Weekly Recap #49 - (Part 1) - Ephesians

The book of Ephesians was written to the church at Ephesus while Paul was in prison in Rome, around AD 60-62, or shortly before he was executed.  Paul had previously spent 2-3 years in this large and flourishing city.  It was a difficult time for him as he suffered much opposition and abuse while he was there.

Ephesians 1:5

God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.  This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

Ephesians 1:6-7

So, we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.  He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

Oh, how it must hurt God's heart for all He has done....and that some people still refuse to accept His precious GIFT.

Ephesians 1:16

I have not stopped thanking God for you.  I pray for you constantly.

Satan is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

God saved us by His grace when we believed in Him.  We cannot take credit for it....it's a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done so we can't brag about it.  We are God's masterpiece.

Christ has brought peace to us.

Ephesians 2:18

Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

All glory to God who is able  thru His mighty Power at work within us....to accomplish so much more than we might ask, or think.

Be patient with others....making allowances for each others faults because of our love for them.

This verse spoke to be about how naive I can be sometimes....but....something happened to me just this week and I was able to see right thru the "trick" that was being played on me....and chose to just ignore it!!!

Ephesians 4:14....we will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.

Ephesians 4:15....we will speak the truth in love.

Here were some instructions that Paul wrote in his letter.....

Ephesians 4:26b-27

Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Quit stealing...use your hands for good hard work and give to others in need.

Don't use foul or abusive language.  Let our words be good and helpful and an encouragement to others.

Don't bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way we live.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander....and all types of evil behavior.  Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another....just as God thru Christ has forgiven us.

Imitate God in all we do (not others!!!)

Do not engage in any sexual immorality, impurity, or greed.

Do not tell obscene stories, use foolish talk, or tell coarse jokes.

Live as people of light filled with the Light of Jesus.

Don't gossip about others.....

Ephesians 5:12

It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.

Ephesians 5:18b-20

.....be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves and making music to the Lord in your hearts.  And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:31-32.....a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.  This is a great mystery, but is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.

Ephesians 6:18

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.  Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Wasn't that last verse a great way to end our recap of Ephesians?

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!