In Christ #1

As we embark on this study we will see how we who are IN CHRIST have riches the lost world knows nothing about.

It is sad enough that sinners know nothing about these “riches,” but sadder still is the fact that even many Christians do not know of the riches they have IN CHRIST.

Illus: When I think of the book of Ephesians, I think of the story of the woman who woke up one morning and as she saw her husband getting ready to leave for work she said, with a big smile on her face, “Honey, I’ll bet you do not know what day this is.” Her husband had a hard time remembering birthdays and anniversaries, but since he was about to leave for work he excused himself from the embarrassing situation by walking out of the door while saying, “Honey, how could I ever forget. This is the best day of our lives.”

All during the day he kept trying to remember what month and what day his wife’s birthday was, and when their anniversary was, but he could not remember. The day wore on and it was getting close to time to get off from work and he knew he was going to have to go home and face his wife not knowing what made this day so special.

He finally thought of a plan to save his hide. He rushed into the house and said, “Honey, get your best dress on. We are going to paint the town red to celebrate this outstanding day in our lives!”

While she was getting ready he rushed down to the florist and bought her a lovely bouquet of flowers. He took her to the most expensive restaurant in town.

He had spent $150.00 to celebrate this day and he did not even know what he was celebrating.

It was on the way home that he finally discovered what day it was. His wife snuggled real close to him, placed her arm around his shoulder, planted a soft kiss on his cheek and said, “Honey, this is the best ground hog day we have ever enjoyed together.”

Now, I have a feeling, as we get into this study of Ephesians, many of you are going to say, “This is the best book I have ever studied.”

Before we get too far along in Ephesians, let me give you some insights you might not see on the surface.

• The word “Ephesus” is not found in some of the original manuscripts. It is believed that when Paul wrote this letter that we call Ephesians, it was a circular letter for all churches and that Ephesians was added later.

• Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is similar to the book of Romans. How? In that both are virtually essays on theology.

• Something else, I would like to point out is that...

• Ephesians does not deal with theological topics as Galatians and Colossians does.

• Nor does Ephesians deal with ethical problems in church as the two Corinthian epistles.

• Ephesians has its own distinctive emphasis that deals with the doctrine of salvation that we have IN CHRIST.

The book of Ephesians makes us to appreciate what the Lord Jesus has done for us as BELIEVERS. One of the problems of being a believer is that it is difficult for us to comprehend what has happened to us.

And if we can not fully comprehend what Christ has done for us, then we can not fully appreciate what He has done for us.

I sincerely believe that one of the reasons our church services lack genuine emotion is because we lack the knowledge of what we, as Christians, have IN CHRIST.

Illus: Some of our worship services lack emotions to the point it reminds me of some of the old model T Fords that had to be cranked to get them to start. For example, in some church services the pastor constantly has to tell the people to...

- Sing. (He is trying desperately to crank them up.)

- Raise your hands unto the Lord. (He is trying desperately to crank them up.)

- Clap your hands and make a joyful noise. (He is trying desperately to crank them up.)

Again, one of the reasons our church worship services lack the show of genuine emotion is because saints of God do not know what they have IN CHRIST.

Some say, “Oh, we are not the kind of church that has to have a show of emotion,” yet Sunday after Sunday they show the emotions of apathy, sadness, and of DOOM and GLOOM as they sit in their pews. IF THEY KNEW WHAT THEY HAD IN CHRIST, THEY COULD NOT HELP BUT SHOW THEIR EMOTION OF HAPPINESS! IF Christians fully understood what they have IN CHRIST we would have to place seat belts in the pews to hold them down to keep order.