EPHESIANS – CHAPTER TWO
Our Position in Christ–The Church as the Household of God
Eph. 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead (darkened, a walking corpse) in trespasses and sins,
2:1 Picture where God found us, we were in a death trap of an inferior lifestyle, constantly living below the blueprint measure of our lives. (sin, hamartia, ha + meros, without our allotted portion) Mirror
DEATH- Different kinds of death:
Seven types of death are mentioned in the Bible.
- Spiritual Death/Darkness Eph. 2:1, Rom. 5:12, Rom. 6:23, 1 Cor. 15:22. I do not teach this, rather spiritual darkness. The spirit is eternal, cannot die. Gen 1:1, 2 Cor.4:6.
2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
2. Physical Death. The separation of the spirit from the body. Matt. 8:22, 2 Cor. 5:10, Rom. 8:38,39, Phil. 1:21. Many refer to this as passed away instead of death especially for the believer.
3. The Second Death. The perpetuation of spiritual death into eternity; occurs at the beginning of eternity future. This is the final judgment of the non-Christian. Heb. 9:27, Rev. 20:12-15 . There are many questions arise as to what will happen here. I do not have the answers. Some say hell others say, they do not believe in a God that will kill billions at the end of the age.
4. Operational Death. The failure of the believer to produce divine good. Producing wood, hay, and stubble instead of gold, silver, and precious stones. James 2:26
5. Positional Death. Part of retroactive Positional Truth. Rom. 6, Col. 2:12,20; 3:3. I would relegate this to not knowing who you are.
6. Temporal Death. This is the believer in a state of carnality, out of fellowship.
Rom. 8:6, 13, Eph. 5:14, 1 Tim. 5:6, James 1:15, Rev. 3:1, Luke 15:24,32
7. Sexual Death. The inability to procreate. Rom. 4:16-21, Heb. 11:11,12
Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—
Romans 5:18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
Gen.3:22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”—23 therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Some do not teach spiritual death but spiritual darkness.
Adam and Eve became spiritually darkened, in the state of the natural, or unregenerate man. The unbeliever is spiritually darkened until he acknowledgesChrist. Then God says, “Let there be light, “and the spirit is recreated, renewed.
(Gen 1:3) And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
(2 Cor 4:4) whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
(2Co 4:6) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
(2 Pet. 1:19)And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
(Rev. 21: 23)The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.
2nd Death
Rev. 20:6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. The second death has no authority over these, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him a thousand years.
We have eternal life now in Christ Jesus.
1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you maycontinueto believe in the name of the Son of God.
We were much like the parable of the prodigal son.
The Prodigal Son, an Allegory (A View of the World)
A CALL BACK TO SONSHIP
Referring to Father God as Papa
The prodigal son imagines a selfhood apart from papa’s house. Now the Father/Abba/Papa is the ONE Creator and Sustainer of all that is. And the son, though prodigal, is made in Papa’s image, powerfully creative. And so, when the son imagines leaving home, he has no place to go for only the ABODE of the ONE PAPA exists. And so, the son can only imagine this madness.
The prodigal son is creative, made in the image of Papa, and next thing you know, the son has imagined a far country and wow! A finite counterfeit universe appears in his vain imagination–a virtual universe wherein the son and his fellow prodigals walk around on seeming hard ground, thinking they are wearing earth suits and calling themselves “persons.” They have forgotten who they were.
Soon the dream becomes SO real that ” Prodigal” is hypnotized by it, lost in it, a land of finitude, of death, of opposing powers, of hard edges, of discord, and disease, the “valley of the shadow of death.”
What appears in this land always rots, decays, dies. The prodigal’s dream becomes restless, uneasy. He becomes parched, starving for the infinite abundance and love of Papa’s house. Of course, Papa knows the son has gone dreaming (has left home) and is patiently waiting for him to wake up, allowing him to play out his fantasy, not interfering, allowing his son to choose Life once more when he is ready, yet knowing that what descends in consciousness will sooner or later return home to God-Consciousness. (There is, after all is said and done, only the ONE and Its will to LOVE–perfection).
Not wanting to rouse the son prematurely, before he has learned that he cannot have a selfhood outside of the ONEness with God, Papa utilizes his loving GRACE to gently nudge prodigal and then remind him of his loving home, knowing he will sooner or later return. Papa knows, and when “Prodigal” returns to God/ Father/ Abba/Papa, his name will again be “I AM.”, as He is so am I.
Eph. 2: 1-3 is one sentence.
Eph. 2:1And you He made alive, who were dead (a walking corpse) in trespasses and sins,
2:1 Picture where God found us, we were in a death trap of an inferior lifestyle, constantly living below the blueprint measure of our lives. (sin, hamartia, ha + meros, without our allotted portion) Mirror
Eph. 2:2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world (world system), according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
2:2 We were all part of a common pattern, swept along under a powerful invisible influence; we are a spirit- energy, that now are adopted as sons even though we were in through unbelief. Mirror
Once Walked According to the Course of This World (Cosmos or Aeon, World System)
Cosmos- The Greek word cosmos that is translated world at least in the King James Version of the English Bible means “arrangement”. This was a very positive concept with the Greeks and even with many people today. here are also two other words “aeon” and “oikoumene” translated as world in the King James Version of the Bible that are not used as often as the word cosmos that mean respectively an eon or age and the whole inhabited earth from we get our English word ecumenical.
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21
This verse states that God’s wisdom is different than that of the world system dominated by non-believers. God’s wisdom is more through humility while the world’s way is more through pride and force. The people of the world system in their wisdom did not recognize this but the apostle Paul under divine inspiration says that it is preaching rather than military means that God has chosen to save and bring into a relationship with Him through faith in His Son Jesus Christ and the revelation of His death for our sins on the cross and resurrection from the dead.
Here is the really good news!
Related Scripture:
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone [a]cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
According to the prince of the power of the Air
The spirit Who Now Works in the Sons of Disobedience,
The enemy only works in those who are disobedient.
Disobedient Scriptures:
backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
But to Israel he says: “All day long I have stretched out My hands To a disobedient and contrary people.”
For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience,
even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy.
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,”
and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.
Greek disobedient- Cognate: 545 apeithḗs (an adjective) – literally, unwilling to be persuaded (by God) which shows itself in utward disobedience (outward spiritual rebellion); disobedient because unpersuaded.
545 /apeithḗs (“unpersuaded”) begins with the decision to reject what God prefers, with His offer to persuade about His preferred-will (cf. 2307 /thélēma). See 543(apeitheia).
In closing this lesson, Ephesians 2:2-3, we are describing stereotypes/unbelievers, aliens, enemies in their minds, people who walk according to this world, as being creatures of DARKNESS, DISOBEDIENT AND WRATHFUL.
2 Timothy 3:2-5a For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, [a]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power.
Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
Eph 5:8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light.
So, the requirements for living in this dark world is:
1. To be children of Light and to walk as children of light, doing everything to please the Lord.
2. As children of light in this dark world, we are to expose the deeds of darkness (5:7, 11-14).
Before we accepted and acknowledged Christ were we really children of wrath?
As we have studied, I believe we did not inherit a sin nature, but as Adam succumbed to a sense realm life, being led by what he saw thought, felt, heard etc. We lived according to the 5 senses/flesh. And were eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, flesh, 5 senses, self instead of eating from the tree of Life, Jesus.
Of course, some believe we did inherit sin nature.
The word wrath means passion.
GK. orgé: impulse, anger, passion. This is where we get the English word orgy, any actions or proceedings that are uncontrolled or wild:
So, we know now that were children of passion, satisfying our own selfish desires. We were all there, but God. As Eph 2:4 states But God, who is rich (plousios wealthy in abundance: love, mercy, justice, holiness) in mercy, (eleos, kindness, a benefit which results from compassion) because of His great love with which He loved us, (agapao)
We will continue with Lesson 3 next week.
The blessings of the Lord are upon you whether by blood, adoption/sonship or assignment. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22
Eph. 2:3 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.
2:3 Throughout that time everyone of us were warped and corrupted in our conduct snared in a jumble of forbidden lusts, driven by the desires of the senses, totally engaged in an expression of life ruled by mind games; it was as if a twisted passion parented a universal breed of people. Mirror
Ephesians 2:3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh (5 senses, sense realm) and following its desires and thoughts. (of our minds) NIV
Some teach we never had a sin nature but acted solely out of the sense realm. NIV says: flesh which means 5 senses and desires and thoughts which are of the mind. Others believe we do.
Related Scriptures:
Titus 3:3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Col. 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled.
Lusts of the Flesh-Fulfilling the desires of the flesh
We use a lot of words in the Body of Christ which people really do not understand, flesh and carnal are two of them.
Greek-sarx: flesh-4561
Original Word: σάρξ, σαρκός, ἡ, body, human nature, materiality;
Sarks) is generally negative, referring to making decisions (actions) according to self – i.e. done apart from faith (independent from God’s inworking). Thus what is “of the flesh (carnal)” is by definition displeasing to the Lord – even things that seem “respectable!” In short, flesh generally relates to unaided human effort, i.e. decisions (actions) that originate from self or are empowered by self. This is carnal (“of the flesh”) and proceeds out of the untouched (unchanged) part of us – i.e. this is what is transformed by God.(sanctification)
Greek-Carnal- sarkikos: pertaining to the flesh, fleshly, earthly.
There were 2 trees in the garden. Gen 2:16. When we act out of self/carnality we are eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 John 2:15-16
Flesh is the 5 senses- soulish/sense realm
The five senses; taste, touch, smell, hearing, and seeing, all report to the carnal mind or flesh. The enemy used these three things, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, to entice us to sin. Scripture shows this process at work in both the Garden of Eden and on the Mount of Temptation.
In the Garden of Eden: The woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat. Genesis 3:6 The woman, Eve, saw that the tree was good for food– the lust of the flesh, it was pleasant to the eyes– the lust of the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise – the pride of life. Eve was deceived, Adam disobeyed, sin came into the world. I do not teach original sin, the sin of Adam, the original sin was lucifer. Others do.
On the Mount of Temptation: When the tempter came to Jesus, he said, If you be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Matthew 4:3 – the lust of the flesh. The devil takes him up into an exceeding high mountain, and shows him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And says unto him, ‹All these things will I give you.
Matthew 4:8-9 – the lust of the eyes. Then the devil takes him up into the holy city, and sets him on a pinnacle of the temple, And says to him, ‹If you be the Son of God, cast yourself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning you: and in their hands they shall bear you up, lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone.
Matthew 4:5-6 – the pride of life.
Through the power of the Spirit, with the Sword of the Spirit, Christ successfully resisted the temptations of the devil and now we can too!
For to be carnally minded (minding the things of the flesh) is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind (minding the things of the flesh) is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God…
Romans 8:6-8
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1 John 2:15-16
And of the Mind
We have determined that our problems arise when we live out of a “stinking thinking” or when we live “between our ears” (sense realm thinking).
Col 1:21 has already determined this “we were enemies in our minds.”
To reiterate, Colossians 1:21 says that we were alienated (had a sense of separation) and enemies (sinners) IN AND OUT OF THE MIND! Jesus’ death and resurrection reveals something totally different unto us. Some teach we were NEVER separate, nor sinners, nor perishing, nor unrighteous, nor unholy; only in our minds were we that, and therefore we lived out of the SENSE of the Adamic life.
Mirror Bible expresses this best:
Eph. 2:3 Throughout that time everyone of us were warped and corrupted in our conduct snared in a jumble of forbidden lusts, driven by the desires of the senses, totally engaged in an expression of life ruled by mind games; it was as if a twisted passion parented a universal breed of people. Mirror
Romans 12:2 tells us that we experience transformation by the ‘renewing of our mind.’ But it literally says that we experience transformation by the ‘renewing mind,’ which is the Mind of Christ.
Rom. 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Put on the Mind of Christ
Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
By Nature Children of Wrath
Some, as I have already mentioned, do not teach that when born we are by nature children of wrath. That it is a learned behavior that is contrary to being made in God’s likeness and image. Gen. 1:26-28, created very good from the beginning. Gen. 1:31. Some do teach inherited sin nature.
Eph. 2:4 But God, who is rich (plousios,wealthy in abundance: love, mercy, justice, holiness) in mercy,(eleos, kindness, a benefit which results from compassion) because of His great love with which He loved us,(agapao)
2:4 None of this (our conduct) could distract from the extravagant love of God, He continued to love us with the exact same intensity. Mirror
God Who Is Rich
Rich- Greek- 4145 ploúsios (an adjective, derived from 4149 /ploútos, “abundance”) – properly, fully resourced; rich (filled), by having God’s “muchness” – i.e. His abundance that comes from receiving His provisions (material and spiritual riches) through faith (4102 /pístis).
Our Father is rich in abundance, fullness, love, mercy, justice, holiness, goodness etc. etc.
He is a God of abundance. John 10:10
Ephesians 3:19 says, “…that you may be filled with all the fullness of God”. The word “fullness” is taken from the root word ‘pleroma’ which means a full measure, plenitude that which has been totally completed in every way. The word is often used to describe a ship with a full cargo and crew. Fullness emphasizes completion. Isn’t that awesome! And more awesome is the fact that as He is, so are we!!
Our God is an Ephesians 3:20 God. What does it say? It says, “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.” Notice the three words mentioned here, “Exceedingly”, “Abundantly”, “More”. All these words tell me the same thing that is ‘more than enough’.
Jesus said in John 10:10, “…I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly”. It literally means that God wants us to have a life that is full in all aspect till it overflows.
2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work”.
In Mercy
Mercy-Gk. 1656 éleos- compassion- (translating OT 2617 /kataisxýnō, “covenant-loyalty, covenant-love” in the OT-LXX over 170 times) – properly, “mercy” as it is defined by loyalty to His covenant.
Romans 11:32: “For God has consigned ALL to disobedience, that he may have mercy on ALL.”
NEEDED: MERCY GIVERS
Matthew 5: 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.(NKJV)
1. The World is in Great Need of Mercy (Hebrews 9:27)
Everyone can experience a mercy appointment
2. Every Person Alive Needs Mercy (Romans 3:23)
3. Jesus Did Not Come to Condemn But to Extend Mercy (John 3:18)
Question: Is your purpose statement different than Jesus when it comes to condemning people?
4. When We Give Mercy, We Position Ourselves to Be Blessed Matthew 5: 7 Blessed are the merciful, ….
5. The Blessing –We Receive is Mercy for Ourselves
Matthew 5: 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. (NKJV)
Gal 6 :7-As a man sows, shall he reap…
Conclusion: How many here today are in need of mercy? How many of you know someone else who is in need of mercy? How many of you know someone else who has needed mercy from you? What are you going to do about it? Will you be a mercy giver?
Because of His Great Love With Which He Loved Us
To love – (agapao ) means to love unconditionally and sacrificially as God Himself loves mankind (John 3:16), the way He loves the Son (John 3:35, 15:9, 17:23, 24), selfless love.
Note that agapao is a verb and by its verbal nature calls for action. This quality of love is not an emotion but is an action initiated by a volitional choice and commitment.
“Agapao love—doing what is right and best for someone, even if it involves negative feelings.” Just try to do that in your natural strength. Can’t be done, only by the Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
agapaō used in the New Testament for self-sacrificial love regardless of the unworthiness of the object.
The secret of agape love is not what I can get, but rather what I can give.
The Church as the Household of God
Eph. 2:6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
2:6 (As much as we were co-included in His death,) we are co-included in His resurrection. We are also elevated in His ascension to be equally welcome in the throne room of the heavenly realm where we are now seated together with Him in absolute authority. We are in Christ Jesus. Mirror
Related Scripture:
Col 2:9-14 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
Col. 3:1-4 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
THE BELIEVER’S POSITION IN CHRIST: THUS, THE BELIEVER SHARES THE VICTORY OF CHRIST.
In Christ we were and are:
1. Crucified with Him
2. Died with Him
3. Buried with Him
4. Quickened, resurrected with Him
5. Raised with Him
6. Now sit in Him on the throne
7. Now are doing the works that please Him out of that place of Rest
8. Everything is under our feet, principalities, powers etc.
Psalm 103:19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.
Reason for our being raised up to the throne of God in Christ
and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Notice we are raised and seated in Christ together.
The verse above says “seated” with Christ. It doesn’t say “will seat.” It doesn’t say “will be seated.” It is telling us something that has already happened. We believers in Christ are already seated with Christ in the heavenly realms.
This isn’t something we can understand from our daily experience. We need God’s Word to tell us. In the coming ages He will show us the incomparable riches of His grace, but we are already seated with Christ right now. It’s not something we have to wait for. It’s something we have right now.
It is one thing to be seated IN Christ, but another to actually reign and rule with Him from that seat. If I would reign and rule, the seat must become a throne. What makes this possible is that I be changed. To the extent that Christ rules in me, I rule through Christ.
This is overcoming. Overcoming happens when I refuse to allow any form of unbelief to come between myself and God – I, “come over,” unbelief with FAITH. And the basis for this is that I see that I am already seated in Christ.
One With Christ
The fact that we are ONE with Christ clears up so many misconceptions we have about Christian Truth. For example, most Christians limit Christ’s redemptive work as something He did FOR US. But we must realize what he does He does in us. This is vital to see. Indeed, you were permanently united with Him – your human spirit was made one with His Spirit. Thus, we see again that we were made one with Him in these things –
Paul says this over and over:
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Gal 2:20)
Christ died as us.
I am crucified WITH Christ. In other words, when Christ died as us, this made it possible for US to die in Him. Christ made it possible for us to be united with Him so that our old sense self could die in Him, and we could be raised with Him a new creation. That is what redemption is all about.
And Christ now lives as us
In Romans 6-8, it becomes clear as to the core of salvation. Salvation is NOT your body, or your flesh, or your natural senses, being made brand new. No. Your spirit is made brand new/ renewed by virtue of union with Christ. You are saved in your SPIRIT. Then, of course, the rest of you is supposed to be progressively brought into subjection.
But my point is this: If you are saved, you are ONE WITH CHRIST in spirit. Thus, it is not possible for you to be anything less than seated in Christ – because HE is seated. Nothing can change that, take away from it, or add to it. Ec 3:14 The challenge is therefore simple: To SEE and BELIEVE and LIVE in this Truth.
If there is a single Truth about the Redemption that must form the basis of our walk with Christ it is found in these passages – that it is finished in Christ. We are not trying to WIN any victory. We are seated AS VICTORS in Christ. We are not trying to work, earn, merit, or battle our way into the throne room of God. No. The entire message of the gospel is that Jesus Christ has conquered every enemy and won every battle – and if we are IN HIM all of those victories become ours.
Not saying we are God, but little gods, co-heirs with Him.
Even Jesus told those in the temple and the Pharisees: John 10:34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods” ’
He is King of kings, Lord of lords and the God of gods.
Complete in Christ
It is a fact that God has absolutely NOTHING for us except it be in His Son. Of course, this is great news, because God has wrapped up ALL in His Son, meaning that, as Paul states, God blesses us with ALL spiritual blessings in Christ. The obvious conclusion is that if Christ is in you, you have all that God has given in Christ. You lack nothing.
Paul wrote Colossians to pound this point home – that IN CHRIST are all things that God has for us. He said, “You are COMPLETE IN HIM.” (Col. 2:10) He also said, “IN HIM are did ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:3)
All Things in Christ
You will find that everything that God has given us is given to us — in Christ. The Word says this over and over. But we miss this Truth because we get so used to some of these Biblical phrases that they lose their meaning to us. Furthermore, we are blinded by tradition and religion – and so we are programmed to interpret these simple verses in other ways. But Paul was inspired by God to write Truth. And that great Truth is this: That all things are given to us IN CHRIST.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Col 1:14)
Related Scriptures:
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And you are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: (Col 2:9-11)
Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col 2:3)
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Rom 3:24)
…the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:39)
…to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus… (1 Cor 1:2)
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Cor 1:30-31)
Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ…. (2 Cor 2:14)
Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Cor 5:17)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained
that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:10)
… according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, (2 Tim 1:1)
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Tim 2:1)
2 Pet. 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the [c]corruption that is in the world through lust.
Eph. 2:6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Eph. 2:7 (for)that (purpose) in the ages to come He might show the exceeding (superabundant) riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
2:7 Timeless perpetuity (the eternal future) will continue to tell of the surpassing excellence of His grace towards us. Grace exhibits excessive evidence of the fact that we are embraced in God’s kindness because we are associated (positioned) in Christ. Mirror
Ephesians 2:7, NLT: “So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.”
BECAUSE WE ARE BELIEVERS IN CHRIST (ONE WITH HIM), AND WE ARE MEMBERS OF HIS BODY AND WE SIT TOGETHER IN THE HEAVENLIES.
The sense is, we are raised up with Christ, and are made to partake of his honor and glory in order that others may forever be impressed wish a sense of the divine goodness and mercy to us.
The exceeding riches of his grace – The “abounding, overflowing” riches of grace; compare the notes, Ephesians 1:7. This is Paul’s favorite expression – an expression so beautiful and so full of meaning that it will bear often to be repeated.
Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
Riches of His Grace
We have expounded on grace in Chapter 1 teaching, but here we will teach on what being seated with Him has to do with the riches of His grace.Why does Paul continue on this theme of grace? What does he want us to see?
I don’t know how figurative Paul’s language is or that of John’s, but I point out that there are elders seated together with the Christ:
Revelation 4:4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white [a]robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. NKJ
Contrary to common Christian understanding, “elders” are not “rulers” over the people but rather representatives of the people. That is, the fact that there are elders indicates that the people have a voice in the council of God. He (Jesus) represents us in the divine government or kingdom.
What is Kingdom?
The Kingdom of God is the Father’s Domain (King’s Domain) in contrast to this campaign of rebellion we know of as HUMAN SOCIETY/WORLD SYSTEM/BABYLON. The Kingdom of God is the Father’s RECLAMATION PROJECT, to capture again the earth’s RESOURCES for the purposes of the Kingdom of God. As a SON, indwelled by HIS SPIRIT, you become the INSTRUMENT by which he will affect the LIBERATION of his ASSETS in the earth. His purpose is to bring the PEOPLE, the STRUCTURES (Humanistic designs), the earth itself into HARMONY with His PURPOSE.
Is there a difference between the Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven? Some say, yes; some say no. In my research I found out they are the same. The phrase “kingdom of God” occurs 68 times in 10 different New Testament books, while “kingdom of heaven” occurs only 32 times, and only in the Gospel of Matthew. Based on Matthew’s exclusive use of the phrase and the Jewish nature of his Gospel, some interpreters have concluded that Matthew was writing concerning the millennial kingdom while the other New Testament authors were referring to the universal kingdom.
When Christ was speaking to the rich young ruler, He uses “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” interchangeably. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven’” (Matthew 19:23). In the very next verse, Christ proclaims, “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (verse 24).
Mark and Luke used “kingdom of God” where Matthew used “kingdom of heaven” frequently in parallel accounts of the same parable Compare Matthew 11:11-12 with Luke 7:28; Matthew 13:11with Mark 4:11 and Luke 8:10; Matthew 13:24 with Mark 4:26; Matthew 13:31 with Mark 4:30 and Luke 13:18; Matthew 13:33 with Luke 13:20; Matthew 18:3 with Mark 10:14 and Luke 18:16; and Matthew 22:2 with Luke 13:29.
In each instance, Matthew used the phrase “kingdom of heaven” while Mark and/or Luke used “kingdom of God.”
The Kingdom is a Spiritual Kingdom entered in by people who are born of the Spirit, and lived in by people who are baptized in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, pray in the Spirit, sing in the Spirit, and minister in the Spirit; use their gifts and talents for the enablement of others, i.e. WALK IT OUT, MINISTERING TO EVERYONE 24/7.
The kingdom of God means the rule or reign of God—in the entire universe, in the world, and in our hearts. The kingdom of God is within you. Paul said in: Romans 14:17 “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus said in Luke 17:21 “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” KJV
In Matthew 13 the same One who said, “The power of God’s kingdom is right here, right now.”
Jesus gave us a series of parables which show three things
1. There are immediate things that happen when God’s rule is welcomed and received now. Second, there are many things that faith sets in motion, but which take time to conclude. And third, there are some aspects of Christ’s ultimate kingdom dominion that will not be manifest until “the end of the age.”
2. The entire ministry of Jesus is understood in relation to this important declaration of the presence of the kingdom. His ethical teachings, for example, cannot be understood apart from the announcement of the kingdom. This is what Jesus preached, the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
3. A major theme in Jesus’ parables is the demand of following Him in authentic discipleship. In the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price Jesus stated that the kingdom of heaven is of such value that all other treasures in life are of secondary worth. Other points:
·The kingdom cannot be earned it can be received.
·The kingdom extends like fishing net, gathering people from every part of society offering new life in the life-changing presence of God.
·The kingdom is more valuable than a precious gem and it excludes any and all competitors.
·The kingdom of God is hidden (like a treasure); that’s why we seek first the kingdom of God.
From God’s view, there are only two kingdoms. In one, you “follow Him” and obey His will and ways. In the other, there is only “worship of self,” which is always in competition against God’s ways, which are selfless.
However, in our view there are several opposing kingdoms, one is the world system. Principals in the world system are exactly opposite of the Kingdom of God.
Examples:
Some KINGDOM PRINCIPLES
·Walk in love and forgiveness
·Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness
·He supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory
·Blessed are the humble and meek
·He who will be last shall be first
·Pray for your enemies and those who despitefully use you,
·He who learns to abase shall abound
WORLD SYSTEM View
·Don’t forgive or forget.
·Look out for only myself and my needs and my wants.
·Look to myself or someone for it.
·Be # 1 and run over people to get there.
Here is the order:
·Seek the Kingdom Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
·See the Kingdom [that you sought] John 3:3-5 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again ( know that he is born from above), he cannot see the kingdom of God.”4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
·Enter the Kingdom [that you saw] Matt. 5:20“For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
We have the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and we can enter the kingdom. In actuality the kingdom enters us.
·Receive the kingdom Daniel 7:18 ‘But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’
·Inherit the Kingdom [that you entered] Walk in the Spirit-Galatians 5:16-25
·Possess the Kingdom [that you inherited] Daniel 7:22 “until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.
To view Kingdom of God/Heaven Scriptures
http://equippingthesaintsministries.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-kingdom-of-godheaven-scriptures.html
Enjoy the kingdom of God within you!!!
Rom.14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Rev 11:15
The good news is the kingdoms of the world have become the kingdoms of God.
Rev 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The [f]kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” 1
Eph. 2:8 For by grace you have been saved throughfaith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
2:8 Your salvation was a grace thing from start to finish, you had no hand in it; because it is all God’s gift to you, because He believes in you. Mirror
Eph. 2:9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
2:9 If this could be accomplished through any action of yours then there would be ground for boasting, (but you did not even invent faith. It was His faith in you that made you believe in Him.) Mirror
By grace you have been saved
God/Yahweh did it!!
BENEFITS OF SALVATION-
OT verses:
Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits,
Psalm 103 Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Greek word sorteria- noun- sozo- verb- The Perfect Tense Of The Greek Sozo, Found In Ephesians 2.8, Means “To Be Saved In The Past With Continuing Results Into The Future”
Salvation means safe/deliverance, preservation, from any danger (Acts 7:25; 27:31; Heb. 11:7). The word , sozo, however, adds the notion of wholeness, soundness, health, given salvation from affliction, disease, demon possession, and death (Mark 5:34; James 5:15; etc.). The meaning is literal; peace, joy, praise, hope, faith, (all God is).
To save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction (from injury or peril) to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue, to be delivered from the penalties of judgment .It commonly means ‘to make whole,’ ‘to sanctify’, ‘to endure victoriously,’ or ‘to be delivered from some general trouble or difficulty.’
SAVED
SAFETY
WHOLENESS (MADE WHOLE , spirit, soul and body)
SOUNDNESS
PROSPERITY
HEALED
DELIVERED
PARDONED
RESCUED
PROTECTED
PRESERVED(LONG LIFE)
PROVISION
CURED
SET FREE/FREEDOM
RESTORED
REDEEMED
JUSTIFIED
RELATIONSHIP WITH FATHER
WE HAVE :
HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS
HIS REDEMPTION
HIS HEALTH
HIS WISDOM
HIS HOLINESS
HIS WORTHINESS
HIS PEACE
HIS LIFE
HIS GRACE AND MERCY
HIS GOODNESS
HIS FORGIVENESS
2 Views:
Saved By Grace:
“Grace” is the OPPOSITE of “works”
Lest any man should boast 2:9
Ephesians 2:8 also tells us that “grace” and “faith” are the opposite of “works.” If we are NOT saved by any type of “works” then that means that our salvation is ALL of God and NONE of us! It means that GOD is TOTALLY responsible for our salvation – and we are NOT.
God, then we CAN boast about it – because WE did it –That is the OPPOSITE of “Grace.”
Of course, we do acknowledge, accept and believe in the provision.
BY FAITH:
The means of God saving us is through faith, through the faith of Jesus, Gal. 2:20. We have all been given the measure of faith as stated earlier in this teaching.
Through faith we accept God’s free gift of salvation, which was provided by grace. So we are saved “by grace … through faith. “Notice that we are not saved by grace alone. We are saved by grace through faith. Faith grants us admission to God’s grace. Without faith, God’s grace is wasted, and without grace, faith is powerless. Faith in God’s grace has to be released to receive what God has provided through Christ.
Putting faith in what God has already provided by grace is the key to victorious Christian living.
Mankind’s need to be reconciled to God by God’s grace provision.
1. Because Adam’s spirit became darkened every person is spiritually darkened. They live in the soul/sense realm until they acknowledge Christ. 1 Cor. 15:22 and Eph. 2:5-6. Adam gave over to the sense realm; he let the soul part of him reign.
2. Christ came to reveal to us who we really are and were from the beginning, not ruled by the senses real but by the Spirit. John 1:11-12; 3:3 ff; Gal. 3:26; Titus 3:5.
3. Christ revealed through death on the cross that He was our propitiation, so that we could become enlightened again. 1 Jn 2:2; Rom. 3:25
4. Man’s personal righteousness fell short of God’s Perfect Righteousness: Isa. 64:6; Rom. 3:10p;12; Rom. 5:6-11.
5. Justification, “God’s act of grace “and accepts mankind as righteous Rom. 3:24; 5:1. The revelation of everything reconciled.