Ephesians by Dennis McCallum (2011)

Paul's letter to the Ephesians begins with an emphasis on the new identity given to those who put their faith in Christ. This is a central message across Paul's letters and deeply impacts how we relate to God and others. Understanding and living out of our new identity is the key to real, lasting change in our lives. As Christians, we can rest in our adoption into God's family, the redemption we have through Jesus Christ, and the forgiveness Jesus provided at the cross.

Paul adds inheritance and guaranteed to the profile of attributes for having an identity in Christ and discusses how these aspects give significance and security. He then prays that the Ephesian church will gain wisdom and understanding that is given through both objective and subjective revelation as we understand the attributes of our identity in Christ. The teaching concludes with examples of what it looks like to live out your identity in Christ verses when you don't.

The world views believing that nothing is wrong with humanity (atheists, animists and pantheists) are contrasted to the biblical view that there are massive problems that have arisen from turning against God. Humans were made in the imagine of God, have turned against Him but have been given a free gift to be rescued back into a relationship with Him. The teaching concludes by contrasting religion to biblical spirituality.

Both Jews and Gentiles have an opportunity to be players in God's plan to bring everything together in heaven and on earth. First, God chose the Jews to live separate as a picture of what would come in Jesus Christ. Through Jesus' death the whole system of law was ended so that anyone can come to God. The implications of this caused: 1) no need for a stone temple, 2) a new level of intimacy with God, 3) no priests, 4) a mystical union with other believers through the Holy Spirit, and 5) a mission to invite others into the family of God.

God, being loving, created free-will beings and gave them the freedom to live for or against Him. However, with God also being just and unable to ignore evil that occurs against Him, it seems as if He had a dilemma. Therefore, God had a secret plan that solved this dilemma and it was resolved when Jesus went to the cross. The implications of the cross shows the watching universe the goodness of God through His rescued people, and it disarms any accusations that God cannot be trusted.

The church (those who believe in Jesus Christ) is commanded to make every effort to preserve the unity that God has already given. The unity given to the church is a spiritual unity based on truth that is carried out relationally. It takes effort not to destroy the unity but there are many benefits to preserving a unified church.

God has given many gifts to the members of the church ? the Body of Christ - so that each member can be built up to maturity in the Lord. Spiritual maturity is obtained relationally through unity, faith and knowledge. God has chosen each and every member to perform their special work so that the Body of Christ will grow both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Principles of vanishing returns that comes when you live a life away from God. These include futile thinking, darkened understanding, alienation from God, callous hearts, and giving self over to sensuality. Video clip of Ben Stein interviewing Richard Dawkins illustrating alienation from God. Includes a testimony showing the downward spiral of vanishing returns.

Once we enter into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ we are given a new identity, but just because we have a new identity does not mean we live in that new identity. The apostle Paul urges readers to lay aside the old self and put on the new self, then contrasts what is typical of the old self to what is fitting for the new self. The old self is self-centered - doesn't care about truth, doesn't understand community, and seeks money and goods for self. The new self is others-centered - truthful, would rather suffer than dis-unify the body, and focuses on giving more.

Once we enter into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ we are given a new identity, but just because we have a new identity does not mean we live in that new identity. The apostle Paul says to put on the new self or to believe what God has already made true. The difference between how interpersonal relationships of the new and old self are compared. Ultimately, living in our new identity allows us to live at peace with others.

At the core, God is a love-giver. When we have a relationship with Him, we are under grace and can do whatever we want. However, we will only be fulfilled if we imitate God by loving others.

God has a Will that is individual for each person. In order to understand the Will of God, one must have a personal relationship with Him, be willing to follow His Will before hearing what it is, already trying to follow His will, and ask Him to reveal His wisdom. Ten signposts to discerning God's will: 1) Scripture; 2) spiritual expediency; 3) correlated leading; 4) mature counsel; 5) direct divine revelation 6) providential circumstances 7) inner spiritual prompting; 8) gifting and makeup; 9) spiritual fruit; 10) personal desires. The convergence of these signs help discern God's Will.

While the Bible prohibits drunkenness, God does not discourage pleasure. Euphoria and ecstasy do have a place in the Christian life, but it is not the most important thing to spiritual people. Real ecstasy comes from the spiritual side of life; through thanksgiving, relationships, and seeing God changing people's lives.

The Bible, more than any other religious text, promotes equality on all levels. The Bible's example of leadership, through Jesus, is that of servant leadership. Submission in the Biblical context means being willing to be responsive to the ways that the other person is trying to lead and serve you.

We have plenty of both philosophical and Biblical evidence for spiritual warfare. In any type warfare, we must decide if we will respond with a mentality of peace-time or war-time. In war time, it is imperative that you: 1) know your enemy, 2) are equipped to fight, and 3) are on your guard.

There are 6 elements the Bible mentions Christians have to use in spiritual warfare: 1) belt of Truth, 2) breastplate of God's Righteousness, 3) feet fitted with the Gospel of Peace, 4) shield of Faith, 5) helmet of Salvation, and 6) the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. All of these things should be coupled with persistence in prayer. We look in depth at each of these weapons and how we can practically appropriate them in the Christian life.