OUR FATHER DWELLS IN HIS PEOPLE AS HIS TEMPLE

Ephesians chapter 2 verses 11 -  22

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.

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.

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 whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Amen

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OUR FATHER WHOSE GREAT MERCY AND LOVE FOR US FOR BROUGHT US FROM DEATH TO LIFE

Continuing with his exposition of how great a salvation we have been given, the Apostle Paul, in  Ephesians chapter 2 verses 1 - 10, discusses the mercy and love that God had for us by which He took us from being innate sinners to being indemnified saints sitting in  heavenly places with Christ.

 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.

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 undertaking of our salvation,  as costly as it was, will showcase the extremely incredible depth and magnificence of God's grace in His kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.

In this context, Paul made clear that our salvation is provided by the grace of God only and in no way is it attained by any work or effort done by us. The credit for our salvation will only ever be attributable to God and no human being will ever be able to claim any part of the credit for their salvation.

The apostle then explained that we were individually crafted by God for His  purposes which, far in advance, He designed for us to do and designed us to do and the salvation provided makes a way for us to step up to our purpose and calling in Christ Jesus.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO SEATED CHRIST AT HIS RIGHT HAND ABOVE ALL THINGS

In Ephesians chapter 1 verses 14 - 23, the Apostle Paul reports that he had heard of the Ephesian's faith in the Lord Jesus and their love for all the saints and this inspired him to continually give thanks for them and to mention them in his personal prayers so that God would give them wisdom and revelation of Himself so that they would be able to realise how consequential their eternal calling was and how rich in glory of the inheritance that was allotted to them actually was.

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.

The Apostle Paul continued to tell the Ephesians that he prayed that they would grasp how exceedingly great His power was towards those who believed and in fact, this power was the same power that God used to raise the Lord Jesus from the dead and enthrone Him in heavenly places far above the entire hierarchy of spiritual entities and this order of Christ's supremacy not only applied to our current dispensation but also to the dispensation 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.

The Lord Jesus was put over all things and the church, which is His body, is completely filled by Him and has been imbued with His authority.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO BLESSED US WITH EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING

Ephesians chapter 1 verses 1 - 14 begins our look at Apostle Paulˋs letter to the believers in the town of Ephesus. 

Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ as appointed by God and decribes the ones he is writing to as ˋsaintsˋand ˋfaithfulˋ in Christ Jesus. Paul also blesses them with a pronouncement of grace and peace upon them as an expression of his love for them.

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 fromen God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul then declares that the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ is blessed and that we, through Christ,  have been blessed by God with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places.  

Paul then reveals that in the same way that we have been blessed by God, from before the foundation of the world, He has also chosen us to be in Him as ones who should be holy and blameless in love. 

This attainment of holiness and blamelessness, Paul explains, is made possible when we are adopted as sons unto God through the Lord Jesus Christ according to Godˋs own pleasure. This provision that God made for us showcases the glory of His grace which brings Him praise and this same grace made us accepted into the family of God.

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.

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.

Paul, in this densely-packed passage, summarized the composite gift of Christ that escalates us up from the depths of enslavement in sin ( through His shed blood and His grace), to being among those being gathered together in Christ and then we find that above all that, we have obtained an inheritance as part of what was predestined for each of us by Godˋs personal intention. 

Those who first trusted in Christ and expended themselves for the dispensation of His gospel are then able to be for the praise of Godˋs glory because of how lavish and valuable the gift of salvation actually is and anyone receiving it would praise the Lord forever.

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 Apostle Paul goes on to explain a mysterious principle where he tells the Ephesians that they who trusted the word of truth and believed in the gospel of salvation that was given to them, they were sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. Here, the word 'seal', carries the meaning of 'protected from tampering or contamination like preserving food in a sealer jar'. This keeps our new born-again spirits from being contaminated by living in the world and it is also a deposit or downpayment made on each of us until the day that we are redeemed by God as a precious possession and all this to the praise and honor of His glory.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER FOR WHOM ALL THINGS MUST BE DONE IN LOV

The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 16 verses 1 - 24, concludes his monumental letter to the Corinthians with some logistics and housekeeping .

He describes his own movements around Asia Minor where some effective doors were opening for the work of the ministry but as well, harboured many enemies.

He lists a number of places and people in commendation and in greeting;

Places:

• Galatia - To whom he wrote the letter ˋGalatiansˋ
• Jerusalem - Showing that it was still integrated with the expanding network
• Macedonia - Passing through on the way north but perhaps wintering there
• Ephesus - To whom he wrote the letter of towering revelation: Ephesians
• Achaia - Mentioned as the home town of the household of Stephanas
• Asia -  Mentioned as a regionally unified administrative area

Individuals:

• Timothy- Commended as a fellow worker in the Lord
• Apollos - Described as a brother in Christ who was unwilling to visit 
• Stephanas - His household is named the first in Christ in the area and faithful 
• Fortunatus - Faithful helper, encourager and supporter of the ministry
• Achaicus  Faithful helper, encourager and supporter of the ministry
• Aquila - Passed hearty greetings from the churches in Asia
• Priscilla - Passed hearty greetings from the churches in Asia

Paul encourages the Corinthians to be watchful, steadfast in faith, brave, strong and loving.

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. 4 But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

5 Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). 6 And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.

8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

10 And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. 11 Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.

12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.

13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love.

15 I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints— 16 that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.

17 I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. 20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s.

22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Amen.

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 OUR FATHER TO WHOM OUR LABOUR IS NOT IN VAIN

1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 29 - 58 continues with the Apostle Paulˋs contention that there would indeed be a ressurection of the dead.

29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? 30 And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? 31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

The ˋbaptism of the deadˋ mentioned here (and nowhere else in sccripture) has be used to institute a religious practice among some groups where a living person is physically baptised as a proxy for a person who is dead so that the dead person can benefit from the mandatory rite even if they had not had a chance to experience it in life.

This interpretation is clearly a misreading of the text. The baptism of the dead is the same baptism mentioned by the Lord Jesus in the book of Mark 10 verse 38:

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

The baptism mentioned here is the baptism of death that Jesus would endure for the sake of all men. The baptism mentioned by Paul, in the context, is the baptism unto death that believers suffered for the sake of the gospel and for righteousness. The question paul is asking is why would there be any need for someone to die for the sake of the gospel if there was no ressurection of the dead. He asks why they, as servants of the gospel, suffered jeopardy and struggled against wid beasts and other hazzards if this life was all there was? Why wouldnˋt they just âdopt the precept that went, ˋEat drink and be merry for tomorrow we dieˋ.

33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

Here, Paul cautions the believers against associating with those who held that belief because they would be wrongly guided away from righteousness and towards sin based on the false doctrine that there was no ressurection.

35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” 36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.

39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.

40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

To answer the question of how the dead were raised, Paul uses an anology of a seed that falls to the ground and dies and then becomes alive in a new plant. For a human being who has been given eternal life becuase of their faith in Christ, they die and are then made alive again in a spiritual body in the image of the heavenly man Jesus. 

46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

In this passage, the Apostle Paul reveals a mystery of the ages; In an instance, all who will inherit the kingdom of God will be raised up in a new incorruptible and immortal body. At that moment, those who are dead in Christ will be raised from the dead in immortal bodies while those who are alive and in Christ, will be caught up with Him and transformed in a twinkling of an eye when the last trumpet blows to mark then of the dispensation we are in.

At that moment, death will be defeated and rendered non-functional because sin is the sting that causes death and the law, in its judgement of sin, is what gives sin its strength but the Lord Jesus Christ, having lived a perfectly sinless life even to the point of submitting to an agonizing death in mental and physical anguish, was victorious over sin and death and we are each given this victory through Him.

Amen.

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