Ephesians : Bringing Heaven to Earth

by Kevin Harney

• ISBN13: 9780310498414
• ISBN10: 0310498414
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1995-08-01
• Publisher: Zondervan

Summary

Ephesians reveals a mystery God kept hidden in his heart through the ages. As you grasp this mystery, you will discover a new, unshakable identity in Christ. You will find out how God views the church, what your place is in it, and how to fulfill your earthly mission with heaven's power. You will learn, too, how God equips believers to combat the forces of the devil and emerge victorious.

Excerpts

THE BLESSINGS OF GOD STUDY 1
In my junior year of college a friend asked me if I would preach at a small church in Chicago. It was a house-church with about fifty people in attendance. I agreed to preach, and I began to prepare a message from the first chapter of Ephesians.
The unique part of this experience was that most of the fifty church members were just beginning to learn English. My friend’s name was Demetrius, and he was born and raised in Thessalonica, Greece. Like him, most of the congregation spoke Greek fluently. Demetrius interpreted as I preached. The congregation was warm and friendly and seemed to relate well with what I was saying. Their smiles and nodding heads affirmed that my message was hitting the mark. I spoke with enthusiasm, Demetrius interpreted with equal excitement, and the small congregation listened intently. Everything seemed to be going fine.
As I spoke about the church at Ephesus and gave the apostle Paul’s greeting, I asked a simple question: “Whom is Paul talking about when he refers to ‘the saints in Ephesus’?” I answered my own rhetorical question with the statement, “He is speaking of all the believers.” I explained that all Christians are saints in God’s eyes. As I spoke these words and clarified Paul’s view of sainthood, I realized very quickly that I was losing my audience. They might not have spoken much English, but the universal language of furrowed brows, con-fused expressions, and shaking heads spoke volumes. They did not agree with me!
After the message we had an open discussion (with interpretation), and several people explained their concern. Most of them came from a church background where a few select people are made “saints” by the church. They expressed their honest belief that they would never be able to attain this high and special status of sainthood.
1. What mental pictures come to mind when you hear the word saint?
Perhaps you have known someone whom you would call a saint or regard as having lived a “saintly” life. What was it about his or her life that impressed you? 2. Read Ephesians 1:1–14. Would you expect someone to call you a saint? Why or why not?
3. Paul says we have been blessed in Christ “with every spiritual blessing” (v. 3). What are some of the spiritual blessings you have received through Jesus Christ?
4. In this passage we find a wonderful synopsis of the gospel. How would you define these three very important words (vv. 7–8)?
—Redemption
—Forgiveness
—Grace
How do we experience God’s redemption, forgiveness, and grace in our daily lives?
5. What concepts come to mind when you read the words “the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us” (vv. 7–8)? How have you experienced the working of God’s grace and goodness in your life?
6. Why is the blood of Jesus a central element of the gospel message (v. 7)?
7. What is the place and work of the Holy Spirit in our salvation (vv. 13–14)?
What is the work of the Holy Spirit in our continued spiritual growth?
8. Read Ephesians 1:15–23. What does Paul ask God to give the Christians at the church of Ephesus?
How can each of these qualities help believers grow in faith as God’s saints?
9. Paul asks God to open the spiritual eyes of the Ephesians so that they may see three things. What is the significance of each (vv. 18–19)?
—To see the hope to which we have been called
To see the riches of his glorious inheritance
—To see his great power for all who believe
10. Paul compares the power available to us with the same power with which Christ rose from the dead. What does it mean to walk in the “resurrection power” of Jesus?
How can we learn to do that (vv. 19–22)?
11. What do we learn about Jesus in verses 20–23?
How should the truth of these passages mold and shape the way we worship Jesus?
12. What does Paul mean when he calls the church “Christ’s body”?
What are some meaningful parallels between the human body and the church as the body of Christ?
13. What can we do to strengthen and uphold the body of Christ?
Memory Verse
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, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
—Ephesians 1:18
Use Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1 as a guideline for the coming week. Day 1: Thank God for making you a saint through the death and resurrection of Jesus (v. 15).
Day 2: Spend time thanking the Lord for your fellow saints in the faith (v. 16).
Day 3: Pray for God’s wisdom to fill the life of a friend who needs direction from the Lord (v. 17).
Day 4: Ask God to open your eyes to see the hope and the rich inheritance that you have in Christ (v. 18).
Day 5: Ask God to show you how to have the resurrection power of Jesus in your daily life (vv. 19–20).
Day 6: Praise God for saving you through the shed blood of Jesus (vv. 20–22).
Day 7: Pray for strength and health in the body of Christ, the church (vv. 22–23).

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Excerpted from Ephesians: Bringing Heaven to Earth by Kevin G. Harney
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.