Did You Notice the Connection?

Last Sunday, we kicked off a brand new series designed to walk us through the entire book of Ephesians. We started exploring this ancient letter written by the Apostle Paul by looking at the vast and exalting doxology (or benediction) and prayer.

Tucked within that first section of what we called 'the blessing', we saw a theme emerge pretty quickly- praise. It is interesting that at each moment when he lifts his heart in praise, he also connects it to something. See if you can spot it in the following isolated portions of the benediction.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. - Eph 1:3.

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. - Eph 1:6.

God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. - Eph 1:12.

The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. - Eph 1:14.

In the span of just twelve verses, did you notice it? It is a little easier to spot when you isolate the verses that incorporate the language of praise... and unity.

I want to sit with that for just a minute.

To be united with Christ (verse 3) becomes the posture of our worship and praise. Union with God opens up a path to a form of praise. To be considered by God as a family member, numbered as one of His people, to know we are both promised and purchased offers our hearts an invitation to respond in the only right way imaginable- worship.

What becomes even more fascinating is to consider how this section functions as the framework for the entire letter. We will get into that more as the series progresses, but for now let me leave you with a quote and then something to consider as we head into the weekend.

A quote:

"This 'praise' passage has as part of its rhetorical aim to get the audience caught up in love, wonder, and praise of what God has done for them, to be, that is, an impetus for praise and to stir the deeper emotions of the audience right from the outset." - Ben Witherington III

A question to consider:

Will you let the truth of who God is and what God has done stir your affections for Jesus, and will you allow it to erupt in praise?

See you Sunday!

-Bradley