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Ephesians Chapter 3

Paul’s Stewardship

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; 3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.

-          For this reason?

o   What reason

o   Because of what we learned in Chapter 2

§  We were saved by grace not of works (it was what Christ did)

·       He chose us

·       He saved us

·       He completed the work on the cross

§  We are now citizens of heaven

§  We are part of the family of God

§  We are seated in the heavenlies with Christ

-          I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles

o   Jesus paid for Saul to become Paul with His blood

o   We are not our own, we have been bought with a price

o   In Paul’s case, it was for the sake of “you Gentiles” (those without hope)

-          If indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace

o   Which was given to me for you (God expects Paul to give it out)

o   That by revelation there was made known to me the mystery

§  That Christ died for sinners (including the Gentiles)

 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

-          When you read you can understand my insight

o   Into the mystery of Christ

o   Which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men

o   As it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit

-          To be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body

o   Fellow heirs (those who receive an inheritance) 

o   Fellow members (those who belong in the club chosen by God with full benefits)

o   All the promises of God’s word are for the Gentiles too (not just Jews)

o   Of people who religious people think are worthy (but the unworthy) 

 7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.

-          I was made a minister

o   A minister means “a servant to serve the meal of truth daily”

-          According to the gift of God’s grace (Grace is a gift; it cannot be earned)

-          Which was given to me according to the working of His power

o   Notice its was given (past tense) 

§  Dunamis power (Dynamite; the lame walk, the blind see, the sick are healed)

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Ephesians 2

Made Alive in Christ

2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

-          We were dead

-          We formerly walked according to the course of this world (a course that leads to hell)

-          According to the prince of the power of the air (the devil is leading this pack)

-          The spirit is working in the sons of disobedience (its spiritual) and in “sons of disobedience”

-          Disobedience always leads to punishment

 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

-          We too “all” formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh (we did it too)

-          We indulged in the desires of the flesh and of the mind (physical and mental)

-          We were “by nature children of wrath”

-          So remember we were guilty too!

 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

-          But God “being rich in mercy” because of “His great love”…

-          By Grace you have been saved!

-          And raised up with Him, and seated us with Him!

-          So that in the ages to come He might show surpassing riches of His grace and kindness

 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and [h]that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

-          By grace alone through faith

-          Not of ourselves

-          Not of works

-          So that no one may boast

-          For we are His workmanship “shaped by Him according to His delight”

-          And we were created in Christ for good works “Christ is the tool used to shape us”

-          Created for good works “in order to do good works”

-          Prepared beforehand “planned by God before time”

11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands

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Ephesians 1

The Blessings of Redemption

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration [l]suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

… Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

… who blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

Did you know that have been blessed with every spiritual blessing?

Did you know that He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.  Just like He chose Paul.  God chose you, chose me, chose us!

His plan for you and me was made before the foundation of the world (before the beginning of time as we know it).

Here it is: “that we would be holy and blameless before Him in Love”.  This was and is the plan.  God Himself would make us holy and blameless through sacrifice of blood which is the only way to be forgiven according to Jewish law.  In this case, the blood of God’s son washes us white as snow and we are forgiven for all sins past, present and future by what God did rather than what we have done.

This was done according to His kind intention of His will (because He loves you)

And is to the praise of the glory of His grace, which freely bestowed on us in the beloved (the glory of His grace is God Riches at Christ’s Expense; and he freely bestowed on us as a free gift not of works lest anyone should boast.  Just receive it and give God the glory!

He is going to up everything on earth and in heaven in Him (Jesus Christ). Jesus is the bridge, the way, the truth and the life that connects Heaven and Earth together that we may all be of one family with God as our Father.

He made known to us the mystery “that we have obtained an inheritance having been predestined according to His purpose” – you were written into God’s will.

When Jesus Christ died, you inherited all that He had.

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Matthew 28 - Jesus Has Risen

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

-          After the Sabbath

o   This is the very next morning

o   At dawn, when the Jews believe the next day starts

o   Mary means “beloved” or “myrhh”

o   Magdalene means “strong tower”

o   So in this introduction of this chapeter

§  We have the Sun, a picture of Jesus

§  We have beloved 

§  We have myrrh

§  And we have strong tower

§  Obviously this is a picture of the Savior

·         God’s Son is beloved by the Father who came die and be a strong tower for His people – a picture of the cross

2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

-          A violent earthquake

o   Enough to scare anyone to death

-          An angel of the Lord came down from heaven

o   And rolled back the stone and sat on it

o   That is one powerful Angel (he rolled back the stone by himself)

o   Then he sat on it – obviously waiting for people to show up

-          His appearance was like lightening.

o   Lightening is so strong it penetrates your house with your blinds closed and your eyes shut - you still see the flash

o   And his clothes were white as snow

o   This is a heavenly show to behold!

-          The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men

o   These were tough Roman soldiers quaking in their boots

o   They know the power of this on angel is way beyond anything they had every seen

o   They were literally scared to death (like dead men)

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

-          Notice the angel starts talking to the women (not the soldiers)

-          Do not be afraid is the first thing the angel said

o   Thank God the angel was friendly

-          For I know you are looking for the Jesus, who was crucified

o   Notice the angel knows why the women are there

o   And he knows that Jesus was crucified

o   So angels are very much real, alive and watching!

o   And are working on behalf of God (He came to do God’s business)

-          He is not here; he has risen, just as he said

o   Notice the angel confirms the good news

§  He has risen!

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Judas’s Remorse

27 Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; 2 and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor.

-          The disciples all fell away

-          Then the Jews spat in Jesus’s face and beat Him with their fists and slapped Him

-          Peter denied Christ three times

-          Now when the morning came 

o   What a night

-          The chief religious leaders conferred together to put Him to death

o   This is their plan thinking they will kill Him and stop people from leaving the Jewish faith from which they got their income, power and position

o   And yet they don’t realize that Jesus came for this very purpose so that all men could be saved by faith because of His sacrifice

3 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” 5 And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. 

-          It seems Judas repented

o   He felt remorse

o   He returns the money

o   He confessed that Jesus had innocent blood (no sin)

o   And went away and hanged himself

6 The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.” 7 And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. 8 For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.

-          The money paid for to betray Jesus bought a field

o   A place to bury strangers

o   Notice that even strangers would have a final resting place because of the blood of Jesus (not just Jews)

 9 Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one whose price had been set by the sons of Israel; 10 and they gave them for the Potter’s Field, as the Lord directed me.”

-          Even the money paid and the field the they bought was all according to God’s word already written many years before.

-          We think in the natural that everything is going terrible when, in fact, everything is going exactly according to God’s plan

-          Don’t worry, it will all turn out better than you think

Jesus before Pilate

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” 12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. 13 Then Pilate *said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” 14 And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed.

-          Jesus confirmed His identity

o   It is as you say

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Matthew 26 - The Plot to Kill Jesus

26 When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.”

-          When Jesus had finished these words

o   Jesus has just finished what words

o   The parable of the ten virgins – to make sure you are ready to meet the bridegroom

o   the parable of the talents – that you must use your talents to serve God

§  you are either growing closer and getting more

§  or you are drifting away and losing what you have

o   the judgement – all the believers not raptured are gathered together and separated with the sheep on the right and goats on the left

§  the sheep enter into heaven

§  the goats enter into hell

o   That whatever you do for someone you do unto the Lord

§  Do your best to Outbless everyone

-          Just after these lessons we now move on to Chapter 26

o   You know that after two days Passover is coming

o   The Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.

o   Notice Jesus knew what was going to happen in advance

§  And yet He still proceeded forward in love

§  Imaging choosing death by crucifixion willingly

3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas; 4 and they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him. 5 But they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people.”

-          Then the chief priests and the elders (the religious leaders)

-          Were gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas

o   Caiahphas means “basket weaver”

o   They were weaving a evil plot to kill Jesus and yet Jesus already knew it

o   It’s comforting to know that the Lord knows the plans of evil men before they do anything

The Precious Ointment

6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. 8 But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? 9 For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” 

-          Jesus means “God saves”

-          Bethany means “house of figs”

-          Simon means “hear” or “listen”

-          God was visiting the house of figs (the Jews) so that they might listen

-          Notice Jesus went into the home of Simon the Leper

o   He came to save sinners

o   He was inside a leper’s house (one who needs to be saved)

o   Jesus had healed him and now He is visiting him in his house

-          A woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume

o   Because she recognized that Jesus is the Messiah and was about to die because she listened to what Jesus said!

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Matthew 25 - Parable of Ten Virgins

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent.

-        The parable of the ten virgins

-        Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins

o   So the story you are about to read is about heaven

§  This story is to illuminate something specific

-        Who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom 

o   Notice the subject is “meeting the bridegroom” a type of Jesus

-        Five of them were foolish and five were prudent

o   Two types of people went to meet Him

§  One group that was foolish

§  One group that were prudent

 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. 5 Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep.

-        Here is the explanation

o   The foolish took their lamps, but did not take oil with them

§  They have light but no provision to keep it burning

o   The prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps

§  The light represents knowing the truth

§  The oil represents the Holy Spirit that keeps the fire burning

-        Now while the bridegroom was delaying

o   Notice He was delaying (waiting on purpose)

-        All got drowsy and began to sleep

o   We get tired of waiting 

o   Sometimes we fall asleep 

 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 

-        Notice it was midnight (the end of the day)

o   There was a shout

o   Behold the bridgegroom

o   Come out to meet him

-        Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps

o   So they could see and be seen

8 The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11 Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

-        Notice the foolish are talking to the prudent and asking for oil when their lamps were going out (The light is flickering maybe wavering)

-        the prudent answer, no there will not be enough for us and you; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourself

o   the point is that they should have already gone to the dealers and bought some for themselves and been prepared to meet the bridegroom

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Matthew 24 - Signs of Christ’s Return

24 Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. 2 And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”

-        Men sometimes marvel at buildings (what man has made)

-        The temple was big and very ornate and made of stones carefully cut and fit together

-        Jesus tells His disciples not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down

o   In other words, God is going to tear down all the man-made religious buildings

o   Because real worship is not man-made

§  The New Jerusalem was not made by hands of men

§  It is made in Heaven and comes down and floats over Jerusalem

3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

-        Notice the scene just changed in a blink

-        One moment they were in the temple in Jerusalem

-        The next sentence they are at the mount of Olives again (the place Jesus goes often)

o   Very likely the most important place on Earth (listen to the previous study)

-        Notice the Disciples want to know the time-line for the future

o   Tell us, when these things will happen

o   And what will be the sign of Your coming

o   And of the end of the age

o   These are three distinct questions

4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 6 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

-        Jesus begins by telling His disciples “See to it that no one misleads you”..

-        Jesus gives a list of things that will happen which seem rather radical

o   Many coming in His name saying “I am the Christ”

o   Hearing of wars and rumors of wars

o   See that you are not frightened (this is great advice for us today!)

-        For those things must take place, but that is not yet the end

o   Notice these things must take place

o   It is all part of God’s plan

o   But it’s not the end but merely the beginning of birth pangs

-        Nation will rise against nation

o   World wars

-        Kingdom and against kingdom

o   Powers against powers

-        Famines and earthquakes in various places

o   All these things are the beginning of birth pangs

o   Birth pangs can more severe and contractions get closer together

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Matthew 23 - Pharisaism Exposed

23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; 3 therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. 

-        Pharisaism Exposed

o   Jesus is going to expose False Religious Leaders who don’t do what they preach

-        Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples

o   Jesus wants unbelievers and believers to know this

-        The scribes the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses

o   In other words, they appointed themselves

o   They were not appointed by God

o   The chair of Moses is a reference to the law given by God to Moses to give to the people

-        Therefore I tell you do and observe

o   Its good to know the law if you do it

-        But do not do according to their deeds

o   Don’t follow their example because they say things and do not do them

o   This is called lying (rules for thee but not for me)

o   God rules apply to everyone (especially religious leaders)

4 They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. 5 But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. 6 They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men.

-        They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders

o   They are loading up men with rules

o   But they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger

o   They make no effort to keep these rules or laws

-        But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men

o   Notice their motivation

o   To be noticed or seen (acting religious not acting Godly)

-        They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels and garments

o   Man, they look the part

o   All dressed up to look holier than thou

-        They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues

o   They want special seating and special treatment

o   The want to appear important and Holier than others (totally fakes)

-        And respectful greetings in the market places

o   People come up to them and pay their respects

o   It like attention for a movie star

-        And being called Rabbi by men

o   Rabbi means teacher

o   They want people to look up to them for answers

o   As if they are closer to God or wiser (yet not)

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Matthew 22 - Parable of the Marriage Feast

22 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. 3 And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come.

-        The parable of the marriage feast

o   a parable is a story to illuminate a greater truth

-        Jesus spoke to them again in parables

o   Jesus had already spoken in two parables in chapter 21

o   1st - The parable to two Sons (one disobedient but repentant; one a liar)

o   2nd – the parable of a land owner with vineyard (evil staff killed his son)

o   So will now be the 3rd parable

-        The kingdom of heaven may compared to a king who gave wedding feast for his son

o   Christ is referred to as our bridgegroom

o   The church is referred to as the bride

o   It seems that God is arranging a wedding for Jesus (via parable)

-        He sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast

o   Slaves are obedient to do what they are told

o   Notice they call those who were invited (a picture of the Jews)

-        And they were unwilling to come

o   Another picture of the Jewish leaders

 4 Again he sent out other slaves saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.”’

-        Again he sent out other slaves

o   in other words the first wave of slaves didn't work so God sends out a second wave

o   it seems like God sending prophet after a prophet but they wouldn't listen

-        behold I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready

o   and other words the slaves were giving good news to the people who were invited to the wedding feast

o   so to the profits we're giving good news to those that were invited to the wedding feast that is supposed to occur up in heaven for seven years during the tribulation.

-        Come to the wedding feast

o   God is calling out and wants those who were invited to come

o   God has continually reached out to the Jewish nation to invite them to come

 5 But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, 6 and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them. 7 But the king was enraged, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire. 

-        But they paid no attention

o   in other words they did not listen to the king who had prepared this wedding feast

-        and went their way; one went to his farm another to his business

o   They were ignoring the King's instruction or invitation

o   they preferred to do their own thing or go their own way

-        one went to his farm (more concerned with vegetables and animals)

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