Truthfully

Ephesians 4:15,25-27 - Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ…Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

Romans 12:4-5 - For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Conclusions:

· Do I seek unity with others based on a spiritual level or a human level?
· Do I speak the truth in love?
· Do I let my anger outlast the day?

ll Scripture verses taken from NIV

Minds

Ephesians 4:22-24 - You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 13:14 - Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Conclusions:

· Is my thought and will being transformed? Am I testing and approving what is pleasing to God (not necessarily to me)?
· Have I put on a new self both positionally and experientially?
· Do I practice all the virtues associated with Christ?

ll Scripture verses taken from NIV

Futility Of Their Thinking

Ephesians 4:17-24,31 - So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness…Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Ecclesiastes 1:2 - “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”

2 Corinthians 3:14 - But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.

Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Application:

· Is my life based on God and His Word?
· Has Christ removed the veil that hid His glory from me?
· Does my speech exhibit bitterness and malice?
· Have I or do I allow wickedness to take root in my heart?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Love

Ephesians 4:11-13,15-16 - So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ…Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Colossians 2:19 - They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

1 Corinthians 12:7 - Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

Ephesians 1:4-6 - For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

Application:

· Am I growing and building others up in love?
· Am I growing as God causes me to grow?
· Am I using my spiritual gifts for selfish advantage?
· Do I speak the truth in love?
· Am I holy and blameless in God's sight?
· Am I prepared for works of service?
· Am I striving for the maturity of the perfectly balanced character of Christ?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Infants

Ephesians 4:11-16 - So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Ephesians 1:4-6,22-23 - For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves…And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Application:

· Do I have a conviction about Christ and the doctrines concerning Him?
· Do I speak the truth in love?
· Am I growing and building others up in love?
· Am I holy and blameless in God's sight?
· Is Christ head over me?
· Am I prepared for works of service?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Ascended On High

Ephesians 4:7-8 - But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”

1 Corinthians 12:7 - Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

Romans 3:22-24 - This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Psalm 68:18 - When you ascended on high, you took many captives; you received gifts from people, even from the rebellious—that you, LORD God, might dwell there.

1 Kings 17:10 - So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?”

Conclusions:

· Do I use my spiritual gifts for selfish advantage?
· Have I been delivered from slavery to sin?
· Christ's ascension was a fulfillment of God's establishment of His kingdom!!!
· Do I rely on the Lord? Do I demonstrate faith in the Lord?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

One Baptism

Ephesians 4:4-6 - There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

1 Corinthians 8:5-6 - For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

1 Corinthians 12:13 - For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Zechariah 14:9 - The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.

Application:

· Do I have but one God (the Father) and one Lord (Jesus Christ)?
· Does the Holy Spirit indwell me and does my life overflow with the fruit of the Spirit?
· I have one God who is Father of all, one Lord who will be king over the whole earth, one Holy Spirit that indwells me and regenerates me!!!

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

One Hope

Ephesians 4:4-6 - There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Romans 12:4-5 - For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

1 Corinthians 12:13 - For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Ephesians 1:7-10 - In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

Conclusions:

· Am I part of the body? Do I belong to other parts of the body?
· Does the Holy Spirit indwell me and does my life overflow with the fruit of the Spirit?
· Do I look forward to the time when everything will be brought into meaningful relationship under the headship of Christ?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Keep The Unity

Ephesians 4:3 - Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Romans 15:5-6 - May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:15 - Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Ephesians 2:14-16 - For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

Application:

· Do I keep the unity, that God produced through the reconciling death of Christ, from being disturbed?
· If my conclusions are different than other believers, do I agree to disagree in love?
· Does the attitude of peace rule in my relationships? Or, does the attitude of bitterness and quarrelsomeness rule?
· Am I part of a united body of believers?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Bearing With One Another

Ephesians 4:2,15-16 - Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love…Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Colossians 3:12 - Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Ephesians 1:4-6 - For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

Conclusions:

· Do I put forth every effort to live the godly life?
· Do I speak the truth in love?
· Do I help others in the growing process?
· Am I holy and blameless in His sight?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Confidence

Ephesians 3:12 - In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Hebrews 3:14 - We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.

Hebrews 4:16 - Let us then 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.

1 John 4:17 - This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.

Application:

· Do I belong to Christ and participate in the blessings?
· Does Christ stand ready to give immediate and sympathetic help when I am tempted?
· Am I like Christ? Does He live in me? Do I have confidence that on the day of judgment I will be saved?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Eternal Purpose

Ephesians 3:10-11 - His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 1:7-12 - In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 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, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

Application:

· Is Christ head over me?
· Do I have a meaningful future destiny (in relationship to Christ)?
· Do I look forward to the time when everything is under the headship of Chirst?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Rulers and Authorities

Ephesians 3:7-11 - I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 1:3,18-21 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ…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, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 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.

Ephesians 6:12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Application:

· Is the power that raised Jesus from the dead at work in and through me?
· Christ is above all beings!
· Do I lash out against human opponents when they are not the real enemy?
· Are my spiritual struggles against flesh and blood or spiritual forces warring against God?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Not Made Known To Men In Other Generations

Ephesians 3:4-6 - In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Romans 16:25-27 - Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith—to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Ephesians 2:14-16 - For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

Ezekiel 47:22 - You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners residing among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.

Romans 15:8-9,12 - For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.”… And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”

Application:

· Do I believe and obey Him?
· Do I share in the promise of Christ Jesus?
· Have I been created a new man?
· By God's grace I am considered one of God's chosen people!
· Have I come to know the true God? Do I glorify Him for His mercy?
· Do I hope in Him?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Mystery

Ephesians 3:2-3,6 - Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly…This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 - However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

Romans 11:25-26 - I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.

Ephesians 1:7-10 - In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

Application:

· Has God revealed to me by His Spirit what He has prepared for me?
· Does God's merciful plan to include me in His great salvation plan humble me or fill me with arrogance?
· Do I share in the promise of Christ Jesus with other heirs?
· Do I look forward to the time when everything is brought into meaningful relationship under the headship of Christ?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV