WOW! WHAT A LIFE!

1. WOW! WHAT A LIFE!

2. “Ephesians is the Grand Canyon of Scripture.”--Ruth Paxson“This epistle is God’s highest and best.”--Dr. A. C. Gaebelein “In this epistle we enter the Holy of Holies in Paul’s writings.” --Anonymous Bible teacher

3. “‘Pound for pound’ Ephesians may well be the most influential document ever written.”--Dr. Klyne Snodgrass, Zondervan NIV Commentator Ephesians “…stands out as a wonderful declaration of the eternal purpose of God in Christ wrought out in His Church.” --F. Foulkes, New Bible Dictionary

4. I. Wealth of the Believer EPHESIANS 1:3,7,18 2:4,6-7 3:8,16

5. Wealth (cont.) • Because of our Position in Christ—in the Heavenlies • Because of His Provision – John 10:10 • Because of Its Plenty– Philippians 4:19 In Ephesians: Riches of Grace – 1:7; 2:7 Glory – 1:18; 3:16 Mercy – 2:4 Unsearchable Extent – 3:8

6. Dr. Francis Collins National Director of the Human Genome Research Project – Scientist, Physician and Atheist Saw the riches of faith reflected in his terminally ill patients. He wanted what they had, visited a nearby minister and spilled his doubts. The minister gave him Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Dr. Collins soon became “a serious believer” as he says. He wrote The Language of God, Scientific Evidence for Belief. (He was attending physician for atheist Christopher Hitchens.)

7. II. Wisdom of the Believer Ephesians 1:17 (Paul’s Two Prayers – 1:15-23 & 3:14-21 • Through Prayer • From Christ • To Know Him • To Recognize All That We are & Have in Him See: James 1:17 & Luke 16:8

8. III. Works of the Believer Ephesians 2:8-10 Workmanship – Greek- poiema: poem We’re not saved by our works, but unto good works. Compare - Titus 3:5 with vs.1,8,14 See also Philippians 2:12,13

9. IV. Worthiness of the Believer Ephesians 4:1 Not worthy of our salvation But worthy of our vocation Compare Titus 2:10b • Individual Graces • Collective Good (See Also: Acts 1-4; Colossians 2:19; 3:14)

10. V. Walk of the Believer Ephesians 5:2 (8 Times in Ephesians) --very common image throughout Scripture “signifying the whole round of activities of the individual life.” --Hogg & Vine Notable Walkers: • Enoch – Genesis 5:22-24 • Noah – Genesis 6:9 • Abraham – Genesis 17:1 • Hezekiah – II Kings 20:3

11. Walk of the Believer (cont.) • Walk in newness of Life – Romans 6:4 • Walk in the Spirit – Romans 8:4, Galatians 5:16 • Walk in Honesty – Romans 13:13 • Walk by Faith – II Corinthians 5:7 • Walk in Good Works – Ephesians 2:10 • Walk in Love – Ephesians 5:2 • Walk in Wisdom – Colossians 4:5 • Walk in Truth – II John 4 • Walk after God’s Commands – II John 5

12. “The Bible is, among other things, a list of unbelievable walks. The first one was taken by God Himself…in the cool of the day. But as a general rule God asked people to walk with Him. There was the hard walk that Abraham took with his son Isaac on the road to Moriah. There was the liberating walk Moses and the Israelites took through…the Red Sea, and the frustrating walk…on the round about way of the desert for 40 years. There was Joshua’s triumphant walk around Jericho, the disciples’ illuminating walk to Emmaus, Paul’s interrupted walk to Damascus. There was the walk so sad and holy that it received its own name…Via Dolorosa- the way of great sorrow. “ --John Ortberg If You Want To Walk On Water You’ve Got To Get Out Of The Boat

13. VI. The Warfare of the Believer Ephesians 6:10-12 Important Imagery • Warfare is not optional—it’s reality I Timothy 6:12 B. “Be strong” – is a command II Timothy 2:3,4 C. God provides armor, weapons, & a winning strategy. II Corinthians 10:3,4; Romans 8:37

14. The Warfare of the Believer (cont.) We strive contend and wrestle in PRAYER. Ephesians 6:12, 18-19 Colossians 4:12—Greek, agonizomai (agonize in prayer) Romans 15:30 — Greek, sunagonizomai (agonize in prayer together)

15. The Warfare of the Believer (cont.) Christ is Victor John 16:33, Colossians 2:15, Matthew 28:18, Revelation 3:21 We’re on the winning side Romans 8:37 I Corinthians 15:57 I John 5:4 Revelation 12:11

16. Warfare of the Believer (cont.) “The last 300 years in the West represent the only time in human history that the existence of evil spirits has been treated with wide spread skepticism.” -- Dr. Clinton E. Arnold Powers of Darkness (IVP) “Hell’s legions are terrified of prayer. Satan trembles when he sees, the weakest saint upon his knees.” --Dr. John White The Fight (IVP)

17. Warfare of the Believer (cont.) “From a Biblical perspective, we should know all we can about Satan’s tactics and his methods of attack against us. We must also know the Biblical basis of our victory over Satan and his world of darkness. ---Mark I. Bubeck Quoted by C. Fred Dickason Demon Possession & The Christian (Moody Press)

18. VII. Watchfulness of the Believer Ephesians 6:18 Watchfulness: to stay awake, spiritually alert – Matthew 26:38,40,41 Acts 20:29-31 I Corinthians 10:13 Colossians 4:2 I Thessalonians 5:6,10 I Peter 5:8

19. Watchfulness (cont.) The Apostle Paul was always on watch. II Corinthians 6:5; 11:27 The Old Testament described “Watchtowers” and “Watchmen.” Who’s on watch in the church? Who sees the enemy? If we’re watching, we’ll see the Lord coming… even if the storm is raging, we’ll hear Him say, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” (Matthew 14:22-33).

20. Wow! What A Life! By Dr. John H. Fischle September 2012