Ephesians Chapter 1: Identity Explained
Transcript
Welcome!
Thanks for visiting today to study Ephesians chapter 1.
I titled this bible study "Identity Explained" because during this study
a number of identities are revealed and explained, including that
of our own new identity in Christ as believers.
Other identities revealed include the body of Christ (the church) and the
three persons of God (the Holy Trinity): namely God the Father, God the Son and
God the Holy Spirit.
We also learn about the apostle Paul.
Once we start to understand our new identity
in Christ and our relationship with the body of Christ we can really begin to grow spiritually.
As we study, we'll learn about:
C God's character and His master plan.
I Our identity "in Christ" as believers.
T Our walk with God (Bible ToDo items).
F Bible facts.
P Bible promises.
I sincerely hope this bible study will be a blessing to you.
Top of page
Before We Start
Let's pray:
Holy Spirit, please help us as we study the Word of God.
Give us revelation to understand the true meaning and application of it.
Speak to our hearts and make this time profitable to the glory of God.
In the name of Jesus we pray.
Amen
Okay. Let's get started.
Top of page
Go To Verse
Use the following links to resume your study where you left off or to skip ahead.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
The first word reveals Paul as the author of this letter
to the believers at Ephesus whom he refers to as "saints".
But the letter is also addressed "to the faithful in Christ Jesus".
Therefore, if you are a believer, this letter is addressed directly to you too
as a faithful believer "in Christ Jesus".
F
Know that Paul’s letter to the saints at Ephesus (God’s Word)
is directly addressed to each of us today as faithful believers in Christ Jesus.
The phrase "in Christ" (or its equivalent) is used repeatedly by Paul and
as we study we'll take time to understand exactly what this means in terms of our
identity and how our faith has brought us "into" Christ.
I Know that our faith has brought us into Christ Jesus.
The word "saints" in the Greek is "hagios" G40 meaning "set apart, different, most holy, sacred, morally blameless".
It may surprise you to learn that as believers in Christ we are "saints". We have been set apart by God, for God:
therefore this description applies to us too. (We'll see more on this later.)
I Know that in Christ, we are saints.
I Know that in Christ we have been set apart by God, for God.
We also learn from verse 1 that Paul was chosen by "the will of God" to be an apostle of Jesus Christ.
The word "apostle" in the Greek is "apostolos" G652 meaning "one sent out with orders".
So Paul was chosen by God to be sent out with authority as an ambassador of Jesus Christ.
F Know that Paul was chosen by God to be sent out with authority as an ambassador of Jesus Christ.
Acts chapter 9
tells us that Paul certainly did not choose this role
for himself but rather Jesus chose it for him.
F Know that Paul did not choose Jesus but rather Jesus chose Paul. [
Acts 9]
So we see that God is at work in the world and in the lives of people.
As we progress our study, we'll see that God has a master plan which He is
executing and that His plan involves people
spanning multiple generations on Earth. One day His plan will come to fruition.
C Know that God has a master plan which He is executing.
C Know that God often involves people to fulfil His plan on the Earth.
God may choose even the most unlikely people to fulfil His plan on the Earth,
including those who directly oppose Him.
C
Know that God may choose even the most unlikely people to fulfil His plan on the Earth,
including those who directly oppose Him.
The encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus completely changed Paul's life such that
the former Christian-hating Pharisee known as "Saul of Tarsus" became known as "Paul,
the apostle of Jesus Christ" who was mightily used by God.
Let us also likewise fully embrace our new identity and purpose in life as we
discover exactly who we are in Christ and what God's plans are for us.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:2
2 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul begins verse 2 by greeting the saints both wishing and reminding them of God’s grace and peace.
T Take note how Paul greets the saints by both wishing and reminding them of God’s grace and peace.
In his greeting, Paul reminds us that in Christ God is our Father
and therefore we are children of God.
I Know that God is our Father.
I Know that we are children of God.
In Christ, with God as Father, come two major benefits for His children:
namely grace and peace! Both wonderful gifts.
I Know that grace and peace are ours because God is our Father.
The word "grace" in the Greek is "charis" G5485 meaning "good will, loving kindness, favour".
The word "peace" in the Greek is "eirene" G1515
meaning "tranquillity, harmony,
concord, security, safety, prosperity, freedom from fear, quietness of mind".
You may choose to think of grace coming from our loving Father
and peace from the Lord Jesus (John 14:27), the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
T Remember that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. [
Isaiah 9:6]
C Know that grace comes from God the Father.
C Know that peace comes from the Lord Jesus Christ.
However, we are to recognise that grace and peace come from both God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is because not only does Paul want us to understand our own identity in
Christ (and the blessings which are ours as a result)
but he also wants us to understand exactly
who the Lord Jesus Christ is and that Jesus is equally divine with God the
Father. Hence he uses the full title of "Lord Jesus Christ".
C Know that the Lord Jesus Christ is equally divine with God the Father.
Paul calls Jesus "Lord" because that is His title. In fact, Jesus is "King of kings and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15).
C Know that Jesus is Lord.
The name "Jesus" itself means "Jehovah is salvation".
In Matthew's gospel we read how Joseph was told in
a dream to use this name by the angel of the Lord
who said "thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from
their sins" (Matthew 1:21). Therefore this name was also to describe His mission as Saviour.
C Know that Jesus is Saviour.
The word "Christ" in the Greek is "Christos" G5547
meaning "anointed one"
or "chosen one". This is also a title of Jesus
(not a surname as some might think) and is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew
word for "Messiah".
Jesus is the Messiah! (Paul even emphasizes this in verse 1
through use of "Christ Jesus" instead of "Jesus Christ".)
C Know that Jesus is the Messiah.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:3
3 Blessed the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly in Christ:
Paul is about to start the list of blessings that believers have in Christ but in doing so he
further expresses the Father-Son relationship and the identity of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God
and our personal Lord and Saviour.
C Know that God is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ.
C Know that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
I Know that Jesus is our Lord and Saviour.
Paul uses the phrase "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ"
to highlight the twin nature of Jesus as both God the Son and Jesus the man, born of a woman and under the law (Galatians 4:4).
In order for Jesus the man (the Word made flesh) to model relationship with God and fulfil the law as a Jew, He was obligated
to love God and to worship Him. Therefore God the Father is both
the God of the Lord Jesus Christ (when a man living under the law)
and also the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ (God the Son).
C Know that God the Father is the God of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Identities aside, Paul both demands and gives praise to God the Father for who He is and
what He has done for believers.
T Give praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for what He has done.
C Know that God is worthy of praise.
C Know that God is gracious. [v2-3]
In keeping with God's character of declaring the end from the beginning,
Paul starts the list of blessings that believers have in Christ
with the final outcome of our faith, namely the promise of a
place reserved for us in heaven and all the spiritual blessings that come with it.
Praise God and thank Him for it.
P Know that God has reserved a place in heaven for those in Christ.
I Know that in Christ, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in heaven.
T Thank God for all your spiritual blessings in heaven in Christ.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:4
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Paul now describes both how and when the blessings for those in Christ
came about and for what purpose.
How? By God's choosing.
We didn't choose God. By God's grace alone, He chose us.
I Know that we did not choose God. He chose us.
I Know that it was by God’s grace alone that we were chosen in Christ.
When did this happen?
Before the creation of the world.
Yes, before we were even born and ever had any opportunity to do any good works.
I Know that we were chosen by God in Christ before the creation of the world.
F Know that God’s master plan started even before the creation of the world.
C Know that Jesus was with God before the creation of the world.
But what were we chosen for? Holiness.
Just as the blood sprinkled on
the lintels and doorposts caused the destroyer to pass over the houses of
the Israelites in Egypt,
so the blood of Christ sets us apart from the world
to stand holy and without blame before God in love.
Being chosen in Christ causes God to see us and treat us entirely differently - just like a parent is patient with a child
knowing that eventually they will grow up and become mature.
Thus the all knowing God sees us as what and who we will become, not what and who we currently are.
God sees us in our perfected state: holy, without blemish and clothed in the righteousness of His Son.
I Know that in Christ, we are holy and blameless before God in love.
C
Know that in Christ, God sees us in our perfected state: holy,
without blemish and clothed in the righteousness of His Son.
It's equally important that we also see ourselves differently in Christ too
and behave differently from those in the world so that
God might receive the glory for what He has done.
T Don’t put yourself down: God has elevated you to sainthood.
T See yourself as God sees you in Christ and realise just how completely He loves you.
But what exactly are we without blame for? Hold that thought. We'll find out shortly.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:5
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Again, what were we chosen for? Adoption.
The word "predestinated" in the Greek is "proorisas" G4309 meaning "predetermined, decided or appointed beforehand, preordained".
It may seem hard to imagine that God planned all of this even before the
creation of the world but it also pleased Him to choose us for adoption as His children
(by Jesus Christ) as part of that plan.
I Know that God appointed us beforehand to be adopted as His children by Jesus Christ.
C Know that it pleased God when He decided to adopt us as His children.
God the Father wants to be Father to us and He wants a relationship with us,
His children. He wants to sit, eat, drink and talk with us (Revelation 3:20).
As a beloved child of God, why not become totally dependent on God your Father?
C Know that God wants to be Father to us.
T As a beloved child of God, become totally dependent on God your Father.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:6
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
What was our adoption for? Praise.
Our adoption as God's children is "to the praise of the glory of His grace". Verses 12 and 14 also use the similar phrase
"to the praise of His glory" and we see that what is being praised and glorified are the three persons of God (the Holy Trinity); verse 6 relates to
our praise for God the Father (and the glory of His grace).
I Know that our adoption as God’s children is for the praise of God the Father and the glory of His grace. [v3-6]
When we truly realise the magnitude of what God has done for us our natural response is to
enthusiastically praise God the Father in fitting recognition of the glory of His grace.
T Praise God the Father and the glory of His loving kindness and favour.
C Know that God is glorious.
Jesus is God's only begotten (sole, one and only) and beloved Son.
God called out from heaven to declare Him in whom He was well pleased (Matthew 3:17) and in whom we find our salvation.
God's grace in choosing us in Christ has made us highly favoured and acceptable to Him.
C Know that Jesus is God’s only begotten and beloved Son. [
Matthew 3:17]
I Know that God has made us highly favoured and accepted in His beloved Son Jesus.
I Know that it was God alone that made us accepted in Christ and not through any works that we performed as we hadn't even been born when God decided!
But what was it that previously made us unacceptable to Him? Once again, hold that thought.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:7
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
The riches of God's grace have brought us redemption.
Jesus is our redeemer. He is the one who has effected our liberation by payment of a ransom, namely through His blood.
I Know that in Christ we have been redeemed through the blood of Jesus.
I Know that Jesus is our redeemer.
Here we have the proof of just how much God loves us.
We are so precious to Him that He would sacrifice even His only Son for us.
T Do not underestimate the great price paid by Jesus to redeem us.
T Do not underestimate the great value that God places on your life.
T Do not underestimate the great love that God has for you.
Redemption is not something that anyone can achieve for themself.
F Know that we are not able to redeem ourselves.
But what have we been liberated from? We are now about to find out.
God's plan was one of redemption from the outset
and God wishes us to collaborate with Him in His plan knowing that
redemption is mankind's greatest need as
all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
C Know that God’s master plan is one of redemption for mankind.
C Know that God wants us to collaborate with Him in His plan of redemption.
F Know that redemption is mankind’s greatest need.
F Know that all have sinned and are in need of God’s forgiveness.
But in Christ, our sins (past, present and future) have been forgiven!
Finally we have the answers to our questions:
v4) What are we without blame for? Our sins.
v6) What previously made us unacceptable to God? Our sins.
v7) What have we been liberated from? Death: the just punishment for our sins.
I Know that in Christ our sins (past, present and future) have been forgiven through the ransom blood of Jesus.
God's character is often revealed by His actions. Here we see that God is merciful and generous.
He has lavished the riches of His grace upon us and we are no longer slaves to sin. Hallelujah!
C Know that God is merciful.
I Know that God has lavished the riches of His grace upon us.
C Know that God gives generously.
Our ransom has been paid in full, in blood, by Jesus and now we are forgiven, holy, blameless and acceptable to God
with all the privileges of sons and heirs!
This is the good news of the gospel and as we grow in the knowledge of our
true standing in Christ it only gets better! No wonder Paul erupted into praise
at the start of this letter.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:8
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
The immense riches of God's grace do not flow scarcely or barely enough but abundantly, overflowing to us
His children, including wisdom: the right use or exercise of knowledge, and understanding:
moral insight and sound judgement in avoiding evil.
God offers abundant wisdom and understanding to us but we must pursue them.
Be sure to take firm hold of wisdom and understanding.
C Know that God’s grace flows abundantly towards His children. [v5-8]
I Know that God has lavished wisdom and understanding upon us through the abundant riches of His grace. [v7-8]
T Be sure to take firm hold of wisdom and understanding.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:9
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
God decides and does as He pleases yet it pleased God to make His master plan known to us which had
previously been kept secret.
I Know that God has chosen to make known to us the hidden secret of His master plan.
C Know that it pleases God to reveal His will to His children.
C Know that God decides and does as He pleases.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:10
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; in him:
Paul now reveals some of the detail of God's master plan: a future event, often referred to as "The Rapture" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17),
at a time known only to God, when He will gather together all those in Christ.
First, those that are dead in Christ will be gathered from
heaven, followed by those in Christ who are still alive on the Earth.
God has clearly positioned His Son Jesus Christ at the very centre of His master plan.
P
Know that at the appropriate moment in time (The Rapture), God will gather together all things
which are in Christ, both from in heaven and on earth. [
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17]
I Know that the dead in Christ are in heaven.
C Know that God has positioned His Son Jesus Christ at the centre of His master plan.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:11
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
The word "predestinated" (meaning appointed beforehand) that was first mentioned in verse 5
is repeated again here in verse 11 because the two verses are linked.
Appointed beforehand for what? Adoption and an inheritance.
Our adoption as children of God (verse 5) makes us joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:15-17) and thereby entitles us to an inheritance (verse 11).
I Know that in Christ we have become children and heirs of God.
[
Romans 8:15-17]
[v5-11]
I Know that we were predestined to obtain an inheritance in Christ by God’s will.
Appointed beforehand for what? To be part of God’s purpose and plan.
Wow! You were no accident of birth.
You were born for a reason. Your life has purpose and meaning!
I Know that we were predestined to be part of God’s purpose and plan.
F Know that you were no accident of birth.
F Know that you were born for a reason.
God has decided and does all things after the counsel of His own will.
God does not need or seek advice from anybody.
God is sovereign, having supreme power and authority to rule as He chooses.
C Know that God works all things after the counsel of His own will. [v9-11]
C Know that God is sovereign, having supreme power and authority to rule as He chooses.
C Know that God does not need or seek advice from anybody.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:12
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Our purpose in life (first mentioned in verse 6), to live for the praise of His glory,
now focuses on the second person of the Holy Trinity, namely our praise of God's glorious Son.
I Know that we were predestined to praise God’s glorious Son. [v11-12]
T Live for the praise of God’s glorious Son.
Even though Paul is writing to Gentile (non-Jewish) believers, he appears to temporarily choose to speak from a Jewish
standpoint when saying "who first trusted in Christ" in order to emphasize that this hope first belonged to the Jews
but is now also offered to the Gentiles.
F Know that it was the Jews who first hoped in the Messiah.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:13
13 In whom ye also , after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17) and ours came when we heard the Word of Truth (Jesus), the gospel of our salvation.
It is God's plan that, despite being chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world,
believers are not born again
until the exact moment in time planned by God for them to hear the gospel of salvation.
I Know that our trust is in Christ since we heard the Word of Truth, the good news of our salvation.
C Know that the Word of Truth (Jesus) is the good news of salvation.
F
Know that despite being chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, believers are not
born again until the exact time planned by God for them to hear the gospel of salvation.
Paul continues to speak from a Jewish standpoint when saying "In whom ye also trusted" in order to
emphasize the unifying hope of salvation offered to both Jews and Gentiles alike in Christ.
All men, whether Jew or Gentile, share this same need for salvation.
F Know that all men have need of salvation.
F Know that it was always God’s plan to allow the Gentiles to trust in the Messiah also.
After we believed in Jesus (the Word of Truth) we were marked with God's Holy Spirit of promise.
In Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells within us.
The Holy Spirit is God's seal of ownership upon us and is God's seal of promise to fulfil all heavenly blessings bestowed upon a believer.
I Know that in Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells within us.
I Know that we received the Holy Spirit of promise after we believed.
I Know that the Holy Spirit is God’s seal of ownership upon us.
C Know that the Holy Spirit is God’s seal of ownership upon believers.
P Know that the seal of the Holy Spirit is God's seal of promise to fulfil all heavenly blessings bestowed upon a believer.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:14
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
The Holy Spirit is given to us as a down payment (pledge) of our inheritance until the time comes
for the redemption of the purchased possession i.e. for us to go to be with the Lord, either when we die
or at the Rapture.
We are each a purchased possession of the Lord, purchased by the precious blood of Jesus.
I Know that the Holy Spirit is the down payment (pledge) of our inheritance until we go to be with the Lord. [v13-14]
I Know that we are each a purchased possession of the Lord.
I Know that we have been purchased by the ransom blood of Jesus.
Our purpose in life (first mentioned in verse 6 and again in verse 12),
is now mentioned a third time but this time focuses on the third person of the Holy Trinity,
namely God's Holy Spirit, that we might also live for the praise of His glory
who is most worthy of praise.
C Know that the Holy Spirit is glorious.
C Know that the Holy Spirit is worthy of praise.
I Know that our possession of the Holy Spirit is for the praise of His (the Holy Spirit’s) glory. [v13-14]
T Praise the glory of the Holy Spirit.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:15
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Having described the wealth of blessings bestowed upon believers alongside detailed revelation of God's character
and master plan, Paul prays for the believers at Ephesus
after hearing of their faith in the Lord Jesus and their love towards their Christian brethren, two traits which go
hand-in-hand for believers in Christ.
F Know that faith in Jesus and love towards all of the saints go together hand-in-hand for believers.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:16
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
Following Paul's example we should repeatedly give thanks and pray for our Christian brethren.
T Give thanks and pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ without ceasing.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:17
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
We are to pray to "the God of our Lord Jesus Christ" (first stated as such in verse 3) who Paul now describes
as the Father of "glory" i.e. Jesus, God's glorious Son (see John 1:14, 2:11).
C Know that God is the Father of glory (Jesus). [
John 1:14]
Paul's prayer highlights an important thing to petition the Father for, namely
"the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him".
This is not to be confused with asking for God's Holy Spirit,
which God has already given to us as believers (verse 13) but
rather asking God the Father for a spiritual disposition (temperament, habit, quality of character)
to seek out wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
The word "knowledge" in the Greek is "epignosis" G1922
meaning "precise and correct knowledge, experiential knowledge gained through first-hand relationship".
God not only wants us to know about Him but also to know Him in person through a first-hand relationship with Him.
T Pray that God may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the experiential knowledge of His character and will.
C Know that God not only wants us to know about Him but also to know Him in person through a first-hand relationship with Him.
Wisdom becomes available but does not come automatically to us at our conversion. It must be sought after.
At the time of our conversion our mind is in dire need of spiritual renewal.
We need to seek after wisdom and understanding and are told to earnestly do so (Proverbs 4:7).
F Know that wisdom does not come automatically to believers at time of conversion.
T Remember that wisdom is the principal thing. [
Proverbs 4:7]
T Earnestly seek after wisdom.
We can expect knowledge and wisdom to come via intimate prayer in which we experience first-hand relationship with God
and through reading the Word of God accompanied by the author, the Holy Spirit, who is our source of revelation.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:18
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Jesus wants to teach us: He wants us to learn both from and about Him.
Consider Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42
). Will you choose, as Mary did, to stop and sit at the feet of Jesus and hear His word?
Or, will you be like Martha, too troubled with cares to stop and learn from Jesus?
Having the right spiritual temperament and habits will enlighten (illuminate, instruct, inform, furnish with clear views)
our mind enabling our understanding and knowledge to grow.
Paul stresses the importance of properly knowing and understanding our hope (confident expectation) of His calling
i.e. eternal life in His presence.
T Pray that your understanding may be enlightened to know the confident expectation of His calling.
I Know that our confident expectation of His calling is eternal life.
Paul also stresses the importance of properly knowing and understanding the riches of the glory of His inheritance
(the Holy Spirit) in us and in the body of Christ. Take a minute to remind yourself of the gifts of the Holy
Spirit (1 Corinthians 12).
C Know that there are great riches to be found in the glorious Holy Spirit.
T Pray that you may know and understand the riches of the glory of His inheritance (the Holy Spirit) in you and in the body of Christ. [
1 Corinthians 12]
Top of page
Ephesians 1:19
19 And what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Paul further stresses the importance of properly knowing and understanding God's miraculous power
given to us as believers and of experiencing that power at work in the world.
T Pray that you may know and experience the working of His great and miraculous power that is given to believers. [v18-19]
God's power is exceedingly great and mighty.
He is able to do exceedingly more than we could ever ask or imagine because of the power of the
Holy Spirit at work within us (Ephesians 3:20).
C Know that God’s power in us (the Holy Spirit) is exceedingly great and mighty.
Many Christians fail to realise that the most powerful force in the universe dwells within them
and that this exceedingly great and mighty power is at our disposal, waiting to be used just as Jesus used it!
I Know that as believers God’s exceedingly great and mighty power is at our disposal.
This power is not given to go unused. Consider the gift of healing which has no use in heaven where there is no sickness.
As Christians we are the light of the world and when we put the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit to work in our lives
people will see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:15-16).
I Know that as believers we are not only to know about God’s exceedingly great and mighty power but we are to put it to work in our lives for His glory. [v13-19]
C Know that God wants to demonstrate His mighty power through us so that He might receive glory. [v18-19]
Top of page
Ephesians 1:20
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set at his own right hand in the heavenly ,
God demonstrated the exceeding greatness of His power when He raised Jesus from the dead.
Jesus, who once was dead, is now alive and set at the right hand of the Father in heaven.
C Know that God can raise the dead.
F Know that God raised Jesus from the dead.
C Know that Jesus, who once was dead, is alive.
F Know that God demonstrated the exceeding greatness of His power when He raised Jesus from the dead. [v19-20]
F Know that God has set Jesus at His own right hand in heaven.
C Know that Jesus is set at the right hand of God in heaven.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:21
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
God the Father has exalted the Son such that the name of Jesus stands far
above every name that is named, not only in this world but also in that which is to come.
F Know that God the Father has exalted the Son far above every name. [v20-21]
C Know that Jesus is set far above every power and name that is named, not only in this world but also in that which is to come. [v20-21]
P Know that there is a world to come after this world.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:22
22 And hath put all under his feet, and gave him the head over all to the church,
God the Father has given Jesus absolute authority, including supreme power and sovereignty over all things.
He has also made Jesus head of the church.
F Know that God the Father has put all things in subjection to Jesus.
C Know that Jesus has absolute sovereignty and supreme authority over all things. [v20-22]
F Know that God the Father has set Jesus as head over all things to the church.
C Know that Jesus is head of the church.
C Know that just as the head commands the body, so Jesus commands the church.
Top of page
Ephesians 1:23
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
The church, referred to as "the body of Christ", is now the living embodiment of Jesus on the Earth.
As members of His body we are to do as He (the head) commands. In doing so, we fulfil the good works
pre-ordained for us in Christ (Ephesians 2:10)
thereby enabling the risen Jesus to "complete all things"
(Ephesians 4:10).
F Know that the church is the living embodiment of Jesus on Earth. [v22-23]
I Know that in Christ we are members of His body and to do as He (the head) commands.
F Know that the church (His body) is the fulfilment of Jesus who completes every good work pre-ordained for every believer within the body of Christ.
Top of page
Summary - Identity Explained
Below is a summary of each of the identities revealed to us in Ephesians chapter 1.
I Know that our faith has brought us into Christ Jesus. [v1]
I Know that in Christ, we are saints. [v1]
I Know that God is our Father. [v2]
I Know that we are children of God. [v2]
I Know that grace and peace are ours because God is our Father. [v2]
I Know that Jesus is our Lord and Saviour. [v3]
P Know that God has reserved a place in heaven for those in Christ. [v3]
I Know that in Christ, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in heaven. [v3]
I Know that we did not choose God. He chose us. [v4]
I Know that it was by God’s grace alone that we were chosen in Christ. [v4]
I Know that we were chosen by God in Christ before the creation of the world. [v4]
I Know that in Christ, we are holy and blameless before God in love. [v4]
I Know that God appointed us beforehand to be adopted as His children by Jesus Christ. [v5]
I Know that our adoption as God’s children is for the praise of God the Father and the glory of His grace. [v3-6]
I Know that God has made us highly favoured and accepted in His beloved Son Jesus. [v6]
I Know that it was God alone that made us accepted in Christ and not through any works that we performed as we hadn't even been born when God decided! [v6]
I Know that in Christ we have been redeemed through the blood of Jesus. [v7]
I Know that Jesus is our redeemer. [v7]
I Know that in Christ our sins (past, present and future) have been forgiven through the ransom blood of Jesus. [v7]
I Know that God has lavished the riches of His grace upon us. [v7]
I Know that God has lavished wisdom and understanding upon us through the abundant riches of His grace. [v7-8]
I Know that God has chosen to make known to us the hidden secret of His master plan. [v9]
I Know that the dead in Christ are in heaven. [v10]
I Know that in Christ we have become children and heirs of God.
[
Romans 8:15-17]
[v5-11]
I Know that we were predestined to obtain an inheritance in Christ by God’s will. [v11]
I Know that we were predestined to be part of God’s purpose and plan. [v11]
I Know that we were predestined to praise God’s glorious Son. [v11-12]
I Know that our trust is in Christ since we heard the Word of Truth, the good news of our salvation. [v13]
I Know that in Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells within us. [v13]
I Know that we received the Holy Spirit of promise after we believed. [v13]
I Know that the Holy Spirit is God’s seal of ownership upon us. [v13]
I Know that the Holy Spirit is the down payment (pledge) of our inheritance until we go to be with the Lord. [v13-14]
I Know that we are each a purchased possession of the Lord. [v14]
I Know that we have been purchased by the ransom blood of Jesus. [v14]
I Know that our possession of the Holy Spirit is for the praise of His (the Holy Spirit’s) glory. [v13-14]
I Know that our confident expectation of His calling is eternal life. [v18]
I Know that as believers God’s exceedingly great and mighty power is at our disposal. [v19]
I Know that as believers we are not only to know about God’s exceedingly great and mighty power but we are to put it to work in our lives for His glory. [v13-19]
I Know that in Christ we are members of His body and to do as He (the head) commands. [v23]
F
Know that Paul’s letter to the saints at Ephesus (God’s Word)
is directly addressed to each of us today as faithful believers in Christ Jesus. [v1]
P
Know that at the appropriate moment in time (The Rapture), God will gather together all things
which are in Christ, both from in heaven and on earth. [
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17]
[v10]
F
Know that despite being chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, believers
are not born again until the exact time planned by God for them to hear the gospel of salvation. [v13]
F Know that faith in Jesus and love towards all of the saints go together hand-in-hand for believers. [v15]
F Know that wisdom does not come automatically to believers at time of conversion. [v17]
F Know that God the Father has set Jesus as head over all things to the church. [v22]
F Know that the church is the living embodiment of Jesus on Earth. [v22-23]
F Know that the church (His body) is the fulfilment of Jesus who completes every good work pre-ordained for every believer within the body of Christ. [v23]
C Know that God has a master plan which He is executing. [v1]
C Know that God often involves people to fulfil His plan on the Earth. [v1]
C
Know that God may choose even the most unlikely people to fulfil His plan on the Earth,
including those who directly oppose Him. [v1]
C Know that grace comes from God the Father. [v2]
C Know that God is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. [v3]
C Know that God the Father is the God of the Lord Jesus Christ. [v3]
C Know that God is worthy of praise. [v3]
C Know that God is gracious. [v2-3]
C
Know that in Christ, God sees us in our perfected state: holy,
without blemish and clothed in the righteousness of His Son. [v4]
C Know that it pleased God when He decided to adopt us as His children. [v5]
C Know that God wants to be Father to us. [v5]
C Know that God is glorious. [v6]
C Know that God’s master plan is one of redemption for mankind. [v7]
C Know that God wants us to collaborate with Him in His plan of redemption. [v7]
C Know that God is merciful. [v7]
C Know that God gives generously. [v7]
C Know that God’s grace flows abundantly towards His children. [v5-8]
C Know that it pleases God to reveal His will to His children. [v9]
C Know that God decides and does as He pleases. [v9]
C Know that God has positioned His Son Jesus Christ at the centre of His master plan. [v10]
C Know that God works all things after the counsel of His own will. [v9-11]
C Know that God is sovereign, having supreme power and authority to rule as He chooses. [v11]
C Know that God does not need or seek advice from anybody. [v11]
C Know that God is the Father of glory. [v17]
C Know that God not only wants us to know about Him but also to know Him in person through a first-hand relationship with Him. [v17]
C Know that God wants to demonstrate His mighty power through us so that He might receive glory. [v18-19]
C Know that God can raise the dead. [v20]
C Know that peace comes from the Lord Jesus Christ. [v2]
C Know that the Lord Jesus Christ is equally divine with God the Father. [v2]
C Know that Jesus is Lord. [v2]
C Know that Jesus is Saviour. [v2]
C Know that Jesus is the Messiah. [v2]
C Know that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God. [v3]
C Know that Jesus was with God before the creation of the world. [v4]
C Know that Jesus is God’s only begotten and beloved Son. [
Matthew 3:17]
[v6]
C Know that the Word of Truth (Jesus) is the good news of salvation. [v13]
C Know that Jesus, who once was dead, is alive. [v20]
C Know that Jesus is set at the right hand of God in heaven. [v20]
C Know that Jesus is set far above every power and name that is named, not only in this world but also in that which is to come. [v20-21]
C Know that Jesus has absolute sovereignty and supreme authority over all things. [v20-22]
C Know that Jesus is head of the church. [v22]
C Know that just as the head commands the body, so Jesus commands the church. [v22]
C Know that the Holy Spirit is God’s seal of ownership upon believers. [v13]
P Know that the seal of the Holy Spirit is God's seal of promise to fulfil all heavenly blessings bestowed upon a believer. [v13]
C Know that the Holy Spirit is glorious. [v14]
C Know that the Holy Spirit is worthy of praise. [v14]
C Know that there are great riches to be found in the glorious Holy Spirit. [v18]
C Know that God’s power in us (the Holy Spirit) is exceedingly great and mighty. [v19]
F Know that Paul was chosen by God to be sent out with authority as an ambassador of Jesus Christ. [v1]
F Know that Paul did not choose Jesus but rather Jesus chose Paul. [
Acts 9]
[v1]
Top of page
Tim Simpson
4th January, 2019
#ChristianDogWalker