Further Thought: Underlying the Epistle to the Ephesians is a story that is often rehearsed in part or alluded to in it. The major events in the narrative are these: God’s choice of the people “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4-5, Ephesians 1:11). Their past, lost existence (Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians 2:11-12; Ephesians 4:17-19, Ephesians 4:22; Ephesians 5:8). The intervention … Continue reading –>
Read back through Ephesians 2:1-10, focusing on Paul’s conclusion in verses 8-10. What points does he highlight as he concludes the passage? In Ephesians 2:1-3, Paul documents that the salvation of the believers in Ephesus does not occur because of their good behavior or winsome qualities. When the story begins, they are spiritually dead. There’s not a spark … Continue reading –>
Compare God’s planning for salvation in Ephesians 1:3-4, with the eternal results of that plan described in Ephesians 2:7. What are essential elements and goals of God’s “plan of salvation”? Graduation ceremonies are wonderful celebrations, whether for kindergarten or a Ph.D. A graduation marks an important accomplishment, the move to a different stage of life or career. It is … Continue reading –>
In Ephesians 1-2 we saw ourselves in Christ. In Ephesians 1:6, we saw ourselves accepted in Christ, and then in Ephesians 2:6, we saw ourselves sitting in heavenly places in Christ . Being “in Christ” is our justification. Justification is our deliverance from the penalty of sin and is our title to heaven. But justification … Continue reading –>
Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this quarter’s author, Dr John McVay, as they provide additional insights into this week’s Sabbath School lesson (3)
Continue reading -->You can view an in-depth discussion of How God Rescues Us in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view: With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life. (1)
Continue reading -->“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us” (Ephesians 2:4, NKJV). Here, with two powerful words, “But God,” Paul pivots from his doleful portrait of the past lives of his audience (Ephesians 2:1-3) to the new, hope-filled realities that mark their lives as believers (Ephesians 2:4-10). What sense do believers … Continue reading –>
Lesson 4 *July 15-21 How God Rescues Us SABBATH AFTERNOON Read for This Week’s Study: Ephesians 2:1-10 ; Ephesians 5:14 ; Romans 5:17 ; Ephesians 5:6 ; 2 Timothy 1:7 . Memory Text: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in … Continue reading –>
“ All of us also lived among them [the disobedient] at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3, NIV). Apart from the intervention of God, human existence is dominated not only by the external forces mentioned in Ephesians 2:2-3, … Continue reading –>
The book of Ephesians does show us “How to Follow Jesus in Trying Times”: Hymn 623 – I Will Follow Thee, My Saviour so that our actions will always speak louder than our words. This week’s title encourages us to follow in God’s footsteps and help to Rescue the Perishing – Hymn 367 because of the wonderful … Continue reading –>
