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TH E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
In te rn a t io n a l Lesson Comm en ta ry
Outline and Exposition B . B . S u t c l if f e Points and Problems H o m e r A . K e n t Golden Text Illustration
A l a n S. P e a r c e Blackboard Lesson G r e t c h e n S ib l e y Object Lesson E l m e r L . W il d e r Children s Division M il d r e d M . C o o k
JUNE 4, 1944 PAUL IN EPHESUS
A c t s 19:1 t o 2 0 :1 ; E p h e s ia n s
Acts 19:8 And he went Into the syna gogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months/ disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way be fore the»$multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily In the school of one Tyrannus. ' 10 And this coptinued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt In Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. -Ephesians 2:4 But God, who Is rich In mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, . * Evan when we were dead In sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together In heavenly places In Christ Jesus: 7 That In the ages to come he mi show the exceeding riches of his grace, his kindness toward us, through Christ BUS. ght in Je- , ?.uFor .,by_ 0r«ce are ye eaved through 1 * 5 « ,that not of yourselves: it believe began “speaking evil of the Way” (v. 9, R. V.), and became “ dis obedient.” It is always thus: Those who hear the truth become either obedient or disobedient to it; the for mer are saved, and the latter remain lost, with the added guilt of rejecting what is known to be true. Because of the opposition, Paul called the believers to meet “daily in the school of one Tyrannus,” where he continued to teach them for two years. Having daily instruction in the Word, the believers became active in . witnessing, and “all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.” H. T h e T e a c h in g ( E p h . 2:4 -10) Paul wrote to the Ephesians, and to all saints, concerning the work of God in behalf of all believers. The basis for'the work is twofold (vs. 4, 5). It is, first, because of His mercy (cf. Tit. 3:5; 1 Pet. 1:3). The mercy of God is “from everlasting to everlasting” (Psa 103:17); it will never change nor pass away. Hence, for a person to be saved by the mercy of God means that he is saved for all* time and unto all eternity. In the sec ond place, it is “for,” or "because of" His great love. The word “for” means “ on account of,” or “in order to satisfy” that great love. This is a great mys tery, not fo be understood, but to be believed. “That thou shouldst love a wretch like me, LeSson material is based on outlines of International Sunday S c h o o l Lessons, copyrighted by International Council of Reli gious Education; used by per mission. together,” giving us Christ’s divine na ture; and He “made us sit together” with Christ, lifting us to Christ’s heav enly place. The purpose of the work is that in the ages to come He might show forth the riches of His .grace in us tvs. 7-10). All created intelligences, will one day be able to observe the church in her glory, a display of the exceeding riches of the grace of God. Not one indi vidual can boast; all will be the work of God “created in Christ Jesus,” hav ing obtained salvation by faith, not by any human endeavor. The assurance of the completion of the work is the fact that it is God’s “workmanship.” All depends upon Him for its beginning, its continuation, and its consummation. The measure of enjoyment of the work is the measure in which believers engage in the “good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk In them.” m . T h e .P r a y in g ( E p h . 3 :1 4 t 1 9 ) Paul prays "for this cause” — the phrase connecting-this verse with the first verse of the chapter, the verses between being a parenthesis. Because they were “a habitation of God,” they needed strength in “ the inner man.” The strength could come only by the Holy Spirit; He is the only revealer, enlightener, and teacher of truth (vs. 14-16).. He prays that “Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith." This is not a prayer for salvation, but for sanctifi cation—a practical sanctification that knows Christ as a permanent resident within the heart, dwelling there by faith, not feeling. And be the^lod Thou art, Is darkness to my intellect, But sunshine to my heart.” The nature of the work is threefold (vs. 5, 6 ). He “quickened us together with Christ,” bestowing u p o n us Christ’s eternal life; He “raised us up Be glad: Lesson helps are NOT shorter than usual!
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