Friday – September 2, 2016
Greetings and welcome to today’s Bible study. It is Friday so before we plunge into Ephesians be reminded to pray for the Church which is the body of His Anointing in the earth being and bringing light into the world. The church building pictured is of the Sacred Heart Church located in the city of Edmonton, the Province of Alberta, the nation of Canada. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) This a wonderful and majestic building, I wonder if the spiritual condition of the Church (ekklēsia) in Canada, the United States, and around the world is the same.
Revelation 3:15-18 (KJV)
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
This is what Jesus said about the Church of Laodicea and it is what He is saying today to the modern Church. We might say: “surely not my church”. Take an honest look and see, but you will need eye salve. I am not talking just about the Catholic Church since that is the Church pictured, I am talking about your Church and my Church. Now back to our text.
Ephesians 1:5-7 (KJV)
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
I have been focused on Ephesians 1:6 and I have talked at some length about the words ‘praise’ and ‘glory’. Most frequently the word ‘glory’ will be referring to the person of the Holy Spirit or a physically detectable manifestation of the Holy Spirit, however in this case it is used as a descriptor ascribing the goodness of the Fathers grace (favor).
Ephesians 1:3 (KJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
The word ‘grace’ in our study verse, Ephesians 1:6, is usually referring to the Holy Spirit as well. This word can also be translated favor. When we are in right standing the Grace of God (Holy Spirit) compasses us about protecting us, guiding us, and preparing our way. The Grace of God, Favor of God will cause things to happen in our lives that only He can do either directly or indirectly through others who are willing. God is loosed to express grace or favor in our lives by our faith, love, and hope with thanksgiving, praise, and worship. For God to do otherwise would violate His own law (light) which would be a violation of light (darkness). In our text the word grace could be interpreted simply as a descriptor of His favor or bias toward us. God started a family in the Garden of Eden, that family rebelled against God but He was committed to having a family and redeeming those who would say yes to the redeeming blood of Jesus. The Blood of Jesus at Calvary ratified The Blood Covenant initiated some two thousand years prior with Abraham. When sin, the curse, entered the earth the oneness Adam had with God was shattered and the Holy Spirit was no longer available to all persons. Jesus was able to endure and secure our redemption and His own with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 9:14 (KJV)
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
We are brought into the family of God, one with Him again with the abiding Holy Spirit (inside and out) when we submit to Jesus as Lord by the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 2:5-10 (KJV)
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 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.
Ephesians 1:6 (KJV)
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Now, let’s take the first half of the preceding verse and summarize it. So when we declare that Jesus is our Lord, acknowledge His goodness (glory), Grace (the Holy Spirit) translates us from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of His dear Son making us once again living souls. As I wind up this teaching let’s examine the second half of the verse. The ‘he’ here is our Heavenly Father who made a way to not only restore His family but place in a better place in Christ Jesus with the eternal blood speaking on our behalf.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
