hanks

2. Why has Joseph been a secret disciple, do you think? Why does he come forward now when identifying with Jesus can only hurt his standing with his peers? I think Joseph had secretly been a disciple of Jesus, because if he openly admitted this, he would have faced drastic consequences. He must have been fearful of the Jewish leaders knowing these consequences, which would have included being dismissed from the Sanhedrin, and not only from their council but even from the synagogue (John 9:22). I feel that if the centurion, who most probably was a Gentile, had come to the decision that Jesus was innocent and a righteous man, this would have been also extra confirmation for Joseph, who was a disciple of Jesus, that Jesus was the Messiah. Combined with the love of Jesus and the support of Nicodemus (John 19:39), Joseph became very courageous, and had a change of heart. He goes to Pilate and requests the body of Jesus. Mark 15:43 stresses the boldness of the act.

1. What do we learn about Joseph of Arimathea? What kind of character does he possess? Combining information from the 4 gospels. Up to now, Joseph had been a secret disciple of the Lord Jesus – waiting for the kingdom of God. He was a rich man who lived in the Judean town of Arimathea - a good and righteous man. A distinguished, highly respected, prominent member of the Sanhedrin, who did not agree with their hatred of Jesus and them wanting Him dead. His fear of the Jews must have kept him from confessing Christ openly. But now he has a change of heart, and boldly went to Pilate requesting permission to bury our Lord. By this action he shows that he now insists on being openly counted on the side of the disciples of Jesus, and that he will no longer be merely a secret disciple. In doing this he took the risk of exposing himself to excommunication, persecution, and violence. Pilate granted permission and Joseph lovingly embalmed the body by wrapping it in a clean linen cloth and then he placed it in his own new tomb, carved out of solid rock. Finally, rolling a big stone in front of the entrance.

Q13. (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? How do we, by our absence, withhold this blessing from others? When we neglect to be an active part of a local congregation we miss out being a part of the body of Christ. No relationship could be closer than that of the head and the body; Christ and the church. They are one in vital union and indwelt by one Spirit. The church is a company of people saved by grace, and given the unique privilege of being the body of Christ. It is in the church that we work together doing Jesus’ work on earth, glorifying our heavenly Father. By our absence we withhold others from blessings that our Lord has given the church as a whole to share.

Q12. (Ephesians 1:20-22) Why do we so often take a "pass" when it comes to spiritual warfare? 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? Why do we tend to feel powerless in the face of spiritual enemies? What was Paul assuring the Ephesians of? What does this encourage us to do? We are in Christ, and God made our Lord Jesus King over every power that there is. In the heavenlies there are different angelic beings, some evil and some good. No matter how great their rule, authority, power, and dominion might be, Christ is far above them. Jesus rules in heaven as King. He rules over all people. He rules over all nations. He rules over all spirits, both good and evil. We cannot take part in anything spiritual by relying on our own strength; we need Jesus. Paul assures us that Christ's resurrection and glorification were a shattering defeat for Satan and his allies and a glorious spectacle of victorious power. We are encouraged to partake in this victory, while still on earth, by spreading the Good News.

Q11. (Ephesians 1:19) Why are we powerless sometimes? Is it an inadequacy with the source or with our faith? Why do some congregations and movements produce disciples with miracle-believing faith and others produce disciples with wimpy faith? How can this be changed? It is only when we totally trust God in our life, and choose to obey His Word that God will manifest His power in our lives. It is our lack of faith, and the unforgiving sin in our lives that withholds this power. We have to keep focused on our Lord Jesus, repent and confess our sins continuously, study the Word, pray, and let the Holy Spirit transform us daily into the likeness of Jesus. I believe if we try to do things in our own power we will fail miserably.

Q10. (Ephesians 1:18c) If you knew that in a few years you would inherit $10 million, would it affect your life now? How should our expectation of an inheritance in God's presence temper our present-day concerns? Since this inheritance will be shared with "the saints" - our Christian family - how should that affect our fellowship with them? I would be scared that it might corrupt me. It could cause me to take my focus off Jesus; for it is not possible to live for things and for God at the same time. I’ve seen the effect riches has on my family and my friends. This sudden wealth brings with it more problems than answers. I could start worrying about how to invest it, and what to do to preserve the capital amount. On top of this I could start planning and worrying about how to spend the interest! Another thing that often occurs is greed; when is enough - enough? The **** for more is stimulated. Instead of being content with the windfall; no, most want to double the amount in a specific period, like say 3 years. There will also be family problems who want a share of the money, causing all sorts of family divisions. Where our treasure is, there our heart is also. No, the Bible is right – one cannot serve two masters. "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money" (Luke 16:13). However, the inheritance God promises us is totally different. It is an unlimited amount of wealth, not a miserly $10 million; and it will be ours to share with our Christian family for all eternity! Praise our heavenly Father.

Q9. (Ephesians 1:18b) What do we Christians have to look forward to? How should this hope be a major motivation in our present-day lives? How should this hope affect our decisions and our lifestyle? How does our great hope differ from the hope of the average non-believer? What a glorious future we have to look forward to! To think that we shall be with Christ and be like Him forever and also we shall be sons of God and reign with Him forever! Since the whole universe is under the reign of Christ we will therefore also inherit it all. We hope for this, not in the sense that there is any doubt about it, but we know this is what God has promised us. If we really appreciate the wealth of the glory of all He has in store for us, it will turn us away from the attractions and pleasures of this world, which only corrupt. Unlike us, unbelievers are without hope (Eph 2:12; 1Th 4:13). We have Christ who is our hope, and at His second coming this hope of glory will be fulfilled.

Q8. (Ephesians 1:13-14) These verses contain two analogies: (1) seal and (2) down payment, 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 the term occurs when we become citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20-21). As soon as we believe we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, that is we belong to God and that we will be kept safe by God until the time we receive our glorified bodies. The indwelling Spirit brands us as God's property (1 Cor 6:19-20), and guarantees that all God’s promises will be fulfilled. The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance, and is a down payment, or deposit, promising that the full amount will be paid. The Holy Spirit also begins to reveal to us some of the riches that are ours in Christ, giving us a foretaste of the coming glory. These verses show us what a mighty and loving God we serve!

Q7. (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 fulfil this purpose? How does this purpose relate to Matthew 5:13-16? The purpose for our lives is to bring praise and glory to our heavenly Father. We bring honour and glory to Him by the way we live, by living a life in obedience to His commands. “I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). To fulfil this purpose, we need to reflect Jesus Christ; people must be able to see the Lord Jesus in our actions. We are to be like salt creating a thirst for greater knowledge of our Lord, to tell the world the Good News of Christ. At the same time, we are to be seen a preservative against the evils of society. As a light we are to shine and give direction, radiating love and pointing others to the proper path (Matthew 5:16).

Q6. (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? Extra Credit: How does this verse relate to 1 Corinthians 15:24-28? In God’s time, literally everything, things in heaven, things on earth, everything spiritual and everything material, will be brought under Christ's rule. Most people do not know this now, but at the right time everyone will understand this, and on that day, “...at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). Jesus is Creator God..."For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him by His service, intervention, and in and for Him. And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist and are held together” (Col 1:16 -17). He will unite all things which until that time have been in disarray and disunity. Before this we note that much of His creation has been at war with Him and opposed to Him through the fall of man. God has placed all authority and power in Jesus’ hands. As we read in 1 Corinthians 15:24-28, Jesus will eventually bring everything into subjection, and He will then hand the kingdom back, in a perfect condition, to our Heavenly Father.

Q5. (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? It is through our Lord Jesus Christ that I have been redeemed, set free from the slavery to sin (Romans 6:6-7). He is the Redeemer; “in Him we have redemption” (1:7). It involves the purchase of a slave from their former master (sin) so that they are free to serve God (Romans 6:22). This Jesus did on the cross, it is through His shed blood that He paid the ransom price (Matthew 20:28). Not only has my penalty been paid, but sin's stranglehold on my life has been broken, I’m no longer a helpless captive of sin. If I hadn’t been redeemed, I can only imagine living a life in the grip of sin, bound to the power of Satan, and the world (Col 1:13-14). It would all end up with me suffering the wrath of God and not spending eternity with Him. I realise that I’ve been bought at such a tremendous cost, and that I no longer belong to myself, and can therefore no longer live my life the way I choose. I now live in obedience to my Lord.

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? Our heavenly Father not only saved us but He adopted us into His family as sons/daughters. Once we put our trust in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, God adopts us into His family (Gal 3:26-27). Also, in John 1:12b we read: “to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” Because of His boundless love we are set apart to be His own sons/daughters, giving us not only a new name, a new legal standing, and a new family-relationship, but also a new image, the image of Christ His Son. Our union with Jesus Christ His Son, makes adoption an apt illustration of us being His adopted sons/daughters. This concept of adoption is most encouraging in that we are given the same rights as a child who is born into that family. He could have saved us without making us His sons, but He chose to do both; we now are members of His family, having the same privileges and responsibilities as a naturally-born son/daughter!

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 set apart for God, and to be used for serving and/or worshipping Him. Having been washed in the blood of Christ, having been clothed in His righteousness, God looks upon me as blameless, without fault, above reproach, freed and cleansed from all sin. This does not mean sinless perfection, for there is still the process of sanctification and glorification to be completed before spiritual maturity.

Q2. (Ephesians 1:4-5) What is scary about predestination? What is comforting? Why does Paul bring up predestination? Why do you think he is praising God for it in the "hearing" of the Ephesians? The scary part is that if I had been left alone to do my thing, I would have been lost to eternity. The comforting part is that God, in love, adopted me as His son through Jesus Christ. Words of gratitude fail me. I cannot even begin to try to express my thanks for His wonderful love! Paul brings up predestination to make us aware of the fact that God "chose us" in other words, our salvation depends totally on God, and we are not saved because we deserve it but because God is gracious and merciful. We did not influence God's decision to save us; He saved us according to His plan. Paul starts by telling us about God’s plan, and acknowledges God’s blessings of grace and wants us to realize God’s active role in our salvation from eternity past through time and on into eternity future.

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? At the time of our salvation, we enter into a spiritual union with Jesus Christ. We are in Christ, Christ is in us, we are like Christ, and we are with Christ. For me to be “in Christ” means that God, the Father no longer looks upon me as being a condemned sinner, but sees me as being holy, chosen, forgiven, and as one of His adopted sons. Being united to Christ by faith I receive all spiritual blessings from my heavenly Father through my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and is empowered by the Holy Spirit. All these spiritual blessings are in Christ; He earned them for us through His finished work on the Cross. They are all available through Him. Everything that God has for us as believers are in the Lord Jesus, and to receive these blessings, we must be in Christ. Positionally I’m perfect in God’s eyes but practically there is much work to be done. The implication of this for my life, is that the process of sanctification, growth, and increasing Christlikeness carries on until my death, and which only will be perfected in heaven.

7. What does Jesus intend for us disciples to learn from this passage, do you think? I think Jesus’ death on the cross proves that God loves us, and this is what Jesus wants us to learn. His death reminds me of Romans 5:6-8: “… when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, … But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. When we were God’s enemies, when we were ungodly, when we were undeserving, when we were under condemnation, Christ died for us. Jesus’ work was done at the perfect time in God’s plan: when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son (Gal 4:4). We were without strength, unable to save ourselves, powerless and lost; in this condition at the appointed time, Christ died for us. This is really divine sovereign love! This is the supreme sacrifice, and a demonstration of love that is without parallel.

6. Why is faith so important during the dark chapters of our lives? What does it take to shake off the numbness and depression and take hold of that faith once more? It is during the dark chapters of our lives that we need more and more faith to depend and function on His promises. During these times of hardship, we have to trust God’s purposes, even when we have no idea what these purposes are. It is only by trusting Him fully that we can shake off the numbness and depression that might take hold of us. We are to trust Him not only for our salvation but also for direction in our lives. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Prov 3:5). It must be a full commitment of ourselves - spirit, soul, and body - to the LORD. Next, we must acknowledge that we do not always know what is best for us. We must be aware of God’s superior knowledge, and think things through in submission to His will. “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Prov 3:6). We are to think about Him in all our ways, and He will guide us on the right paths. If we can manage to turn every area of our lives over to His control, we will find that God will direct our paths. This may be done through His Word, through the advice of godly Christians, through the interconnection of circumstances, through the inward peace of the Spirit, or through a combination of these. Then of course there is always a back-up verse: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28). There are two parts to this verse. The first part tells us what God will do in working all things for our good. The last part gives us our responsibility - to love Him and be true to His purposes in our lives. I like what R.J. Morgan writes: “It’s God’s darkroom in which negatives become positive. It’s His situation-reversal machine in which heartaches are changed into hallelujahs. It is the foundation of hope and a fountainhead of confidence. Even our failures can become enriching, and our sins can be redeemed. Even death itself becomes a blessing for the child of God”.

5. What would you have felt like had you witnessed Jesus' crucifixion - if you didn't know the next chapter in the story? I would probably have seen everything the centurion had, and I could easily have come to the same decision/conclusion as he did, declaring Jesus innocent and a righteous man. Added to this would be feelings of disgust, shock, distress, and sorrow, especially remembering I’m a softy and not a soldier. The behaviour of Jesus, including His words of trust in the heavenly Father and His forgiveness toward men, would have had a great impact on me. Add to Jesus’ crucifixion all the other occurrences, the three hours of darkness, the torn curtain in the temple, and then those recorded in Matthew: the earthquake, the splitting of the rocks, the opening of graves. Great sadness, fear, total confusion, and uncertainty about the future.

4. What did the centurion see in Jesus' last hours that caused him to declare Jesus innocent, a righteous man? (Luke 23:47) The centurion must have noticed the way Jesus had been conducting Himself during the pain He was suffering and all the wicked taunts and mockeries He suffered. He must have heard the way Jesus with infinite love and mercy had asked His Father to forgive them, and he must also have noticed that in Jesus there was no resentment, no anger, and no desire for punishment upon all those that were blaspheming and mistreating Him. I can imagine that he was in all likelihood not a Jew and that he had not been brain-washed by all the Jewish leaders in rejecting the Messiah. He must have seen the sign above Jesus which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS, and been through the three hours of darkness. Both of which must have given him much food for thought. So, he began to praise God, saying, “Surely, this was a righteous man”; probably meaning that he glorified God by acknowledging the righteousness of Jesus. In Matt 27:54 he says "Surely he was the Son of God!" In Mark 15:39 he says "Surely this man was the Son of God!" All proclaiming Jesus to be both God's Son and a righteous man.

3. What does Jesus mean when He says, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit"? (Luke 23:46) Why does this saying comfort us so much? Jesus making use of the words found in Psalm 31:5 entrusts His soul to the care of His Father. “Into Your hands I commit My spirit”, Jesus spoke these words in a loud voice indicating that He willingly, voluntarily laid down His life. This was the only kind of death that was able to satisfy the justice of God and to save mankind. Jesus had said in John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep”; Jesus dies for those who had been given to Him by the Father, for the children of God, for true believers. Again, in John 10:15 Jesus repeats “Just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father - and I lay down My life for the sheep”. He is strong. He is triumphant. He said no one takes My life from Me. I lay it down on My own initiative. Jesus acknowledges His own, His true disciples, and they acknowledge Him, as their Lord. We can draw comfort from this knowing that just like Jesus who put His trust in His Father, was taken home. We, too, if we belong to Him through faith in His name, can be assured that after we have died we shall wake up in the arms of our loving heavenly Father. We are safe for all eternity in both Jesus’ hands and our Heavenly Father’s hands (John 10:28-29).

2. What is the meaning of the curtain of the temple being torn in two? (Luke 23:45b) I think the meaning is that through the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, a way has been opened for us to come directly to God in faith. There is no more need to come to God through priests, sacrifices or ceremonies, since we have Jesus who acts as our mediator (1 Tim 2:5). And this reminds me of the wonderful verse Hebrews 4:16 which tells us we can now approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Direct access: Jesus, our great high priest, has gone through the heavens before us, opening the door into the throne room of the universe. A throne of grace, not of judgment or condemnation. Mercy is God’s attitude of forgiveness in not giving us what we do deserve. Grace is His attitude of blessing and benevolence in giving us what we do not deserve.

1. What does the darkness at Jesus' crucifixion represent, do you think? (Luke 23:44-45a) It was during these three hours of darkness that Jesus bore the penalty of our sins in His body on the cross. Being infinite, He was able to absorb in these three hours, all the punishment of eternal hell for all who will ever believe. On the cross the sins of the world were poured out on the sinless, perfect Son of God. By His death, Jesus has set us free from the bondage of sin, so that we are dead to sin and alive to God in Christ (1 Pet 2:24). Although He never sinned, God treated Him as a sinner (2 Cor 5:21) so that Christ could make us acceptable to God. He was wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities (Isa 53:5). I think that to mark this act of immense divine judgment God brought upon the nation/earth supernatural darkness that lasted for 3 hours. This darkness was a symbolic display of the heinousness of the crime committed – there was no excuse for their sin in crucifying Him, even when these wicked men acted in accordance with the pre-planned will of God; of the blackness, darkness, and blindness of men’s hearts; of the emptiness and darkness of Judaism – without Christ, without faith, and without life; of the darkness that engulfed our Lord and Saviour as He was made sin for us.

7.What are we disciples supposed to learn from this strange exchange on the crosses above our heads? What does Jesus intend us to get out of this? To me the most important lesson I get from this study is that faith alone saves. As I mentioned earlier, this teaches us that salvation is by grace through faith alone. Faith alone in Christ alone - nothing more, nothing less. This is so stunning. Salvation is so clearly by grace through faith, not of works. When a sinner realises they are lost, they are helpless, they are hopeless, they are hell-bound; there is only one thing left for them to do and that is to repent and put their faith in Christ as Lord and Saviour. "Lord, remember me. Have mercy upon me." It is the only thing left for them to do. As Paul said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31a). The gospel is so simple, and that is what offends people because it does away with our pride and power. The Cross affords no possibility of pride in earning salvation, and no potential for power in manipulating one's way into the kingdom.

6. What are the elements of Jesus' promise to the thief in 23:43? The thief had asked Jesus to “remember me when You come into Your Kingdom" (23:42). Having repented of his sin, having confessed Christ, having trusted Jesus’ power and will to save him; he now asked to be remembered one day. Imagine his surprise when Jesus replied, “Today you will be with Me in paradise” (23:43). He was promised that he would be with Christ that same day; no need to wait for our Lord’ Second Coming. The promise is that as soon as he dies, he will join Jesus in paradise, that place of eternal bliss and rest (2 Cor 12:4, Rev 2:7), a reference to the intermediate state (2 Cor 5:1–8; Phil 1:23). Nothing but joy and glory and the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ - full reconciliation, full Son-ship, full riches, full resources.

5. How do you think the thief's request make Jesus feel? From a previous lesson in Luke (15:10), we know that there is great rejoicing in heaven over every sinner who repents. Jesus is pleased when sinners repent; we don’t often think of God as rejoicing, but this passage tells us that He does. A person has come home to God; a person has been saved – and saved for all eternity. Their heavenly Father, has brought these people to Himself, transformed them, washed away their sins in the blood of Christ, and adopted them as His children. In the morning the thief was nailed to a cross – in the evening he was wearing a crown. In the morning he was an enemy of Caesar - in the evening he was a friend of God. In the morning he was spurned by men - in the evening he was fellowshipping with angels. In the morning he died as a criminal on earth – in the evening he lived as a citizen of heaven. This teaches us that salvation is by grace through faith alone. Faith alone in Christ alone - nothing more, nothing less.