Ephesians Lesson 01 (Text: Ephesians 1:1-14)
Introduction to Ephesians It is important to study God’s Word, the Bible. It is important to memorize verses and to think upon His Word. The Word of God never changes, even though we live in a world of constant change. Our friends and families change. Circumstances change. Our thoughts and attitudes change. And all around us we experience change every day. But the Word of God remains the same, and is sure and steadfast. We can always depend upon His Word. Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” Psalm 119:89 says, “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven,” and in I Peter 1:23, we read that the Word of God lives and abides forever. In uncertain and changing times, we can always depend upon His Holy Word to give us comfort, strength, grace and power for each moment of our lives, regardless of our situations or our circumstances. The Word of God also helps newborn babies in Christ to grow spiritually. In I Peter 2:2 we read, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” We, as believers in Christ, are commanded in God’s Word to grow spiritually. II Peter 3:18 says, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” The Word of God has always existed and will always exist. In John 1:1-2 we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” Read the following verses from the Bible: Psalm 119: 2, 9, 11, 28, 50, 67, 71, 74, 92, 114, 130, 147, 148, 162 and 165. As you begin these study courses of God’s Word, please begin them with this thought and prayer found in Psalm 119:18, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” And in Psalm 119:105 we read: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” This tells us how to stand with God and how to go with God. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” II Timothy 3:16-17
EPHESIANS “THE HEAVENLIES”
KEY VERSE: EPHESIANS 2:8,9 – (8) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
KEY WORDS: IN – Found 93 times. GRACE – Found 12 times. BODY – Found 8 times. WALK – Found 8 times.
THEME: As a part of the Body of Christ, the believer has been given a heavenly position and should conduct himself in light of that position.
DATE: 64 A.D.
WRITER: THE APOSTLE PAUL (See I Corinthians).
WRITTEN: To: BELIEVERS (Saints) AT EPHESUS. From: ROME – One of Four Prison Epistles. Others are: Philippians, Philemon, and Colossians.
THE BOOK: Number in Bible – 49h Book. Number of Chapters – 6. Number of Verses – 155. Number in Order of Writing – 10th in New Testament.
PURPOSE: (1) To STRENGTHEN believers in their faith. (2) To ENCOURAGE them to walk worthy of their position. (3) To REVEAL the mystery that both believers (Jews and Gentiles) are members of the Body of Christ.
DIVISIONS: Going into the MOUNTAINS TO WORSHIP (Ch. 1-3). Going into the MEADOWS TO WALK (Ch. 4-6). CONDUCT – DOCTRINE: What we BELIEVF- (Ch. 1-3). CREED – DEPORTMENT: How we BEHAVE (Ch. 4-6).
OUTLINE: THE CHURCH IN CHRIST …
- ITS ORIGIN (Ch. 1). (1) Selected by the Father (V. 4). (2) Saved by the Son (V. 7). (3) Sealed by the Spirit (V. 13).
- ITS FORMATION (Ch. 2). (1) Raised (V. 5). (2) Recreated (V. 20). (3) Reconciled (V. 16). (4) Reunited (V. 19).
III. ITS DESIGN (Ch. 3). (1) The Plan (V. 1-6). (2) The Power (V. 7-12). (3) The Purpose (V. 13, 20). (4) The Praise (V. 2 1).
- ITS DUTIES (Ch. 4-6). (1) To Walk. (a,) In Unity (4:1-16). (b) In Purity (4:17- 32). (e) In Love (5:1-6). (d) In Light
(5:7-14). (e) In Caution (5:15-17). (f) In Harmony (5:18, 6-9). (2) To War. (a) The Enemy – with which we are fighting (6:10-12). (b) The Equipment-with which we are fitted(6:1-‘1-17). (c)The Energy-with which we are filled (6:18-24).
MLSCELLANEOUS: A SERIES OF “WONDERFULS” (W. Wiersbe)
1 . A Wonderful STORY (Ch. 1).
- A Wonderful BODY (Ch.2).
- A Wonderful BUILDING (Ch. 3).
- A Wonderful WALK (Ch. 4).
- A Wonderful BRIDE (Ch. 5).
- A Wonderful WARFARE (Ch. 6)
