OUR FATHER WHO WANTS US TO PROGRESS IN FAITH

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians in chapter 1 verses 19 - 26, discusses the quandary he struggled with where he realized that his living was strictly an expression of Christ while at the same time, it would be an advantage for Him to die because he would be with Jesus.

Paul mentioned that he counted on his audience for their prayers that God would use the circumstances he was in for his deliverance in that he would continue to demonstrate courage so that christ would be exalted in his living or his dying. 

19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

The apostle Paul told those to whom he wrote that he felt it was needful for their well being that he continue to live even though he would prefer to depart. 

Paul seems to have sensed as he was writing, that his path was to stay with the Philippians for longer so that they could joyfully progress along their spiritual travels and that they could boast in Christ on account of Paul's work in their midst.

Amen.

1

OUR FATHER WHO TURNS ALL THINGS FOR GOOD FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSES.

In the first chapter of the apostle Paulˋs letter to the Philippians in  verses 12 - 18, he describes his experience of being imprisoned and the effect that his imprisonment has had on the gospel.

His incarceration had the effect of making the story of Christ widely known even among the security staff who guarded him and in fact, other people who spoke of the gospel of Jesus, instead of being intimidated by Paulˋs imprisonment, became bolder in presenting the good news of Christ.

12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

Paul also pointed out a phenomenon that emerged from his imprisonment where some people, out of envy of him, began to insincerly preach the gospel to inflame the political sentiments against Paul so that he would be in more jeopardy while in prison. Other people, in solidarity with Paul, sincerely preached the gospel to extend its reach because Paul, its main proponent, was in custody.

To Paul, preaching the gospel in insincerity or in sincerity has the same effect of spreading the good news of the Christ and because of this, he was gratified.

As the book of Romans chapter 2 verse 28 says; ˋAnd we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.ˋ

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHO IMBUES US WITH GRACE AND PEACE

Paul wrote a letter to the people in the church of the town of Philippi and in chapter 1 verses 1  - 11, he introduces himself and his protoge Timothy and addressed his letter to all the believers and to the leadership of bishops and deacons of the church.

He speaks grace and peace over them from God the Father and from the Son who is  the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Paul then wrote of how he affectionately remembered them as he joyfully prayed for them and that he was confident that the good work that was began in them was going to reach completion in preparation for the day of the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

Paul told the believers in Philippi that it was altogether appropriate for him to be have such strong feelings for them because they were all partakers with him in grace and this bond that he had with them made him yearn for them.

1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,  5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Paulˋs prayer for the Philippians was that they would love each other even more than before.

He also prayed that they would grow in knowledge and disernment so that they could be act as gatekeepers who allowed only excellent things such as sincerity and meekness to prevail in their midst as a result of the fruit of righteousness which they were being imbued with by the Lord Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER IS WORTHY OF GRATITUDE FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE TO SAVE US

Circling back to Ephesians chapter 5 verses 15 - 21 which was mistakenly skipped as we surveyed the apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he counsels believers on what stance they should adopt under the prevailing evil days.

• Be carefully observant in wisdom
• Be aligned with God's will
• Avoid the wastefulness of drunkenness but be entwined and filled in the Spirit
• Interact with each in the spiritual communications of songs and psalms
• Sustaining an internal musical backdrop of adoration to God
• Continuous gratitude towards our Father in the name of Jesus Christ
• Holding ourself as lower than each other.

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER PROVIDES PEACE, GRACE AND LOVE TO THOSE WHO SINCERELY LOVE HIM

The apostle Paul concludes his letter to the Ephesians in Chapter 6 verses  21 - 24 with these words;

21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.

23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

The apostle Paul,  at the end of his letter, introduced the person with whom he sent his letter as a beloved brother and faithful minister named Tychicus. He let the Ephesians know that Tychicus would represent him and update them on his condition and would encourage them. 

He then blesses the believers in Ephesus with peace and faith filled love from the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ and he blessed those who sincerely loved the Lord Jesus with grace.

Amen.

1

OUR FATHER WHO ENCOURAGES US TO BE BOLD IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT

The apostle Paul, having spoken about the body of Christ and the bride of Christ in terms of how their proper functioning is modeled in the institutions experienced by men such as marriage, parenthood and servanthood,  now speaks of the defence systems that are needed to protect the body of Christ where each individual takes up the armor of God so that we can fend off the attacks by the kingdom of darkness.

In his letter to the Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10 - 20, the apostle identifies enemies of the body of Christ as:

• The devil and his plots and machinations
• Principalities (highest ranking princes of darkness working to usurp territories)
• Powers (Entities that exert dark influence over denizens of a territory)
• Rulers of darkness ( workers of evil in a territory to establish darkness ) 
• Spiritual hosts of wickedness  (Demons that dispense evil deeds among humans ) 

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

The apostle Paul also prescribes how each individual believer in Jesus should be arrayed in defensive gear (which he calls the armor of God) so as to be protected from the targeted blows unleashed by the kingdom of darkness upon the citizens of the kingdom of light.

• Gird waist with the belt of truth
• Breast plate of righteousness
• Shoes of the gospel of peace
• Shield of faith to block fiery darts
• Helmet of salvation
• Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God

These articles of defence are acquired by constantly praying and supplicating in the Spirit and being on the watches and intercessions for all the saints.

At this point, Paul points out that he too should be covered in the prayers of the saints so that he would be imbued with the utterance and boldness that he needed to proclaim the mystery of the gospel for which he was an ambassador in chains.

Amen.

1

OUR FATHER WHO KNEW US FROM BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD

Chapter 6 verses 1 - 9 of Paulˋs  letter to the Ephesisans, the apostle Paul reveals the mystery of the architectural groudwork that was laid before the foundation of the world where institutions of humanity such as parents with children and servants with masters serve as models of honor and obedience.

Children are reminded to honor their parents in presenting how we, who are children of God, ought always to honor Him. This particular principle carries with it a metaphoric blessing such that if children honor their parents, a sure path will be set for them and their lifespans will be extended. This addendum is itself a metaphor for the eternal life that is offered to those chidren of God who honor Him and obey Him.

Similarly, the Apostle Paul, brings out a metaphoric connection between human fathers  and God the Father where he decribes a type of fathering that is not oppresive such that it instigates the negative reaction of children but rather is preccupied with the teaching and guiding towards the things of God. This model presents Godˋs own preoccupation with His children where He teaches and guides them continually to grow towards Himself.

As christians who are maturing in Christ, we voluntarily accept the role of bondservant ( a servant who publically and permanently commits his life to the service of God ) and this is parallel to the institution of master and servant on earth. In this case, Paul adjures servants to be sincere in their service to their masters and not to do the bare minimum but rather to serve with reverence towards their masters. This is a pattern of how bondservants of Christ should be sincere and reverent towards their chosen master who is Christ. In an unexpected turn, Paul reveals that service rendered towards earthly masters, even though set up as a metaphor,  is still counted as service to the Lord and will be rewarded by Him.

Lastly, masters are adjured to abandon fear tactics to intimidate their servants. Even as they are masters on earth, they should remember that they have an impartial Master in heaven and their own conduct towards their servants will be recompensed upon them.

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHO INAUGURATED MARRIAGE AS METAPHOR FOR CHRIST AND HIS BRIDE

In the 5th chapter of Paulˋs letter to the Ephesians from verses 32 - 33, Paul descibes marriage as a mystery from the point of view that marriage is a metaphor for the union that Christ will have with His bride who will be the body of His faithful servants.

Because marriage is a prophetic picture of the eternal love relationship between Christ and His Bride, Paul  outlines the expected conduct in marriage that would properly represent what the spiritual union would be like.

In the same way that it is appropriate for the church to submit to the Lord Jesus Christ, it is fitting that a wife submit to her husband.

Likewise, in the same way that Christ love the church and died for her, husbands should  love their wives and be prepared to give their lives for them.

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

The apostle Paul elaborates on how the injuction that makes married couples become one flesh  reflects how Christ and His bride become one body of His flesh and of His bones. 

Therefore, men, in playing their part in this metaphor, are to love their wives as they love themselves and women, in completing their part in the metaphor, should endeavour to respect their husbands.

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHO TRANSFORMS BY HIS LIGHT

In verses 8 - 14 the fifth chapter of his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul continues to emphasize that Christians have changed citizenships. They are no longer carrying passports of the kingdom of darkness but are now citizens of the kingdom of light and in fact are illuminated by the Lord.  We were once creatureds of darkness but are now creatures of light. As such, our lives should emanate the light of goodness,  righteousness and truth where we each actively pursue the understanding of what God would find acceptable in His sight.

 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:

“Awake, you who sleep,

Arise from the dead,

And Christ will give you light.”

Paul cautions believers that they should have no entanglements with the things of the kingdom of darkness but rather, the light we carry should bring illumination upon things that are generated in darkness and this light will make the activities of darkness recognizable for what they are and be revealed as fruit of darkness.

Possibly quoting Isaiah chapter 60 verse 1, (which reads; Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.),  the apostle Paul declares that the light that Christ gives believers is an active ingredient in transforming them from beings that were engulfed in darkness into beings that were carriers of Godˋs light and glory.

Amen.

4

OUR FATHER WHOSE WRATH IS DIRECTED AT EVIL DEEDS

Continuing in the letter to the Ephesians in chapter 5 from verses 1 - 7, the apostle Paul prescribes that believers pattern their lives on the life of Christ who sacrificially gave Himself up for us in love and whose sacrifice was a pleasing incence before God. Paul tells us that imitating Christ is our guide in how we should conduct ourselves and to make sure that the conduct that drew Godˋs wrath was not practived in our midst.

1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.

Aman.

2

OUR FATHER WHO CREATED A NEW MAN IN US

The apostle Paul, in the fourth chapter of the letter to the Ephesians from verses 17 - 32, adjures believers to comport themselves in a way that is befitting of those who have been granted access to the knowledge of Christ.

To emphasize the change of conduct believers must undergo, Paul contrasts the former way of life that was driven by dark impulses guided by darkened minds with the new way of life of righteousness and holiness.

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

The apostle gives a listing of behaviors and attitudes that are symptoms of the fallen man;

• Futility of mind
• Darkened understanding
• Alienated from God
• Ignorant
• Blind at heart
• Insensitive
• Unclean
• Greedy
• Corrupt
• Lustful
• Telling lies
• Thievery
• Corrupt speaking
• Bitterness
• Wrath
• Anger
• Clamor (obstreporously noisy)
• Malice

To counter these tendencies of the old man, the apostle also gives us a listing of righteous conduct in our passage;

• Learning of Christ
• Listening to Christ
• Teachable by Christ
• Renewed mind
• Truthful
• Longsuffering
• Crowding out the devil
• Generosity
• Edifier of the body
• Peace with God 
• Kindness
• Soft-hearted
• Forgiving

Amen

2

OUR FATHER WHOSE SON DISPENCED GIFTINGS AMONG THOSE IN THE BODY

In the letter to the Ephesians chapter 4 verses 9 - 16, the apostle Paul delves into the facilitation made available to the one body of Christ to which we are joined in order for the body to be able to function in the world even though it is surrounded by enemies who constantly seek to destroy it..

He writes of the gifts that Christ provided as per the prophesy recorded in Psalm 68 verse 18 that foretells that the ascension from the underworld to the heights of heaven.

This dispensation that Christ innuagurated as He ascended was to be served by contingents of human ministers who were given supernatural capabilities as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. These specialists are given understanding and power to equip and edify all believers in various measures of ability in the services needed for the healthy funtioning of the body of Christ on earth.

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says:

“When He ascended on high,

He led captivity captive,

And gave gifts to men.”

9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

The Lord  Jesus directly appointed those who would carry and exemplify the types of ministry needed to build and strengthen the body of Christ so that the body would be unified and the all would grow in the knowledge of the Son of God until each person the fulness of the stature in Christ.

Paulˋs emphasis regarding the body fo Christ is that there be a reliable conveyer belt that conveys us all to increased maturity where new believers are received at the beginning and the organs of the body function together to lift them to their full potential in Christ over time.

As the body of Christ operates in the world, Paul is concerned about the hazards that it is  vulnerable to;

• Perpetual immaturity
• Unstable and drifting doctrines
• People being gullible
• Infiltration by deceitful men

In this passage, Paul tells us that the remedy for these hazards is that the truth be always spoken in love and that every individual continue to mature in Christ such that they can participate in bringing what their gifting is to the table so that the body of Christ can grow and be healthy as Christ has provided for.

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHO CALLED US INTO ONE BODY.

In the fourth chapter of the letter to the Ephesians verses 1 - 6, the Apostle Paul encourages the beneficiaries of the elaborate and wonderously orchestrated plan of salvation to conduct themselves in a manner that was worthy of the role to which they were called. The characteristics of worthiness are lowliness, gentleness, longsuffering, love, unity and peace.

1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

The singularity of the loving family to which we are joined consists of a singular body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is above all and in all of us.

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHO LOVES US BEYOND WHAT WE CAN GRASP

In the letter to the Ephesians chapter 3 verses 14 - 21, the apostle Paul, in awe of the Father, kneels in prayers for those who believe in Jesus and through Him have been adopted into the family of God. He asks the Father to strengthen, by His Spirit, the inner man of each believer so that they may be able to grasp the immeasurable width and length and depth and height of the love of Christ towards them.

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Paul glorifies the Father whose vast capability surpasses understanding in the awesome power that He has deposited in us forever.

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHO CREATED ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS

The Apostle Paul, in the letter to the Ephesians in chapter 3 verses 8 - 13, reveals how he, the least of all saints, was made a minister to the Gentiles to take to them the salvation fashioned among the Jews but made efficaciouse to all men on earth by a wisdom that was hidden in God from the beginning of the ages.

The unfolding of this plan made known to all creation the multifaceted wisdom that God deployed to the glory of Jesus Christ.

8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

Paul, having revealed the centrality of this plan to the eternal purposes of God, we can be confident in the part we are given to play in this great enterprise and we can remain undaunted in the face of difficulty.

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHO SENT MINISTERS TO TAKE THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL TO THE GENTILES

In the book of Ephesians chapter 3 verses 1 - 7, the apostle Paul describes how it came to be that he, a man from among the Jews, was tasked with taking the good news of the gospel to dispense among the gentiles.

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

He explained that a great mystery was revealed to him by Godˋs Holy Spirit such that he could now understand that the Gentiles, in spite of their distance from any knowledge of God, were qualified to hear the gospel and could indeed believe it and could be saved in the same way that Jews were.

Paul speaks about how this mystery, which had not been made known to previous generations, made provision for gentiles to be able to inherit the promises of the God of Israel and Paul tells of how he was made a minister of this grace that was to be given as the very power of salvation among the gentiles.

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHO RECONCILED GENTILES TO HIMSELF THROUGH JESUS

The apostle Paul, in the book of  Ephesians chapter 2 verses 11 - 13, puts our status in perspective for us by describing how far we, as gentiles, were from God. Without any affiliation with the nation of Israel and the historic covenants that they had with the creator, we were aliens and strangers with no possible connection with the God of creation. From this otherwise intractable position, the Lord Jesus, by His blood,  brought us close 

11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

From verses 14 - 18, Paul then expounds on the unification that happened in our dispensation where in Christ, the Jews and the Greeks became a single body.  The enmity that existed between Jews and Gentiles because of the law that contained ordinances to keep them apart, was disolved and in the new dispensation, one new man was created which resulted in the peace of unity.

Any people who remained Jewish and any who remained gentiles continued in their enmity but if any Jews believed in Jesus and if Gentiles believed in Jesus, these became one people in Christ.

14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

The wonder of the body of Jesus broken on the cross brought about the restoration and healing of a body that was split between those who were near and those who were far away and this unity was achieved because both solitudes now have access by the one Holy Spirit to the Father through Jesus.

19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in wh om you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

The one new man, according to the template laid down over generations by God  through His prophets and apostles, takes shape as one holy temple under the Lord Jesus who is the chief cornerstone.

Amen. 

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OUR FATHER WHO PREPARED GOOD WORKS FOR US TO DO IN OUR REDEMTION

The apostle Paul, having described manˋs hoplessly fallen condition, now reveals, in Ephesians chapter 2 verses 4 - 10, Godˋs impetus of love for us such that even while we were dead in our falleness, He reached down to save us by grace. Not only did He raise us up from death but then lifted us up to the heavenly places in Christ Jesus to where the true scale and scope of His gracious kindness will be shown toward us.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

The nature of this redemptive transaction precludes any effort from our part to accomplish because in our corrupt state, we canˋt contribute anything towards our salvation and therefore cannot claim any credit for reaching our redeemed state in heavenly places.

We have nothing to boast about but rather, in gratitude, we can walk out the good works of the kingdom that were prepared for us from before the beginning of the world.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO MADE ALIVE THOSE WHO BELIEVED IN JESUS

The tapostle Paul, in Ephesians chapter 2 verses 1 - 3, outlined the condition of the human being prior to God's intervention thusly;

1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

The characteristics of our fallen nature can be summarized this way;

• We were dead in trespasses
• We were dead in sin
• We pursued fleshly gratification
• We followed fleshly desires
• We indulged in fleshly thoughts
• We were qualified for wrath

It is this corrupt nature of ours that God, in His love, had to save us from even though we were fit for destruction, He provided a way of redemption by which we were restored to Him for those who wished to be redeemed.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO PUT ALL THINGS UNDER JESUSˋ FEET

Continuing with his letter to the Ephesians chapter 1 verses 15 - 23,  Paul describes his prayer for the Ephesian believers that they would be given the spirit of wisdom and revelation and come to know the true hope that our Father in heaven in His riches and glory ( as well as His exceedingly great power ) brought to bear through the Lord Jesus for those who believed.

15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO SEALS US IN THE HOLY SPIRIT 

The book of Ephesians chapter 1 verses 7 - 14 continues with the exposition by the apostle Paul of the condition and status of those who believe in Jesus. 

Having explained that these things were not put in place as an improvisation to solve the problem of the fall of man but rather as the foundational raison d'être for the design and unfurling of creation, Paul gives us a listing of the privileges that are accrued towards those who believe in Jesus.

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

The believers in Jesus who trust in the word of truth are lifted above their original fallen estate and find themselves in Him with these entitlements;

• They are redeemed through the shed blood of Jesus
• Their sins are forgiven 
• They are given knowlege of the otherwise classified sovereign will of God
• They are gathered into the one family of God
• They obtain an inheritance related to the purpose pre-assigned to them
• They are sealed with the Holy Spirit who reserves them as a down-payment
• They are guaranteed to be finally acquired in a glorious redemption to God.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO ADOPTED US AS SONS

Ephesians 3 - 6.

The apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians, after an introductory preamble, plunges into a heavy revelatory exposition of the pathway of mere fallen men into the family of God. This pathway was established from before the groundwork was laid for the creation of the world.

This pathway that was carved out by our heavenly Father bestowed spiritual blessings on those He had chosen so that they could be set apart and blameless having been adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

Those selected by the Father's sovereign choosing were made acceptable as sons in the company of the eternal Beloved by the glory of His grace.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHOSE SON GIVES US PEACE BEYOND ALL UNDERSTANDING

Having reached the end of the book  of John, we begin an exploration of Paulˋs letter to the Ephesians which begins with an introduction of himself with his God-given name ( he was formerly known as Saul until God changed his name to Paul) and  his God--give calling as an apostle. Paul then adressed the church members living in the town of Ephesus as saints and as the faithful in Christ Jesus.

 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The apostleˋs letter also begins with a blessing over the congregation where Paul declares grace ( pertaining to the favour and absolution of God extended towards flawed human beings who trust in Him ) and peace ( which is the gift that comes from the Father and from the Lord Jesus to those who believe in Him ) over the people.

With this introduction, Paul clarifies His spiritual identity given by God and the spiritual identity of those he was addressing in Ephesus.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHOSE SON RETURNED TO HIM

The book of John chapter 21 verses 20 - 25 concludes the book of John with this conversation between the Lord Jesus and Peter regarding John ( the writer of the book ).

20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”

22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.

25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

After the Lord had risen, He spent many days doing things that would have taken many books to record.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO RESTORES HIS PEOPLE

The book of John chapter 21 verses 15 - 20 records a conversation the Lord Jesus had with Simon Peter. Peter, having denied Jesus three times, was now being formally restored and Jesus walked Peter three times through an affirmation of his love for Jesus as a prerequisite for his assumption of ministry duties.

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

The Lord then gave Peter a road map of His transition from autonomy to a state where he would be completely surrendered to the will of God such that he would end up being in the hands of those who would kill him and he would accept that fate even though he did not wish it.

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHOSE SON INTERACTED MULTIPLE TIMES  WITH HIS FOLLOWERS AFTER HIS RESURRECTION

The book of John chapter 21 verses 1 - 14 records a subsequent appearance of Jesus to  His disciples as the fished on the Sea of Galilee (called the Sea of Tiberius in this passage.

When He called to them from the shore, they hurried over to Him but He did not physically look like the Jesus they knew but they knew it was Him.

1 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”

They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”

They answered Him, “No.”

6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. 9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.

14 This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

This third appearance by Jesus the Sea of Galilee had some surprising components to it. The first surprise was that  Jesus served His disciples breakfast of fish and bread.

Another surprise was the demonstration of a miracle where their fishing efforts which were futile through the night, suddenly yielded a large number of fish.

Another surprise was that the peculiar number of 153 fish was given leaving generations of people to ponder over what that number signified.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE WITHOUT FATH

The book of John chapter 20 verses 24 - 31 says this ;

24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

The axiomatic spiritual principle that confers additional blessings upon  those who had not seen Christ and yet believed, is established in this interaction between the Lord Jesus and Thomas.

Thomas, having been away when Jesus appeared to the other disciples,  had declared that he would not believe that Jesus was raised from from the dead unless he saw Him with his own eyes.

Jesus appeared again this time with the apostle Thomas present and Thomas then believed after seeing the risen Christ and called Him his Lord and his God.

In the spiritual realm, believing without seeing is called faith and faith is defined in the scriptures as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.

Remembering that without faith it is impossible to please God, the special commodity that God is looking for in humanity is the humility to  believe in Him without seeing any direct evidence of His kingdom. 

If we believe in God's provision for our salvation and respond in repentance based only on the inner witness we receive, we meet the criteria of having believed without seeing.

There will be people in different dispensations who will believe in Jesus' ability to save them because they will see Him in His Glory  but they will not have the blessing of those who believed with no evidence except the conviction in their hearts when the good news of the kingdom is shared with them.

Amen.

4

OUR FATHER WHOSE SON ROSE FROM THE DEAD

The book of John chapter 20 verse 19 - 23 records the startling events that ocurred during the evening of the same day. The disciples were holed-up in a safe-house in Jerusalem with the doors and windows sealed when the Lord Jesus appeared physically in their midst and reassured them and identified Himself to them by showing them the injuries in His hands and His side.

19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

The Lord Jesus Jesus, having set the example of being sent into the world, He then sent out His disciples.

Jesus then breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit" and gave them a spiritual authority that would give them the power to forgive sins and the power to retain sins.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHOSE SON ROSE FROM THE DEAD TO ASCEND BACK TO HIM

The book 0f John chapter 20 verses 11 - 18 was the first recorded encounter that a person had with the Lod Jesus after He had risen from the dead.

Mary Magdalene was emotionally distraut about the  Lordˋs crucifixion and now, she found that His body was missing from the tomb where it had been laid and wept over the whole situation.

She stooped to look into the tomb and saw two angel in white  sitting where Jesusˋ body had been.

11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”

14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).

17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ”

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

Mary was asked by the angels why she was weeping and she expressed her distress over the removal of the body of her Lord.

She turned and saw a man standing in the garden whom she did not recognize and when He asked her what she was look for, she asked the man if He had taken her Lordˋs body and if so, she would take responsibility for it and take the body.

The man she had supposed was the gardner called her by name and when she turned to Him, she recognised Jesus and called Him by His title, ˋteacherˋ.

Jesus told her not to cling to Him because He had not yet ascended to His Father but that she should go and tell the disciples that He was ascending to His Father and their Father and to His God and their God.

Mary relayed the message to the disciples that she had seen Jesus alive and what He had said to her.

Amen.

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