2009-04-26
Ephesians - The Unsearchable Riches of Christ
Steve Lane

A. Introduction/Review

Ephesians 2: 1 - 10
We were all in the same boat, you too were dead in your transgressions.
Warnings to parents
Should bring us humility and appreciation of God's grace, not pride and criticism.
An aspect of true growth is
and humility.
Living for the praise of His grace and by His grace will result in good works and ministry.

B. One in Christ

Ephesians 2: 11 - 18
More detail about a specific area of God's abundant grace.
Attitude adjustment, to see the reality of what God is like and His attitude toward us.

A whole passion in living transition.
Let God change your life through these first few chapters of Ephesians.

An important issue for the first-century church: their relation to Israel.

If someone refused the God of Israel, they were cut off from God.

Romans 1: 18 - 26
Gentiles were without God in the world, and did not recognize Him.

2 Corinthians 5: 18
But now, every person comes in the same way: trust in Christ alone.

C. We are a Holy Temple

Ephesians 2: 19 - 22
Individual stones coming together to make up His temple.
In Ephesians 4: 16 the analogy is the body, which fits the rest of Ephesians.

You could build your daily life around this set-up of Ephesians.
His great power available to you and his love for you no matter what the great adventure.

Once again, he is so excited about the good news he is sharing, he is sharing that he is about to break into prayer.
But, a parenthesis from verse 2 to verse 13...

D. Preacher of the Mystery of Christ to the Gentiles

Good news is being in relationship with Jesus and being connected to the unsearchable riches.

Forgiveness of sins and justification remove the barriers to relationship with God.

Ephesians 3: 2 - 13
Ephesians 3: 18 - 19
Jesus is not only the means of our salvation, he is the goal of it.

E. The Indescribable Love of Jesus Toward Us and His Power Available to Us
[for the praise of His glory]

John 7: 37 - 39 - The Great Adventure
"Yet, there are oceans of live in the great heart of God that have not been touched."
Paul is praying they would learn to avail themselves to God's provision in Christ.

Surrender and yielding to the Holy Spirit takes down barriers we have put up.
This is why the crucifying of self, and daily surrender, always brings a new level of joy.

The abundance of God's gifts, the power made available to the believer...
The motivation of the church: the glory of God and the praise of His glorious grace.
His capacity to meet our needs...