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Ephesians Chapter 6 - Family Relationships

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.

-          In chapter 5 we all learned to be imitators of God as “beloved Children” copying Godly behavior.

-          We started with the Husbands (spiritual head of the family); then the wife; now the children and the families.

-          He begins by telling “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  They are to obey their parents “in the Lord” which means because God said so not because they feel like it or don’t feel like it. It’s a commandment from the Lord.  He said “for this is right”.  This is how it is supposed to be. It might not always make sense but do it!

-          Then He says “Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise). To honor someone, you obey them; you do what they say; you value their opinion; you speak highly of them; you don’t speak poorly of them. Children are instructed to honor the father and mother (both parents) not just one. Show great love and respect and honor your parents.

-          Why, because obedience always has a reward attached to it.  In this case several:

o   So that it may be well with you

o   And that you may live long on the earth

-          The word “well” means to be well off, fare well, prosper.

-          You will do well financially, and your efforts will prosper (and not fail).

-          And you may live long on the earth (your life will be extended, and you will live a long full life because you will avoid many hurtful situations that most children will experience when do they don’t obey their parents or God or the Word).

-          If you only knew the blessings that would come to you by obeying your parents and listening to their advice. It would help save you from much heartache and long-term effects.

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

-          Now we switch to Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but (instead) bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. This tells us that fathers should not get frustrated and argumentative and provoke our children. But (instead) bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.  The Lord does discipline His children.  So too, fathers are to discipline their children but, in the discipline, and instruction of the Lord (according the Word).  This means that fathers should read the word to their children even when having to discipline them.

-          Never discipline while angry or upset. Never yelling.   But calmly, prayerfully, thoughtfully and in a Godly way…

5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; 6 not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

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Ephesians 5 - Be Imitators of God

5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

-          Therefore (because of what we learned in Chapter 4 – “just as God in Christ has forgiven you”.

-          Be imitators of God, as beloved children (little children often imitate their parents; this is a beautiful illustration about young children imitating their parents.  This is what we should do “be imitators of God.

-          When we walk in love and give ourselves up – it’s an offering – it’s a sacrifice to God (not to Man) and its as a sweet aroma to God!  God loves it…

3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

-          But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you as is proper among saints (don’t engage in ungodly activities or impurity or greed) – it must not even be named among you (not said)…

-          … and there must be no filthiness in silly talk or coarse jesting which are not fitting (no swearing or dirty jokes or jesting which is kidding around about sexuality). Which are not fitting (it does not fit, you can’t put in on, its not your size, this means it’s not for you at all ! )

-          But rather (this means instead) giving of thanks (instead of filthy language, silly talk or coarse jesting; this is what we should do “give thanks” for what God has done.

-          For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.  You can know this with certainty (it’s a fact, it’s certain, it’s true, it’s serious).  People who practice these things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  Some people think its ok to kid around like this but God’s Word says is not!

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason it says,

“Awake, sleeper,
 And arise from the dead,
 And Christ will shine on you.”

-          Let no one deceive you with empty words (no one, no man, no woman, no false teacher) empty words are all words not contained in scripture. Words contrary to The Word.

-          … because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience (the Wrath of God is coming) who is it coming on?  The sons of disobedience.  All those who disobey God’s Word!

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Ephesians Chapter 4 - Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

o   a worthy life is one distributing the grace as a good steward

-          of the calling you have received

o   you were called by God Himself to do this work

-          that you received

o   you received this as a great gift and an honor from God

o   you freely received it – freely give it out (multiply it as a good steward)

-          Be completely humble

o   (completely, completely, completely humble) for grace you have been saved.

o   And gentle (handling with care the hearts and eternal lives of others)

-          Be patient, bearing with one another in love

o   it’s a command from God that we be patient and bear with one another in love

o   It’s not easy but God told us to do it.  You and I have just been reminded.

-          Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace

o   unity of the Spirit means together

o   through the bond of peace

§  peace is the glue that will keep us together

-          There is one body and one Spirit, just you were called to one hope when you were called

o   if there is only one body

o   and one Spirit

o   and one hope

o   how then should we walk and talk and act?

-          One Lord

o   One faith

o   One baptism

o   One God and Father of all

o   Who is over all and through all and in all (WOW)

-          This is 100% complete saturation.  It’s all about God and what He is doing!

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives
    and gave gifts to his people.”

9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

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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   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.

o   Notice its was given (past tense) 

o   According to the working of His power

§  How much power was on display?

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

o   Great ministry only happens by and through the power of the Holy Spirit

 8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.

riches of Christ (WOW)

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Ephesians Chapter 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, [d]indulging the desires of the flesh and of the [e]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 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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Ephesian Chapter 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.

Notice this letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ by the will of God.

It was God’s will to transform Saul into Paul.  

We learn about Paul in Acts 22:3

"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.

Saul’s Conversion
Acts 9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

So we read a detailed account of Saul’s conversion and that he was chosen by God.

Paul goes on to address the saints at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus.

A saint is anyone who accepts God’s message of salvation and trusts the shed blood of Jesus Christ as payment in full for their sins.

Back to Ephesians 1
Ephesians 1

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

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1 Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,

To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.

3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. 4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

5 Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.

8 Yet in the same way these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties. 9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. 12 These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever.

14 It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, 15 to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” 16 These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.

17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” 19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.  24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

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3 John - You Walk in the Truth

1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; 6 and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to [c]support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. 10 For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face.

15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

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2 John, Chapter 1 - Walk According to His Commandments

1 The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth which remains in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

The elder (an elder has wisdom from time in God’s word and time with God, learning to walk by faith and not by sight; now an overseer of God’s house, the church made up of God’s children). We believe this elder to be John the Apostle who now about 90 years old.

To the chosen lady and her children (who are they)

-          The chosen lady (would be under the control of the elder)

-          This was likely a local church and its members similar to us being called the Bride of Christ and Children of God

-          It could be a specific women but not named because of the great persecution going at this time

Whom I love in truth

-          And not only, but also all who know the truth (this is the glue that binds us together)

-          Because of the truth which remains in us and will be with us forever (God’s word is eternal)

o   Grace (getting what you don’t deserve – Heaven)

o   Mercy (not getting what you do deserve – Hell)

o   And peace will be with us (peace from God Himself without any fear)

-          From God the Father (the creator and utmost authority)

-          And from Jesus Christ, the Son of the father (the savior and first born of the brethren)

o   In truth and love (this is truth and it proves God’s love toward us)

4 I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received a commandment to do from the Father. 

-          I was overjoyed (joy overflowing up and over the top; impacting others)

-          To find some of your children walking in truth

o   Some did

o   Some did not 

o   This is an important distinction.

o   Which one are you?

-          Just as we received a commandment to do from the Father (God said it, that settles it, lets do it, make sure you walk in truth; not lying to yourself)

-          To walk in truth requires that you reconsider your walk

o   What are you doing

o   What are you saying

o   Where are you headed

o   Are your thoughts and actions aligned with God’s word?

5 Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you are to walk in it.

-          Now I ask you lady (church, bride of Christ)

o   But the one which we have had from the beginning (commandments from the very beginning can be summed up in two:

§  Love The Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength

§  Love your neighbor as yourself

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1 John 5 - Overcoming the World

5 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

-          Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God

o   Every color, age, status, creed, religion, location

o   God is an equal opportunity Savior

-          Whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him

o   Baby Jesus is the key

o   If you love the Father, then you love the Son

-          By this we know (this is how you can know)

o   That we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments

o   This means we read the Bible and do what it says (obedience is required)

o   Reading or hearing the Word, believe the Word and Doing the Word

o   This is how you know!

-          And His commandments are not burdensome

o   The commandments are not a bummer

o   They are not designed to rob you of joy

o   They are designed to protect you and unlock  your greatest blessings!

o   The more obedient you get; the more you see answered prayers & blessings

-          For whoever is born of God overcomes the world (notice the result of being born of God)

o   You overcome the world

-          And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith

o   It’s one ingredient

o   Our Faith !!!

-          So too, you can overcome the world with Your Faith in Jesus Christ!

o   Faith in Christ is the answer to every challenge!

5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood.

-          The one who overcomes the world is the he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God!

o   This concept is a repeat to make sure you get it & bring it into focus

-          This is the One who came by water and blood (this means in the flesh)

-          Not with the water only, but with water and with blood

o   When Christ died and the Roman soldier pierced His side out came water & blood

o   Medical doctors will tell you if you have water mixed in your blood it is because of a broken heart (this how Jesus died)

-          Consider the water and the blood when a baby is born

o   Life is in the blood

o   The Spirit is what makes you uniquely you (it lives forever)

-          Jesus was all three

o   Spirit (from God)

o   Blood (from Human)

o   Water (Born the first time; or Born the 2nd time by baptism

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