Ephesians 4:1-10

Last night after reviewing Ephesians 3:14-21, we ventured into chapter 4. Paul begins by explaining the qualities like humility and patience that are indicative of God's calling us before launching into the oneness that brings forth unity in verse 3. In all he mentions seven different "ones." Then he explains that grace is given to every believer according to Christ's gift. v 7 The next 3 verses are a product of Paul's logic although the exact interpretation is not completely clear. I inferred that the host of captives Christ took when He ascended were OT saints. Verse 8 is a reference from Psalm 68:18 where it says that God receives gifts from men in contrast to Ephesians 4:8 which says Christ gives gifts to men.

World Cup

First, I confess that I am not a sports fan nor do I understand the rules of soccer. However, as the US is hosting the World Cup, which I assume has been done before although I don't recall it, and indeference to my international readers which comprise 97% of the whole, I thought I should offer a few reflections. Foremost it is encouraging to see players from different countries praying together. Today I saw a You Tube clip of Germans and men from the island country of Curacao praying after the game on the field. I believe I also read that Lionel Messi, the Argentinian superstar, whom even I have heard of, gave thanks to God for his hat trick of 3 goals in one game. It is also heart warming to see the reaction of fans, particularly Europeans whose own media have lied to them as ours does to us, as they experience America. In particular the Scots who have swarmed into Boston have made a wonderful impression. I'm a wee bit Scottish myself. ( one eighth) Hearing the bagpipes as they marched toward Fenway Park brought tears to this old man's eyes.

Ephesians 3:14-21

Last night the Bible study group was down to 3 people. One of the realities of ministering to "seasoned" saints is health issues. This accounted for the absentees. After praying together we spent a lot of time reviewing the previous week's passages before moving to new material. We looked at the significance of naming. Note that one of the first things that God has Adam do was to name the animals, an exercise of authority. (Genesis 1:19-20) It is instructive that own name, perhaps the most personal thing about us, was given by others. Then in verse 16 Paul launches into his 2nd prayer for the Ephesians. Note the importance of faith and love. Finally Paul concludes the passage with praise and the truth that God can do immeasurably more than anything we can ask or think so that He be glorified forever through Jesus and the Church.

Ephesians 2 continued

I believe that verse 20 refers to God working through the prophets to give the Old Testament Scriptures and the apostles or very close followers I've Luke and Mark for the New Testament. As,always Paul brings the reader back to Christ as the cornerstone. As the people wanted more week launched into chapter 3. Paul describes himself as a prisoner, thus Ephesians is one of the 5 "prison" epistles. He goes on to explain one of the 12 mysteries of the New Testament. (according to the British scholar W.E.Vine) A NT mystery is something previously hidden by God which He then chooses to reveal. Verse 6 explains that the Gentiles have become one with the Jewish believers through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Verse 10 introduces an amazing revelation that God has chosen the Church to show His wisdom to the angelic and demonic entities, an eternal purpose through the Lord Jesus Christ. So we have access to God through faith. Finally Paul says his suffering in their glory because he is suffering for Christ.

Ephesians 2:11-22

Last night our Bible study group studied two passages. The theme of the first was the élimination of the division between Jew and Gentile by Christ. To give some context we went back to Perer's experience in Acts 10 where he is told to kill and eat ceremonial unclean animals forbidden by the law of Moses. (See Leviticus 11) Peter refuses and is told that what God calls clean he can eat. While pondering this 3 men come to him with an invitation to the home of a Gentile, a Roman centurion, which he is also not permitted to do. Acts 10:28 When Peter goes and preaches his Gentile listeners receive the Holy Spirit just as the 3,000 did at the day of Pentecost. Returning to Ephesians 2, Paul explains that the Ephesian believers, also Gentiles, who before conversion were without hope and without hope in the world. verse 12 Jesus, by Hjs own blood, the sacrifice for the sins of Jew and Gentile believers has made peace between the two "by abolishing the law of commandments." He preaches peace and both have access through one Spirit to the Father. Jew and Gentile become fellow citizens, a very importance concept in the Roman world because most people did not have the rights that a citizen had. They are built (verse 20) on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.

Ephesians 2:1-10

Last night after our first time of prayer we worked our way through the first ten verses of Ephesians chapter. The first 3 verses give us,God's perspective on humanity. We were spiritually dead, following the devil and our own passions and deserving of wrath. From a human perspective we may have been nice or "good" people but God's standard is perfection and only Jesus could meet it. Verse 4 begins God's response to our wretched, hopeless state. His great mercy and love caused Him to bridge the impassable gap between our sinfullness and His holiness through Jesus Christ. Miraculously He raised us with Christ and seated us with Him. Verse 8 and 9 are more familiar to believers. Saved by grace through faith, not by anything we have done, purely His gift. Verse 10 shows our responsibility to respond to what God has done for us through Christ by good works which God has prepared in advance for all believers. Truly glorious!

Prepping?

My mother had a saying, 'A word to the wise is sufficient." While I recognize that this post will be irrelevant or impossible for many, it would violate my conscience not to say anything. In American slang, a prepper is someone who is concerned about potential calamities and does their best to prepare for it. This can take many forms from storing a little extra food to getting off the electric grid to be as self sufficient as possible. My current thinking is things purchased now that one will eventually use will be less expensive than in the future because of government produced inflation. There are several proverbs in the Bible that are reproduced word for word in several verses. One is found in 22:3 and 27:12. "The prudent sees danger and hides himself; the simple go on and suffer for it." While spiritual preparation is the most important, I recommend that people do what they can for physical preparation for potential hard times ahead.