THE LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS

In Ephesians 1, Paul looks at eternity past and causes us to marvel at the wondrous treasures that God had prepared for His children. He then prays for us to grasp all that we have in Christ. Now in Ephesians 2, Paul looks at our present reality in Christ by first reminding us of who we were without Jesus, and then contrasting that with our salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. He also reminds us of the means of our salvation and the purpose for our salvation.

Of all the confusion and unanswered questions in the world, there are two questions, that when correctly answered, bring life and purpose to everything. It is the answer to these two questions that sets true, life transforming, Bible Christianity apart from every other religion or philosophy in the world: Who is Jesus? and Did Jesus raise from the dead?

Palm Sunday begins what many know as passion week. I wanted to use this Sunday before Easter to look specifically at the cross of Christ as considered in Luke 23:32-42. The first two verses in this passage read: And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. 33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. I want to consider the important message we learn from these “Three Crosses.”

We have considered together that Ephesians 1:3 is a doxology and like a treasure chest full of unimaginable gifts. It is divided into three sections: gifts from the Father, gifts from the Son and gifts from the Holy Spirit, all described in verses 4-14. We have considered the wonder of being chosen by the Father, redeemed by the Son and indwelt by the Holy Spirit with all of its marvelous benefits. These gifts establish what is our position in Christ. It is important to understand the difference between our position in Christ and our practice of the Christian life.

In verses 15-23 Paul prays for the Ephesians (and thus for us) that they would apply God’s gifts to our lives in victorious Christian living. We were challenged in verses 15-18 that we must be growing in our knowledge of Jesus through the study of the Scriptures, living by eternal values and meditating on God’s great love for us. In verses 19-23, Paul challenges us to understand the power that is ours in Christ.

We have noted that Ephesians 1:3 is a doxology and like a treasure chest full of unimaginable gifts. It is divided into three sections: gifts from the Father, gifts from the Son and gifts from the Holy Spirit, all described in verses 4-14. We have considered the wonder of being chosen by the Father, redeemed by the Son and indwelt by the Holy Spirit with all of its marvelous benefits. It is a shame how many Christians hear of their treasure, but never fully spend the great treasure on themselves. In verses 15-23 Paul begins to pray for the Ephesians (and thus for us) that they would make these wonderful gifts a living reality in victorious Christian living.