Ephesians

Pastor Gordon Crook

Chapter 3

“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.” Ephesians 3:1-7 

It is very important to understand that Paul was chosen to deliver the message of God’s grace, especially to the Gentiles. So many are failing to understand that God had always intended to bring the Gentiles in to His family, but it was not openly presented to His ancient people Israel. Some still want to tell us that only Israel is a partaker of what Jesus did. 

Others, want to take Israel completely out with a teaching that Gentiles now replace Israel in God’s future plans. A simple reading of Romans 11 will clear this up easily. God still has plans for His people Israel, but now, we are in an age of grace where Gentiles are being brought in. 

The method for entry is the same for Gentiles today as it is for Jews. It is all through God’s grace extended through Jesus and His completed sacrifice on the cross. This “mystery” (a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding) was shown to Paul. Remember that Paul was well educated in the Law and Prophets. If anyone would have reason to think this was incorrect, it would have been Paul. Maybe this is why Jesus chose Paul to present this “mystery.” 

The idea that Gentiles could also be God’s people was very foreign to the Jews. There are hints of this in the Old Testament, but it was not fully revealed before the book of Acts where God makes it plain that He will bring in the Gentiles to also be His people. Acts 11:18. This is not a sudden change in God’s mind. He always intended to bring people from all nations into His family.

We saw this already in chapter 2 of Ephesians. Paul explains that we are both (Jew and Gentile) brought together in one body. There is no difference in God’s view of a Jew that is saved through faith in Jesus or a Gentile that is saved through faith in Jesus. Here Paul refers to us as fellow heirs and of the same body.

“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:” Ephesians 3:8-11 

Paul reminds us that the gospel (good news) is exactly what he has been telling us. That Jesus is gathering from every nation those that will trust in Him by faith. It is God’s grace that brings us the gospel, and God’s grace that chose Paul and enabled him to bring us this good news.

It may be because this was a “mystery” in the Old Testament, that so many today fail to understand it. Many are still trying to fuse believers today into Israel and putting them under bondage to a law that was given to show that even having the written law of God did not enable Israel to be righteous. 

What God had planned from before the foundation of the world was to bring all things together in Jesus and that group of people called the “church” (called out ones) would demonstrate that only God’s grace could accomplish such a thing. 

This is not just intended for the world to see and marvel, but even “principalities and powers in heavenly places.” God’s wisdom through His grace accomplished something that no human or “principality or power in heavenly places” could accomplish. 

I feel that it is extremely important to recognize this work that God is accomplishing through us. Failure to understand this will lead to a failure to yield our lives to God’s working. He is not creating a religion. He is not creating self righteous people. He is not creating a “Christian” nation. He is creating a display of His wisdom He is creating a people (individuals) who make up the body of Christ (the church), who will bring Him glory for eternity. 

To some, this may seem like a silly thing. They want recognition for their accomplishments. They want to feel like they did better than others. They want to think that eternity is going to give them some recognition. However, I think that realizing that God is taking a failed human person and creating something that brings glory to the eternal, self existent, all righteous God, should be nothing short of amazing and glorious. 

For those that think that the law and Israel was the fulness of God’s plan, they are missing out on the even more glorious part of God’s plan. This is not something that God thought of after Israel failed to keep His law and failed to be faithful to Him. It was always His plan. God is not yet done with Israel, but this time is something glorious.

I love this letter to the Ephesians. It lays out so simply and clearly God’s overall plan and helps us understand what our part of that plan is.

 Faithfulness

Brad Clark

Carbondale, Kansas

Matthew 25:14–30 takes us to the Parable of the Talents where we see the difference between those that possess Jesus as their Savior verses those that just profess to be Christian.  As we study this parable, we see that the man traveling, which gave the talents, is representative of Christ himself and that the long time he is gone is the church age.  He gives one of His servants 5 talents another 2 talents and another 1 talent.  The last part of verse 15 though is very important to consider.  Each was given according to their several abilities.  

Now, what they were given were opportunities tol do something that would further the kingdom of their lord.  It is the exact same for us today! We also are given opportunities (talents) according to our abilities.  The lord entrusted them with these opportunities to gain or benefit him and his kingdom.  It’s no different for us that work a job today.  We are given opportunities according to our own abilities. Some are janitors, some are in parts, some sales, some fix things, some make things, some design things, some manage the budget, some manage people, some manage work load or flow, some the entire direction of a business or company but regardless of what ability each has, there is an opportunity to do the best they can with the ability they’ve been given to further the advancement of the company. Well, it’s no different in our spiritual lives today.  The opportunities (talents) we are given are according to the abilities that we possess, and our Lord does know what to entrust to each one of us.  

Immediately, we see the results in verse 16 because the one that received 5 talents doubled his allotment, verse 17 shows the one that had 2 talents also doubled his, but the one that received 1 did nothing. Now the part we’ve all been waiting for, the reward! Verse 20-21 says “And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.  His lord said unto him, well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”   Great, he had 5 and got 5 more but what about the guy that ‘just’ had 2 and only got 2, what does the Lord say to him?  Verse 22-23 “He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.  His lord said unto him, well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

Note that the reward for each of these 2 individuals was THE EXACT SAME! WHAT, CAN’T BE???? YEP! THE EXACT SAME! Well, back to our earthly job example above, our thoughts are there’s no way this can be right, this isn’t fair, I do way more work than Bob and I should get more reward than he does and………hold on. What are we doing here?  We are applying earthly wisdom to spiritual situations, and we must not do so. We must understand some very key principles. They were given opportunities according to their ability.  Our earthly thinking is since I can do more, I SHOULD get more but with God’s kingdom, what was rewarded, the amount? NOPE! The FAITHFULNESS to what was given! They were BOTH faithful to what they were given so they both get the same reward.  It is the faithfulness that is rewarded.

It is also important to note we don’t see how hard the tasks were, what they had to endure, how much they suffered, or struggled and why is that? Because it is irrelevant, that’s right, it just doesn’t matter. What’s important is the faithfulness.  What does God want?  He wants a faithful servant that is willing to be responsible with what HE wants us to do with the ability that’s been given. Take our abilities and be responsible with the opportunities we’ve been given. 

Back to our parable as we have 1 more to account for.  It’s the one that did nothing but hid his opportunity. He thought he knew about God, he told everyone he was a Christian but we see here he didn’t know the first thing about his lord. How do we know that? Well, he said himself that he was afraid. How could he have known the Lord  (or his lord) and been afraid since There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18. There was no appreciation of what was given to him which led to outright rejection of God’s wonderful grace. Verse 26 shows us that very thing because those that are saved aren’t wicked.  

So, the opportunity that was given to this one was taken and given to the one that had 10. The lord knew who to give that opportunity to so there would be return on his investment. If he would’ve taken that 1 and turned it into another 1 there would have been more to come. If he had taken it and done something to capture a bit of interest it would’ve been something but instead, we see complete rejection of all things.  

For us today, salvation is the first step, but we must not stop there. Too many folks accept that gift then use it to live the earthly life they want to live. There is so much more to be had. We must NOT judge or compare our abilities with one another, as each ability has a purpose in the body of Christ. Again, what was rewarded, the amount? No, the eternal reward was the same for the two that were faithful with their earthly talents. Those abilities are what provide opportunities to further God’s agenda in this world. Not as great crusaders but as lights, as testimonies, as witnesses that we should show for the praises of Him! Be encouraged and press towards the prize.

 Conquering the “Ites” in Our Lives

Greg Gilliam Pastor 

Grace Christian Assembly

Independence, Missouri

Before Israel entered the Promised Land, God warned Moses about seven specific nations that stood in the land they were about to possess. These nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—would become obstacles that Israel would need to overcome. For the purpose of this lesson, we will simply refer to them as the “ites.”

In Deuteronomy 7, the Lord told Israel that when He brought them into the land, He would cast out these seven nations, even though they were greater and mightier than Israel. God commanded His people to utterly destroy them, make no covenant with them, show them no mercy, and avoid intermarrying with them. The reason was clear: these nations would turn Israel away from following the Lord. Their altars, images, groves, and idols were to be destroyed because God desired a holy people separated unto Himself.

The Lord reminded Israel that they were not chosen because of their strength, size, or ability. In fact, they were the fewest among the nations. God chose them because He loved them and because He was faithful to the covenant He had made with their fathers. He had redeemed them from Egyptian bondage with a mighty hand, and He would continue to be faithful to those who loved Him and kept His commandments.

A similar promise is found in Exodus 23:20-24. God promised to send His Angel before Israel to lead them into the place He had prepared. If they would obey His voice, God would become an enemy to their enemies and would cut off the nations that stood before them. Once again, they were instructed not to bow down to the gods of these nations or imitate their practices, but rather to completely overthrow their idols and images.

In Deuteronomy 20, God provided additional instructions concerning warfare. Israel was told not to fear when they faced armies larger and stronger than themselves. They were not to be intimidated by horses, chariots, or great numbers because the Lord who delivered them from Egypt would fight for them. God would go before them, save them, and give them victory. The chapter emphasizes that when confronting these enemies, nothing was to be left that would continue to influence or corrupt God’s people. The reason was simple: God did not want Israel learning the abominations and sinful practices of the surrounding nations.

There are several practical lessons we can draw from this Old Testament picture. First, God had given Israel a land to possess. Likewise, God has given believers a position in Christ. Ephesians 2 tells us that we are seated together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Yet Ephesians 6 reminds us that there is a spiritual battle involved in entering into and enjoying all that God has provided for us.

There is also a personal application. God gives each of us places of service and responsibility. Years ago, God called me to pastor an assembly. Along the way, there have been many “ites” that stood in the path—opposition from family, friends, circumstances, and even fellow believers. Yet I can testify with Paul, “out of them all the Lord delivered me” (2 Timothy 3:11). Even today, I continue to trust the promise of 2 Corinthians 1:10, that the God who has delivered will yet deliver.

The inhabitants of the land had to be removed. While this may sound harsh at first, the spiritual lesson is important. The flesh cannot be allowed to remain in control. It must be dealt with according to God’s instructions. We see this principle illustrated in circumcision, which symbolized the cutting away of the flesh. God knew that if Israel tolerated the practices of these nations, corruption would eventually follow. In the same way, we cannot make peace with the works of the flesh. They must either be brought into submission or cut off entirely.

God’s concern was not merely military victory but spiritual protection. He desired to protect His people from corruption. My heart likewise yearns for God’s people to be protected from the corruption that exists in this world, both physically and spiritually. The influences around us constantly seek to pull us away from wholehearted devotion to Christ.

Another important lesson is that these nations were stronger than Israel. The challenges standing before us today are often greater than our own strength and ability. The “ites” we face—temptations, fears, trials, weaknesses, and spiritual battles—cannot be overcome through human effort. We cannot deliver ourselves. Victory does not come through determination, talent, or personal strength.

So how do we gain victory over the “ites” in our lives? 

The answer is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our victory is based upon the victory He won at Calvary. Through faith, we identify with His death, burial, and resurrection. We recognize that our old man was crucified with Him and that we have been raised to walk in newness of life. Furthermore, those who have been filled with the Holy Spirit have been given divine power to overcome. As we yield ourselves to the Spirit, He enables us to overcome the flesh. The Spirit accomplishes what we could never accomplish on our own.

Just as Israel was called to be a special people, so the church today is God’s called-out people. The Greek word ekklesia means “called-out ones.” God did not call us because we were strong, capable, or self-sufficient. Like Israel, we were incapable of overcoming our enemies apart from divine intervention. We were the weak, the needy, and the dependent.

Why, then, did God choose us? The answer is wonderfully simple: He loved us. He loved you, and He loved me. He also acts according to His Word and His promises. Just as He remained faithful to His covenant with Israel, He remains faithful to every promise He has made to His children.

As we face the “ites” in our own lives, let us remember that God has called us, loved us, redeemed us, and equipped us for victory. The battle may be greater than we are, but it is not greater than our God. Therefore, let us walk forward in faith, knowing that the One who has delivered in the past is still delivering today and will continue to deliver in the days ahead. Above all, let us remember this great truth: the Lord our God is faithful.

 “PRAISE YE THE LORD”

Praise ye the Lord! Let the glad carols ring!

Sweetest incense of praise while we worship the King.

Praise ye His name and His goodness adore.

Let us sing and rejoice evermore.

Praise ye the Lord! While the firmament high,

Wondrous work of His hand, echoes back the reply.

Let His great Name from rejoicing lips fall,

Blessed Savior and Master of all.

Praise ye the Lord! Let the grand anthem shell-

Like the sound of the sea, all His glory to tell.

Honor His name, laud and worship the King,

While the joy-bells of victory ring.

Hallelujah to Him Who is Lord over all,

Let His glorious praise from your lips gladly fall.

Hallelujah! Proclaim Christ is coming again:

Hallelujah! Oh glory amen.

–– A. Blenkhorn

Psalm 113:1-3, “Praise ye the Lord, Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, Praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.”

Remember – if you want joy, peace, healing, or victory over the power of the enemy, Praise the Lord! From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same. 

PRAISE YE THE LORD!       

By  R. E. M.

 Psalm 98:1

“Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things.”

Singing praise is central to the Christian life. “Praise” is a word we often use. Yet we may forget its true meaning. To praise means to honor, worship, and express admiration for God. The phrase “sing praises” comes from a Hebrew word that means “to make music in praise of God.”

The psalmist calls us to lift our voices, make music, and worship the Lord. When we sing praises, we declare His glory. But why should we praise Him? The answer is found in remembering what God has done: “for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him.”

We are reminded of the song of Moses and Miriam at the Red Sea. When God delivered the people of Israel from Egypt with His mighty and outstretched arm, their response was to sing. They praised Him for His deliverance, salvation, victory over enemies, and preservation of His people.

As New Testament believers, we have an even greater reason to sing. God sent His Son, who lived a perfectly righteous life, dies sacrificially in our place, bore the wrath for our sins, and rose again. This is the greatest and most marvelous work, and it calls us to continual praise.

Written by Pastor Pani from India

 The Encouraging Word

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Psalm 118:8

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.”

Psalm 138:7

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee (keep you moving forward): he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God…” I Peter 5:6

“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5

“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:” Numbers 6:24

 

 Martha Wainright

 More Glorious

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?” 2 Corinthians 3:7-8 

Paul refers to the law as “the ministration of death.” This is an interesting title to use of the law, but he is trying to make a point that the law brought death. Look at verse 6. It had to. The wages of sin are “death” Romans 6:23. Because the law could not make a person righteous, it could not bring life. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20 

Paul knew the law well being instructed by Gamaliel (brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers) Acts 22:3. He was not just trying to show disrespect to the law. “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Romans 7:12. However, he also knew that God had done something better which is what the law was pointing to all along. 

He is clear that the law is glorious. The giving of the law was well known and it was truly glorious. So much so, that the Israelites could not look at Moses’ face. The argument is not against the law, but rather a contrast between the law and something significantly better.

What could be better? “The ministration of the Spirit.” This is not some Plan B that God came up with because Pan A didn’t work. This has been God’s plan all along. A plan to send His Son to bring His glory down so that we could be brought up to Him. John describes what they witnessed. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17  

Jesus is more glorious because He is the Son of God and because He brought Grace and Truth to this world. He came to free us from the curse of the law. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” Galatians 3:13. Paul was addressing Christians who wanted to go back to the law after being saved by grace. 

In 2 Corinthians 3 Paul uses another term. “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6 This is an important distinction. The New Testament brings life. So, the contrast is between life and death.

The New Testament is more glorious because it brings life where death was deserved. God’s grace gives what we could not get for ourself and what we did not deserve. This is the basis of the Gospel. Now we can live and serve God acceptably because of His life. “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4 “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:” Hebrews 12:28. 

The New Testament is more glorious because we could not obtain righteousness through the old. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” Romans 3:20-22. The more glorious covenant brings righteousness to us through Jesus Christ, not an attempt at self righteousness. “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” Philippians 3:9. 

Paul understood the law, being well versed in it, so he also understood the importance of what Jesus had accomplished. “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.” Hebrews 7:22-27. “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” Hebrews 8:6 

So, we have learned that we have been made partakers of a better, more glorious, covenant; the covenant of Grace which brings us directly into the presence of God. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water” Hebrews 10:19-22. Why then, would we want to go back to the Old “ministration of death” which cannot make us righteous or bring us directly into the presence of God.