Ephesians by Gary DeLashmutt (2008)

Paul, an apostle of Jesus and key leader of the early Christian movement, writes the book of Ephesians to the faithful followers of Jesus Christ. The main blessing received from God is that, through Jesus, God has adopted us into his family. Our adoption entails five additional blessings: 1) God chose beforehand to adopt us; 2) God paid a great price to adopt us; 3) God has revealed His plan to us; 4) God has promised us an inheritance; 5) God has given us his Spirit as the ?down-payment? of our inheritance. Those who can admit they are poor in spirit and are willing to entrust their lives to Christ will receive God's offer of adoption. Those who have already done this can have a spiritually buoyant life by making the blessings of God's adoption their focus & treasure.

All of humanity is in total need, but God through Jesus Christ extends total help. Humanity's total need is that we are alienated from God, we are enslaved to Satan, and we are headed for God's condemnation. God's total help reconciles us to Him, gives freedom from Satan's control, and destines us to His kindness for eternity. The total help of God is a gift that cannot be earned by good works, but is given to those through faith.

Paul was not discouraged by his sufferings while imprisoned, but instead was able to endue them victoriously. First, Paul's knowledge of God's plan for humanity gave him confidence. Knowing that God's plan would ultimately be victorious lead to stability and hope in the face of suffering. Paul also knew he was given a unique role in God's plan which gave his suffering meaning. Finally, Paul understood he had personal access to God who would give him all he needed. Personal Testimony shared by Bev DeLashmutt on how she has seen God redeem sufferings from her past to enable her to play her unique role in God's plan.

Living at peace in quality Christian community is the first way Paul urges believers to live their lives so that the Father is commended to the watching world. This is done through relating to others with humility, patience, and gentleness. God gives both the motivation and example to relate to others this way because He is a Community of love relationships ? the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Besides being a light to the watching world, living in a community also brings joy. We were created to experience community with one another in the community of God.

One way Christians can commend God to a watching world is to build a distinctive ethical life. The ethical life Paul describes in chapters four and five are not unique to what other religions and world views profess, however the way to live out these qualities is drastically different. Paul urges believers to not live as the Gentiles do ? as orphans -- but instead to live as children of God. Those who live their life as orphans separated from God will be driven by ?over-desires? that never satisfy the deepest needs and will be lead to a corrupted life. The one who lives their life as a child of God, basing his life on God's love and continually learning from Jesus will become someone who gives God's love to others.

God's grace transforms every area of our lives, including our work. Jesus calls for a very high quality of work for both the employee and employer. The Christian employee should respect their supervisor, work as hard in their absence as in their presence, and work with personal good will. The employer likewise should treat their employees the same way. What Jesus calls for us to do is a humanly impossible task, but his love will transform our work. Jesus was the ultimate example of how to work in this way and did so because of his love for us. As we grasp what Jesus has done for us and learn to depend on him, he will work this way through us. Personal testimony shared by Pat Stone.

Paul challenges us to take our position as the soldier, resisting the attacks and schemes of Satan and his demons by trusting in Jesus' authority and power. We must be alert, ready, and humbly confident in the resources that we have in Jesus. Paul describes these resources as the armor of God and they include; 1) belt of truth; 2) body armor of God's righteousness; 3) shoes of peace from the Good News; 4) shield of faith; 5) helmet of salvation; and 6) sword of the Spirit. Finally, Paul gives two more resources we have ? prayer and spiritual friendships.