by God the Father, by having chosen us before the foundation of the world in Christ Jesus, by forgiving our sins and setting us free from bondage and assures us that God’s promises are guaranteed by the Holy Spirit.
Several figures of speech are used to show the oneness of God’s people in union with Christ – the church is like a body with Christ as the Head; or like a building with Christ as the cornerstone or like a wife, with Christ as the husband.
Everything is done by the grace of God through Christ’s love, His sacrifice, forgiveness and purity.

We are only looking at chapter one of this Epistle and notice Paul’s phrase -IN CHRIST
The believer is IN CHRIST (1: 1)
Blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places IN CHRIST (1: 3)
Chosen us IN HIM before the foundation of the world (l: 4)
Predestinated us unto the adoption of children BY CHRIST to Himself according to the good pleasure of His will to the praise of the glory of His grace (1: 5)
Wherein He hath made us accepted IN THE BELOVED (l: 6)
IN WHOM we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His Grace (1: 7)
Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself. That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together IN ONE all things IN CHRIST both which are in heaven and which are on earth, even IN HIM (1: 9, 10) Also read Col. 1: 20
IN WHOM also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of HIM Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own Will (1: 11)
THAT WE SHOULD BE TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY, WHO FIRST TRUSTED IN CHRIST (1: 12 ) Read here 2 Thess.2: 13-17
IN WHOM you also trusted, after that you heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: IN WHOM also after that you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory (1: 13, 14)

Paul finishes this chapter saying he gives thanks without ceasing to God for them and mentions his prayers for them –
That HE might give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of HIM!
That the eyes of their understanding be enlightened that they may know what is the hope
of their calling, and what the riches of the glory of HIS inheritance in the saints,


And what is the exceeding greatness of HIS power toward them who believe, according to the working of HIS mighty power, which HE wrought IN CHRIST when HE raised HIM from the dead, and set HIM at HIS own RIGHT HAND in the heavenly places,
showing them the present position of Jesus Christ after God had He raised Him from the dead!
SEATED FAR ABOVE ALL PRINCIPALITY, AND POWER AND MIGHT, AND DOMINION, AND EVERY NAME THAT IS NAMED, NOT ONLY IN THIS WORLD, BUT ALSO IN THAT WHICH IS TO COME.
AND HATH PUT ALL THINGS UNDER HIS FEET, AND GAVE HIM TO BE THE HEAD OVER ALL THINGS TO THE CHURCH, WHICH IS HIS BODY, THE FULLNESS OF HIM THAT FILLETH ALL IN ALL. Hallelujah!!

What great truths are revealed here – JESUS CHRIST IN ABSOLUTE CONTROL WITH ALL POWER OVER ALL THINGS TO THE CHURCH WHICH IS HIS BODY AND ALL THINGS PLACED UNDER HIS FEET

Where are you and I? IN CHRIST seated WITH HIM with all things under our feet!!
By faith we shall reign in life and demonstrate the defeat of Satan and all his works by
the power of the Holy Ghost and through the authority in the Name of Jesus Christ.

Confess the Word (audibly), believe the Word in your heart and act on the Word!
JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE and will make good every promise made!

The ONENESS that is referred to in this chapter is OUR ONENESS WITH CHRIST!
Fellowship and Righteousness with God has been restored through Christ and sin shall not reign over us for we are dead to sin and alive IN CHRIST!

My faith is being established in His Word and I’m thrilled as I walk with HIM and talk with HIM daily along life’s way!
I’m enjoying my salvation and relationship with Father-God through the finished work of Calvary.
What a privilege is ours to show our world that we are linked up with God and His eternal purposes!
Margaret Wright