Ephesians 2:11-22

ACCESS TO THE FATHER BY ONE SPIRIT

Keywords2:18

For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

 

1. Brought near by Christ’s blood (11-18)

Paul reminded the Ephesian Christians that most of them were once considered Gentiles. They did not have the written code nor circumcision that the Jews had. They were separated from God, separated from Christ, and separated from God’s chosen people Israel. But because of Christ, Gentiles everywhere (then and now) are brought near through the blood that Christ shed on the cross. Jesus is our peace. He bridged the distance between sinful people and God. He also bridged the distance between Gentile and Jew. He has made the two one and has torn asunder the dividing wall by abolishing the commandments and regulations. We are all one in Christ.

 

2. We are citizens with God’s people (19-22)

The result of Christ’s death on the cross is that we who believe are no longer foreigners and aliens. We are now citizens of His kingdom, along with God’s people. Because of what Jesus did, we are now members of God’s own household, with Jesus Christ as its cornerstone. Together with God’s people, we are a holy temple, even as a dwelling place for the Spirit of God.

 

Prayer Lord, Thank you for Jesus by whom we may live as your holy people, indwelt with your Spirit.

One Word United in Christ

Ephesians 2:1-10

WE ARE GOD’S WORKMANSHIP

Keywords 2:10

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

 

1. God made us alive in Christ (1-7)

Paul pointed out the truth of humans—that we all have a sinful nature. We all once followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air (Satan). But because of God’s great love for us, He saved us. Out of His mercy, he brought us from being dead in sin to alive in Christ. While we were still in sin, God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms. God’s grace is so wonderful! We are alive because of Him.

 

2. It is by grace we are saved (8-10)

We were not saved by works of any kind. We are saved only by the great and wonderful grace of our God, through faith in Jesus Christ. But our faith is not self-generated. It, too, is because of the grace of God. We are truly God’s workmanship! He created us to do good works. We are each, by the grace of God, part of His world salvation plan, not by accident or our own plan, but prepared by God for us in advance.

 

Prayer Lord, thank you so much for your grace. It is by grace alone that we have been brought from death to life. Help me to do the good works you created me to do.

One Word Saved by faith to do good works

Ephesians 1:15-23

KNOW THE HOPE TO WHICH HE HAS CALLED US

Keywords 1:18a

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you,

 

1. …so that you may know him better (15-17)

Hearing about the faith and love of the Ephesian Christians could only bring Paul to prayers of thanksgiving. Paul thanked God for their faith in the Lord Jesus and their love for all the saints. He also prayed for two things for them. He asked God to give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, the Holy Spirit. The Ephesians were very good in many ways. They needed the Holy Spirit so that they may come to know God even better. We should continually pray that God may grant us His Spirit that we may come to know Him better.

 

2. That your heart may be enlightened (18-23)

The second thing Paul prayed for was that they may be enlightened by God to know the hope He had given them. It is hard to have hope in a world in which there seems to be nothing but bad news. In fact, there is no worldly hope. Our hope is only in God. We can have this hope because our God raised Christ from the dead and seated him at His right hand. And we know He will raise us too.

  

Prayer Lord, grant me the Holy spirit that I may know you better and have your hope at all times.

One Word That we may know Him better

 

Ephesians 1:7-14

IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION

Keywords 1:7

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

 

1. God’s grace is lavished on us (7-10)

Here, Paul continued with the spiritual blessings the Lord Jesus gives his people. He gave us redemption from our sins through his blood that was shed on the cross. This was all done in accordance with the riches of God’s abundant grace, which He gives to all believers. Why? To make known the mystery of His will, whose basis is Christ Jesus. His will is that all things in heaven and on earth may be in unity under the head of Christ.

  

2. You also are included in Christ (11-14)

The words “in him” are repeated throughout this passage. Christ is the center of God’s plan. We are chosen “in him”. We have been predestined “in him”. We who have put our hope in him are for the praise of His glory. Who is “in him”? All who hear the word of truth (the gospel) and believe that the gospel is our salvation. We who believe receive the mark of the Holy Spirit, who guarantees us an inheritance in the kingdom of heaven. We belong to God, for the praise of His glory!

  

Prayer Lord, thank you for including me in Christ. Help me to live for the praise of your glory.

One Word We are included in Christ

Ephesians 1:1-6

TO GOD’S HOLY PEOPLE IN EPHESUS

Keywords 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

 

1. Grace and peace to you (1,2)

Paul was probably in prison in Rome when he wrote this letter to the Ephesians. He had earlier visited there, sent as an apostle of Christ Jesus. Paul recognized the holiness of the people of Ephesus. What made them holy? They were made holy through the gospel of Jesus Christ. God made them holy because they were faithful in Christ Jesus. As Paul greeted them, he wished them grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

2. Chosen to be holy and blameless (3-6)

Even though Paul was in prison at this time, he could give praise to the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul praised God for the blessings He had given the Ephesians (and that He gives to us!). We who belong to God have the blessings of being chosen even before the creation of the world. God chooses His people to be holy and blameless in His sight. We who are God’s have the blessings of adoption as His children through Jesus Christ. And we have the blessing of His grace on us. We have all these because of the gospel. We can live gloriously as His children!

 

Prayer Lord, thank you that you chose me long before I was born. I praise and thank you each day.

One Word Chosen by God to be holy and blameless

2 Chronicles 28:1-15

AHAZ WORSHIPED IDOLS

Keywords 28:1b

Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD.

 

1. Ahaz did not follow the LORD (1-8)

King Jotham did better than his father, but his son King Ahaz did much worse. Ahaz followed Israel into all kinds of idolatry, forsaking God. So God delivered Ahaz over to the Arameans who took many prisoners. Then Israel also killed 120,000 of his soldiers and carried off 200,000 wives and children as slaves, and much plunder as well. Forsaking God and following idols always brings disaster.

 

2. Israel listened and responded (9-15)

A prophet named Oded rebuked Israel for taking prisoners of war. He told them God was angry with Judah but now they were just as guilty. Four leaders convinced Israel’s army to give back the plunder and take the prisoners back home. Israel listened. This time, they did better than Judah. Will you love and serve the Lord only?

 

Prayer Lord, cleanse me of all idols that I may love and follow you only.

One Word Love and serve the Lord only

2 Chronicles 27:1-9

HE WALKED STEADFASTLY BEFORE GOD

Keywords 27:6

Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God.

 

1. He did right, even better than dad (1-4)

Jotham became king at age 25 and died at age 41. He did right in the LORD’s eyes. He even did better than his father by not sinning at the temple. But the people continued corrupt practices. He rebuilt a temple gate and did extensive wall work. Will we do better than those before us?

 

2. A steadfast walk before God (5-9)

Jotham conquered the Ammonites and they brought him a large tribute. Why did he grow so powerful? It was because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God. It is not easy to do that when the people before you and around you are not walking steadfastly before God. He walked the narrow path to life (Mt 7:14). How are you walking for those that will follow?

 

Prayer Lord, may we overcome corrupt practices all around us and walk steadfastly before you. May all who come behind us find us faithful.

One Word Walk steadfastly before God.