Our Redemption Package
Ephesus was one of the biggest commercial cities as at then in Asian minor. We could term it as the commercial nerve center of the then civilization. The city also housed the 7 wonders of the world-including the Temple of Princess Diana whose image presumably fell from the sky.
Being a Christian in Ephesus as at then was very very unpopular. Ephesians(a Letter) was written to the church in Ephesus to bring them to the light of God's sovereignty and to bring them out from their state of upscurity and set them on the grounds in which the ought to be.
Salutation(Ephesians 1:1-2)
Paul wanted to bring them to the light of God's Grace in their lives. It was also necessary that he declare the peace of God over their lives in view of the numerous persecution faced by the set of Christians living in the city.
Paul carefully made plain his stand as an Apostle of the most high God as against his former status as a Sadducee.
Chosen By the Father(Ephesians 1:3-6)
He was speaking to a crowd mainly made up of gentiles who had little or nothing to do with God. He made it plain to them that they did nothing in making God choose us as His own, but rather, the decision was all his and His alone.
Redeemed By the Son(Ephesians 1:7-12)
Jesus redeemed us by His blood. He did so by laying down His life on the cross of Calvary for every man, that we might have a chance of truly knowing the Father. It does not really matter how far or how deep you have gone, all we know is that in Him we have total Redemption.
Sealed by the Spirit(Ephesians 1:13-14)
God's promise of Redemption was solidified by the Coming of the Holy spirit.
The Content of the Package(Ephesians 1:15-23)
- The Exceeding Greatness of His Power
Being a child of God brings one into the realm of exceeding power soo mighty and unbounded. Unfortunately, the Church at Ephesus and indeed some of our present day Christians have not come to realize this.
Our Superb Status(Ephesians 2:1-22)
Here, Paul point out that as children of God, we have dual personalities:
- We are Human beings living in a Physical world.
- Secondly, since we died with Christ and has risen with Him, we are therefore Spirit beings.
As such, we are no longer driven driven by the dictates of this world and it's master: The devil.
Characteristics of Our Status
- Full citizenship along with God's Holy People
- He Lives in us(we are His Holy Temple)
- We will get to dwell and reign with God.
Extracts from Rev. Mossy Madugba's message at the SUCF National Conference 2011
