EPh 1. Things paul wants us to KNOW..

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eternally-gratefull

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#1
#1

in Eph 1: Paul shows us a few things that all who are followers of Christ has recieved.

1. Blessed with EVERY spiritual blessing IN CHRIST (vs 3)
2. CHOSEN to be holy and without blame before God (vs 4)
3. PREDESTINED to be ADOPTED as sons of God (vs 5)
4. Made us ACCEPTED in christ (vs 6)
5. Redeemed, haven been forgiven of sins (vs 7)
6. Opened up our minds to the mystery of God, that he will bring all things together to himself. no matter where they are
7. SEALED us with the HS who is our GUARANTEE of eternity with God.(vs 13-14).

In the verses following these declarations of all the blessing God has given every one of his children, Paul continues with these words.

1 He prays that God will give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation of knowledge in him (something he already said God revealed to them)

2. They will KNOW the hope of his calling, and all the great riches God has given them (which they also know they have)

3. The surpassing great power of God given to those who believe (his children) and the strength of his might (which again, they already knew) A Power so great he created the world, and raised Jesus from the dead. giving him (the redeemer) all power and authority


My question for discussion is, Why did Paul pray for them to really understand these three things, and why I believe it was important for Paul that the church in Ephesus took these promises, and these three points to heart to not only know them, but experience them in their lives..
 
H

HisHolly

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#2
#2
But a full and deeper revelation is what he wanted them to have. We grow in our knowledge and understanding. We can know these things but understand fully takes time. We'll be gaining until Jesus comes
 
Grace777x70

Grace777x70

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#3
Nov 22, 2015
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#3
Great OP. I believe what Paul is doing is trying in Eph. chapter 1 to get our minds renewed to the truth of what Christ has actually done for us that are in Christ.

I believe we as Christians need to be established in the truths of Christ being in us and we being in Christ as one spirit before we can speak about behavior issues that Paul addresses later in the letter.

Without being cemented in the truths of Christ first and having our horse before the cart - there is a tendency to try to "mandate" or "dictate" certain behaviors in Christians to get them to conform to what Paul wrote in the rest of his letter. This is how the different forms of religion is made.

We need to have a firm foundation in our union with Christ and in all that Christ has already done for us before we can experience the enabling grace to have His life lived in and through us so that others can see Christ in this world.

I agree 100% EG that us Christians need to be grounded in these first truths and promises in Ephesians 1 before we can walk on in the Lord in His strength and stand when the battle of life comes screaming at all of our doors. ( Eph. 6:10-18 )
 
Chester

Chester

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#4
May 23, 2016
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#4
I will make a brief comment on the third point: Paul wanted them to know the power of his resurrection

I think this becomes one of the important threads through the entire book of Ephesians: in chapter 2 we as Christians are resurrected with Christ - in Ch. 6 spiritual warfare has its basis in the resurrection power of Christ.

In the sermons by Paul, Peter, John, and the apostles they talk about the resurrection more than they talk about the crucifixion. Paul here spends several verses trying to describe this great power.

Do we realize that the Christ in us has this power - and thus it is readily daily available to us?
 
F

FreeNChrist

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#5
#5
I think Ephesians 1 is Paul setting up all that he is about to tell them in Ephesians 2 and beyond.
 
H

HisHolly

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#6
#6
Disclaimer, I know I use "but" a lot. I'm not trying to discredit or one up or show up, more like adding to.. I'll have to work to stop myself..
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#7
#7
HisHolly said:
But a full and deeper revelation is what he wanted them to have. We grow in our knowledge and understanding. We can know these things but understand fully takes time. We'll be gaining until Jesus comes
Click to expand...
Yes, I agree. Why is it so important we understand all those things, and make sure we get them right??
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#9
#9
Chester said:
I will make a brief comment on the third point: Paul wanted them to know the power of his resurrection

I think this becomes one of the important threads through the entire book of Ephesians: in chapter 2 we as Christians are resurrected with Christ - in Ch. 6 spiritual warfare has its basis in the resurrection power of Christ.

In the sermons by Paul, Peter, John, and the apostles they talk about the resurrection more than they talk about the crucifixion. Paul here spends several verses trying to describe this great power.

Do we realize that the Christ in us has this power - and thus it is readily daily available to us?
Click to expand...
Amen, there is no greater power in the world.. And we have this power at our disposal. So I guess then, why do we not grab ahold of it, and work it out in our lives.

I also think he wants us to know this power for another reason.. Can we think of what that might be.. Gods power to do what?
 
Grace777x70

Grace777x70

Banned
#10
Nov 22, 2015
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#10
I believe EG that one needs to have "security" before true "maturity" can be manifested in us. The same as any other relationship.

Without this security in our relationship with the Lord - we are an easy mark for the enemy to deceive us through various means and some of them religious ways which have the potential to create the greatest strongholds in our minds.
 
H

HisHolly

Guest
#12
#12
You can't be shaken if you understand who you are exactly, and who God is to you.. The enemy will be far more powerless than he already is
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#14
#14
HisHolly said:
You can't be shaken if you understand who you are exactly, and who God is to you.. The enemy will be far more powerless than he already is
Click to expand...
YES! This is a great truth.. We ill not be shaken, and our faith will be strong..
 
G

Grandpa

Senior Member
#15
Jun 24, 2011
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#15
eternally-gratefull said:
My question for discussion is, Why did Paul pray for them to really understand these three things, and why I believe it was important for Paul that the church in Ephesus took these promises, and these three points to heart to not only know them, but experience them in their lives.
Click to expand...
Paul wanted their faith to come from them. To be between them and Christ. He didn't want them to have to rely on him for their faith, as a crutch.

In that way, if they are questioned as to why they have faith, they won't say 'because Paul said we need to'. Their faith would be their own and they could say "The Power of the Lord Jesus Christ has saved me" and not some intellectual assent to a teacher.

Not that intellectual assent to Paul is bad... In case someone thinks I am somehow arguing against Paul... not me...
 
H

HisHolly

Guest
#16
#16
eternally-gratefull said:
YES! This is a great truth.. We ill not be shaken, and our faith will be strong..
Click to expand...
They did face some pretty serious things back then. Is always pertinent to know what you're doing it for.. The prize
 
L

ladylynn

Guest
#17
#17
eternally-gratefull said:

in Eph 1: Paul shows us a few things that all who are followers of Christ has recieved.

1. Blessed with EVERY spiritual blessing IN CHRIST (vs 3)
2. CHOSEN to be holy and without blame before God (vs 4)
3. PREDESTINED to be ADOPTED as sons of God (vs 5)
4. Made us ACCEPTED in christ (vs 6)
5. Redeemed, haven been forgiven of sins (vs 7)
6. Opened up our minds to the mystery of God, that he will bring all things together to himself. no matter where they are
7. SEALED us with the HS who is our GUARANTEE of eternity with God.(vs 13-14).

In the verses following these declarations of all the blessing God has given every one of his children, Paul continues with these words.

1 He prays that God will give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation of knowledge in him (something he already said God revealed to them)

2. They will KNOW the hope of his calling, and all the great riches God has given them (which they also know they have)

3. The surpassing great power of God given to those who believe (his children) and the strength of his might (which again, they already knew) A Power so great he created the world, and raised Jesus from the dead. giving him (the redeemer) all power and authority


My question for discussion is, Why did Paul pray for them to really understand these three things, and why I believe it was important for Paul that the church in Ephesus took these promises, and these three points to heart to not only know them, but experience them in their lives..
Click to expand...



When I read these verses it's a verification of God's hand in our lives as He has provided full and complete redemption for us when He gave us His Son. So we have this truth while we are walking here and now as well as in the future. Being able to claim these promises today based on the fact that God said it makes the promises available for the believing of them. Unless we believe them, they will not be effective in our lives.

He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. We are able to walk in newness of life even while still in these bodies. That is the only way to be victorious now and of course Paul knew they needed to hear that.

We are now holy and without blame before Him in love because of Christ. These truths taken by faith will get our attention on Christ and His finished work in and for us. It sure lifts me up and out of the earthly realities so that the truth of His Word can change my outward circumstances. Since He has already done these things what prevents me from walking in them?

It's hard to put myself in the shoes of those believers who had no Bible and had to depend on Paul to give the Word of God out. They didn't know they were given every spiritual blessing or that they were blameless before Him in love. That they were actually predestined to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ.

All these truths were probably being heard for the very first time. They were chosen and sealed. They were given their position IN Christ not for their earning it but freely given to them by Jesus Himself for their receiving Him by faith. That is a lot to take in.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#18
#18
HisHolly said:
They did face some pretty serious things back then. Is always pertinent to know what you're doing it for.. The prize
Click to expand...
Maybe they were just doing it because they loved God?

And yes, they suffered many things, false teachers ran ramptant, Their lives were threatened, and the church was prety new..

 
Chester

Chester

Senior Member
#19
May 23, 2016
4,281
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113
#19
eternally-gratefull said:
Amen, there is no greater power in the world.. And we have this power at our disposal. So I guess then, why do we not grab ahold of it, and work it out in our lives.

I also think he wants us to know this power for another reason.. Can we think of what that might be.. Gods power to do what?
Click to expand...
Did you really write that question above? Where is Peter? !!!! LOL!
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#20
#20
ladylynn said:
When I read these verses it's a verification of God's hand in our lives as He has provided full and complete redemption for us when He gave us His Son. So we have this truth while we are walking here and now as well as in the future. Being able to claim these promises today based on the fact that God said it makes the promises available for the believing of them. Unless we believe them, they will not be effective in our lives.

He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. We are able to walk in newness of life even while still in these bodies. That is the only way to be victorious now and of course Paul knew they needed to hear that.

We are now holy and without blame before Him in love because of Christ. These truths taken by faith will get our attention on Christ and His finished work in and for us. It sure lifts me up and out of the earthly realities so that the truth of His Word can change my outward circumstances. Since He has already done these things what prevents me from walking in them?

It's hard to put myself in the shoes of those believers who had no Bible and had to depend on Paul to give the Word of God out. They didn't know they were given every spiritual blessing or that they were blameless before Him in love. That they were actually predestined to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ.

All these truths were probably being heard for the very first time. They were chosen and sealed. They were given their position IN Christ not for their earning it but freely given to them by Jesus Himself for their receiving Him by faith. That is a lot to take in.
Click to expand...
Amen sis!!

I think it is alot to take in for many people today, that's why the message is so easily tossed aside as an old wives tale.

These things are wonderful truths, And they needed to know them, not only know them, But understand them, For they were in a battle..

We too are in a battle. A spiritual battle. If we do not have these truths, I believe we will easily be taken out..
 
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