EPHESIANS: THE GRACE OF THE GOD OF ALL GRACE

Dr. O. Wilburn Swaim, Th.B, Th.M, Th.D

 

 

Grace is first mentioned in Gen.6, by name, but the first exercise thereof is in Gen. 3.

Gen. 6:8  Noah was:

      1.   Righteous in Heart

      2.   Clean in His Relationships (cp. vs 2 & 5)

      3.   Godly in Conduct

            Not grace for salvation; he obviously was already a saved man. This is extended grace,

            to spare him from coming wrath (7:1).  Grace for salvation, as seen in its first mention in

            Scripture, is extended to Adam and Eve, purely unmerited (Gen 3:21).

 

Ephesians opens with grace (1:2), and the term is used 12 times.

 

The Biblical definition of grace is found in 2:7--"...His kindness toward us through Jesus Christ."

 

The Book characterizes grace in its possessed attributes:

 

I.    RICHES OF GRACE (1:7).

      Riches--"Ploutos", with the genitive, as here, the "excellencies with which one abounds," otherwise, simply speaking of wealth and possessions.

 

      A.   Deposited in Christ.   "in Him" 11 times in chap one, verses 1-14. God's grace solely available from His storehouse/bank, Christ Jesus.  Note Gen. 25:10. In v.4, it is "before him;" in v. 5, "by" Him; in v. 6, "in the beloved."

      B.   Invested in Calvary.

            "In Whom we have redemption through His blood..."

            For our redemption,  Three Grk. terms:

            1.   "Agorazo" I Cor.6:20;7:23a;Rev 14:3,4

            2.   "Ex-agorazo" Gal. 3:13; 4:5 "to pay the price; to deliver from the power of another."

            3.   "Anti-lutro" I Tim. 2:6  "That which is given in behalf of another's freedom."  The prep. "uper",is also used.

 

      C.   Expended on Us.

            "even the forgiveness of sins."  The word in this verse is "apolutrosin", which provides for forgiveness ("aphesis"), for us.  Redemption and forgiveness are here equated, because the word used means, "to set free from, or loose from," similar to "aphesis," "to take away." {Lev. 16:9,10}. Note Rom 3:24; Col 1:14; Heb 9:15 and Luke 21:28. All this is for our good, but it glorifies God.

 

II.    THE GLORY OF GRACE (1:6). It is all of God, in Christ. He:

      A.   Chose us in Christ (4) "to our being":

            1.   Holy, "set apart"--to Christ, from sin.

            2.   Blameless, without spot,and blameless (faultless). I Peter 1:19. It is "in His presence in love"--the world sees our lack of sanctification, and the spots, and blame, as we fail to walk in fellowship. But, God doesn't!  Positional vs practical vs prospective.

                  {Sculpturer carving a statue}

 

      B.   Predestinated us: (5) "pro-orizo", to "mark out before hand." To Sonship: "huiothesia", placing as a son. Note Gal. 4:1-7.  Under the law we were counted as children, though heirs, but no different from slaves. God sent forth His Son to become a child

under law ("uponomon").  He kept the law and broke it's hold, and now gives us from the moment of new birth, a standing of adulthood.  We now possess the spirit of adoption (Rom 8:15), and one day shall receive it in its fullness (Rom 8:23) when our body is also redeemed (i.e., "apolutrosin" when our body is "set free from" the bondage of the law curse).

            1.   Through Christ "dia"

            2.   To Himself "eis"

            3.   According to His own will

            4.   For His own Glory--"unto praise of the glory of His grace"

 

      C.   Abounded Toward Us (8-11)

            1.   In Revelation (9)

            2.   In Inheritance (11)

 

      D.   Saved Us (12,13a)

      E.   Sealed Us (14b)

 

III.   THE DEMONSTRATION & WORK OF GRACE (2:1-10)

      To make sinners alive.

      Verse 7, definition of Grace.

 

      A.   The Task of Grace (1-3)   To deliver from:

            1.   Death in Sin (1)

            2.   Walk of the World (2)

                  a.   Friendship (Jas 4:4)

                  b.   Spotted (Jas 1:27)

                  c.   Love for (I Jhn 2:15)

                  d.   Conformed to (Rom 12:2)

                  e.   Condemned with (I Cor 11:32)

 

            3.   Power of Satan (2)   note I Jhn 3:8

            4.   Lure of the Flesh (3)  [Magnet of Sin]

            5.   Natural Condemnation (3)

 

      B.   Two Partners of Grace (4)

            1.   Rich Mercy

            2.   Great Love

 

      C.   Terrific Power (5-7)

            1.   Enliven Sinners (5)]

            2.   Exalt Saints (6)

            3.   Exhibit the Saviour (7)

 

      D.   The Theme of Grace (8-10)    Salvation:

            1.   A Free Gift (8)

            2.   Apart from Works (9)

            3.   An Obligation (10)

 

IV. THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE (3:1-6)

      Luke 16:1-13 for defining "dispensation".

      A.   The Mystery(3-5a,6)

      B.   The Making-Known (5b)

      C.  The Ministry (7-12)

            1.   To make known the:

                  a.   Fullness of Christ (8)

                  b.   Fellowship of the Plan (9)

 

            2.   To Make them known to:

                  a.   The Gentiles (8)

                  b.   The Church (9)

                  c.   The Unseen World (10,11)

 

V.   THE WALK OF GRACE (4:1 - 6:18)

      We ought to walk as becoming Christ.  By:

      A.   Walking Worthy (4:1-32)

            To "bring no reproach against Christ, and show forth the glory (i.e., true worth and value) of His great saving grace", is to walk worthy.

            1.   In Spiritual Unity ((1-6)

                  V.2, "lowliness," a deep sense of one's littleness.

            2.   In Spiritual Maturity (12-16)

                  Perfect/Grow-up Vs. 12,13,15,16

                  The mature man. Marked by his:

                  a.   Speech (15,25,29)

                  b.   Feet (17)

                  c.   Mind (18,23)

                  d.   Will (19)

                  e.   Attire (22,24)

                  f.    Temper (26) Emotions

                  g.   Work/Activity (28)

                  h.   Relationships (31,32)

 

            3.   In Spiritual Purity (17-29)

            4.   In Spirit Pleasing (30-32)

                  V.31:

                  "Bitterness," the inner root

                 "Wrath," boiling over

                 "Anger," outward Retaliation

                 "Clamor," outcry of inward feeling

 

            5.   In Spirit Filled Service (7-11)

 

      (Incorporating the following outline:)

 

           THE MINISTRY OF GIFTS

       Rom. 12; I Cor 12,13; Eph 4:7,8

 

I.      DEFINITION OF GIFTS (I Cor 12:1-7)

        Consider v.1 "spirituals" versus v.4 "gifts"

        Gifts defined: "The Holy Spirit's manifestation of His unity and power through individual enabling of  believers for the mutual benefit of the Body of Christ" (I Cor. 12:7).

 

II.    THE SOURCE OF GIFTS

        All of Grace (Eph 4:7)

        A.    Received from the Father (Eph 4:6 w/ Jhn 14:16, 21b-23)

        B.    Given By Christ (Eph 4:7-11)

        C.    Distributed By the Holy Spirit (I Cor 12:11)

 

III.   THE CATALOG OF GIFTS

 

        A.    To Men (I Cor 12:4-11)

                Three groupings based on use of Grk words "heteros" and "allos"

               1.     Gifts of the Word (8)

                        a.     Word of Wisdom

                        b.     Word of Knowledge

 

                2.     Gifts of the Ministry (I Cor 12:9-28) Rom 12: 6- 8)

                        a.     Faith (I Cor 12:9) Acts 6:5 w/ chp 7

                        b.     Healing (I Cor 12:9,28) Acts 3:7,8

                        c.     Miracles (I Cor 12:9,28) Acts 5:15

                        d.     Prophecy (Rom 12:6; I Cor 12:10) Acts 21:11

                        e.     Discernment (I Cor 12:10) Acts 16:18; I John 4:1

f.         Ministry (Rom 12:7a) "diakonian," Acts 6.  Note: There is no gift of DEACON anywhere  listed. The word "ministry" is Grk., "diakonian", as translated, "Deacon" in I Tim 3:8. There may be many possessing the gift of "Ministry", i.e., "to serve; to do the bidding of another" (in contrast to "doulos", which emphasizes the relationship of slave to master), but only those possessing the qualifications set forth in I Timothy 3:8-13, may hold the office.)

g.       Helps ((I Cor 12:28) "one who (takes his turn at) helps(ing) another." Note:  There are no gifts of Music anywhere listed.  Consequently, there can be no "calling to a music ministry".  Spirit empowered use of a natural talent must come under the gift of Helps. That is, one who has the gift of Helps may use their natural talents in spiritual service. But, anything natural must be first sanctified before being used in the service of the Lord (Rom 12:1,2).

                        h.     Governments (I Cor 12:28) "to steer, direct"

                        i.      Teaching (Rom 12:7b; I Cor 12:28)

                        j.      Exhortation (Rom 12:8a)

                        k.     Giving (Rom 12:8b)

                        l.      Ruling (Rom 12:8c) "to stand before", as a leader

                        m.    Showing Mercy (12:8d)

 

                3.     Gifts Special (I Cor 12:10b,28)

                        a.     Tongues  ( 10b,28)

                        b.     Interpretation (10b)

 

        B.    Gifts to the Churches (Eph 4:7-11; I Cor 12:28) (for the work of ministry, Eph 4:12)

               1.     Apostles (4:11; 12:28)

                2.     Prophets (4:11; 12:28)

                3.     Evangelists (11)

                4.     Pastor/Teachers (11)

                        There are four "people" given; the rest are "things", hence four offices listed. Only for these four can there be a calling. 

                        However, note Phil. 1:1, concerning offices of pastor and deacon.

 

IV.  ORDER OF DISTRIBUTION OF GIFTS

        A.    According to the Purpose of the Father (I Cor. 12:18)

        B.    According to Measure of Christ's Grace (Eph 4:7)

        C.    According to the Will of the Holy Spirit (I Cor 12:11)

 

V.    PURPOSE OF GIFTS

        A.    The Enabling of Saints (Eph 4:12). Perfecting, in the sense not so much of spiritual growth, as of  spiritual      service.

        B.    The Effectiveness of the Assembly (I Cor 12:14-26)

               1.     To Perform it's Tasks (17)

                2.     To Care for the Members (25)

 

        C.    The Edification of the Body (Eph 4:12-15). To become:

               1.     Like Christ (13)

                2.     Stedfast in Christ (14)

               3.     Effective in Christ (16)

 

VI.   THE POWER OF GIFTS (I Cor 12:31; 13:1-13)

        Possessing gifts only valuable as they are:

        A.    Exercised in Service (Eph 4:12)

        B.    Energized by Love:

 

     (Resume the Ephesians outline):

 

      B.   Walking in Love (5:1-4)

            Love defined:  "The giving of ourselves in sacrifice to others for God".

            The love-walk Prohibits (3,4):

            1.   Unclean Conduct (3a)  Heb 13:l,4

            2.   Unchristian Covetousness (3b) 13:5

            3.   Unprofitable Conversation (4) 13:6

            5.   Ungodly Communion (5-7) 13:2,3,9

 

                  Consider I Cor. 13:1-8a note 12:31

 

                  a.   The Absence of Love (1-3)

                        Service in the absence of love, is:

                        1)   Ostentatious-Just a big noise (1)

                        2)   Obnoxious-Just a big bore (2)

                        3)   Obliterated-Just a big "O" (3)

 

                  b.   The Attitude of Love (4-8a)

                        1)   Love Responds to: (4)

                              a)     Adversity (4a) "suffereth"

                              b)     Advantage (4b) "selflessly"

 

                        2)   Love Behaves: (5-8a)

                              a)     Properly (5a) "unseemly"

                              b)     Selflessly (5b) "her own"

                              c)     Patiently (5c) "provoked"

                              d)     Soberly (5d) "thinketh"

                              e)     Happily (6) "rejoiceth"

                              f)      Tolerantly (7a) "beareth"

                              g)     Believingly (7b) "believeth"

                              h)     Enduringly (7c) "endureth"

                              i)      Everlastingly (8a)"never fail"

 

      C.   Walking in the Light (8-14)

  To be spiritually profitable (9), i.e., to have the fruit of the Holy Spirit manifesting goodness, righteousness, and truth in and through you. John 1:4; 8:12; Acts 26:18,23; Rom. 2:19

 

            1.   Stablished in God's Will (10). Phil 2:15,16; I Pt. 4:3,4; Tit. 3:1-8,14

            2.   Separated from God's Foes (11). II Cor 6:4; Jas 4:4; I Jhn 2:15,17

            3.   Shamed by Godless Conduct (12). I Cor 5:1-13

            4.   Showing up sin with God's Light (13,14). IICor 11:14; Rom13:11-14; Phil2:15b,16a

 

(Conc:  Contrast Rev. 18:23 w/ 21:11)

 

D.      Walking in Wisdom (15-17)  Note "Then" v15. It is to walk in the Light (v.14), for light equals obedience to God's will.

      Consider the story of Naboth (I Kgs 21).

            1.   Conquering Time (16). Time's:

                  a.   Signs (Mt. 16:3; 24:3)

                  b.   Shortness (I Cor. 7;29)

                  c.   Cessation (Rev 10:6)

 

            2.   Comprehending God's Will (17)

                  a.   In Salvation (II Pt. 3:9) note Mt. 18:14)

                  b.   In Sanctification (I Thess 4:1-3)

                  c.   In Service (Jhn 4:34)

 

            3.   Controlled by the Spirit (18)

                  Three ways to know His will:

                  a.   Circumstances

                  b.   Inner Conviction

                  c.   Word of God

 

            4.   Conversing about the Lord (19,20)

                  a.   Hearts full of Praise (19)

                  b.   Mouths filled with Thankfulness(20)

 

(Illust: Story of prophet I Kgs 13)

 

      E.  Walking in Submission (5:21-6:9)

            Submissive obedience is:

            1.   Predicated on submission to the Holy Spirit (5:18)

            2.   Marked by:

                  a.   Rejoicing (5:19)

                  b.   Thankfulness (5:20). (Our submissiveness is not a drudgery, but in Christ is joyful and pleasant)

                  c.   Submission (5:21-6:4)

                        1)   To One Another (21)

                        2)   Spouse to Spouse (22-33)

                              a)     Wife to Husband (22-24) Gen 3:16; I Pt 3:5,6

                              b)   Husband to Wife (25-33) Submit to loving, in place of legalistic slavery of the woman (Gen 29:19 vs. 24:67).

                                      1}  Giving Himself to Her (25)

                                      2}  Glorifying Her (27)

                                      3}  Gluing Himself to Her (31)

 

                        3)   Children to Parents (6:1-3)

                              a) Obey them in Childhood (1)

                              b) Honor them in Adulthood (2,3)

 

                        4)   Parents to Children (6:4) Submit to the responsibility of child training, not chiding.

 

Sermon:  A Successful Home (Prov. 3:33), where:

            1.   Christ is Supreme

            2.   Husband is Spiritual Leader (Tit. 2:2-note Eph 5:26,27)

            3.   Mother is Godly Example (Tit. 2:3-5)

            4.   Children are Unreproachable (Tit. 2:6; I Tim 4:12)

 

Conclusion: Dad, world traveler, lost entire collection of curios in fire. "Lost everything." Little boy said, "you still have us."

 

                        5)   Workers to Employers (5-8)

                              a)     In Single-mindedness (5)

                              b)     In Service to God (6,7)

                              c)     In Certainty of Reward (8)

 

                        6)   Employers to Employees (9)

                              a)     In Fairness (9a)

                              b)     In Fear of Judgment (9b)

 

      F.   Walk in Victory (6:10-20)

 

Sermon:  Intro: Song "I Am On The Winning Side"

  Uriah in II Sam 11:11

  We must walk on the winning side.  How?

 

       I.   Putting on the Armor (10, 11)   It must be:

           A.   True Armor (10) "in the Lord;" "His might"  {David, I Sam 17:38, was given Saul's

                  armor--it won't work.             It must be the armor God has provided for you}

 

            B.   Tested Armor (10,11) {I Sam 17:39 Note vs 31-37} Little victories assure big ones

                  (Lk 16:10).

                  1.   Truth (14; Jhn 14:6; 17:17)

                  2.   Righteousness (14; I Cor 1:30)

                  3.   Gospel (15) The preparation which the gospel produces.

                  4.   Faith (16) Mt 21:21,22

                  5.   Salvation (17) "Deliverance" in context here, as in a battle.

                  6.   Word of God (17)

                  7.   Prayer (18)

                       

These have been tested & proven.

 

       II.  Getting in the Fight (12,14)

           A.    Is there not a Cause? (I Sam 17:29)

           B.    Are we not His Servants? (17:32-note also v. 42)

           C.    Is not the Battle God's (17:47) Then:

                  1.   His Glory is on the Line (17:45,46)

                  2.   His Word is Put to Test (17:47b  note Dt. 3:22)

 

           D.    Is not the Victory up to us? (17:48-53)  Ezk 22:30

 

Conclusion: II Kings 7:9