Pauline Keynotes Page 3

Eph.  1:11-14

In Christ we have come to inherit all things for that is what God has purposed. What He is doing in us is more glorious than we can possibly comprehend, nevertheless, we have unshakable trust in the Lord. But our trust is not in a vacuum, it is confirmed by the touch of the Holy Spirit on our lives. Our day is soon to come for it is guaranteed by God Himself.

Eph.  1:15-23

I thank God for your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for one another. My prayer for your enlightenment in the knowledge of who you really are as heirs of God. Receive the spiritual wisdom in knowing Christ and the glory of kinship with Him.

All of God’s mighty power is focused on us through Christ who pierced through the heavens and sat down at God’s right hand in the heavenly realm. He is there wielding power and authority over every ruler and realm in the universe, from the highest to the lowest. The issue of God’s sovereignty will be settled when Christ defeats all His adversaries. The battle rages in this age and will end with the Kingdom age when all will surrender to the victorious King Jesus.

Christ is the Head, we are His Body. We make Him complete who permeates everything in God’s creation.

Eph.  2

You were once under the sway of the one who rules the very atmosphere in which we live. He is the spirit who commands those who are disobedient to God, who live for pleasure and selfish desire. But God loved us in such a wonderful way He revived us out of death to live in the resurrection life of Christ. We now sit with Him in the heavenlies by grace.

This display of the Father’s loving kindness toward us will be a testimony for the ages to come of the riches of His grace. The gift of salvation is by grace through faith. We did nothing to merit our salvation so never be tempted to boast of what you have received free of charge. We are God’s work of art created by Christ Jesus to witness of God’s goodness by the way we live in this world.

Don’t forget, you were once a people with no hope, without God and without a messiah. The covenants of Israel were unknown to you, but now you are in the heart of God by the blood of Jesus Christ. Gentile and Jew are reconciled in Christ and by the same Spirit have access to the Father. Together we are the household of God. Since it is clear God does not live in buildings made with hands, we are becoming the holy temple, the dwelling place of God in the Spirit. This holy structure is built on the work of God’s messengers, all beautifully designed to be supported by Jesus Christ.

Eph. 3:1-13

My fervent desire for you is that you may understand the mystery of Christ which I have been sharing with you in my preaching and letters. Let me remind you again of the good news that Gentiles and Jews have become fellow heirs of the promises of God in Christ.

God is witnessing to heaven and earth of His plan to make Himself known by the Church whose head is Jesus Christ. From the beginning of the ages God has purposed to establish the preeminence of Christ and the Church over all those who previously held positions of authority and power in heaven. This He has accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. Knowing this we confidently appeal to God for help as we boldly face the opposing forces. Therefore, do not lose heart when the battle rages—we win!!

Eph.  3:14-21

Be humble before the Father whose name we have inherited. He is rich and full of glory so I have asked Him to strengthen you mightily by His Spirit in your inner man. I further appeal to God that you comprehend Christ’s love in this three-dimensional world and also the glorious aspect of His love which transcends this physical world, penetrating the heavens.

Have faith for He is able to do far more than we could ever imagine or ask. The power to accomplish all that God plans is already working in us. May the Church whose head is Christ Jesus show forth the glory of God to all for the ages to come. And with this prayer let us all heartily agree!

Eph. 4:1-6

This is my solemn plea to you: live in such way to dignify your holy calling. Be humble and gentle. Continue, even under severe strain, being patient with one another in love. Be one in spirit bound together by the peace of God. We are one body with one Spirit, sharing one hope. We have one Lord, one faith, one baptism. We serve the one and only God who is Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in you all.

Eph.  4:7-16

We have gifts of grace according to the measure Christ gives each of us. He ascended far above all the high places of heaven, therefore, His gifts come to us with the authority and power of the Most High. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are given to the body to nurture it to full maturity in Christ.

Let us no longer be gullible children drawn away from the true knowledge of Christ by the religious fads of the day. Grow up and be connected to the body of Christ for He is the Head of each member and all members together. From Christ the Head to each member flows life and edification. To be disconnected from Body life is to miss participation in the new man.

Eph.  4:17-24

Unbelievers have a mind and emotion disconnect. They have confined themselves to darkness and ignorance, obsessing over things that alienate them from God. They are trapped in emotions which support their futile lifestyles of materialism and pleasure-seeking. Those who have sold out to lust deceive themselves with clever excuses and rationalizations for their behavior.

But our minds are renewed in Christ as we live in a new and different way which is upright and holy.

Eph. 4:25-32

Therefore, tell the truth, hold no grudge, refuse the deceiver an opportunity to influence you. Refuse dishonest gain, put in an honest day of work, budget your resources wisely and you will have extra to share when the opportunity comes.

Let your words be spoken graciously for the benefit of others. Speaking to satisfy your own ego corrupts both you and the unfortunate ones listening. You are sealed for the day of redemption by the Holy Spirit of God so respect Him by attending faithfully to these things.

You are responsible for your attitudes and actions. Be vigilant over your own soul; policing the behavior of others is not your responsibility. Bitterness has no place in the heart of a forgiven one. Angry outbursts and vitriolic reactions to others are foreign to the Spirit of Christ. Christ has forgiven you so be peaceful and gentle with yourself then others will surely receive grace from you as well.

Eph. 5:1-5

The love Christ has shown by His sacrifice offered to God is a sweet essence breathed in by God and all who are in fellowship with Him.

Fitting in to the social scene, desiring what unbelievers desire, doing what they do, is not for those who love Christ. We do not spend our time in foolish communication and incessant banter. A thankful heart is a fountain of life-giving speech.

Eph.  5:6-14

Christ is coming in anger against all who sell out to idolatry and covetousness. The blessed ones who inherit the Kingdom of God find no fulfillment in the obsessions of the world. We were once in darkness reveling with the rest, then Christ came into our lives and we became light with Him. Wake up and be witnesses against the dark world of sin for evil is never bright and transparent; it is always in the shadows of secrecy and intrigue.

Eph.  5:15-21

Keep your eyes open, be alert for the way of the world is Spiritual laziness. Time is the only scarce resource so use it wisely and with a sense of urgency for these are the last days of the reign of evil.

Do not squander your Spiritual gifts with excessive drinking or abuse of drugs. Our cup is filled with the Spirit which never runs dry nor does it ever leave us embarrassed and filled with regret.

Let our joy be expressed from the heart singing melodious songs to the Lord. Let your hearts always rejoice with thanksgiving in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Be accountable to one another, remembering the severity of Christ’s judgment against the disobedient.

Eph.  5:22-33

The relationship between Christ and the Church is a great mystery. We are members of Christ’s heavenly body; His substance is our substance. We approach the deep meaning of this relationship when we consider marriage between man and woman. The love bond between a husband and wife is much like the love between Christ and the Church. Therefore, it is the highest privilege and most solemn duty of believers to witness of Christ’s love by emulating Him in our marriages. The husband is the head of the wife so he should love her as Christ loves the Church, sacrificing Himself for her. The wife should follow her husband’s lead as the Church follows Christ. The cleansing power of the Word washes over the bride who is under Christ.

Eph.  6:1-9

Children obey and honor your parents and blessings will surely follow you. 

Fathers train your children in the ways of the Lord not with harsh, overbearing force but with fatherly admonition.

Workers be obedient to those who employ you, with due respect and sincere hearts, as to Christ. Do this, not to climb the ladder of success by gaining favor but because it is to the Lord you dedicate all.

If you are over others, entreat them respectfully for you must report to your Superior who rules in heaven.

Eph . 6:10-24

I call upon you brothers and sisters to be strong in the Lord for it is His power and might strengthening you. We are not fighting on a physical battlefield. We are battling invisible heavenly forces, the very high command of Satan’s army of darkness.

Therefore, being fully equipped with God’s armor and weapons you will surely be able to stand against Satan’s aggressions. You will be protected by the waistband of truth and breastplate of righteousness. The good news of peace will keep your feet directed into the victory. Do not fear the flaming arrows of the wicked one for your faith will quench the fire He tries to send into your heart. Be mentally calm for your salvation is sure in Christ. Your offensive weapon is the Word of God; it always prevails.

Lay everything before the Lord in prayer, be watchful and remember to pray for the saints. Grace is with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. The Lord says let it be so and we respond so let it be.

Phil. 1:1-12

With joy I thank God for you, praying for you all to continue in the fellowship of the good news. This I am sure of, the good work He began in you He will complete for the day of Jesus Christ will reveal it. And what specifically is my prayer for you? That your love directed by knowledge and discernment may abound. When Jesus comes God will be glorified by the fruit of the righteousness He has cultivated in you.

Phil. 1:13-30

Whether Christ is preached pretentiously or sincerely, I rejoice in the sharing of the good news. I live boldly and without shame, for Christ is magnified in my life as He shall be in my departure from this life. For me, to die is far more glorious than remaining here but it is for your progress and joy I continue to labor, homesick to be with the Lord but sustained by the hope and expectation of seeing Him soon.

Therefore, walk worthy of the good news of Christ, steadfast in mind and spirit, fervently dedicated to one another as you live together in the faith. It is not only the gift of faith you have been given, but you have also been granted by the grace of God to suffer with Christ in His conflict against the adversaries.

But know and understand, though the adversaries may for this time seem to gain the upper hand, they are completely and soundly defeated from the start. So fear not, the conflict is a reminder that they lose and you are totally victorious in Christ.

Phil. 2:1-11

My joy is full when Christ is our consolation for when we fellowship in Him we are comforted in His love and Spirit, feeling sympathy for others when they are in need of forgiveness. In humility hold others in higher regard than yourselves and be genuinely concerned for their welfare.

We are speaking of the mind of Christ which you should desire above all else. Although He knew His place in the Godhead, He refused to exercise His sovereign power and descended into this world as a man to be servant to man. He was perfectly obedient to the Father even to the death of the cross. Therefore, He has been highly exalted and given the name which represents the sovereign authority of God over all. Every knee shall bow and everyone without exception shall confess openly that Jesus Christ is Lord which will glorify the Father.

Phil. 2:12-17

Brothers and Sisters, you are loved more than you could possibly know. So stay committed to the difficult task of salvation and humbly and fearfully remember this truth: your will and actions are sovereignly directed by God who works in your heart in ways you cannot possibly comprehend. The result is what He has planned from the beginning for you according to His goodness.

The unbelievers are in trouble with God for their perversity and rebellion. But you are the innocent ones who engage the life God has given you even when it is painful. You cooperate enthusiastically with providence instead of complaining and disputing about difficult circumstances. Your light shines in this darkened world as you believe without reservation the life-giving Word.

Phil. 2:18-30

Rejoice with me as our faith intermingles at the very altar of God as spiritual offerings poured out before Him. Because of his service to Christ, Epaphroditus became sick, almost dying, but God had mercy on him and on me as well. On him because he longed intensely to see you again, on me because I have been spared the sorrow of losing my friend and fellow worker. Therefore receive him, holding him and all such men in high esteem.

Phil. 3:1-9

Beware of those who relentlessly pursue you intending to bind you to man-centered religion with its mutilations of flesh and spirit. The sign of true worship is not in the cutting of the flesh nor those things which engender confidence in performance and pedigree. Worship God in Spirit and you become the very sign of God’s covenant. Have confidence in Christ alone.

If anyone has reason to be confident in the flesh, I more so. In every category of religious distinction I have excelled. But all of these things which were so important to me, now have no meaning at all. Gaining Christ I have lost all my reasons to boast. I have no righteousness of my own but through faith in Christ I am the righteousness of God.

Phil. 3:10-16

I have one all-consuming desire, to know Him in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering which means I boldly and without shame identify with His sacrificial dying. The hope of my own resurrection makes the journey, though difficult and painful at times, joyful.

Understand this clearly, attaining perfection is impossible but I do not let my failures hold me back. I press on, constantly reaching forward to lay hold of that which calls me into the presence of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, let us walk in fellowship as we press on together to know Christ.