What is God’s “plan for the fullness of time,” and how extensive is its reach? Ephesians 1:9-10. Paul uses three labels for God’s plan. It is (1) “the mystery of his will,”(2) “his purpose,” and (3) “a plan for the fullness of time” (ESV). What is God’s ultimate, final plan? To unite everything, everywhere, in Jesus. The … Continue reading –>
A while back a lady went into the hospital for a few days. While she was there, a local elder, and deacon came to visit her. However she was released from the hospital before the Senior or Associate pastors of the church could come see her. After her release, she mentioned to me that none … 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. Sabbath afternoon’s introduction to our week of study explains the beginning of the “letter to the Ephesians with a majestic thank-you note, … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Paul’s opening makes Ephesians especially valuable in modeling how to worship God and praise Him for the many blessings He has provided. July 8, 2023 1. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 1:7,8. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage. What does redemption … Continue reading –>
Lesson 2 *July 1-7 God’s Grand, Christ-centered Plan SABBATH AFTERNOON Read for This Week’s Study: Ephesians 1:3-14 ; Ephesians 2:6 ; Ephesians 3:10 ; Colossians 1:13-14 ; Deuteronomy 9:29 . Memory Text: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly … Continue reading –>
Sin had been a dark, dominating force in the lives of Paul’s audience. Paul can describe them in their prior existence as the walking dead — “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1, NKJV) yet “walking” or living as Satan commanded them (Ephesians 2:1-3). Enslaved to sin and Satan, they had no ability to free themselves. They needed … Continue reading –>
A thank you note usually includes a description of the gift or gifts received. Paul includes a long gift list in Ephesians 1:3-14 as he thanks God for the blessings of the gospel. Paul praises God for the fact that He has “blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing” (Ephesians 1:3, ESV). That the blessings are spiritual (Greek, pneumatikos) suggests … Continue reading –>
How do we grow in grace if grace is unmerited mercy/forgiveness? (2 Peter 3:18) Join us as we discuss Lesson 1, Paul and the Ephesians. (1)
Continue reading -->Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Ephesians 1:3-14; Ephesians 2:6; Ephesians 3:10; Colossians 1:13-14; Deuteronomy 9:29. Memory Text: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3, ESV). Twenty-five years after becoming the first person to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong wrote a … Continue reading –>
The Mission program of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is an opportunity for us to understand the needs of others and share in supporting them. Please click on the image below to watch the Mission Spotlight presentation for this week: (9)
Continue reading -->Bible Survives Blaze By Tor Tjeransen Valentina Melentjeva watched helplessly as her home burned to the ground in Kongsberg, Norway. While she was sad to lose her life’s possessions, the thought of losing her Bible devastated her the most. Valentina grew up in Klaipeda, the third-largest city of the then-Soviet republic of Lithuania. Although her … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: The story of the exorcists misusing the names of Jesus and Paul (Acts 19:13-20; see Sunday’s study) helps explain why Paul uses so much language about power in Ephesians. Some new believers, under fresh conviction of the sovereignty of Jesus, throw their expensive magic manuals into the flames. Thanks to the discovery of some 250 … Continue reading –>
