To Him Be Glory in the Church Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21
Live a Life Worthy of your Call As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Ephesians 4:1 (NIV) For three chapters Paul has been unfolding the eternal purposes of God being worked out in history. Through Jesus Christ and by His death
Christian Unity and Godly Conduct Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love Ephesians 4:2 (NIV) Paul has called on his readers to live a life worthy of their calling (4:1). The new society God is calling into being has two characteristics. First, it is ‘one’ people, composed equally of
Christian Unity and the One Body, Spirit and Hope Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called Ephesians 4:3,4 (NIV) In 4:2-16 Paul will elaborate four truths about
Christian Unity and the One Lord, Faith Baptism and Father … one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all Ephesians 4:5,6 (NIV) In 4:2-16 Paul is elaborating four truths about the kind of oneness God intends His new society to
Unity Enriched by Diversity of Gifts But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. Ephesians 4:7 (NIV) We have previously noted that the new society God is calling into being has two characteristics. First, it is ‘one’ people, composed equally of Jews and Gentiles, the single family of God.
The Victor Gives Gifts to His People This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the
The Five-Fold Gifting From Christ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers Ephesians 4:11 (NIV) The gifts Christ gives to the church are people. ‘So Christ himself gave the apostles …’ (4:11). The term apostolos is used three different ways in the New Testament. First, it could mean
Christ’s Five-Fold Gifts Equip All of Us for Ministry So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up Ephesians 4:11,12 (NIV) ‘So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists,
Until We Reach Maturity … until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:13 (NIV) Paul has noted that Christ’s five-fold gift ministries to the church have both a function and a
