Lesson 4

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Ephesians

September 21, 2015

Lesson 1

January 18, 2010

Lesson 2

January 18, 2010

RETURN TO THE SYLLABUS

EPHESIANS 1:13-14
Lesson #04
WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS DONE FOR US

• Memory verse: Rom 8:9

• We have learned that Jesus Christ has made us rich. However, we must grow in our understanding of these riches. Getting to know the Holy Spirit will help us become more familiar with the riches of Christ.
• Remember it is through the Holy Spirit that we receive the riches of Christ.

• Read Eph 1:13-14
  • Our standing in Jesus Christ is based on blessings from the Holy Spirit:
    • What has the Holy Spirit done for us in the past?
      • It is by the action of the Holy Spirit that we became saved.
      • Read Joh 16:8
        • He convicted our hearts of sin when we heard the gospel. He caused us to feel guilty.
        • Read Joh 15:26
        • He revealed Jesus Christ to us so that we would receive Him. (Eph 1:13)
        • It is by the Holy Spirit that we realize we need a Savior. It is then that faith is lit within us. If it were not for that faith, we would never receive Christ.
        • He gives birth to the life of Christ within us. He is the Spirit of life.
    • What is the Holy Spirit doing for us in the present?
      • He sealed us. (13)
        • The people of Ephesus understood this concept of a “seal”. The city was a trading center in which trading goods were sealed with a wax seal when shipped. It designated the owner and assured that the goods would arrive at their destination.
        • What does this sealing mean to us?
          • The sealing occurs at the moment of hearing and believing of the gospel.
          • Therefore, when we received Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, He placed a spiritual brand of ownership upon us. (1Cor 6:19-20)
          • What is the “seal” of promise?
            • The seal is the presence of the Holy Spirit inside the believer.
            • Read Joh 14:16
              • When we are born again, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us forever.
              • We now belong to God. The seal signifies a completed transaction. It also means we are secure and protected. Also it means we are authentic believers. (Rom 8:9)
      • Once we are sealed, the Holy Spirit is committed to guiding us into truth and teaching us about the things of God.
        • Read Joh 14:26 and 16:13
          • He helps us to understand the Bible and makes the Bible come alive to us.
          • He highlights verses in the Bible so that we know God is speaking to us personally.
        • This should be very comforting to the believer, to know that the responsibility for our knowledge of God belongs to the Holy Spirit and not to us.
    • What will the Holy Spirit do for us in the future?
      • He has given us a “deposit” (“earnest”) or down payment that guarantees our future inheritance. (14)
      • The presence of the Holy Spirit within us is a little bit of heaven inside of us with the guarantee that there is much more to come in eternity.
        • The actual Greek word means = an “engagement ring”.
        • It is an assurance that the promises God made will be kept.
        • It is not a business transaction but a personal love transaction.
          • The Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead (Rom 8:11), and He will raise us from the dead and give us a new glorified body.
          • Read Joh 16:14-15
            • Remember that we are sealed and will arrive at our destination just like the trading goods sealed with wax.
            • (Notice that Joh 16:15 says the Holy Spirit will show us the riches of God.)
• Application:
  • Just in these first few verses of chapter 1 we have seen a wealth of riches God has provided for us. All these riches come to us through the actions of the Holy Trinity through three dimensions of time, past, present, and future.
    • God planned the church of believers, Jesus paid the price to purchase the church, and the Holy Spirit protects the church.
    • We were delivered from the power of sin when we were born again (past).
    • We are delivered from the presence of sin day by day (presence).
    • We will be delivered from the penalty of sin for all eternity (future).
  • We learn:
    • True riches come from God. The three members of the Holy Trinity are working to make us rich, past, present, and future.
    • All our riches come by God’s grace. Verses 6, 12, and 14 tell us that God gives us all these things for His glory.
    • All these riches are received by faith.
      • Everything that comes from God is given by God through grace and are received by us through faith.
      • These riches are only the beginning of God’s riches of which all are planned by God, the Father, purchased by Jesus, the son, and presented by the Holy Spirit.
  • Discussion question:
    • If the Holy Spirit is responsible for our knowledge of God and our maturity, why do some Christians never mature in their knowledge of God?

HOMEWORK
EPHESIANS 1:15-23
This is a self-study. Please do not send homework answers to the teacher forcorrection.

 

• Application of Eph 1:1-14
• How does knowing what God, the Father, has done for you in the past, in the present, and in the future, change your attitude toward life?

• How does knowing what Jesus, the Son, has done for you in the past, in the present, and in the future, change your attitude toward life?

• How does knowing what the Holy Spirit has done for you in the past, in the present, and in the future, change your attitude toward life?

• Preparation for Eph 1:15-23
  • Read Eph 1:15-23 Paul’s prayer
    • List the things Paul asks God on behalf of his readers.

Memory verse: Eph 1:18