Understanding In Christ

Introduction: As we embark on this study we will see how we, who are IN CHRIST, have riches that the lost world knows nothing about and find that it’s not a difficult book to UNDERSTAND.

It is sad that sinners know nothing about these “riches to a lost world,” but sadder still is the fact that even many Christians don’t know of the riches they do have IN CHRIST.

Illus: Speaking of things DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND reminds me of the story of the man who was walking on the beach one day and he came across a bottle. He kicked it and a "Genie” came swooping out. The “Genie” thanked him for releasing him from the bottle and told the man he was so thankful that he would grant him any wish he wished to have granted. The man said, “Well, I have always wanted to go to Hawaii, but I am afraid of water, and afraid to fly, so I couldn’t go. Would you please make a bridge from California to Hawaii so I could drive there?” The “Genie” rubbed his forehead and said, “Look I am really grateful that you let me out of that little bottle, but it’s a bit ridiculous to ask me to grant such a wish. It would take me weeks, perhaps months, to have all that dirt hauled in to make a road across the ocean.” The man said, “Nevertheless, that is my wish.!” The “Genie” asked, “Is there anything else you would like me to do for you instead?” The man thought a few minutes and said, “All right, there is something else, I have always wished to be able to UNDERSTAND WOMEN?” Again the “Genie” rubbed his head and thought for a few minutes and asked, “Do you want a two lane, or a four lane causeway to Hawaii?” Yes, we don’t always UNDERSTAND things in life, and one of those things is the way the opposite sex thinks.

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 don’t 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 didn’t 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 groundhog day that 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.” Again remember, we are only going to touch on the first part of the book.

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

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.