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Lesson Highlight: Ephesians 2:1
"Quicken" - this word is not used as much in common English today, but the basic meaning is "to make alive." Similarly, the concept that sin results in death seems out of vogue in society today, yet this truth remains. As you teach or participate in our "Made Alive in Christ" Sunday school lesson, how can you illustrate the death caused by sin and the being made alive again in Christ?
Newness of Life
Read Romans 6:1-5
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (v. 4).
It is of deep concern that many professed Christians give little or no evidence of a new life in Christ. Water baptism is a beautiful thing when practiced according to Scripture. It is the outward testimony of an inward work.
In a recent baptismal service, a husband, wife, and teen-age son gave clear testimony of how salvation had come to their family, one member at a time. The newness of life that they could see in other members of the family gave them a desire to enjoy the same in their lives.
It should not be overlooked that there is a death involved in this baptism. It is a death to sin. In the context of our scripture, the question is asked: “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (v. 2). Paul’s clear answer is that Christians do not so live. Instead he exhorts us to walk “in newness of life.” Wycliffe Bible Commentary notes that “the translation to ‘walk in newness of life’ carries with it the day-by-day living in the ordinary routines of life.” (BAM)
What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart! . . .
And my sins which were many are all washed away. — Rufus H. McDaniel
A born again experience still brings newness of life!
This devotional is the Thursday, July 30, 2015 entry of Opening the Word.
Made Alive in Christ
Lesson 9 - August 2, 2015
Focus Text: Ephesians 2:1-9; Ephesians 6:10-20
Central Truth: God’s love creates life in a world of death.
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Lesson Highlight: Ephesians 3:14
Did you realize it was unusual for Jews to kneel in prayer?
According to Francis Foulkes in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Ephesians...
Among the Jews it was usual to stand to pray (see Mt. 6:5 and Lk. 18:11, 13). Kneeling for prayer, though it has become a regular Christian attitude, was formerly an expression of deep emotion or earnestness, and on that basis we must understand Paul's words here. Solomon knelt at the dedication of the temple (1 Ki. 8:54); Stephen at the time of his martyrdom (Acts 7:60); Peter at the death-bed of Dorcas (Acts 9:40); Paul at the tiem of his farewells on his last journey to Jerusalem (Acts 20:36; 21:5); our Lord himself in his agony in Gethsemane (Lk. 22:41).
Discussion: If it was unusual for Jews to kneel in prayer, then how should we understand the importance of what Paul prayed for in Ephesians 3? What is the significance of his prayer request?
Source: Foulkes, Francis (1989). Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Ephesians. Inter-Varsity Press: Leicester, England. pp. 108-109.
Lesson Highlight: Ephesians 1:17
Ephesians 1:17 - "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him."
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Prayer for Sanctification
Read John 17:15-19
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (v. 17).
Once while working at Mt. Zion Bible School, I was sitting at my desk in the office and thinking about something which was quite troubling to me. It seemed that a dark cloud came to overshadow the day. (more…)