Zion Ephesians Study!

 Ephesians Study Day 18 Today we continue in Chapter 5 with a whole laundry list of things that Christians ought NOT to do!  Read verses 3-20 just for a listing of those, though the most important one in there is verse 10:  Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord!   And at the beginning of the video I mention an outline of chapters 4-6 as to how Paul talks about the "actions" of the Christian life, after the "assurances" of the Christian life in chapters 1-3.  Here's that summary of chapters 4-6: Walk in Unity - 4:1-16 Walk in Purity - 4:17-5:20 Walk in Harmony - 5:21-6:9 Walk in Victory - 6:10-24 So there you have the outline - now listen in to the video: And just for fun, since it's October 31, listen in to this wonderful version of Bach;s  Toccata in D Minor.   How do his fingers move so quickly?!?

Ephesians Study Day 17 Today we start on Chapter 5 with just the first few verses: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  Notice the THEREFORE, like in chapter 4.  Based on what Paul writes in chapter 4, therefore...be imitators of God. There's a lot in just those verses that are our focus for today, so listen in! And I'm sure you love memorization of the Scriptures as much as I do.  But do you have as many verses memorized as a 4 year old who has them memorized by the alphabet?  See what you think!

Ephesians Study Day 16 Today we end up Chapter 4 with some wonderfully touching and insightful words from Paul for the local congregation.  I really love how Paul has a real heart for God and wants to pass that along to his fellow believers in Ephesus.  Today we're looking at 4:25-32 so take a little time to slowly read those wonderful words and then listen to the video!   And with Paul's words about love, here's a golden oldie that you likely know, Amazing Love!

 Ephesians Study Day 15 Today we're continuing through Chapter 4 with verses 4-16.  It's a little long to post here so if you can read those verses before listening to the video, that would be helpful.  There are some strange verses in there (9-10) but I think the context of those verses that I share with you will help make it a little easier to understand. Paul is such a masterful writer and an incredible theologian who just loves those Christian believers in Ephesus, and his passion for them continues in these verses! Here's the video: And here's a wonderful song entitled King of Kings - telling the history of the incarnation of Jesus.  Sing along if you know it!

 Ephesians Study Day 14 Today we're still on the very first part of Ephesians Chapter 4 since it's such an important and transitionary portion of Ephesians! Here's Ephesians 4:1-6: I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. Such masterful writing.  And notice the "therefore."   Critical connective word!  Here's the video: Here's a wonderful song with beautiful scenery, called "Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus."  Enjoy and sing along!

Ephesians Study Day 13 Today let's just spend some time with Ephesians 4:1 before we get into the second half of Paul's wonderful letter. Ephesians 4:1 reads like this: "I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called..." What a wonderful verse!  It's actually one of my favorite verses.  And, based on yesterday's lesson, it's time to lead that life right now, rather than putting it off until tomorrow.  That's the theme of our lesson today! Here's the video: Here's a familiar song entitled Oceans , beautifully sung by a father and a son.  Enjoy!

 Ephesians Study Day 12 Let's take a pause today from Ephesians itself to think and wonder about what happened to that congregation at Ephesus which Paul loved so much.  We've just talked about the height, depth, length, and width of God's love for them (and us) in Paul's beautiful prayer for the Ephesian believers. But what happened to them?  Interestingly, we know from the book of Revelation, written by the Apostle John, about 30 years after Paul wrote to the Ephesians.  And it's kind of a sad story.  Revelation 2 and 3 tell of John's letter to the seven churches of Revelation - seven churches that Paul had planted.  Read Revelation 2:1-7, and then listen to the video. Here's a wonderful song about trusting the God Who Moves The Mountains by Corey Voss.  Enjoy!

 Ephesians Study Day 11 Today we have before us Paul's wonderful prayer for the Ephesian believers, rounding out Chapter 3.  Tomorrow we'll look at what happened to the church of Ephesus!  But for now, just let these wonderful words roll over you with the height and depth and width of God's love for you.  Here is how Paul concludes Chapter 3: For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us i

 Ephesians Study Day 10 Today our focus is just on a couple verses from Ephesians 3:14-16, and the emphasis is on prayer.  Paul "bows his knees before the Father" and "prays according to the riches of his glory".  I just imagine Paul, in prison, in fervent prayer for the Ephesian believers.  He's at the end of his life with so much to be thankful for, and thinking constantly about his brothers and sisters in the Sin City of Ephesus.  And he prays and prays for them.  Here are the verses: For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit,   Listen in to the video: Here's a song by Matt Maher entitled "Because He Lives."   It's a little different from the old classic by that name but I love the song!

 Ephesians Study Day 9 Today we're looking at Ephesians 3:2-6, which begins where Paul left off about his mission to the Gentiles, with the "--" dash - that he'll return to in several verses.  Right now Paul senses the need to address the mystery, the "secret" that God had since the beginning of the world to bring Gentiles into the fold, at the same table, with the promised people of God.  You kind of have to stick with him through these verses to understand that mystery - that "secret" that was revealed through the apostles and prophets! Here are the verses: ...for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and

  Ephesians Study Day 8 Today we're looking just at the first verse of Chapter 3:  "This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles --"  Note the "--"!  Paul starts off, and then gets distracted to tell them some other important things, and picks up later.  Interesting!  So, listen in: And in looking through some songs, and as the weather is getting a little colder, even though it's not even Thanksgiving yet, I came across Michael W Smith's Agnus Dei , and I just love that song and thought I'd share it with you!  Enjoy, weeks before Christmas!

 Ephesians Study Day 7 Today we round out chapter 2 which tell us that we are a part of God's family, and that in Christ, the whole structure of our lives hold together.  I won't post the verses here, but read Ephesians 2:11-22 before you begin.  And now in verse where Paul says, "BUT now in Christ Jesus..."  It's another one of those times when Paul pivots to what we once were to what we now have become in Christ.  Listen in: And here's a wonderful song about being a child of God - meaning that we are no longer a slave to sin!  Sing along!

  Ephesians Study Day6 Today our verses are from Ephesians 2:8-9, which are the quintessential Lutheran verses which prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Paul was Lutheran!   But wait – there’s also verse 10 which many people overlook but which completes Paul’s formula – BY grace THROUGH faith FOR good works.   All important parts of what it means to be blessed by God.   Here are the verses, 2:8-10: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Listen in to the video:   And here’s a wonderful version of the Lord’s Prayer, sung in Swahili (African language) by the Stellenbosch University Choir – It’s called Baba Yetu.   Enjoy!

  Ephesians Study Day 5 Today we end Chapter 1 and begin Ephesians Chapter 2 - with 24 days and 6 chapters it works out nicely that way! Here are the wonderful verses from Ephesians 2:1-6: You were dead through the trespasses and sins   in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient.  All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else.  But God , who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us  even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ [ a ] —by grace you have been saved—   and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Notice two things; first, the comma at the end of this section, because Paul has another one of those very long sentences.  And also noti

  Ephesians Study Day 4 Today, on Day 4 we end up Chapter 1 with some wonderful and encouraging words from Paul!   This whole section is one sentence! I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.  I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age b

 Ephesians Study Day 3 Paul continues with his blessings of the Christian life in verses 5-14 and lists 6 more!  These are such wonderful verses!  Today's lesson will highlight 6 more of the blessings, after the Holy and Blameless blessing from yesterday.  Here are the verses; Ephesians 1:5-14:  He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all

 Ephesians Study Day 2 Paul begins his letter, after the Salutation that we looked at yesterday, with some talk of the spiritual blessings that we have in Christ.  Remember that he was writing to the small Christian congregation he founded in Ephesus - the original Sin City!  And he wants to let them know that in Christ, they are Holy and Blameless!  That's the first of 6 blessings that we'll talk about the next couple days.  For now, here are the verses we are focusing on; 1:3-4: 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, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. Here's the video: And this is so awesome -  200 Kids Sing A Cappella Style - You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban!

  Ephesians Study Day 1 Today we begin our study of Ephesians with a little background to this amazing letter and focus on just the first two verses; 1:1-2: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It's a great start to a wonderful letter of encouragement, and encouragement is what I think we need right now!  Listen in to the video: And here's a wonderful song that I think you know - 10,000 Blessings - Bless the Lord, O My Soul!  Great song to start this study!

Our study of Ephesians begins on Monday, October 12. Stay tuned!!