Ephesians 2:18

Ephesians 2:18

Thoughts from Kimber Gilbert

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“for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.”

Ephesians 2:18

QOP- Behind the Scenes
Slide

One of the things I love about the book of Ephesians is the clear and concise teaching on God, on His love for us, and on our identity in Him. Armed with that, the book closes with a powerful section on how we, in the name of Jesus Christ, can boldly resist the schemes of the enemy and take back ground for the Gospel.

Slide

Paul, writing to the believers in Ephesus, reminds them who their salvation is through. In a city prone to idol worship, incantations, and mysticism, Paul makes a point that it is only through Jesus Christ that we have access in the Holy Spirit to the Father. It is only through Jesus that we approach the throne of God. No other means, no gods, no incantations, no spells... Just Jesus.

Slide

Another interesting point in this verse is that every member of the Trinity is involved in our coming to God. Through Jesus we come to God. In the Spirit we come to God. And by the adoption of our Father we come to God. All persons of the Trinity, working in perfect harmony, bringing us into union with the One True God. So beautiful and so amazing! (For more about the Trinity, stay tuned for our next devo series where we will unpack some of the founding doctrines of our faith.)

QOP- Make it Real
Slide

Sometimes it can be hard to read passages like this and know how to apply them to our own lives. We don’t live in a Middle Eastern city, ruled by a ruthless government. We don’t see temples erected to false gods where our neighbors, friends, and coworkers go to make sacrifices, engage in temple prostitution, or bodily mutilation in hopes of capturing the pleasure of a fickle god. The culture and issues of Ephesus can feel so different from our own, so far away. But are they really?

Slide

When I look around our culture, it is still deeply divided, filled with hurting people scrambling for some sense of hope. I still see people sacrificing to the idols of our time, giving them their money, their bodies, and their hopes, praying that perhaps something will work out in their favor. I still see division and hurt, hopelessness and despair. So, maybe we aren’t so different from Ephesus after all. Maybe our circumstances look different, our dress and style of life has changed, and our idols go by different names and forms. But deep down, the heart issue is the same.

Slide

And, praise God, the answer that God gave Ephesus is still the answer we need today- Jesus. It’s only through His sacrifice that we are made whole. It’s only through Him that we can come into relationship with the God we were created to need. It’s only through Him that hopelessness, despair, and lostness find their defeat.

Slide

It’s so easy to buy the lie that there is anything else that can suffice. It’s so easy to lean into the promises of this world that tell you that you can find happiness, wholeness, or satisfaction on your own. The whispers in the dark that tell you God isn’t enough, or that you could never be received... they are lies that drag us away from the God who died to save us.

Slide

I don’t know what idols, lies, misunderstandings, or hopeful solutions stand between you and total reliance on Jesus Christ alone. I know there are plenty that try to sneak into my heart and mind on a daily basis. But, friends, please hear me when I say that ANYTHING that promises what only God can deliver is a lie, is an idol. It is only through the power of Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit, and through the adoption of the Father that we find what our souls need. He alone is worthy of our prayers, our devotion, and our trust.

Slide

Will you turn to Him? Will you trust Him to be enough? Will you choose today to root out any idols in your life that get in the way?

QOP- End in Prayer
Slide

Jesus,

YOU are enough. YOU are what I need. YOU are my King and my Redeemer. I declare that I worship YOU alone today. God, I know there are so many things that try to steal my allegiance and trust from You. Open my eyes to see the schemes of the enemy that work against my relationship with You. Help me to armor myself in Your truth and Your love.

In the name of Jesus Christ,

Amen

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“for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.” 

Ephesians 2:18

Behind the Scenes

One of the things I love about the book of Ephesians is the clear and concise teaching on God, on His love for us, and on our identity in Him. Armed with that, the book closes with a powerful section on how we, in the name of Jesus Christ, can boldly resist the schemes of the enemy and take back ground for the Gospel.  

Paul, writing to the believers in Ephesus, reminds them who their salvation is through. In a city prone to idol worship, incantations, and mysticism, Paul makes a point that it is only through Jesus Christ that we have access in the Holy Spirit to the Father. It is only through Jesus that we approach the throne of God. No other means, no gods, no incantations, no spells… Just Jesus.  

Another interesting point in this verse is that every member of the Trinity is involved in our coming to God. Through Jesus we come to God. In the Spirit we come to God. And by the adoption of our Father we come to God. All persons of the Trinity, working in perfect harmony, bringing us into union with the One True God. So beautiful and so amazing! (For more about the Trinity, stay tuned for our next devo series where we will unpack some of the founding doctrines of our faith.) 

Make It Real

Sometimes it can be hard to read passages like this and know how to apply them to our own lives. We don’t live in a Middle Eastern city, ruled by a ruthless government. We don’t see temples erected to false gods where our neighbors, friends, and coworkers go to make sacrifices, engage in temple prostitution, or bodily mutilation in hopes of capturing the pleasure of a fickle god. The culture and issues of Ephesus can feel so different from our own, so far away. But are they really? 

When I look around our culture, it is still deeply divided, filled with hurting people scrambling for some sense of hope. I still see people sacrificing to the idols of our time, giving them their money, their bodies, and their hopes, praying that perhaps something will work out in their favor. I still see division and hurt, hopelessness and despair. So, maybe we aren’t so different from Ephesus after all. Maybe our circumstances look different, our dress and style of life has changed, and our idols go by different names and forms. But deep down, the heart issue is the same.  

And, praise God, the answer that God gave Ephesus is still the answer we need today- Jesus. It’s only through His sacrifice that we are made whole. It’s only through Him that we can come into relationship with the God we were created to need. It’s only through Him that hopelessness, despair, and lostness find their defeat.  

It’s so easy to buy the lie that there is anything else that can suffice. It’s so easy to lean into the promises of this world that tell you that you can find happiness, wholeness, or satisfaction on your own. The whispers in the dark that tell you God isn’t enough, or that you could never be received… they are lies that drag us away from the God who died to save us.  

I don’t know what idols, lies, misunderstandings, or hopeful solutions stand between you and total reliance on Jesus Christ alone. I know there are plenty that try to sneak into my heart and mind on a daily basis. But, friends, please hear me when I say that ANYTHING that promises what only God can deliver is a lie, is an idol. It is only through the power of Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit, and through the adoption of the Father that we find what our souls need. He alone is worthy of our prayers, our devotion, and our trust.  

Will you turn to Him? Will you trust Him to be enough? Will you choose today to root out any idols in your life that get in the way?  

Danny Venhaus

Danny Venhaus

ACF Digital Discipleship Director and Church Planter

End in Prayer

Jesus, 

YOU are enough. YOU are what I need. YOU are my King and my Redeemer. I declare that I worship YOU alone today. God, I know there are so many things that try to steal my allegiance and trust from You. Open my eyes to see the schemes of the enemy that work against my relationship with You. Help me to armor myself in Your truth and Your love.  

In the name of Jesus Christ, 

Amen 

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