Refuge Audio Podcast

In the first chapter of Ephesians, we read Paul’s prayer for the believers in Ephesus. Though they were doing quite well, Paul knew they might one day face a very difficult time. When those times would come, they would need to know that the One who leads them through life’s valleys is far above every power and every authority. We need to know this too. Watch our study of Ephesians 1:15-21 as we reviewed what Paul wanted believers to know and considered how His power works for us. 

Life is full of exciting mountain top experiences and toiling treks through valleys. We tend to forget the valleys when we are on the peaks. Sometimes, the descent can be just as perilous as the ascent. But we often pray for someone when they trudge through the valley; seldom do we pray for someone when things are going well on the mountain peak. The Apostle Paul was different. He prayed for the believers in Ephesus (and Philippi, and Colossae) because they were full of faith, hope, and love. Watch our study of Ephesians 1:15-21 and consider why and how Paul would pray for believers whose circumstances were really good.

Ephesians 1 opens with a beautiful doxology to God. In one sentence, the Apostle Paul highlights God's goodness and grandeur, ushering us into awe and wonder at God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. Over the past few Sundays, we’ve had the opportunity to consider not only each member of the Trinity, but also what happens when each member blesses humanity. This past Sunday, we focused on the two verses about God the Spirit and considered seven subsections of truth about the Spirit’s work in a believer's life. Watch our study of Ephesians 1:13-14 and reflect on the nature of the Spirit and the many ways He blesses a believer to the praise of His glory.

Many truths in Scripture may seem contradictory, but they are actually complementary. We can fall into serious errors when we promote one truth to the exclusion of other complementary truths. When this happens, we venture outside Scripture and impose the limited boundaries of our brains. But we must be careful not to place unnecessary limitations on God’s Word. For His thoughts are not like our thoughts; His ways are not like our ways (see Isaiah 55:8-9). How can we be predestined according to the purposes of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will and be those who choose to trust and believe in Him? Watch our study as we search the Scriptures to understand that God’s ways are not our ways.

“In Him…” This phrase is repeated ten times in Ephesians 1:7-12, highlighting the importance and blessing of being found in the Beloved. But who is the Beloved? And why is it important to be found in Him? He died and defeated death so we could be forgiven, set free, and be with Him forevermore. He is God the Son, Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:3 begins the longest sentence in Scripture. Over the next 12 verses, a single sentence describes three subjects: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. A similar phrase ends each section (“to the praise of His Glory”), making each a doxology—a hymn of praise to God. The first segment contains eight phrases to highlight God’s goodness and grandeur. Watch our study of Ephesians 1:3-6 as we read these magnificent phrases that draw us into adoration of God the Father.

The first two verses of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians contain three phrases. Each phrase has four components. And in those four components, we find enough to unpack and unfold to edify and stir us up in our relationship with God. But if you just read through it, you might think these verses are just an unremarkable greeting that’s in the way of the good stuff. And while it’s true that Paul needed to start his letter somewhere, we would miss a treasure of insight and understanding in these words if we see them only as an opening greeting.

In our first study in Ephesians, we considered the congregation to which this letter was addressed—their past, present, and future. In our study this past Sunday, we considered the writer of this letter—his past, present, and future. We know the author as Paul, but he wasn’t called by that name at first. ​When we’re first introduced to him in Scripture, he is known as Saul, a zealous man who was breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. But then, he had an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. From that moment on, everything changed—his heart, his mission, and even his name.