Ephesians: The New Humanity
Ephesians 1:1-14 NIV
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Rehearsing the Blessings of God:
Chosen us in Him (Christ)
Predestined us through Jesus Christ
Given us grace in the One He loves
Redeemed us in Him
Forgiven us through His blood
Ephesians:
Written by Paul the apostle (Heb. Saul), a Rabbi and former
Paul was in
at the time (likely in Rome)
Written to the church in Ephesus in modern
Circulated throughout the
What was his purpose for the letter?:
Ephesians 3:4,6 NIV
In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ… 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 1:1b NIV
To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus
“Holy People” (hagiois) in the OT:
- Nation of Israel
- Spiritual/heavenly assembly
Psalm 89:6-7 NIV
For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings? 7 In the council of the holy ones God is honored; he is more awesome than all who surround him.
There are no second-class citizens among God’s people.
Ephesians 2:9-10 NIV
He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
The message of Ephesians invites us to examine the in our relationships and receive grace in Christ for healing, reconciliation, and .
Rehearsing the Blessings of God:
Chosen us in Him (Christ)
Predestined us through Jesus Christ
Given us grace in the One He loves
Redeemed us in Him
Forgiven us through His blood
Who is “us”?
Ephesians 2:13 NIV
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation.
The terms “chosen,” “predestined,” and “election” tell the story of God’s people, beginning with Abraham, being fulfilled and propelled forward in Christ.
The terms “chosen,” “predestined,” and “election” tell the of God’s people, beginning with Abraham, being fulfilled and propelled forward in .
Election is God choosing a out of many to be a to the many.
How does this change the way we live?
1. Look for ways to be a community of .
2. Respond with a life of praise (v. 3, 14).
- Regularly express thankfulness to God.
- Determine to worship in response to Christ. (rather than our emotions or personal preference)
- Recall God’s faithfulness together
- Celebrate one another’s flourishing
- Receive ordinary life as a gift
- Live as reconciled people: extending the grace we’ve received.