Where Bible Study Makes A Difference

DAILY DIFFERENCE – EPHESIANS: CULTIVATING THE KEYS TO CHRISTIANITY

PRAISE & GREETINGS: Jesus is Lord. Praise to His Mighty Name. Greetings!

WHO IS JESUS CHRIST? If you want to know about the Lord Jesus Christ, e-mail me: kmiller@differencemakerbiblestudy.org

GOOD BIBLE PREACHING: Looking for God’s Word preached from the bible without the religious nonsense of entertainment and church shenanigans? Check out www.hopebiblechurch.org or visit us @7895 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia, Maryland21044

SCRIPTURE TO READ: EPHESIANS 1:1-2

MEDITATION FOR THIS WEEK

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

EPHESIANS 1:1-2

GRACE TO YOU (PART 3)
We are appeased may times to receive good results. When you put in the time, you are rightly rewarded for that time. In similar fashion, Christianity yields grand results (for one we get to be with our Lord and Savior knowing Him forever-John 17). The standing firm in the grace of God, working efficaciously in the believer; grace-living always results to peace, true peace.

In this introduction, Paul introduces to a concept he seems to emphasize in almost all his epistle greetings: grace to you produces peace in you. Be assured, practical Christianity produces ultimate peace. Jesus Christ finishes the work of sanctification in us (Philippians 1:6). God completes your walk in peace. There’s bumper-sticker out there that says, “No Christ, No peace; Know Christ, Know peace”; Ephesians it proves such a slogan to be true.

Without the grace of God, there would be no peace in the Christian life. This isn’t a peace of everything’s-going-right-in-my-life. Peace (eirene) is a peace where true tranquility is produced from the joining together of the sinner to the Savior Jesus Christ. It is then by the blood of Jesus Christ, believers come to know true peace (Romans 5:10-11). Meaning, in the trials of life, in turmoil or tribulation, it’s important the believer rest in the Lord. Here, peace reigns as our thoughts be settled on the beautiful intimacies of Jesus Christ. Paul is echoing the words of Jesus from John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” Grace is conjoined with peace and the result only magnificent. But the question you may have is, “why don’t I feel peace?” Good question, because you were not meant to feel peace all the time. Peace surpasses feeling. It results in a changed thought pattern through the teaching of grace (Titus 2:12). Peace is assurance that God is, and He will do according to the promises of Scripture. That’s the grace resulting peace. And that is absolutely a great position to understand true biblical Christianity. Praise God, next time we grasp the spiritual blessings we have in practical Christianity. God bless.

-Written by Karsten Miller of DMBS @ www.differencemakerbiblestudy.org

DAILY DIFFERENCE – EPHESIANS: CULTIVATING THE KEYS TO CHRISTIANITY

PRAISE & GREETINGS: Jesus is Lord and King. Praise to His Mighty Name. Greetings!

WHO IS JESUS CHRIST? If you want to know about the Lord Jesus Christ, e-mail me: kmiller@differencemakerbiblestudy.org

GOOD BIBLE PREACHING: Looking for God’s Word preached from the bible without the religious nonsense of entertainment and church shenanigans? Check out www.hopebiblechurch.org or visit us @
7895 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia, Maryland21044

SCRIPTURE TO READ: EPHESIANS 1:1-2

MEDITATION FOR THIS WEEK

Fo1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

EPHESIANS 1:1-2

GRACE TO YOU (PART 1)
If you said the name “Saul” in the early stages of the Christian religion, fear might grip you. His name was feared by some early believers because Saul was consenting church members be put to death (Acts 8:1-3). He was causing much havoc. Now, when you hear the name Paul, a comforting thought abounds. Paul, on the other hand, is known as one of the most prominent Apostles. Why, because of the Supreme Divinity ruling his life; Jesus Christ, who gracious bestowed grace upon his life to minister the Gospel to millions of Christians, even us today. Thirteen letters written by him captivate his faithfulness to Jesus. As normal literary practice, Paul is seen marvelously greeting the church and so in retrospect, his offer a key in understanding Christianity.

Why is Paul a key? How can I understand the position and practice of my walk with Jesus through Paul? Simple, he begins spelling it out for us in this opening salutation of Ephesians. Grace that comes to us resulting in peace (v2) was first active in the Apostle Paul. Oftentimes Paul exhorted believers to follow him (1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1). So, in his introduction, we endeavor to follow him as he follows Christ. He says “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God”. What does this mean? Does this mean I am an apostle called of Jesus Christ by the will of God? Is that what I must understand? No, what is necessary is Grace reveals the three things about a Christian here: KNOW YOUR CALLING, KNOW YOUR CALLER, and KNOW WHY YOUR CALLED.

Paul was called to be an apostle (Acts 9). This was a messenger elected by Jesus Christ Himself, who had physical seen Jesus, been trained by Him, and was sent to bring the message of the Gospel authenticated by signs and miracles (1 Corinthians 151-11). No Apostles exist today, for they have all died, but what they did continues on through the pages of scripture. Now, for you, that means you’re called to something which will proclaim the Gospel to the world through the church. You are called to serve, preach, teach, or minister in some capacity etc, in order to support the advancement of the Gospel. If you’re called to be a pastor, know the qualifications are specifically spelled out in scripture (e.g. Acts 20:28, 1st Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9). Your calling can be understood as you study and mediate on the truths of the bible. Not everyone is called to the pastorate. Doesn’t matter if you speak well or have a large following, or even think it is what you’re called to; does your life meet the biblical qualifications? Yet everyone is called. For example, in Titus 2:1-10 Paul lays out great example of how Christians are to be under healthy doctrine amongst a watching Cretan society. From the older men, to slaves, and younger women, no group is left out. Be sure of your calling.

Well in order to be sure of your calling, be sure you know the Caller. Paul knew Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 2:2). Do we? Do we possess the eternal life that knows Christ and the Father (John 17:3)? When someone says they were called to be a preacher at a young age yet were in totally rebellion to Christ; this is a lie. You have to be of Jesus Christ. You must be saved to be called. You must believe in the Son (1 John 5:10-13). Without Christ, without Him dwelling on the inside of you, you are doing absolutely nothing but dung works (John 15:4-5).

Finally, you must reason it is the will of God that has called you. Grace teaches it is God’s will to call you by the name of Christ Jesus. What is the will of God? Will (thelema) is something God desires to be completed by His children. Paul’s life in Jesus was not a life made by his own. Jesus Christ made Paul’s life and therefore Paul could fulfill His calling according to the will of God (see v5, 9, 11). In such, if we don’t like what the Lord has desired for us, we must humble ourselves (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5). You can desire to be something all you want, and it not be the Lord’s will. How do you find out God’s will? Good question, you find it in the pages of scripture. Careful study and meditation of the Scriptures throughout your Christian walk will illuminate what God’s will is for you. No one person can tell you that, only scripture can.

Indeed, there is more depth in this subject matter that could be addressed on each of these three things. Be encouraged in knowing your walk as a Christian. Don’t be afraid to examine the life of Paul to see what your calling is, who your Caller is, and why you are called. Amen and God bless my beloved.

-Written by Karsten Miller of DMBS @ www.differencemakerbiblestudy.org