Ephesians 1

In the first Chapter of Ephesians, Paul spells out the significance of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the stipulation for the grace that we receive. Without his propitiation, we are without a promise. The role of Jesus in this plan isn’t singular, but multifaceted. The intention of Ephesians 1 isn’t to spell out distinctive theology; however, to understand salvation you must understand the Messiah. While this is not all-inclusive, here are some of the basics delivered to us in the beginning of this church’s letter:

1. Jesus is the Son of God. His Father is also His God. (1:3, 1:17)

In verse three and seventeen of this Chapter, Paul refers to the Heavenly Father as the God of Jesus. Wait. What?! Much of Christianity treats Jesus and God as synonyms. Paul makes this important distinction in this letter to show that the Father is who we petition and who gives. Jesus makes this clear repeatedly in the Gospels when he states that he does nothing by his own power and authority. (John 5:30; 8:28) However, through the faith and name of Jesus, we have an eternal subscription to God paid through the blood of the Son of God, but it is our Heavenly Father who pours out His Spirit to us and gives us wisdom and revelation to know GOD better; to walk in step with him, just as Christ did.(John 17:20-23)

2. Jesus is our Brother. (1:5, 1:11,12)

Paul makes it clear in Ephesians and Galatians that we are God’s adopted sons and daughters. The particular phrase in verse five, “adoption to sonship,” had a greater meaning in Roman context, and is similar to the legal adoption process we know today. This means that we receive all the rights and privileges, we are considered equal to a biological relative, and we now bear the surname of God. The inference then becomes we are the adopted brothers and sisters of Jesus, who, referring back to point one, is the Son of God. What then do we receive? The same inheritance as Christ: the Holy Spirit, resurrection, and the Kingdom of God.

3. Jesus is our Savior (1:7, 1:18,19)

.While this statement has been alluded to in the opening paragraph and the previous point, it is most important to note that Jesus is our Savior. Our inheritance would be null and void if not for the redemption of sin, which is a treasure in itself, a bounty of God’s grace. Jesus accomplished this through a life and death in accordance with God’s will. No more sacrifice is required because he became the fragrant offering. He is still saving us; his death is still washing away the stain of sin. He did save us once (Hebrews 7:27) but through the grace of God, saves us again and again through grace and repentance.

4. Jesus is Head of the Church. (1:22,23)

It is God who has appointed and placed the body of believers under the head of Jesus. Jesus is literally God’s right-hand man. It is Christ’s spirit, meaning his purpose and drive, that should be the same spirit of the Church. Who better to lead us than the one who experienced life in the same way as us? (Hebrews 4:15) Paul took direction from Jesus face-to-face, but we take direction from His life in the scriptures. In the same manner, let us proclaim the Kingdom of God and message of salvation in a similar fashion to Jesus; he has shown us how to live in this manner.

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

What is significant about the relationship between God and Jesus? What jobs/positions does each hold? According to this passage, what is unique about each?
What do Christians miss out on when they use Jesus and God as synonyms?
What has Jesus done for you? Thank God for His Son Jesus and all he is to you.

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A Deposit

Sunday, August 14, 2022

Living in Arizona, there is no shortage of Mexican restaurants. One of the best parts of eating at one is the delivery of warm crispy tortilla chips and moderately spicy salsa within minutes of being seated. Each restaurant’s chips and salsa are different and wonderfully delicious. You can get a hint of the caliber of your main entree by the quality of this appetizer. If the chips and salsa are especially tasty, I will fill up on that by the time my chicken chimichanga is brought to the table.

As I read the first half of this first chapter in Ephesians, I am struck by this phrase in verse 14, “who (the Holy Spirit) is a deposit”. Wait…a DEPOSIT?!?! You mean there’s more to be expected? It’s a very crude comparison, but it’s almost like the chips and salsa…it’s so good all by itself. But I know that something even more wonderful is coming.

I guess somewhere in my understanding, I have KNOWN that when the Kingdom is established on the earth, that it will be more than whatever it is that I can possibly imagine. But I hadn’t ever made the connection that the Holy Spirit is the deposit to my FULL inheritance in Christ.

Usually, a deposit is a fraction of the full amount in order to hold an item on your behalf. So if the Holy Spirit is a deposit to hold my spot in the Kingdom…how much more will the full experience of the Kingdom really be?

Back in Acts 1, Jesus tells his disciples that the Holy Spirit will empower them to be witnesses. Likewise, as believers, we also are given the power of the Holy Spirit so that we can do great and mighty things for the coming Kingdom of God. This is the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms (Eph 1:20).

Unlike eating chips and salsa, which I tend to not want to share, we are meant to do something for others with this deposit. We are meant to minister and serve. We are meant to teach and show hospitality. We are meant to impart compassion and discern wisdom. We are meant to pray for and encourage others. We are meant to give and sacrifice our time, energies, and resources.

I recently wrote in my journal three questions. I’ll conclude by asking you the same as you consider this deposit of the Holy Spirit.

What should I continue doing?

What should I stop doing?

What should I start doing?

-Bethany Ligon

Application Questions

See above. 🙂

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Live in Unity

Ephesians 1

Churches split. Friendships break. Families fracture. Some people seem to be water and others oil. We are surrounded by division. Fortunately for us, Jesus’ mission is to unite everything in heaven and on earth.

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 1:9-10

Unfortunately for us, Jesus’ undertaking won’t be complete until he comes back to earth to establish his Father’s Kingdom. In the meantime, however, he invites us to join him on this mission. It’s a great honor to play a part in Jesus’ task, but it’s hard to know where to begin in such a broken world. When it seems like there’s not enough Elmer’s glue to hold the world together, here are some key ways to preserve unity:

See people how God sees people. I think nearly every problem in the world would disappear if we saw people from God’s perspective. If we viewed each person as intentionally and brilliantly designed by our Creator for a unique purpose, division would have no foothold. Pray that God would change the way you see people and you’ll see a change in your relationships.

Dwell on unity. Do you have a friend that you agree with 99% of the time, but the 1% has created a rift? I once had a heated debate with a friend, Luke, on the right way to eat a Little Debbie’s Nutty Bar. After 30 minutes of quarreling, it was clear neither of us were going to budge. While most issues threatening relationships are bigger than a Nutty Bar, it is still silly to dwell on them all the time. Whether you differ on a specific doctrine, a political view, or a football team allegiance, spend more time focusing on your similarities than differences. As Christians, we are more alike than different.

Seek reconciliation. We’ve all said and done things that we regret, but our true character is revealed in how we handle the hurt. Humbly admit when you are wrong, give grace when you’ve been hurt, and diligently deal with the cracks in your relationships. There is no weakness in forgiveness.

Consider the cost of division. Unity is costly in terms of effort, but the results of division cost much more. I’ve seen the nasty effects of broken friendships, strained family relations, and hurting churches. Remember that a rope is stronger than a single string. We were made to do life together—in unity.

-Mackenzie McClain

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