With great joy and expectation, I’m planning to begin preaching through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians this coming Lord’s Day. What a glorious portion of God’s Word this is, revealing the fullness of believers’ identity and calling in Christ, and the practical implications of how we’re to walk worthy of that calling.
The central message of Ephesians is heralded by Paul early on. In Eph. 1:9-10, as Paul recounts the unsearchable riches of God’s blessings in Christ, he declares that all of this is “…according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth…”.
In his excellent commentary on Ephesians, P.T. O’Brien observes: “This text provides the key for unlocking the glorious riches of the letter, draws together into a unity many of its major themes, and enables us to gain an integrated picture of the letter as a whole.” (The Letter to the Ephesians, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publ. Co., 1999, pg. 58).
Beloved, as we plan to “camp out” in Ephesians for many months to come, let me encourage you in a couple of ways:
- Be regularly reading Paul’s letter to the Ephesians – both on your own, and/or with others. With only 6 chapters, there are numerous ways you could plan to do this. The key is to try and saturate yourself in the context and thought of the letter, which will greatly aid your understanding and application.
- Be regularly praying the prayers of Paul in Ephesians (1:15-23; 3:14-21) – both for yourself and for other believers. If you’re not sure about the meaning of these prayers, keep praying and reading!
May God do among us “…far more abundantly than all that we ask or think…”, for the glory of His great name in Christ!
Grace upon grace,
Greg