ephesians 1–3 - Village Church

EPHESIANS 1–3
WHO ARE YOU?
VILLAGE CHURCH
STUDIES
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CONTENTS
Reading the Bible
Background
Ephesians 1:1–14: In Him
Ephesians 1:15–23: In His Power
Ephesians 2:1–22: In Life
Ephesians 3:1–13: In Grace
Ephesians 3:14–21: In Eternal Love
Calendar
3
4-5
6
8
10
12
14
16
READING THE BIBLE
Because Jesus is the centre of the Bible, we read everything through the lens of his life, death
and resurrection. If all God’s words point to Jesus then we have to see Christ before we can
see ourselves.
UNDERSTANDING
Because “everything written... in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms” (Luke 24:44) is about Jesus,
we can’t expect that the Bible would speak primarily to us.
Because the Bible was written to an original audience, we need to understand what it was saying to them. And
because all of scripture is speaking of Jesus, we need to understand why, and in that we can see how the passage
speaks to us.
What is this passage saying to its original readers? How is this passage speaking of Jesus? What is this passage
saying to Christians today?
KNOWING IT, FEELING IT
Because we might want to connect with God and know Him better we could want everything He says to be immediately relevant to our lives. But the Bible is about God. The wonder of the gospel is that, by grace through faith,
we are “in Christ,” as the New Testament often puts it. And if we are “in Christ” we have received every spiritual
blessing that Jesus received (Eph.1:3).
Because the Bible is all about Jesus, and because those who believe in him are “in Christ,” the most powerful
truths of reading the Bible come from seeing how the words are speaking of Jesus.
A LITTLE HELP FROM YOUR FRIENDS
There are many confronting, many culturally-offensive and many confusing parts in the Bible. Even Peter, one of
the writers of the Bible, considers Paul, another writer of the Bible to be “hard to understand” (2 Peter 3:16). That’s
why God gives us His Spirit and a community. Asking God and asking those who have been around the Bible for
a bit longer, and have maybe thought through and wrestled with these questions as well, is invaluable when trying
to grow in your understanding. As well as that, Village will be running a How to Read the Bible course starting on
the second Sunday of this month, and every odd-numbered month.
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BACKGROUND
WHO WROTE EPHESIANS?
Ephesians was written by Paul. He mentions being in prison (3:1, 4:1, 6:20), so it was
probably written in AD 62, the year Paul was imprisoned in Rome (Acts 28). On Paul’s
third missionary journey (somewhere between 52-57AD) he stayed at Ephesus for
around three years, so he had a long history with the city and the church.
A NOTE ABOUT EPHESUS
Ephesus was a port city which boasted the temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The huge theater (which held around 20 000 spectators)
where citizens chanted “great is Artemis of the Ephesians” (Acts 19:29–40), had been
expanded under Claudius near the time Paul was in the city. On the way from the theater to the Artemis temple, one would have passed the huge stadium renovated or built
under Nero (a.d. 54–68). Needless to say, it was an incredibly affluent city.
WHY WAS IT WRITTEN?
Unlike many of the epistles, there was no specific occasion or problem that caused the
writing of the letter. Ephesians articulates general instructions in the truths of the cosmic redemptive work of God in Christ; the unity of the church, proper conduct in the
church, the home, and the world.
Ancient Ephesus forms an appropriate background to the book of Ephesians because
of this city’s fascination with magic and the occult (Acts 19:19). This helps explain
Paul’s emphasis on the power of God over all heavenly authorities and on Christ’s role
as head over the church and over all things in this age and the next.
WHAT’S EPHESIANS ABOUT?
There are two main themes of Ephesians: Christ has reconciled all creation to himself
and to God, and Christ has united people from all nations to himself and to one another
in his church. These great deeds were accomplished through the powerful, sovereign,
and free working of the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and are recognized
and received by faith alone through his grace. In light of these great truths, Christians
are to lead lives that are a fitting tribute of gratitude to their great Lord.
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Study One: In Him
EPHESIANS 1:1–14
1:1-14 The the original language
the first 14 verses were one sentence, read like a cascading flow of
Christ’s power and glory.
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will:
To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:4,11 “Before the foundation
of the world” (v.4), “who works
everything in agreement with the
decision of his will” (v.11) are some
of the most cosmic verses of God’s
sovereign working in the bible.
They are the ultimate “mystery”
(v.9): how God’s sovereignty and
human responsibility work together
in the world. It’s a mystery no one
can fully understand.
3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens. 4 For He
chose us in Him, before the foundation of the
world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In
love 5 He predestined us to be adopted through
Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor
and will, 6 to the praise of His glorious grace
that He favored us with in the Beloved.
7 We have redemption in Him through His blood,
the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to
the riches of His grace 8 that He lavished on us
with all wisdom and understanding. 9 He made
known to us the mystery of His will, according
to His good pleasure that He planned in Him
10 for the administration of the days of fulfillment—to bring everything together in the Messiah, both things in heaven and things on earth
in Him.
11 We have also received an inheritance in Him,
predestined according to the purpose of the
One who works out everything in agreement
with the decision of His will, 12 so that we who
had already put our hope in the Messiah might
bring praise to His glory.
1:13 Sealed can either mean
that the Holy Spirit protects and
preserves Christians until they
reach their inheritance (see 4:30;
2 Cor. 1:22) or that he “certifies”
the God’s acceptance as genuine—they bear the “royal seal”
(John 3:33). The first interpretation seems best here, though
both ideas are biblically true.
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13 When you heard the message of truth, the
gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the
promised Holy Spirit. 14 He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of
the possession, to the praise of His glory.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002,
2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights
reserved.
1 Pablo, apóstol de Cristo Jesús por la
voluntad de Dios, a los santos y fieles en
Cristo Jesús que están en Éfeso:
2 Que Dios nuestro Padre y el Señor Jesucristo les concedan gracia y paz.
3 Alabado sea Dios, Padre de nuestro
Señor Jesucristo, que nos ha bendecido
en las regiones celestiales con toda bendición espiritual en Cristo. 4 Dios nos
escogió en él antes de la creación del
mundo, para que seamos santos y sin
mancha delante de él. En amor 5 nos
predestinó para ser adoptados
como hijos suyos por medio de Jesucristo, según el buen propósito de su
voluntad, 6 para alabanza de su gloriosa
gracia, que nos concedió en su Amado.
7 En él tenemos la redención mediante
su sangre, el perdón de nuestros pecados, conforme a las riquezas de la gracia
8 que Dios nos dio en abundancia con
toda sabiduría y entendimiento. 9 Él nos
hizo conocer el misterio de su voluntad
conforme al buen propósito que de antemano estableció en Cristo, 10 para llevarlo a cabo cuando se cumpliera el tiempo:
reunir en él todas las cosas, tanto las del
cielo como las de la tierra.
11 En Cristo también fuimos hechos
herederos, pues fuimos predestinados
según el plan de aquel que hace todas
las cosas conforme al designio de su
voluntad,12 a fin de que nosotros, que
ya hemos puesto nuestra esperanza en
Cristo, seamos para alabanza de su gloria.
13 En él también ustedes, cuando oyeron
el mensaje de la verdad, el evangelio que
les trajo la salvación, y lo creyeron, fueron
marcados con el sello que es el Espíritu
Santo prometido.
Nueva Versión Internacional (NVI) La Santa Biblia, Nueva Versión
Internacional® NVI® Copyright © 1999 by Biblica, Inc.® Used
by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
7
Study Two: In His Power
EPHESIANS 1:15–23
1:18 A prayer that they
might see with the eyes of
their heart.
1:23 Christ has so identified
himself with his church that
it is said to be his very body.
The church, filled by Christ,
fills all creation as the representatives of Christ.
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15 This is why, since I heard about your faith
in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the
saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you as
I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that
the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious
Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and
revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray
that the perception of your mind may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of
His calling, what are the glorious riches of His
inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is
the immeasurable greatness of His power to us
who believe, according to the working of His
vast strength.
20 He demonstrated this power in the Messiah
by raising Him from the dead and seating Him
at His right hand in the heavens— 21 far above
every ruler and authority, power and dominion,
and every title given, not only in this age but
also in the one to come. 22 And He put everything under His feet and appointed Him as
head over everything for the church, 23 which
is His body, the fullness of the One who fills all
things in every way.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002,
2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights
reserved.
15 Por eso yo, por mi parte, desde que
me enteré de la fe que tienen en el Señor Jesús y del amor que demuestran
por todos los santos,16 no he dejado de
dar gracias por ustedes al recordarlos
en mis oraciones. 17 Pido que el Dios de
nuestro Señor Jesucristo, el Padre glorioso, les dé el Espíritu de sabiduría y de
revelación, para que lo conozcan mejor.
18 Pido también que les sean iluminados
los ojos del corazón para que sepan a
qué esperanza él los ha llamado, cuál es
la riqueza de su gloriosa herencia entre
los santos, 19 y cuán incomparable es la
grandeza de su poder a favor de los que
creemos. Ese poder es la fuerza grandiosa y eficaz
20 que Dios ejerció en Cristo cuando lo
resucitó de entre los muertos y lo sentó
a su derecha en las regiones celestiales,
21 muy por encima de todo gobierno y
autoridad, poder y dominio, y de cualquier otro nombre que se invoque, no
sólo en este mundo sino también en el
venidero. 22 Dios sometió todas las cosas al dominio de Cristo, y
lo dio como cabeza de todo a la iglesia.
23 Ésta, que es su cuerpo, es la plenitud
de aquel que lo llena todo por completo.
Nueva Versión Internacional (NVI) La Santa Biblia, Nueva Versión
Internacional® NVI® Copyright © 1999 by Biblica, Inc.® Used
by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
9
Study Three: In Life
EPHESIANS 2:1–22
2:1-2 “God helps those who
help themselves” isn’t from
the Bible but from ancient
Greeks. The start of this
chapter emphasizes the
exact opposite: God helps
the helpless. Even more,
he helps his enemies who
were spiritually dead in their
sin against him.
2:8 “It is not the strength
of your faith but the object
of your faith that actually
saves you. Strong faith in a
weak branch is fatally inferior to weak faith in a strong
branch.” Tim Keller
2:18 Christ gives us access
by the Spirit to the Father:
every member of the trinity
is working in our prayers.
1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins 2 in
which you previously walked according to the ways of
this world, according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens, the spirit now working in the
disobedient. 3 We too all previously lived among them
in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of
our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children
under wrath as the others were also. 4 But God, who
is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had
for us, 5 made us alive with the Messiah even though
we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!
6 Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and
seated us in the heavens, 7 so that in the coming ages
He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace
through His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For you
are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from
yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that
no one can boast. 10 For we are His creation, created
in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared
ahead of time so that we should walk in them.
11 So then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those
called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by
human hands. 12 At that time you were without the
Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and
foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without
hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ
Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near
by the blood of the Messiah. 14 For He is our peace,
who made both groups one and tore down the dividing
wall of hostility. In His flesh, 15 He made of no effect the
law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that He might create in Himself one new man
from the two, resulting in peace. 16 He did this so that
He might reconcile both to God in one body through the
cross and put the hostility to death by it. 17 When the
Messiah came, He proclaimed the good news of peace
to you who were far away and peace to those who
were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by
one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer
foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the
saints, and members of God’s household, 20 built on
the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ
Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. 21 The whole building, being put together by Him, grows into a holy sanctuary in the Lord. 22 You also are being built together for
God’s dwelling in the Spirit.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003,
2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
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1 En otro tiempo ustedes estaban muertos en sus transgresiones y pecados, 2 en los cuales andaban conforme
a los poderes de este mundo. Se conducían según el que
gobierna las tinieblas, según el espíritu que ahora ejerce
su poder en los que viven en la
desobediencia. 3 En ese tiempo también todos nosotros
vivíamos como ellos, impulsados por nuestros deseos
pecaminosos, siguiendo nuestra propia voluntad y
nuestros propósitos.
Como los demás, éramos por naturaleza objeto de la ira
de Dios. 4 Pero Dios, que es rico en misericordia, por su
gran amor por nosotros, 5 nos dio vida con Cristo, aun
cuando estábamos muertos en pecados. ¡Por gracia ustedes han sido salvados! 6 Y en unión con Cristo Jesús,
Dios nos resucitó y nos hizo
sentar con él en las regiones celestiales, 7 para
mostrar en los tiempos venideros la incomparable riqueza
de su gracia, que por su bondad derramó sobre nosotros
en Criston Jesús. 8 Porque por gracia ustedes han sido
salvados mediante la fe; esto no procede de ustedes,
sino que es el regalo de Dios, 9 no por obras, para que
nadie se jacte. 10 Porque somos hechura de Dios, creados en Cristo Jesús para
buenas obras, las cuales Dios dispuso de antemano a fin
de que las pongamos en práctica.
11 Por lo tanto, recuerden ustedes los gentiles de
nacimiento —los que son llamados «incircuncisos» por
aquellos que se llaman «de la circuncisión», la cual se
hace en el cuerpo por mano humana—, 12 recuerden que
en ese entonces ustedes estaban separados de Cristo,
excluidos de la ciudadanía de Israel
y ajenos a los pactos de la promesa, sin esperanza y
sin Dios en el mundo. 13 Pero ahora en Cristo Jesús, a
ustedes que antes estaban lejos, Dios los ha acercado
mediante la sangre de Cristo. 14 Porque Cristo es nuestra paz: de los dos pueblos ha hecho uno solo, derribando mediante su sacrificio el muro de enemistad que nos
separaba, 15 pues anuló la ley con sus
mandamientos y requisitos. Esto lo hizo para crear en
sí mismo de los dos pueblos una nueva humanidad al
hacer la paz, 16 para reconciliar con Dios a ambos en
un solo cuerpo mediante la cruz, por la que dio muerte
a la enemistad. 17 Él vino y proclamó paz a ustedes que
estaban lejos y paz a los que estaban cerca. 18 Pues
por medio de él tenemos acceso al Padre por un mismo
Espíritu.
19 Por lo tanto, ustedes ya no son extraños ni extranjeros, sino conciudadanos de los santos y miembros de la
familia de Dios, 20 edificados sobre el fundamento de los
apóstoles y los profetas, siendo Cristo Jesús mismo la
piedra angular. 21 En él todo el edificio, bien armado, se
va levantando para llegar a ser un templo santo en el Señor. 22 En él también ustedes son edificados juntamente
para ser morada de Dios por su Espíritu.
Nueva Versión Internacional (NVI) La Santa Biblia, Nueva Versión Internacional® NVI® Copyright © 1999 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
11
Study Four: In Grace
3:5 The apostles “represent
the authority of primary witness to the Gospel facts, while
prophets represent the living guidance of the Spirit by
which the facts were apprehended in ever fuller meaning and scope.” Bruce
3:8,13 Paul saw that his
life was a living illustration
of God’s grace and glory
through the boundless sin
and suffering in his life.
EPHESIANS 3:1–13
1 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 you have heard,
haven’t you, about the administration of God’s
grace that He gave to me for you? 3 The mystery
was made known to me by revelation, as I have
briefly written above. 4 By reading this you are able
to understand my insight about the mystery of the
Messiah. 5 This was not made known to people in
other generations as it is now revealed to His holy
apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 The Gentiles
are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift
of God’s grace that was given to me by the working
of His power.
8 This grace was given to me—the least of all the
saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of the Messiah, 9 and to shed light for
all about the administration of the mystery hidden
for ages in God who created all things. 10 This is
so God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made
known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens. 11 This is according to His eternal purpose accomplished in the Messiah, Jesus
our Lord. 12 In Him we have boldness and confident
access through faith in Him. 13 So then I ask you
not to be discouraged over my afflictions on your
behalf, for they are your glory.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003,
2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
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1 Por esta razón yo, Pablo, prisionero de Cristo
Jesús por el bien de ustedes los gentiles, me
arrodillo en oración. 2 Sin duda se han enterado
del plan de la gracia de Dios que él me encomendó para ustedes, 3 es decir, el misterio
que me dio a conocer por revelación, como ya
les escribí brevemente. 4 Al leer esto, podrán
darse cuenta de que comprendo el misterio de
Cristo. 5 Ese misterio, que en otras generaciones no se les dio a conocer a los seres humanos, ahora se les ha revelado por el Espíritu a
los santos apóstoles y profetas de Dios; 6 es
decir, que los gentiles son, junto con Israel, beneficiarios de la misma herencia, miembros de un
mismo cuerpo y participantes igualmente de la
promesa en Cristo Jesús mediante el evangelio.
7 De este evangelio llegué a ser servidor como
regalo que Dios, por su gracia, me dio conforme
a su poder eficaz.
8 Aunque soy el más insignificante de todos
los santos, recibí esta gracia de predicar a las
naciones las incalculables riquezas de Cristo,
9 y de hacer entender a todos la realización del
plan de Dios, el misterio que desde los tiempos
eternos se mantuvo oculto en Dios, creador de
todas las cosas. 10 El fin de todo esto es que la
sabiduría de Dios, en toda su diversidad, se dé
a conocer ahora, por medio de la iglesia, a los
poderes y autoridades en las regiones celestiales, 11 conforme a su eterno propósito realizado
en Cristo Jesús nuestro Señor. 12 En él, mediante la fe, disfrutamos de libertad y confianza
para acercarnos a Dios. 13 Así que les pido que
no se desanimen a causa de lo que sufro por
ustedes, ya que estos sufrimientos míos son
para ustedes un honor.
Nueva Versión Internacional (NVI) La Santa Biblia, Nueva Versión
Internacional® NVI® Copyright © 1999 by Biblica, Inc.® Used
by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
13
Study Five: In Eternal Love
EPHESIANS 3:14–21
3:16 The trinitarian nature of
prayer is drawn out again.
3:18-19 Only the Spirit can
give someone a mind to understand the length, width,
height and depth of something that surpasses knowlege.
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father 15
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is
named. 16 I pray that He may grant you, according
to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with
power in the inner man through His Spirit, 17 and
that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through
faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with
all the saints what is the length and width, height
and depth of God’s love, 19 and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may
be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond
all that we ask or think according to the power that
works in us— 21 to Him be glory in the church and
in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.
Amen.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003,
2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
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14 Por esta razón me arrodillo delante del
Padre, 15 de quien recibe nombre toda
familia en el cielo y en la tierra. 16 Le pido
que, por medio del Espíritu y con el poder
que procede de sus gloriosas riquezas, los
fortalezca a ustedes en lo íntimo de su ser,
17 para que por fe Cristo habite en sus
corazones. Y pido que, arraigados y cimentados en amor, 18 puedan comprender,
junto con todos los santos, cuán ancho y
largo, alto y profundo es el amor de Cristo;
19 en fin, que conozcan ese amor que
sobrepasa nuestro conocimiento, para que
sean llenos de la plenitud de Dios.
20 Al que puede hacer muchísimo más
que todo lo que podamos imaginarnos o
pedir, por el poder que obra eficazmente
en nosotros, 21 ¡a él sea la gloria en la iglesia y en Cristo Jesús por todas las generaciones, por los siglos de los siglos! Amén.
Nueva Versión Internacional (NVI) La Santa Biblia, Nueva Versión Internacional® NVI® Copyright © 1999 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
15
APRIL/MAY
2015
Term 2 Community Group
Sunday Serving
26 Apr
3 May
10 May
17 May
24 May
31 May
7 Jun
14 Jun
21 Jun
28 Jun
5 Jul
12 Jul
Klokman // Rodins
Drivers // Young
Jones // Wenham
Carse // Heaton
Smith // Bridge & Anthony
Eidse // Hall
Brendan & Em // Rodins
Klokman // Young
Drivers // Wenham
Jones // Carse
Heaton // Bridget & Anthony
Smith // Eidse
17
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