WINTER QUARTER SUNDAY SCHOOL 2010



WINTER QUARTER SUNDAY SCHOOL 2012-2013 – “THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST’S LORDSHIP REVEALED FROM ROME”

UNIT ONE: EPHESIANS…REVELATION OF CHRIST’S POWER TO THE CHURCH

“CHRIST’S POWER REVEALED TO THE CHURCH”

Sunday School Lesson No. I – December 2, 2012

Presented by Rev. Frank Davis, III Pastor-Teacher

Lesson Text: Ephesians 1:3-14

Required Reading: Ephesians 1:1-23

Memory Text: Ephesians 1:5-6, “Having predestinated us unto 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 hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

Reliable Resources: Precepts for Living (UMI); Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator; Libronix Electronic Library; MacArthur Study Bible; Thomas Nelson Open Bible Notes; Word Search 9 and 10 Electronic Library

QUARTERLY INTRODUCTION

This quarter is a continuation of the life of Paul introduced to us in the Book of Acts. Paul Harvey might entitle it, “The Rest of the Story.” When we left Paul the Apostle in our last lesson (Acts 28) he was under guard in Rome where he had appealed to Caesar concerning his innocence to the accusations of the Jewish leaders of Jerusalem (Acts 23 – 28). Having been placed under house arrest while awaiting his appeal, we have the written results of Paul’s stewardship in the form of four letters, known as the “Prison Epistles.” According to Acts 28:28-31, Paul lived for 2 years uninterrupted and shared the Gospel of Christ through preaching, teaching, living and writings. During this quarter we will examine three of the letters written by Paul. I call this quarter “The Revelation of Jesus Christ’s Lordship Revealed from Rome.”

Our lessons will reveal Christ’s Power through Ephesians, His Pattern in Philippians and His Person through the letter to the Colossians. Beloved, may I declare these lessons as an area for those who truly seek to know the truth and be made free, for they teach us that God accepts no excuses for not spreading His Word. Prison cannot bind it, poverty cannot impede it, nor do persons hinder its progress. Why not? “For the Word of God is not bound.” II Timothy 2:9.

LESSON BACKGROUND

Paul writes to Ephesus where a church of great magnitude had been born. This city was only second to Rome in its influence as a post of commerce, politics and religion, housing a temple to the goddess Diana and a 50,000 seat theater. Beloved, just think of the opportunity Paul had to write to a church that had such influence among the pagans and had witnessed Paul’s presence and teachings for over three years. Paul, in Acts 20 on his way to Jerusalem, met with the elders of Ephesus to bid them farewell and warn them of the adversities they would face, even from within their own ranks. He encouraged them to be vigilant and prayerful! Now from a rented house in Rome where he was incarcerated, Paul writes to reveal Christ’s power to His Church.

Anticipated Power Point:

• Chosen by God the Father. Ephesians 1:3-6

• Claimed by Jesus the Son. Ephesians 1:7-12

• Cherished by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13-14

LESSON OUTLINE

“Christ’s Power Revealed to the Church”

I. Chosen by God the Father. Ephesians 1:3-6

What a revelation, that someone like me has been chosen in the mind of God the Father to be called a “son of God.” I John 3:1-2 tells us, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” Paul writes to reveal to God’s church that the joys of the grace and mercy of Almighty God are not an afterthought, but a forethought of His plan in eternity! This wonderful act of the Lord is beyond the comprehension of the human mind and can only be appreciated in light of Jesus Christ and His perfect sacrifice. So the Apostle simply declares that God the Father be eulogized (praised, well thought of and truly well-spoken of) because of what He has done for us through Jesus Christ His Son!

“All spiritual blessings” is another beneficial grace of God through Christ. Today, so much is made over “blessings” but the term is almost vulgar on the lips of the populous! No true regard for the Provider of the graces or the price that was paid by the Lord Jesus that makes all these things possible. (Read Isaiah 53:5). These blessings -proceed from the realms of heavenly glory, from the throne of the Lord, and surely are more than gadgets and “give-me’s” so often portrayed by many carnal Christians.

Verse 4 – Christ’s power reveals the chosen! Sovereignly, the redeemed has been “selected” or “picked out,” all meaning “chosen.” This revelation of Paul is striking to many, but would you expect the Almighty God not to already know those who are His? I’m just so glad to know that I am one of His chosen and give Him praise (vss. 6, 12, 14)! To those whose thoughts are insulted here, read I Timothy 2:4-6; Hebrews 2:9; I John 2:2. Then remember, no one is appointed a place of destruction without receiving the knowledge of God’s opportunity for salvation. God knows everything; we as human beings are given the opportunity of choice. (What choice have you made, friend?) Read II Peter 3:9. “We should be holy and without blame before him in love” expresses the appreciative disposition of the chosen. What else should God expect but our best?

Vs. 5 – Christ’s power positions the chosen! The position of the chosen has been fore-ordained. Every element of the believer’s life from birth to eternal destiny is under God’s sovereignty! Believers are fore-ordained to be a part of God’s family with all the rights and privileges of sonship or daughtership! God cancels the past and blesses the person of His choosing by adoption, immediately bestowing unearned graces! (Read Romans 8:29-30)

Vs. 6 – Again, it’s all done for His own glory, that He might receive recognition from His chosen people.

II. Claimed by Jesus Christ the Son. Ephesians 1:7-12

The chosen are claimed by Christ’s cleansing, sacrificial work at Calvary. It was God’s plan for eternity that Jesus Christ would pay the ultimate price to redeem the chosen of God. (Read Isaiah 53; Romans 3:24-25; Hebrews 9:22; I Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 5:8-10). Jesus’ sacrificial work also brought complete forgiveness of all sins. (Read I John 1:9). According to MacArthur, in vs. 8, “It brings divinely-bestowed spiritual understanding. (I Corinthians 2:6, 7, 12, 16).” This is no matter to be taken lightly! Christ’s power will ultimately be revealed at the end of world history (“dispensation of the fullness of the times.”) According to verse 10 (MacArthur) “The new universe will be totally unified under Christ (I Cor. 15:27-28; Phil. 2:10-11).” Verse 11 further emphasizes the complete sovereign authority of Christ to bestow and fulfill all of God’s purposes, plans and decisions concerning His chosen people, without restraint of any time element. So praise and glory again be rendered unto Him by all who trust Christ! vs. 12

III. Cherished by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13-14

All the promises to God’s chosen who are claimed by Jesus Christ’s redemptive work are cherished by the sealing of the Holy Spirit. He is the down-payment in the believer’s life that God will complete all He has begun through Christ, to all those who trusted Christ after they heard and believed the Gospel. (Romans 10:17; John 1:12; I Peter 2:9-10).

CLOSING

According to MacArthur, four primary truths describe a seal: “(1.) Security – Matt. 27:62-66; (2.) Authenticity (I Kn. 21:6-16); (3.) Ownership (Jer. 32:10; and (4.) Authority (Est. 8:8-12).” “…to the praise of His glory!”

| |

| |

| |

| |

[pic]

Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, New Orleans, LA & Little Bethel Baptist Church, Amite, LA

Mailing Address: Post Office Box 19768, New Orleans, LA 70179

Phone: (504) 486-7876 Email: bible32@

Website:

Radio Broadcasts: WLNO AM 1060, Saturday 8:30 a.m.; Sunday 5:30 a.m.

WABL AM 1570 (Hammond-Amite area) Sunday 7:00 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD: December 9, 2012 Ephesians 2:11-22

Pastor Davis teaches the Sunday School lesson at Bibleway on Wednesday at noon.

All are invited to come, hear the Word expounded, and have your questions answered.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download