Young People's Group

Reflecting on Ephesians 1-3

by Mitchell Tan
April 22, 2020

GIVING PRAISE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD’S GRACE

The Lord’s grace is nothing less than glorious. I have come to deeply appreciate even more how super-abundant it is. As I reflect on the first three chapters of Ephesians, it is wonderful to see how the impossible has been made possible by the grace of God As we look at all that the Lord has done for us, is doing for us, and will do for us in the future, we can’t help but give praise for the glory of His grace.

1. SALVATION – FROM BEING DEAD IN SIN TO BEING ALIVE IN CHRIST

“For by grace you have been saved through faith”
Ephesians 2:8

We were all once dead in our trespasses and sins. There was no way that we could be saved because we were spiritually dead. And yet it is by means of God’s grace and through faith in His Son Jesus Christ that we are saved and made alive. We have been raised up to become children of God.

2. SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS – FROM BEING UNDER JUDGEMENT TO BEING FULLY BLESSED BY THE GOD

“Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ”
Ephesians 1:3

Because of our salvation in Christ and our status as sons of God, we are richly blessed by the Father. God’s plan of salvation is so full and complete. There was a time when we were under wrath and judgment but now to be so richly blessed by God is truly amazing. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. There is nothing that the Lord God as Father has not provided for us in life and in eternity.

3. SPIRITUAL FAMILY – FROM FOREIGNERS TO FELLOW SAINTS

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God”
Ephesians 2:19

There was a time when it was impossible for the Jews and the Gentiles to become one as a family of God. But in Christ and by the grace of God, the Gentiles now have access to the blessings of God and to be part of His kingdom. We have become part of the family of God. God is our Father and all who love Him are “brethren”.

4. PAUL’S EXAMPLE AS A SERVANT OF GOD – FROM A MURDERER TO A MINISTER

“Of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.”
Ephesians 3:7

It was impossible for a man like Paul to ever become a Christian; let alone be a minister of Christ. And yet in Him, nothing is impossible. The grace of God is glorious in how the Lord transformed Saul, an insolent blasphemer, to becoming Paul, a minister of the Gospel. He became a faithful and fruitful servant of God according to the gift of the grace of God.

5. SPIRITUAL FULLNESS – FROM WITHOUT GOD TO BEING FILLED WITH THE FULLNESS OF GOD

“To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:19

There was a time when we were without God. We had nothing to do with Him. Our lives were empty as empty can be. But now in Christ, we can be filled with the fullness of God. The Lord Jesus and God can make their home within us when we love them and keep His word (John 14:23). It is through the Lord’s power that we can filled with His fullness as Paul was.

God can do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or imagine. Let’s truly appreciate the grace of God in our lives and ministry. Let’s believe in the Lord and His grace that He can do that which is impossible in our lives, according to His will. Let’s seek to love God more and give praise to the glory of His grace.

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