Page 7 - Good News July 2016 paper

E phesians has been called was granted and graciously entrus- opponents], but against the despo- prophets by the [Holy] Spirit. Whom
“The Alps of the New Testa-
ted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the tisms, against the powers, against In 3:16 He is the Empowerer
ment,” “The Grand Canyon unending (boundless, fathomless, [the master spirits who are] the world Christ gives to strengthen us within
of Scripture,” and “The Royal incalculable, and exhaustless) riches rulers of this present darkness, - May He grant you out of the rich
Capstone of the Epistles,” not only of Christ [wealth which no human against the spirit forces of wickedness treasury of His glory to be strengthe-
because of its grand theme, but being could have searched out] (3:8). in the heavenly (supernatural) ned and reinforced with mighty
because of the majesty of Christ sphere. Therefore put on God's com- power in the inner man by the [Holy]
revealed here. He is also the INDWELLER of plete armour, that you may be able to Spirit [Himself indwelling your
human hearts, securing us in the resist and stand your ground on the innermost being and personality].
C h a p t e r 1 : H E I S T H E love of God - May Christ through evil day [of danger], and, having done In 4:3 He is the Spirit of Unity
REDEEMER - In Him we have your faith [actually] dwell (settle all [the crisis demands], to stand desiring to sustain the bond of peace
redemption (deliverance and salva- down, abide, make His permanent [firmly in your place] (6:10-13). in the Body of Christ: Be eager and
tion) through His blood, the home) in your hearts! May you be strive earnestly to guard and keep the
remission (forgiveness) of our rooted deep in love and founded In short, Ephesians discloses harmony and oneness of [and
offenses (shortcomings and tres- securely on love; that you may have awesome blessings of grace - For He produced by] the Spirit in the binding
passes), in accordance with the the power and be strong to apprehend foreordained us (destined us, power of peace.
riches and the generosity of His and grasp with all the saints [God's planned in love for us) to be adopted
gracious favour. (1:7). devoted people, the experience of that (revealed) as His own children In 4:30-32 He is the Spirit of
He is the One in Whom and by love] what is the breadth and length through Jesus Christ, in accordance Holiness Who may be grieved by
Whom history will ultimately be and height and depth [of it] (3:17-18). with the purpose of His will [because insistence on carnal pursuits: And
consummated, and He is the it pleased Him and was His kind do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God
Resurrected Lord Who not only has Chapter 4: JESUS IS THE GIVER intent ] - [So that we might be] to the [do not offend or vex or sadden Him],
risen over death and hell, but Who of ministry gifts to His Church - praise and the commendation of His by Whom you were sealed (marked,
reigns as King, pouring of His life That is why the Scriptures say, 'When glorious grace (favour and mercy), branded as God's own, secured) for
through His Body, the Church - the He ascended to the heights, He led a which He so freely bestowed on us in the day of redemption (of final
present expression of Himself on crowd of captives and gave gifts to the Beloved (1:5-6), and awesome deliverance through Christ from evil
Earth. His people' (4:8). He is also the dimensions of spiritual authority and the consequences of sin). Let all
VICTOR Who has broken hell's over evil - Now to Him Who, by (in bitterness and indignation and wrath
C h a p t e r 2 : H E I S T H E ability to keep humankind captive - consequence of) the [action of His] (passion, rage, bad temper) and
PEACEMAKER Who has recon- Now this, 'He ascended'; what does it power that is at work within us, is able resentment (anger, animosity) and
ciled man to God and Who makes mean but that He also first descended to [carry out His purpose and] do quarreling (brawling, clamour,
possible reconciliation of man to into the lower parts of the earth? He superabundantly, far over and above contention) and slander (evil-
man as well, and He is the Chief who descended is also the One Who all that we [dare] ask or think speaking, abusive or blasphemous
Cornerstone of the New Temple ascended far above all the heavens, [infinitely beyond our highest language) be banished from you,
consisting of His own people to be that He might fill all things (4:9-10). prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or with all malice (spite, ill will, or
indwelt by God Himself - Therefore dreams] (3:20). baseness of any kind). And become
you are no longer outsiders (exiles, Chapter 5: HE IS THE MODEL But this awaits the believer's first useful and helpful and kind to one
migrants, and aliens, excluded from HUSBAND, unselfishly giving accepting the disciplines of unity, another, tenderhearted (compas-
the rights of citizens), but you now Himself to enhance His Bride - His forgiveness, and walking in the sionate, understanding, loving-
share citizenship with the saints Church: Husbands, love your wives, fullness of the Holy Spirit. With this, hearted), forgiving one another
(God's own people, consecrated and just as Christ also loved the church relationships at every point must be [readily and freely], as God in Christ
set apart for Himself); and you and gave Himself for her, that He in order, the idea being firmly forgave you.
belong to God's [own] household. might sanctify and cleanse her with established that true spiritual power
You are built upon the foundation of the washing of water by the word, that flows from true obedience to the In 5:18 He is the Fountain, from
the apostles and prophets with Christ He might present her to Himself a divine order in relationships and which all are to be continuously
Jesus Himself the Chief Corner- glorious church, not having spot or personal conduct. filled: And do not get drunk with
stone. In Him the whole structure is wrinkle or any such thing, but that wine, for that is debauchery; but ever
joined (bound, welded) together she should be holy and without As with Christ, the Holy Spirit is be filled and stimulated with the
harmoniously, and it continues to blemish (5:25-27). revealed in widely varied ministry [Holy] Spirit.
rise (grow, increase) into a holy to and through the believer. In 1:13, In 6:17-18 the Holy Spirit is the
temple in the Lord [a sanctuary Chapter 6: HE IS THE LORD, He is the Sealer, authorizing the Giver of the Word as a sword for
dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to MIGHTY IN BATTLE, the believer to represent Christ: In Him battle and the Heavenly Assistant
the presence of the Lord]. In Him Resource of Strength for His own as you also who have heard the Word of given to us to aid us in prayer and
[and in fellowship with one another] they arm for spiritual warfare: In Truth, the glad tidings (Gospel) of intercession until victory is won:
you yourselves also are being built conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be your salvation, and have believed in And take the helmet of salvation and
up [into this structure] with the rest, empowered through your union with and adhered to and relied on Him, the sword that the Spirit wields,
to form a fixed abode (dwelling Him]; draw your strength from Him were stamped with the seal of the which is the Word of God. Pray at all
place) of God in (by, through) the [that strength which His boundless long-promised Holy Spirit. times (on every occasion, in every
Spirit (2:19-22). might provides]. Put on God's whole season) in the Spirit, with all
armour [the armour of a heavy- In 3:5 He is the Revealer, enlighte- [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To
C h a p t e r 3 : H E I S T H E armed soldier which God supplies], ning the heart to perceive God's that end keep alert and watch with
TREASURE in Whom life's that you may be able successfully to purpose - [This mystery] was never strong purpose and perseverance,
unsearchable riches are found: To stand up against [all] the strategies disclosed to human beings in past interceding on behalf of all the saints
me, though I am the very least of all and the deceits of the devil. For we generations as it has now been (God's consecrated people).
the saints (God's consecrated are not wrestling with flesh and blood revealed to His holy apostles [NEW SPIRIT-FILLED BIBLE,
people), this grace (favour, privilege) [contending only with physical (consecrated messengers) and Thomas Nelson Inc., 2002].