Talking Points 12

Eph 1:10 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, (NKJV)

Did you know that you have a wonderful inheritance in Christ Jesus?

Many Christians do not know about that inheritance.

Notice in this verse that it says that we “have obtained” an inheritance. That is not a literal translation and it has led some to a false conclusion.

The literal Greek text refers to an inheritance being allotted to us. That means that our actual inheritance is being reserved for us in heaven. That inheritance is being held safely is a spiritual escrow for us to experience in fullness at the proper time.

We also find that we have been “predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.”

Being “predestined” indicates that Satan cannot interfere with us or our inheritance!

The Father works “all things according to the counsel of His will.” That guarantees success for us!

No matter what we go through in this age, the conclusion will be more glorious than we can imagine!

1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." (NKJV)

Talking Points 11

The Mystery of God’s Will
Ephesians 1:9-10
9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. (NKJV)

Only a few people understand the “mystery of His will.”

But if you read this it shall become apparent…unless the power to believe has not been given to you.

Some may think that they read and understand English very well, but that has nothing to do with reading and understanding the Bible.

The simple fact is that according to God’s good pleasure which He purposed within Himself is that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He shall gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him.

His plan for the ages includes all of creation!

Due to the sin nature that is resident in all humanity we long to see our enemies punished.

However, the “mystery of the Father’s will is to bring all of creation under the headship…the leadership of His Son, Our Lord, Christ Jesus.

For far too many, God’s will is still a mystery!

Talking Points 10

The First Love

Revelation 2:4 (Ephesus) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Many…far too many Christians have left their first love.

That does not mean that they are backslidden, lost again, or unsaved. It does mean that they have neglected the purpose of human salvation.

Due to a lack of spiritual sensitivity, many preachers have put forth a lack of understanding concerning that “first love.”

When we first spiritually understand that Christ has accepted us, we can hardly wait to tell others what He has done.

Salvation is a miracle that exceeds all the physical healings that have happened since man was created.

And, when we first understand His love for us, we tell others. But many, from all denominations and some entire denominations hate evangelism! They have become ashamed of Christ!

Those who have become ashamed of our Lord really never were Christians! Instead, they wanted to make a show of baptism. That is sad!

The Ephesian Church left their first love. They stopped evangelizing. They forgot the purpose of their salvation among mankind!

We have not been chosen to simply sit around and wait for the return of Christ! We should be working in His vineyard!

The work of the Church is evangelism! The Churches that have lost the desire to evangelize are Ephesian in nature.

Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent. (NKJV)

While Christ does have a vested interest in individual Christians, he has no vested interest in the preservation of the first church of Sparta, Indiana.

When he tells the Ephesian Church that if they do not turn, repent and do the “first works” he will come and remove their lampstand, He was not being poetic. The fact is that they did not repent, turn and do the first works, and so He took away their lampstand! The Church at Ephesus no longer exists!

Focus on evangelism! Tell the story of His love for you and others!

The fact is that after being “saved” you cannot be “lost” again.

Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (NKJV)

Talking Points 9

Eph 1:8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, (NKJV)

Paul always seems to use the grace of Christ Jesus as his reference point.

This verse is a continuation of his thought that focuses on what God does in Christ for us according to his pleasure.

Here, we find that in Christ, the Father made grace “abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence.”

Prudence comes from the Greek word phronēsis and refers to moral insight.

Without the moral insight given to us by Christ Jesus we would never understand the most simple spiritual concepts!

Talking Points 8

Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (NKJV)

It may seem odd, but the first point is that in the NKJV there is no period at the end of what may seem to the a sentence.

Verse 7-10 constitute one sentence in the NKJV.

Actually verses 3-14 may also be considered a single sentence in the Greek language.

The fact is that we have redemption in Christ Jesus due to His blood being shed for us on the cross!

Redemption (Gr. apolutrōsis) is the word used to describe the forgiveness of our sins! That Greek word refers to deliverance obtain through the payment of a ransom.

Don’t let anybody cause you to degrade the shedding of Christ’s blood for us on the cross.

He paid the full and complete ransom price for the world, and thereby qualifies as the Savior of the world!

1 John 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. (NKJV)