Why It Matters //

It's important that our ultimate trust and faith is in Jesus alone. God has given all authority to Jesus, and he sits at the right hand of God. As we navigate through life, it’s important that we do not look to the government or society to find peace. God rules above every earthly authority and our only hope is in Jesus.

What It's Talking About // 

Paul wrote this letter around AD 60, and it could have been a circular letter, intended for many of the churches in the area. Ephesus was a center for commerce and it hosted the statue of the  pagan goddess Diana, which speaks of it’s spiritual condition. Paul spent a number of years evangelizing to the Ephesians, and the church grew rapidly, but not without fault. In this letter Paul encourages his readers to gain deeper understanding into the dimensions of God’s eternal purpose and grace.

Ephesians 1:11-23 NIV

11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 

12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 

13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 

14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 

16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 

17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 

18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 

19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 

20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 

21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 

22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 

23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.