Feb
09
Ephesians 4:7–10
7But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives. And He gave gifts to men.” 9(Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) Focused Thinking: (Eph 4:7–10) What is Paul addressing in verses 7–8? Eph 4:1–6 discussed the unity of the church (1 Co 12:12–13). Eph 4:7–8 discusses the diversity within the church (1 Co 12:4–11, 14–20). What gifts did Christ give the church? He gave gifted people to local churches (Eph 4:11–12). He gave gifts to people (Ro 12:4–8; 1 Co 12:4–11). When did He give gifts to the church? 8When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives and He gave gifts to men. Each believer...
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08
Ephesians 4:1–6
1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. Focused Thinking: (Eph 4:1–3) What does Paul implore us to do? I…implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, What is the significance of the word “walk”? I want to grow faster than a “walk” but that gets me in trouble more times than not. It is hard to have a relationship when you are running. It is hard to talk when you are running. It is hard to hold hands when you are running. Personal...
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07
Ephesians 3:20–21
20Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Personal Application: What are God’s dreams for Highpoint? I believe the answer to this question is found in the verses God used to speak this church into existence. Exodus 3:11–12 11But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” 12And He said, “Certainly I will be with you and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who has sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.” I know that every church is a church of freedom, but I believe that freedom is uniquely in the DNA of Highpoint. This church is providing freedom from sin. This church is providing freedom from church...
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06
Ephesians 3:20–21
20Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Focused Thinking: What is God able to do through us? 20…far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, What is the key here? We need to ask according to God’s desires instead of our desires. We need to ask according to God’s will instead of our will. We need to ask according to God’s Word instead of our word. John 15:7 If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. Our abiding determines our asking. How? 20b…according to the power that works within us, This power works in us as we abide in Him through the Word and prayer. This power works in us as we abide in Him through fellowship with other believers. This power works in us as we abide...
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05
Ephesians 3:14–19
14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Focused Thinking: When do I see and experience “the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge?” My understanding of Christ surpasses knowledge when I see: answered prayer. someone saved. someone baptized. someone be generous. someone serve. worship through music. a video of someone’s faith story. My understanding of Christ surpasses knowledge when I experience God through...
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04
Ephesians 3:14–19
14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Focused Thinking: What is the reason that causes Paul to bow his knees before the Father? The mystery of Christ is the reason. The Gentiles are fellow heirs. The Gentiles are fellow members of the body. The Gentiles are fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. The Gentiles and Jewish believers are “one new man” (Eph 2:15). What does Paul pray for? 16that...
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03
Ephesians 3:11–13
11This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 13Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory. Focused Thinking: What was accomplished in Christ? The inclusion of Jews and Gentiles in one body. What is our privilege in Christ? …we have bold and confident access through faith in Him. The more I know God’s Word, the bolder and more confident I am in my faith. Faith isn’t “blind faith.” Faith is confident trust that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. What is Paul’s request? Don’t be discouraged by my sufferings for you. His suffering was for our gain and glory. Personal Application: The Word of God strengthens my faith in Jesus. The Word of God gives me more boldness and confidence to approach Jesus. The Word of...
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02
Ephesians 3:7–10
7of 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. 8To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. Focused Thinking: (Eph 3:8) Of what was Paul a minister? He was a minister of the mystery of Christ. He was a minister of the stewardship of God’s grace for the Gentiles. The Gentiles are fellow heirs. The Gentiles are members of the body. The Gentiles are fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. What does Paul say about himself? 8To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given. What...
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01
Ephesians 3:1–6
1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of You Gentiles— 2if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; 3that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5which 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; 6to 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, Focused Thinking: Why does Paul call himself a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of Gentiles? Paul was arrested and was making his defense in Jerusalem, but everything changed for the worse when he spoke about the Gentiles. Acts 22:21 And He said to me, “Go! For I will send you far...
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31
Ephesians 2:19–22
19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and are of God’s household, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. Focused Thinking: Who is of God’s household now? This “spiritual” Israel (see 2:12) includes both Jews and Gentiles who have been reconciled to God and made into his household. How was this house built? The foundation was laid by the apostles and prophets. Christ is the cornerstone that holds the structure together. How will this house become a holy temple? This temple isn’t merely a building. It is a body. The temple is holy because it is inhabited by God. What is the new temple? 22in whom you also are being built together...
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