Commissioned

Q2. "Saved" has become Christian jargon. How can you "translate" this word into modern speech so people can understand what it really means and why they need it? In modern vernacular to be saved means to be 'set free, liberate, emancipate, rescue,' those words that tell the hearer that they are no longer bound to the slavery of sin; now they can walk in freedom - enter a new walk.

Q1. Why is it so hard for us to understand grace? We've heard it so many times, 'nothing in this life is free.' And we believe it. What commonly held life principle does it demolish? The life principle that in order for you to receive anything worthwhile, you have to earn it. Translate the word "grace" into language a 10-year-old child would understand. "Honey, again you disobeyed me, but I saw this doll and I know you'd love adding it to your collection, so I bought it for you. I love you."

Q5. (Ephesians 1:22-23) When we neglect to be an active part of a local congregation, what particular blessings do we miss out on according to Paul in this verse? We miss out being under His headship. How do we, by our absence, withhold this blessing from others? When we are absent from the body, we allow the completeness of the body to be flawed. God has placed us all in the body for a specific, special, purpose. When we're not in place, we rob the body of a blessing that our gifting brings.

Q4. (Ephesians 1:20-22) Why do we so often take a "pass" when it comes to spiritual warfare? We take a pass when it comes to spiritual warfare because we lack understanding of the power we have over demonic forces. Why is Christ's exaltation, demonstration of complete victory, and superior rank over all spiritual powers important enough for Paul to mention it to his readers? It is important for believers to know that they too have been given authority over every firey dart that the devil can throw our way. Why do we tend to feel powerless in the face of spiritual enemies? In the face of spiritual enemies we tend to feel powerless when we fail to keep ourselves nourished on the word of God and when we fail to keep in communion with our Heavenly Father. What was Paul assuring the Ephesians of? Paul assured the Ephesians that in the face of persecution they can stand firm and be victorious, because they have the power to fight the enemy. What does this encourage us to do? In light of all this, we should always remember the power we have working on our behalf, power over Satan and sin. We need not feel powerless when temptations come our way. "No, in all things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. (Rom. 8:37)

Q3. (Ephesians 1:18d) Why are we powerless sometimes? We are powerless when we operate in the flesh. If our spirit is in communion with our counsellor, teacher and guide, we'd remember the power we have been given. Is it an inadequacy with the source or with our faith? The inadequacy is with our faith. We vacillate in and out of believing that we have the dunamis power that Jesus said we have. In John 14:12 he tells us: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to My Father." We have been given the power to do great works. We just need to use it. Why do some congregations and movements produce disciples with miracle-believing faith and others produce disciples with wimpy faith? How can this be changed? Congregrations that produce disciples with miracle-believing faith put into practice what they believe. When miracles happen they are inspired to trust God for others. For a change to come for those "disciples with wimpy faith," as Paul prayed for the Ephesians, so must we pray for each other, so that the power that God has given to us would not lay dormant; but that we would do the work He has sent us to do.

Q2. (Ephesians 1:18c) If you knew that in a few years you would inherit $10 million, would it affect your life now? Yes, it would. My living standard would reflect what I know I stand to inherit. How should our expectation of an inheritance in God's presence temper our present-day concerns? Knowing that our inheritance if eternal and not of this material world we should wear this world as a loose garment. Since this inheritance will be shared with "the saints" -- our Christian family -- how should that affect our fellowship with them? In this life we should live as one. When Jesus was leaving He told the disciples to love one another and prayed to the Father that we would all be one and that we fellowship together in unity. As brothers and sisters, we are all one in Christ, our oneness should be reflected in the way we treat each other.

Q1. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? As Christian we have

Q4. (Ephesians 2:6) What does it mean that we are seated with Christ in "the heavenly realms"? To be

Q3. (Ephesians 1:4-5) In verses 4 and 5, which words describe God's motivation and character? In verses 4 and 5, God

Q2. (Ephesians 2:1-3) Few people would knowingly follow Satan. How can people unwittingly follow Satan? People unwittingly follow Satan when they are unaware of God

Q1. (Ephesians 2:1-3) In what sense are our non-believing friends, neighbors, and relatives "dead"? Our non-believing friends, neighbors and relatives are

Q4. (1:13-14) These verses contain two analogies: (1) seal and (2) downpayment, with the balance to be paid in a lump sum at the end of the term. When does the "end of the term" occur? How do these analogies help explain how the Holy Spirit functions in our lives? The "end of term" occurs when Jesus comes for His Bride to present her to the Father. Then we will be forever with the Lord. Until then the Holy Spirit abides with us, indeed, He dwells in us and will guide us into all truth as He speaks to us from the Father (John 16:13) The work of the Holy Spirit in the Church ends when Christ returns for the Church.

Q3. (Ephesians 1:11-12) According to verses 11 and 12, what is God's purpose for our lives? What do we need to do to fulfill this purpose? God's purpose for our lives is to be fulfilled according to His will which he has predestined for us. In order for us to fulfill this purpose we must trust our lives entirely to Him and as He Will our lives will bring glory to Him. How does this purpose relate to Matthew 5:13-16? God is glorified when we walk in His will to bring light to this darken world so that the lost and dying can see the light and find their way to Christ. The light that shineth in us is Christ Himself. As men surrender their lives to Christ, God is glorified.

Q2. (Ephesians 1:9-10) What is the significance that all things will be brought under one head -- Christ himself? How does this relate to the Creator? What does it say about unity? When all things are brought under one head -- Christ Himself; the world will once again be under the Lordship of the Creator. Once again, as it was in the beginning before sin, there will be unity among every living thing; as they all are submitted to the Lordship of Christ Himself. How does this verse relate to 1 Corinthians 15:24-28? When the last battle is won, Christ our Savior will present His Bride the Church to Father God under whose authority all things were put under Christ.

Q1. (Ephesians 1:7) In what sense have you been "redeemed" from slavery? What do you think your life up to now would have been like, if you hadn't been redeemed? What would your future be like without redemption, do you think? Before I accepted the gift of redemption I was a slave to sin. Having a good time, drinking alcohol -- stupidly, smoking cigarettes, going to nightclubs and parties as often as I can; they all had a stronghold on me. Truly, I was a slave to "peer pressure." Why peer pressure? The need to be accepted by, who I thought was the "in crowd," caused me to do those things that I listed above. I wanted to be the one everybody wanted to hang with. A slave to sin, a road to destruction. At the rate I was going, if I had not been redeemed I probably would be living a miserable existence. Thank God, I no longer desire to do those things I once craved. The death sentence is removed, I am alive and will live to the glory of God. I hate to think what my future would be like without redemption.

Q4. (Ephesians 1:5-6) Why is adoption a particularly apt illustration of God's relationship with us? Why is the concept of adoption encouraging to us? I am not personally acquainted with an adopted child, but, I can assume that children waiting to be adopted are especially happy knowing that out of all those waiting to be adopted the parents chose them. Indeed, this must make that child feel very special and the parents equally honored for having the opportunity to select a child. The apostle Paul in chosing this illustration wanted to stress the fact that, those in Christ, who were once filthy and steeped in sin are - now - according to God's good pleasure equal with Christ. No matter what we were before coming to Christ we can be encouraged that, that was the past, now in Christ we are heirs with Him.

Q3. (Ephesians 1:4) What does it mean to be "holy"? In what sense can you stand "blameless" before God? To be "holy" means to be "separated unto God." I have chozen to give my life to God. Though I am in this world I am not of this world. Daily, I seek to know how He will use me to bring glory to Him. I stand "blameless" before God because I've accepted Christ's death on the cross as payment for my sins. Now my sins are forgiven and I stand before God clean.

Q2. (Ephesians 1:4-5) What is scary about predestination? What is comforting? Why does Paul bring up predestination? Why do you think he praising God for it in the "hearing" of the Ephesians? What is scary about predestination? Nothing. One is only afraid when they do not having a clear understanding of its meaning in this context. God always had a plan for the salvation of man. It is comforting to know that God has given, all people, the opportunity to be a part of His Church, the body of believers who will one day reign with him. Paul, in writing to the Ephesians brought a comforting word. He wanted them to know that even though they were Gentiles, they had every right to redemption and all the blessings of God in Christ as the Jews. And now, Paul gives God thanks that he can proclaim this truth to the Gentiles.

Q1. (Ephesians 1:3) What does it mean to you to be "in Christ" -- incorporated into Christ? What are the implications of this for your life? To be