(Lesson 2095)(08-31-17) Ephesians 4:9-16
“(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
The point of today’s lesson is that before the church could become a whole, properfully functioning body, its members were (and still are) required to abandon all their misbeliefs and false doctrines. Then, they were required to have their minds (spirits) fully renewed by learning of the perfection and eternal salvation through faith in the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, therethrough becoming worthy as properly functioning parts of the body (Christ’s church).
For any lost soul to attain eternal salvation and become a member of the body of Christ, that one must recognize, and admit, that he/she is condemned by the sin of Adam and incapable of living the perfection required for reunition with God the Father. One must then confess their sin and accept, through faith, the blood of a perfect Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for the remittance of ALL sin. Once that is accomplished, that person is an eternal member of the body of Christ and therein sealed by the power of the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption.~
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Lesson 2094
(Lesson 2094)(08-30-17) Ephesians 4:1-8
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in 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 you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”
In this lesson, while urging the Ephesians to “walk worthy” of their calling (Just as we should today), Paul said there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
It should be clearly understood that the “one” baptism Paul acknowledged in today’s quote, is NOT a reference to a ritual water bath or immersion in water, as per traditional Hebrew law. But rather, that term “baptism”, as it is applied herein, refers to that baptism (immersion) into the body of Jesus Christ that is achieved by, and when, a lost loul places his/her faith in that same Jesus Christ with the full understanding that His life and perfection has been sacrificed for the sins of all who will only believe in Him.
There is indeed ONLY ONE baptism; “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27)~
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in 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 you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”
In this lesson, while urging the Ephesians to “walk worthy” of their calling (Just as we should today), Paul said there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
It should be clearly understood that the “one” baptism Paul acknowledged in today’s quote, is NOT a reference to a ritual water bath or immersion in water, as per traditional Hebrew law. But rather, that term “baptism”, as it is applied herein, refers to that baptism (immersion) into the body of Jesus Christ that is achieved by, and when, a lost loul places his/her faith in that same Jesus Christ with the full understanding that His life and perfection has been sacrificed for the sins of all who will only believe in Him.
There is indeed ONLY ONE baptism; “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27)~
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Lesson 2093
(Lesson 2093)(08-29-17) Ephesians 3:13-21
“Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
In today’s lesson, Paul complimented the Ephesians on their work and steadfastedness and encouraged them to keep up the faith.
He also encouraged that God be given the glory in all things, always.~
“Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
In today’s lesson, Paul complimented the Ephesians on their work and steadfastedness and encouraged them to keep up the faith.
He also encouraged that God be given the glory in all things, always.~
Monday, August 28, 2017
Lesson 2092
(Lesson 2092)(08-28-17) Ephesians 3:1-12
“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”
In today’s quote, Paul confirms that he is an apostle, duely appointed by Jesus Christ, as a preacher of God’s word to the Gentiles.~
“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”
In today’s quote, Paul confirms that he is an apostle, duely appointed by Jesus Christ, as a preacher of God’s word to the Gentiles.~
Sunday, August 27, 2017
Lesson 2091
(Lesson 2091)(08-27-17) Ephesians 2:11-22
“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Today’s quote, to me, is one of the most precious that can be found in the New Testament. Therein, Paul established that through Jesus Christ, the laws of the commandments and ordinances that were given to the Jews were “abolished”. Also, through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Gentiles were recognized as equals of the Jews as inheritors of the grace of God through His promise to Abraham.
There are so many today, claiming to be Christians, who contend that obedience to the Ten Commandments is prerequisite to eternal salvation. As this lesson so vividly demonstrates, nothing could be further from the truth. Herein, Paul stated clearly that the perfection of Jesus and His sacrifice abolished those rules. That means those commandments no longer exist, therefore we have no requirement to obey them. However, a true Christian will live according to the standards set out in those commandments out of our love for our Father God, His beloved Son, Jesus and our fellow man/woman.
As the latter part of the quote demonstrates, those of us whom have placed our faith in the Son of God, through faith, have become bonded together with Jesus as the children of God, forever.~
“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Today’s quote, to me, is one of the most precious that can be found in the New Testament. Therein, Paul established that through Jesus Christ, the laws of the commandments and ordinances that were given to the Jews were “abolished”. Also, through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Gentiles were recognized as equals of the Jews as inheritors of the grace of God through His promise to Abraham.
There are so many today, claiming to be Christians, who contend that obedience to the Ten Commandments is prerequisite to eternal salvation. As this lesson so vividly demonstrates, nothing could be further from the truth. Herein, Paul stated clearly that the perfection of Jesus and His sacrifice abolished those rules. That means those commandments no longer exist, therefore we have no requirement to obey them. However, a true Christian will live according to the standards set out in those commandments out of our love for our Father God, His beloved Son, Jesus and our fellow man/woman.
As the latter part of the quote demonstrates, those of us whom have placed our faith in the Son of God, through faith, have become bonded together with Jesus as the children of God, forever.~
Saturday, August 26, 2017
Lesson 2090
(Lesson 2090)(08-26-17) Ephesians 2:1-10
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
In today’s quote, Paul again affirmed that the eternal salvation of those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus Christ comes from God as a gift, and cannot be determined by the physical works we might, or might not, do. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Since water baptism and all idolatrous rituals are definitely physical “works”, this scripture rules out any possibility that any of them have anything to do with, either achieving or maintaining, one’s eternal salvation.
Although absolute righteousness IS a requirement for eternal salvation, that righteousness can ONLY be achieved through FAITH in our Lord Jesus Christ; “To him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace but of debt, but to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him the JUSTIFIETH the ungodly, his FAITH is counted for RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Romans 4:4-5)~
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
In today’s quote, Paul again affirmed that the eternal salvation of those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus Christ comes from God as a gift, and cannot be determined by the physical works we might, or might not, do. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Since water baptism and all idolatrous rituals are definitely physical “works”, this scripture rules out any possibility that any of them have anything to do with, either achieving or maintaining, one’s eternal salvation.
Although absolute righteousness IS a requirement for eternal salvation, that righteousness can ONLY be achieved through FAITH in our Lord Jesus Christ; “To him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace but of debt, but to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him the JUSTIFIETH the ungodly, his FAITH is counted for RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Romans 4:4-5)~
Friday, August 25, 2017
Lesson 2089
(Lesson 2089)(08-25-17) Ephesians 1:15-23
“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”
In today’s lesson, Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus that they would recognize, know and understand the awesome power of Jesus Christ as the risen Son of God and as the undisputed head of His church.
That same Jesus Christ is, still today, the head of the true church. We, the membership of that church, are “His body”, and should in every regard, reflect Jesus Christ in every thing we do.~
“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”
In today’s lesson, Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus that they would recognize, know and understand the awesome power of Jesus Christ as the risen Son of God and as the undisputed head of His church.
That same Jesus Christ is, still today, the head of the true church. We, the membership of that church, are “His body”, and should in every regard, reflect Jesus Christ in every thing we do.~
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