Gene Cunningham - June 9, 2003
Ephesians #41
Biblical spirituality sequence in Joh 2:1-11: (1) command of Christ (Word of God), (2) obedience of servants, (3) everyone is blessed. Seven False concepts: (1) Cain bypassed sacrifice (Gen 4:4-5, Jud 1:11, Heb 11:4); (2) Job's friend Eliphaz thought spiritual life was based on experience (4:16) ; (3) leaven of the Pharisees -- legalism (Mat 16:6, Mat 23:1-39); (4) Judaism dead works (Heb 6:1, Heb 9:14); (5) taboos -- what you don't do (Col 2:20-23); (6) Religious exhibition (Mat 6:1-16); (7) Religious Intellectualism -- Gnosticism (1Co 8:1-2). Eph 5:18 is a permissive passive command -- (corrected "let yourself be filled by the Spirit" (Col 3:15-16). Other commands regarding the Spirit: "Grieve not the Spirit" -- sins of commission (Eph 4:30); "Quench not the Spirit" -- sins of omission (1Th 5:19); "Walk in the Spirit" (Gal 5:16, Gal 5:25). Descriptive spirituality terms: "Full cup" (Psa 23:5); "Rivers of living water" (Joh 7:38); "Fullness of Joy" (Joh 15:11, Rom 15:29); "Fullness of wisdom" (Col 1:9, Col 3:16); "Fullness of God -- the love of Christ" Eph 3:19; "Personal self-offering - yield, surrender or present yourself" (Rom 6:13, Rom 12:1-2, Luk 9:23). Things biblical spirituality makes possible: (1) Walk in good works (Eph 2:10); (2) Growing up as children (Eph 3:13-16); (3) Walk worthy(Eph 4:1); (4) "Overcoming walk (Eph 4:17); (5) Walk in the love of Christ (Eph 5:2); (6) Walk in light of the Word (Eph 5:8); (7) Walk in the Wisdom of God (Eph 5:15-17). Life changes from biblical spirituality (Eph 5:19-26): ministry to others -- a self forgetfulness (Mat 9:16 Jesus prayer illustrates focus on others); foundation of inner joy (Joh 15:11, Mat 5:1-12); gratitude (1th 5:18); submissiveness (Eph 5:21); true worship.
Scripture References: Ephesians 5:15-17, Romans 15:29, Matthew 23:1-39, Luke 9:23, Colossians 3:15-16, Ephesians 5:8, John 15:11, Ephesians 5:21, Matthew 16:6, Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 5:18, Ephesians 5:2, John 7:38, Matthew 5:1-12, Hebrews 11:4, Romans 6:13, Matthew 6:1-16, Ephesians 4:17, Psalms 23:5, John 15:11, Jude 1:11, Ephesians 3:19, Colossians 2:20-23, Ephesians 4:1, Galatians 5:25, Genesis 4:4-5, Matthew 9:16, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 9:14, Ephesians 3:13-16, Galatians 5:16, John 2:1-11, Ephesians 5:19-26, Colossians 1:9, Hebrews 6:1, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 4:30
From Series: "Ephesians"
More than any book Ephesians reveals the blessings from God based on our relationship with Jesus Christ by grace through faith. Eph 1:3 is the a key verse. Other key verses by chapter include Eph 2:8 Eph 3:19 Eph 4:1 Eph 5:18 and Eph 6:10-11.