Posts with the category “ephesians”

22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.Ephesians 1:22-23How big is your Jesus?There are many in our world who consider us to be a fringe group. And in Australia, a dying one at that. Is that how you see Jesus? A King, fading to the sidelines. His glory years...  Read More

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the churchEphesians 1:22I wonder if you have ever had anyone appointed to be your boss that you just weren’t sure about. Maybe they didn’t really have runs on the board. Or maybe you just didn’t know them at all.Well, as far as appointments go, this has got to be the most justified. God has appointed Christ a...  Read More

That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.Ephesians 1:19-21I wonder, have you ever had a moment where you felt like you were passed over for rec...  Read More

18 I pray 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 his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,Ephesians 1:...  Read More

18 I pray 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 his holy people,Ephesians 1:18Ok. Continuing on from yesterday. We saw that the hope to which we are called is to be God’s holy people who are Christ’s inheritance. It’s not in the first instance about what we receive but about what Chri...  Read More

18 I pray 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 his holy people,Ephesians 1:18This is a funny verse. At first glance I want to write about the new creation. The rich inheritance that we look forward to receiving as His holy people. But notice, that’s not actually what Paul says. What ...  Read More

17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.Ephesians 1:17One of the realities of being a Pastor is that you share a lot of people's burdens. This isn’t a complaint, it’s just a reality. And my personality + my sin (I’m tempted to be the saviour) leads me to desire above all else a so...  Read More

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.Ephesians 1:15-16What do you give thanks for? It’s a powerful question that offers a window into our hearts and minds. If you are anything like me - chances are you give thanks for stuff that really benefits you. A ...  Read More

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, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 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 wi...  Read More

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, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 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 wi...  Read More

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, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 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 wi...  Read More

With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.Ephesians 1:9-10Here is a statement worthy of some acceptance. If you don’t know what life is for - you won’t know what to do with it....  Read More

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.Ephesians 1:7I want you to imagine something very foreign to us. Imagine being a slave. Imagine not having a say in what you do (or what is done to you). You don’t get to choose when you wake up. You don’t get to choose when the work day is done. You don’t get t...  Read More

In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.Ephesians 1:5-6I love free stuff. Free food tastings at the market. Free books. Winning a free holiday (never experienced this one but I love the idea of it). Why do companies do this? Well - so one w...  Read More

In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.Ephesians 1:5-6It was the Beatles who articulated the heart of the times when they said, ‘love is all you need’. This was the vibe of the 60’s and the sexual revolution. To experience passionate love,...  Read More

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.Ephesians 1:4Why does Paul want us to know that we are chosen? I know! Paul’s a pot-stirrer. He just loves to throw a grenade and watch the mayhem. Watch Christians fight over this for thousands of years. I don’t think so. Across Ephesians 1, Paul mentions several times that Christians are chosen, predest...  Read More

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.Ephesians 1:4Did you ever have that schoolyard moment when you got picked for a sports team? Maybe you were really good and you expected to get chosen. Maybe you were that kid who was always picked last. Maybe someone chose you and you have no idea why.Why did God choose you? Was it your good looks? Was i...  Read More

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. Ephesians 1:3One of my favourite shows is Aussie Gold Hunters. I’m fascinated by these people who spend their lives looking for gold in the extreme Australian bush. What they rarely reveal in the show (for obvious reasons), is where they store the gold. But o...  Read More

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. Ephesians 1:3Here is a hard question for you. What would you rather hear? ‘You have won the lottery - $100 million’ or ‘Your sins are forgiven and you will be welcomed into eternal life’? Comfort, security & pleasure for a few decades or comfort, security & p...  Read More

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. Ephesians 1:3The #blessed thing is pretty old now. Like as old as people. The search for true happiness/human flourishing is nothing new (that’s what it means to be blessed). Greek philosophers like Aristotle & Plato sought to understand how people could be t...  Read More

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.Ephesians 1:1-2What is the best thing anyone has ever said to you? You got the job? Yes (I’ll marry you)? I love you? Mummy? Daddy? There are some words in life that are more powerful than others. Sometimes because ...  Read More