Ephesians 1
Introduction to church of Ephesusverses 1-2
Paul – an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God
to the saints which are at Ephesus
AND to the faithful in Christ Jesus
Grace be to you – AND peace – from God our Father
and from the Lord Jesus Christ
God the Father regarding salvationverses 3-6
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
WHO hath BLESSED us with all spiritual blessings
in heavenly places in Christ
ACCORDING as HE has CHOSEN us in HIM
before the foundation of the world
that we should be holy and without blame
before HIM in love
Having PREDESTINATED us to the adoption of children
by Jesus Christ to HIMSELF
ACCORDING to the good pleasure of HIS will
To the PRAISE of the glory of HIS grace
wherein HE has MADE us accepted in the beloved
God the Son regarding salvationverses 7-12
IN WHOM we have REDEMPTION through HIS blood
the FORGIVENESS of sins
ACCORDING to the riches of HIS grace
Wherein HE has abounded toward us in all
wisdom and prudence
Having made known to us the mystery of HIS will
ACCORDING to HIS good pleasure which HE has purposed
in HIMSELF
THAT in the dispensation of the fullness of times
HE might gather together in one all things in Christ
both which are in heaven and which are on earth
even in HIM
In WHOM also we have obtained an inheritance
being PREDESTINATED ACCORDING to the
purpose of HIM WHO works all things after
the counsel of HIS own will
That we should be to the PRAISE of HIS glory
who first trusted in Christ
God the Holy Spirit regarding salvationverses 13-14
IN WHOM you also trusted – after that ye heard the word of truth
the gospel of your salvation
in WHOM also after that ye believed
Youe were SEALED with that Holy Spirit of promise
which is the EARNEST of our inheritance until the redemption
of the purchased possession to the PRAISE of HIS glory
Prayer for Spirit of wisdom for churchverses 15-23
Wherefore I also – after I heard of your FAITH in the Lord Jesus
and love unto all the saints – cease not to give THANKS for you
making mention of you in my prayers
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ – the Father of glory
may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the
knowledge of HIM
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened
that you may know what is the hope of HIS calling
and what the riches of the glory of HIS
inheritance in the saints
And what is the exceeding greatness of HIS power
to us-ward who believe
ACCORDING to the working of HIS mighty power
Which HE wrought in Christ
when HE raised HIM from the dead
And set HIM at HIS own right hand in the heavenly places
far above all principality – power – might – dominion
and every name that is named – not only in this world
BUT also in that which is to come
And has put all things under HIS feet
and gave HIM to be the head over all things to the church
which is HIS body
the fullness of HIM that fills all in all
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 4 According as he has chosen us in HIM before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before HIM in love (1586 “chosen” [eklegomai] means select, pick out, of God choosing whom HE judged fit to receive HIS favors and separated from the rest of mankind to be peculiarly HIS own and to be attended continually by HIS gracious oversight, or to make a special choice)
DEVOTION: God doesn’t live in time like we live in time. We have a past, present and future. We don’t know the future. We don’t even know the present sometimes. I make plans in the present but the LORD also has plans for me and HIS plans always win. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t plan ahead. We should have goals and dreams for our future.
God is different from us. HE is far above us. HE created us in the womb of our mother. HE created the first parents: Adam and Eve. HE has a plan and continues to work HIS plan. HE is not sitting in a corner watching what is going on in our world.
HE doesn’t have to think about what HE is going to do in the future. HE doesn’t have to try to remember what HE has done in the past. HIS present is always the same. HE knows the beginning from the end of each person’s life.
HE knew before the world was created by HIM if we were going to be followers of HIM. HE chose us on the basis of HIS knowledge. HE knew that Christ was going to die for the sins of the world before HE created Adam and Eve.
When HE looks at us HE sees the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross in time but HE lives outside of time so HE knew about our salvation before Christ actually died on the cross.
This is beyond on understanding but HE is God and we are not and HE has stated in HIS Word, the Bible that HE chose us before HE created the world.
CHALLENGE: Do we have a choice? YES!! HE just knew what we would chose before we were born.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (5487 “accepted” [charitoo] means be highly favored, to peruse with grace, to honor with blessing, show kindness, bestow on freely, or endow with grace)
DEVOTION: When we read this chapter we see that the Godhead or Trinity is involved in our salvation. Here in the first few verses we have God the Father predestine us to be adopted into HIS family. Then from verse seven to verse twelve we have the involvement of Jesus Christ in our salvation. Finally, the Holy Spirit is involved in our salvation in verses thirteen and fourteen.
We are highly favored because of Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins. Without HIS sacrifice not of this would be possible. We would still be dead in trespasses and sins. We would be headed for eternity in the lake of fire with the devil and his angels.
All this has happened because of the unmerited favor of the LORD on the basis of our relationship with Jesus Christ. The Godhead knew before the foundation of the world who would become believers. It is a selected group of individuals.
The group was made in heaven by the Godhead. HE is presently working with those who are HIS children through adoption. We are in HIS family to the praise of HIS glory.
We are to bring HIM glory. It is not a privilege to be taken lightly. As individuals who are chosen to serve we need to serve. Pride should never enter into our relationship to HIM. Thankfulness should be the only way we express our gratitude.
CHALLENGE: How have we shown the LORD our gratitude this week for HIS wonderful gift of salvation? Can we do better to say “thank you” to HIM this week coming?
: 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of HIS glory. (728 “earnest” [arrhabon] means money which in purchases is given as a pledge or down payment that the full amount will subsequently be paid, first installment, guarantee, deposit, earnest-money, caution-money, or engagement ring)
DEVOTION: Have you ever read the guarantee that you receive from a car dealer? Have you ever read some of the promises that those who sell us a electronic item? There are many promises in this world regarding something is guaranteed until it breaks and then they have an excuse not to honor the guarantee.
God doesn’t work that way. When HE guarantees something HE keeps HIS promise. Here we have a promise of redemption from our sins. HE gives us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee that we will inherit eternal life when we die.
The Holy Spirit indwells every believer from the point of salvation until death or the rapture of believers. The Holy Spirit witnesses with our human spirit that we are children of God.
HE never leaves us alone. IF we sin HE is there to convict us of our sin, so that, we repent and restore our fellowship with God. HE doesn’t leave us to our own ways. Genuine believers fall under the conviction of the Holy Spirit to change their ways every day. HIS goal is to make us more like Jesus Christ while we are here on this earth.
We have been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ and that makes us God’s possession. We are not our own.
CHALLENGE: All we SHOULD do is praise the LORD for HIS purchase of our life. We are here to bring glory to HIM in our every action.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened: that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.(1271 “understanding” [dianoia] means reasoning, intelligence, thinking, deep thought, imagination, or mind)
DEVOTION: Paul explains that all three persons of the Godhead were involved in the salvation of all the Christians in Ephesus. He explains what God the Father does. He explains what Christ did on the cross and afterwards. He explains that the Holy Spirit is our engagement right to show that we are going to be married to the bridegroom Christ. After each explanation he used the phrase “to the praise of the glory of HIS grace.”
After he explains the Godhead’s involvement in their salvation, he tells them that he is praying for them to grow. He is praying for them to realize the power they have available to them through Christ. They have resurrection power available to help them each day as they face their enemy the devil and his angels.
As part of the prayer he wants their eyes to be open to the point that they comprehend the hope they have in Christ. They are to be a people of hope. They are to be a people who spread the gospel to tell others of the hope that can be found in Christ. They have to get their thoughts together around this concept of truth.
He also want them to understand that they have an inheritance in heaven waiting for them. They are the ones who are separated in service to Christ who are called “saints.”
It is hard to see in the dark. We sometimes try to read things in the dark. It doesn’t work. We need light to read. We need light in our minds to comprehend what God is doing in our lives. We sometimes wonder what HE is doing. We sometimes think that we could do things better. We have to open our minds to the thoughts of the Word of God. We need to realize that we are the only ones with hope if we have Christ in our heart. This chapter informs us about the activity of each person of the Godhead in our salvation. Look at the words that are used. It is such a great activity of God to bring salvation to humans.
We have a promise of eternal life in heaven with Christ awaiting us. Are our eyes open? Pray that we can be used of God to help someone have their minds lit up with the truth of the Word of God. We need to spread the hope that is found in Christ.
CHALLENGE: Look up the words that are used in this chapter regarding what each person of the Godhead or Trinity did for us at salvation. We need to at least better comprehend what we have in Christ. It is glorious!
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Paul giving thanksverse 16
Paul praying for the saints of Ephesusverse 16
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Word of truthverse 13
Gospel of salvationverse 13
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Godverse 1
Will of Godverses 1, 9
God our Fatherverse 2
Fatherverses 2, 3
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christverse 3
Chose believers before foundation of worldverse 4
Good pleasure of HIS willverses 5, 9
Praise to the glory of HIS graceverses 6, 12
Mystery of HIS willverse 9
Purposed in HIMSELFverses 9, 11
Counsel of HIS OWN willverse 11
God of our Lord Jesus Christ verse 17
Father of gloryverse 17
Hope of HIS callingverse 18
Riches of the glory of HIS inheritanceverse 18
Exceeding greatness of HIS powerverse 19
Working of HIS mighty powerverse 19
Raised Christ from deadverse 20
Set Christ at HIS OWN right handverse 20
Put all things under Christ’s feetverse 22
Gave Christ to be head of churchverse 22
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Jesusverses 1-3, 5, 15, 17
Christ verses 1-3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 20
Jesus Christverses 1, 5
Christ Jesus verse 1
Lord verses 2, 3, 15, 17
Lord Jesus Christverses 2, 3, 17
Belovedverse 6
HIS bloodverse 7
Trust in Christverse 12
Praise of HIS gloryverse 14
Lord Jesusverse 15
Christ manifested power of Godverse 20
Raised from the deadverse 20
Seating at right hand of Godverse 20
Head over the churchverse 22
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Holy Spiritverse 13
Holy Spirit of promiseverse 13
Earnestverse 14
Spirit of wisdomverse 17
Spirit of revelationverse 17
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Principalityverse 21
Powerverse 21
Mightverse 21
Dominionverse 21
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Ephesusverse 1
Earthverse 10
Worldverse 21
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Sinsverse 7
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Saintsverses 1, 15, 18
Faithfulverse 1
Grace verses 2, 6, 7
Peaceverse 2
Blessed of God the Fatherverse 3
Spiritual blessingsverse 3
Chosenverse 4
Holyverse 4
Without blameverse 4
Loveverses 4, 15
Predestinatedverses 5, 11
Adoptionverse 5
Praiseverses 6, 14
Made us acceptedverse 6
Redemptionverse 7
Forgiveness of sinsverse 7
Wisdomverse 8
Prudenceverse 8
Know the mystery of HIS willverses 9, 17
Inheritanceverses 11, 14, 18
Predestinatedverse 11
Trusted in Christverses 12, 13
Heard gospel of salvationverse 13
Believedverses 13, 19
Sealed with Holy Spiritverse 13
Promisedverse 13
Inheritanceverse 14
Redemptionverse 14
Purchased possessionverse 14
Faithverse 15
Give thanksverse 16
Prayersverse 16
Spirit of wisdom and revelationverse 17
Knowledge of HIMverse 17
Eyes enlightenedverse 18
Hopeverse 18
Richesverse 18
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Church (New Testament people of God)
Paulverse 1
Apostleverse 1
Dispensation of the fullness of timesverse 10
Heard word of truthverse 13
Gospel of your salvationverse 13
Saintsverses 15, 18
Love of all the saintsverse 15
Christ head of the churchverse 22
Church is Christ’s bodyverse 23
Last Things (Future Events)
Heavenly placesverses 3, 20
Heavenverse 10
World which is to comeverse 21
DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org. Also, if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method. Thank you.
QUOTES regarding passage
21 “Far above” (as in 4:10 and Heb 9:5) is not a dimensional expression but simply indicates the superiority of Christ. “Rule” (archē), “authority” (exousia), “power” (dynamis), and “dominion” (kyriotētos) are not to be classified in a graded series nor should we ask whether the ranks are arranged in ascending or descending order. The titles no doubt reflect the various degrees of angels in the Jewish hierarchy. Angels were thought to control human destiny, but Paul sees Christ as controlling them with absolute authority because he is infinitely superior. Paul then proceeds to use a comprehensive phrase (“every title that can be given”) to include not only those names known now by men living on earth but also those that will be used in the age to come. The familiar apocalyptic contrast between the present era and the messianic age was adopted by writers in the early church who nevertheless recognized that for those in Christ the last time had already begun. (Wood, A. S. (1981). Ephesians. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through Philemon (Vol. 11, pp. 30–31). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
(1:21) “Principality” is the translation of archē (ἀρχη), literally “a first one, a leader,” and is used usually to refer to the holy angels or to demons. Here it refers to the former since the exaltation of Christ is in view, not His victory over the hosts of Satan. “Power” is the translation of exousia (ἐξουσια), “delegated authority.” It has reference to the holy angels also. The word “might” is dunamis (δυναμις), “power,” and “dominion” is kuriotēs (κυριοτης), “lordship.” Alford says that “in this enumeration not only earthly, nor only heavenly authorities are meant to be included, but both together. That the evil spirits are included, is therefore manifest.” The words “far above” are the translation of huperanō (ὑπερανω), literally. “over above.”
Of the words, “and every name that is named,” Vincent says: “And has a collective and summary force—and in a word. Every name, etc. Whatever a name can be given to. ‘Let any name be uttered, whatever it is, Christ is above it; it is more exalted than that which the name uttered affirms’ (Meyer). Compare Phil. 2:9. ‘We know that the emperor precedes all, though we cannot enumerate all the ministers of his court: so we know that Christ is placed above all, although we cannot name all’ (Bengal).”
The word “world” is, not kosmos (κοσμος), “the created universe,” but aiōn (αἰων), “age”; it speaks of duration; it speaks of this present state of things, and in the words, “but also in that which is to come,” of the future state of things. (Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Eph 1:19–21). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.)
1:19–23. The third fact Paul wanted believers to know pertains to the present time: His incomparably great power for us who believe. The word “power” (dynamis; cf. 3:20) means a spiritually dynamic and living force. This power of God is directed toward believers. Paul then used three additional words to describe God’s power. It is according to the working (energeian, “energetic power,” from which comes the Eng. “energy”) of the might (kratous, “power that overcomes resistance,” as in Christ’s miracles; this word is used only of God, never of believers) of God’s inherent strength (ischyos) which He provides (cf. 6:10; 1 Peter 4:11). This magnificent accumulation of words for power underscores the magnitude of God’s “great power” available to Christians.
Then Paul mentioned three manifestations of God’s power which are seen in Christ (Eph. 1:20–23). First, this energetic power was exerted (enērgēken) in Christ when God raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms. God’s energetic power which resurrected and exalted Christ in the past (cf. Rom. 8:34; Eph. 2:6; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3; 8:1; 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22) is the same power available to believers in the present (cf. Phil. 3:10). What an amazing source of spiritual vitality, power, and strength for living the Christian life! (cf. Col. 1:11) Christ’s Ascension to the right hand of God involves His being exalted above every order of authority (cf. Col. 1:16), human and superhuman (cf. Phil. 2:8–11), whether present (in the present Age) or future (the Age to come; cf. 1 Cor. 15:23–28). The words rule and authority, power and dominion may refer primarily to angelic beings (cf. Rom. 8:38; Eph. 3:10; 6:12; Col. 1:16; 2:15; Titus 3:1).
A second manifestation of God’s power in Christ is seen in His placing all things under Christ’s feet. Whereas Adam lost his headship over Creation when he sinned, Christ was made Head over all Creation (cf. Eph. 1:10). This will be fully realized in the future (Ps. 8:6; 1 Cor. 15:27; Heb. 2:6–8).
The third manifestation of God’s power in Christ is His appointment of Christ as Head over … the church. Though the final manifestation of Christ’s headship over all Creation will be in the future, He is now Head over the fellowship of believers. He is also called the church’s “Head” in Ephesians 4:15; 5:23; and Colossians 1:18. Though the church is implied in Ephesians 1:10, it is specifically mentioned for the first time in Ephesians in verse 22b. The church is His body (v. 23; cf. 4:4, 15–16; Col. 1:18). His body, the universal church consisting of all believers, is the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way. The meaning of this description of His body is difficult to determine. The verb “fills” can be taken passively, meaning that Christ, the Head of the body, is filled by the church. That is, as the church grows it completes Christ. However, it is better to understand the word “fills” as in the Greek middle voice: Christ, the Head of the body, fills (for Himself) the church with blessings. The verse could then be rendered, “which is His body, which is being filled by the One who fills all things with all things (blessings).” This interpretation is preferred for these reasons: (1) Nowhere else does the New Testament state that Christ finds fullness from the church. (2) This view fits the context well because the Persons of the Godhead are completing the actions (cf. Eph. 1:10). (3) This view correlates well with 4:10–11 which speaks of Christ giving all things (“the whole universe” is lit., “all things”), namely, gifted people to the church.
This ends Paul’s prayer. After demonstrating that believers have all spiritual blessings (1:3–14), Paul prayed that believers would come to know God intimately (v. 17) in order that they might know three facts: (1) the past call of salvation that produced hope (v. 18), (2) the future inheritance that God has in His saints (v. 18), and (3) the present power of God that is available to believers, which (a) was manifested in the past in Christ’s resurrection and Ascension, (b) will be manifested in the future in Christ’s headship over Creation, and (c) is presently manifested in Christ’s headship over the church. (Hoehner, H. W. (1985). Ephesians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 620–621). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
1:21 Paul wanted believers to comprehend the greatness of God compared to other heavenly beings. “Rule and authority and power and dominion” were traditional Jewish terms to designate angelic beings having a high rank among God’s hosts. God is above them all (cf. Rev 20:10–15). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Eph 1:21). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 21. Far above all principality and power, &c.] Good angels and bad angels, and civil magistrates, who also may be intended by the following words: and might and dominion; good angels may be so called, because of their employment under God in the affairs of Providence, and the government of this world; and Christ is not only above them, as he is God, being their Creator, who has made them, and on whom they depend, and is the Lord whom they serve, and is the object of their worship and adoration, and as he is Mediator, to whom they minister, and so is above them in nature, name, and office; but also as he is man, in union with the son of God; and chiefly he here is said to be above them on account of place, being at the right hand of God, where they are not, Heb. 1:13. And evil angels may be so called, because of the government which subsists among themselves, and the power and influence they have over mankind; Christ was above them when here on earth, as appears by his resisting the temptations of Satan, and defeating him in them; by his dispossessing devils from the bodies of men; by his spoiling and destroying them and their works at his death; and by his leading them captive, and triumphing over them at his ascension; and by delivering souls out of his hands at conversion, through his power attending the ministration of his Gospel; and his being above them will still be more manifest, in the binding of Satan a thousand years, and in the final condemnation of him, and of all his angels under him: civil magistrates are sometimes called by these names, and Christ is above them; they receive their governments from him, they rule by him, and are accountable to him, and are set up and put down at his pleasure; all these senses may be taken in; but the first seems chiefly designed: ’tis added, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; persons of authority and dignity, of fame and renown, whether in earth or heaven; as emperors, kings, princes, nobles, generals of armies, &c. in this world, and cherubim, seraphim, &c. in the other world: this phrase denotes both the extensiveness of Christ’s kingdom, and the eternity of it; as reaching to both worlds, and being over everything in them, and as lasting to the end of this, and unto that which is to come. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 3, p. 68). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READING:
Matthew records Jesus’ miraculous conception and birth.
INSIGHT
The birth of Jesus splits time and space like a lightning bolt in a hot July sky. The stage is set for the most important event in history. It has been planned before the foundation of the world. It is promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. The prophets have heralded it, the people long for it, and the culture is ripe for it.
The Messiah is coming to establish His kingdom. More importantly, He is coming to effect a new relationship between God and man.
Jesus is not just another world leader. He is God in the flesh. God, who has previously made Himself known through a nation, and through a law, is now coming to make Himself known through a man, a God-man, Jesus. Quiet Walk)
OUR SAVIOR PRAYS FOR US
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. John 17:9
Our Lord prays for His followers here. Some would put it as strongly as to say that He pleads for them; He does not merely make requests—He produces arguments and makes statements. This is a point that we must surely observe, for it is of great value to us. It reminds us that God’s omniscience is no reason for our not telling Him things that He already knows.
You must have often found yourself facing a particular difficulty or situation. You feel that because God knows everything, there is no point in telling Him anything about it. God knows our need, He knows all about us before we get on our knees to pray; so why then do we need to tell Him anything? What seems to be the obvious conclusion to that thought is that there is no need to pray at all: If God knows all about us, why not let things take their course and all will be well.
Now the answer to that is what we find in John 17. Our Lord knew, in a way we can never know, about God’s omniscience, His perfect and complete knowledge, and yet He told His Father certain things about those disciples, things that God knew already. He prayed about them and repeated them, and, of course, that is characteristic of Bible prayers everywhere—not only the prayers of our Lord but also those of the apostles and of the saints of the Old Testament. This is something that is wonderful the moment you begin to contemplate it. God after all desires us to think of Him as our Father. It is a kind of anthropomorphism; God is stooping to our weakness.
So when we come into the presence of God with our requests and our petitions, let us never fear to bring the details, for nothing is too small for God’s loving care and attention.
A Thought to Ponder: God’s omniscience is no reason for our not telling Him things that He already knows. (From Safe in the World pp. 9-10, by Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Signs and Seasons, Days and Years
“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.” (Genesis 1:14)
The subject of “time” is enigmatic. Everyone seems to know what is meant by time, but no one can define it. We may complain about time going too slow or too fast, but time doesn’t go anywhere. But neither does it “stand still.”
At least we can measure time intervals—seconds, hours, centuries, etc. This is because of God’s gracious forethought in providing means for doing this. He was not a “blind watchmaker,” as some evolutionists have called Him. He actually created time “in the beginning” (Genesis 1:1).
Then He set the sun and the moon in the sky, and made the earth to assume a global shape and to rotate on an axis, making the measurement of time in “days” possible. Next He placed stars in the far heavens in various locations and combinations and the earth to orbit around the sun, enabling us to tell how many “days” make up a “year.” Then, once the earth’s rotational axis was “tilted,” that made “seasons” measurable. So we can at least identify time durations in days and years with their seasons, and we can subdivide or combine these in whatever ways we find convenient (minutes, decades, summer, winter, etc.).
But what about the “signs”? Although this is a controversial question, certain ancient Jewish scholars believed that God named the stars and their groupings (Isaiah 40:26; Job 38:31-32; etc.) and then revealed their prophetic meanings to patriarchs Seth and Enoch in order to record His great plan and purpose in creation permanently in the heavens. If so, it is no longer needed, since the written Word of God, “for ever… settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89), has now been transmitted “unto the fathers by the prophets” (Hebrews 1:1) and “shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
Instead of talking about the weather, sports, and local politics, we need to talk about how things are going with them spiritually and how we can be praying for them. (p. 18)
As we shall see we are not in the position of leadership because we are chosen by a congregational vote; we are in this position because of God’s sovereign appointment as HE guided the church in our selection to serve as leaders. As long as we are in this position, we must seek to fulfill these responsibilities with faithfulness and integrity so that God can and will accomplish HIS purpose in the church through HIS guidance in and through us. (p. 20, Developing Leaders for the Small Church by Glenn C. Daman)
Visit our Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.