Jesus, Himself being the living manifestation of the word of God, John 1:1, said “The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life”, John 6:63. Today we are looking at the characteristics and life giving power of the word of God which is “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged […]
Vineyards and the growing of grapes were a very important part of Israeli culture, with grapes and grape products being important commodities in their economy, the vine also being a symbol of peace and prosperity. The people thus being very familiar with viticulture and its value in their lives, God used it to describe them […]
) I am God’s masterpiece! Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmen-ship…”, that is His product, His making, His handiwork, His masterpiece, created by the master artisan. Workmanship here has been compared to a poem, which does not create itself but flows from the heart of the Arthur. Psalm 100:3 cries out “… It […]
) The Scripture says God has “made us alive together with Christ…and raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” Ephesians 2:5-6. Far too often we Christians fail to recognize the depth and fullness of our calling and position in Christ Jesus. This may be one reason […]
Having believed in Christ to salvation the Bible says “you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” Ephesians 1:13. There are two primary purposes for a seal, first it is a mark of authenticity such as a brand or trade mark, identifying it to anyone who looks upon it; second, it is a secure […]
Ephesians 1:11 says “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance…” this is a beneficiary, often called an heir, although technically in America the conditions under which a beneficiary and an heir receive the inheritance may differ, the benefits are the same; in either case it is receiving assets from a predecessor. We are promised […]
In Ephesians 1:7 redemption is immediately followed up with forgiveness. Redemption deals with the price that was paid to set us free from the penalty and slavery of sin, which opens the door to the “forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” In forgiveness all the sins with their eternal consequences are […]
“In Him (Christ) we have redemption through His blood…” Ephesians 1:7. Redemption requires that there be a redeemer – one that pays the price demanded to obtain the release of that which has been held in captivity or danger. The picture and pattern of redemption is clearly laid out in the Old Testament; it could […]
The next stop we make here in Ephesians is in 1:6 where we are told that “He made us accepted…” We could say “He has graced us with special honor” or He has highly favored us. Notice that this acceptance which is graced with honor and high favor is in “in the beloved” that is […]
Ephesians 1:4 continues by telling us why we have been chosen; it is not just so we can enter heaven, though that is the end result, neither is it so we can boast that we have been placed in God’s safety net; it is “that we should be holy and without blame (unblemished)…” So what […]