No Audio File This Week
Recap of 6/13/10:
1. Paul commends the Ephesians for their response to God’s calling to salvation evidenced in their life of faith and love. Faith and love were often linked in Paul’s thinking (Ephesians 6:23; Galatians 5:6). “Here there is set before us in a perfect summary the characteristics of a true church…. The two things which must characterize any true church are loyalty to Christ and love to men.” (William Barclay)
2. Paul, in a model prayer for us, prays for the Ephesians. His central request is that they might know God fully (Greek epignosis), completely, intimately, personally, and practically. His prayer is devoid of material requests or self-centered petitions, but filled with praise and adoration.
3. His prayer for them is that they might know the great hope that is theirs as a result of God’s call to salvation; that they might comprehend that believers are God’s heritage purchased at great price; and that they might understand the access they have to divine power to live the Christian life.
4. This power is vital because of our enemies (the world system, the sinful nature, and Satan); because of our spiritual needs; and because with it we have the resources to live and love sacrificially, unselfishly.
