Ephesians 1:11-23 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Ephesians 1:11-23. Let’s go!
Ephesians 1:11 (NIV)
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will
On verse 11: Here Paul tells us that God works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will. Everything. That includes the biggest mistakes, failures, hurts, disappointments, accidents, tragedies, and heartbreaks we will ever experience. Nothing is a surprise to God. As Pastor Rick Warren says, “God never wastes a hurt.” He uses it all to accomplish His purpose in this world and in our lives.
Ephesians 1:12 (NIV)
12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
On verse 12: Speaking of God’s purpose for your life, here it is: “that we might be for the praise of His glory”. In other words, God didn’t make just so that you could be happy or fulfill your dreams. God made you for the praise of His glory. That is your number one purpose in life: to glorify God. You are not an accident or a mistake. You were made to give God praise and glory with your life.
Ephesians 1:13 (NIV)
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
On verse 13: Earlier in verses 3-10 we learned eight parts to your identity. Here in verse 13 we learn two more parts to your identity.
You are included in Christ. That is, you are found in Him and included in His family. Because you are included in Christ, the blessings that Jesus enjoys — righteousness, peace, joy, the Father’s love, eternal life, citizenship in heaven, purpose on earth, and membership in His family — flow to you as well.
You are also marked in Christ with a seal. During my time practicing law, I had a seal that I would use to mark a document. When I placed my seal on that document, people who saw the seal knew that I approved that document in some way. Similarly, when you place your faith in Christ, God placed His seal, His stamp of approval, on you: His Holy Spirit. The fact that God marked you with His Holy Spirit means you are approved by God! Why do you need to live for other people’s approval when you already have the approval of the One whose opinion matters the most?
Ephesians 1:14 (NIV)
14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory.
On verse 14: God gives us His Holy Spirit not just as a seal to show that we have His approval. Even more, He gives us His Holy Spirit as a deposit. A deposit is an amount you pay as a guarantee that you will pay more later. The Holy Spirit is like that in our lives. God gave us His Holy Spirit so that in advance we could taste and see that God is good, experience His power and feel His presence. At the same time, when God gave us His Holy Spirit, it was God’s way of saying, “The best is yet to come. I guarantee it.”
Ephesians 1:15-17 (NIV)
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
On verses 15-17: What Paul prayed for his church in Ephesus I pray for you, that the Father would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation that you may know Him better and love Him more.
Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)
18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
On verse 18: Like Paul prayed for his church, I also pray for you that you would know three things: how amazing is the hope we have in Christ, how amazing is the Church you and I are a part of, and how amazing is the power He makes available to you and me.
Ephesians 1:19-20 (NIV)
19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,
20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
On verse 19-20: Praise God that the power God has made available to you and me is the same power that God exerted to raise Jesus Christ from the dead and to seat Him at His right hand. If that is the power that lives in you, then nothing is too difficult for you. You can bet that just as God raised Christ from the dead, so He will give you life beyond the grave as well. That is His incomparably great power for us who believe.
Ephesians 1:21-23 (NIV)
21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
On verse 21-23: Jesus is the name above every name, the champion above every title holder. He is far greater than any other ruler or authority that has ever existed or ever will exist (v21). That’s because God has already decided to place all things under Jesus’ feet (v22). Naturally, He is also head over his own body, the Church (v23). When we are connected with His church, we are connected with the “fullness of Him”. That is, if you want to experience Christ, be well connected to His Body.
Father God, thank You for all the powerful truths we find in these verses. Thank You that You work all things out — even the things I don’t understand — to fulfill Your good, pleasing and perfect will. Thank You for making us for the praise of Your glory, for including us in Your family, and marking us with Your Spirit. By Your Holy Spirit may we know You more and more. And thank You that the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us now. Therefore I proclaim that nothing is too difficult for me today. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
