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www.biblestudyemail.com - Ephesians 1
John Karmelich <listmaster@biblestudyemail.com> To: betselothailu@gmail.com
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Wed, Mar 9, 2011 at 8:32 PM

Ephesians 1 Part 1 John Karmelich

After writing about 25 lessons on the psalms and given the fact we're about halfway done, I figured it was time for a break. For the next six weeks, I'm taking on Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Why? It is so that we can understand how blessed we are as believers and the power God has given us to live the life that God desires of all of us. Let me explain concept further: Ephesians explains how and why we were saved from Gods perspective. While the first half of the letter focuses on the great things God has done for us, the second half then says, "Given what God has done for us, here is what I (God) now expect of you (us) in exchange for that blessing." If we have given our lives to Christ, that means that God has separated us from nonbelievers. This letter explains what that separation means in terms of our past history, our present situation whatever that may be, as well as our future. As I read the letter, what fascinated me is despite Paul's long-term relationship with Ephesus, the opening greeting is short and this letter has minimal references to anyone there. Here is Ephesus, a city where Paul spent a full three years teaching, and this letter does not mention any names of anyone there. There are no references to how good or bad the church was doing. There were no particular problems for Paul to focus on in this letter. My point is this letter could in effect be written to any church at any time as opposed to having specific issues dealing with Ephesus. Many years ago, I had a bible teacher who told me that Pauls letter to the Ephesians is the "Alps" of the bible. His point is that this letter is very high ground in that it teaches of the great blessings and rewards we as Christians have as believers. The question is really, how does one

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describe all the great things God can do for us, will do for us, and has done for our lives? I dont think even Paul, with his lofty language, could fully grasp this, but he does his best to describe what God has done for us. Let me explain further: We as Christians are considered a special "chosen people" by God. It means that among those people who will be with God for all of eternity, the Christian church is considered "a special subset" of all saved people. What I mean by that is that if you and I have trusted in Jesus as both the Lord of our lives (i.e., He is in charge of our lives) and our Savior (by His shed blood we are saved for eternity and eternally forgiven of our sins) than know that God has picked us Christians (as a special subset of all saved people) to be with Him for eternity. What is also hard to grasp, but is also true, is the concept that God choose us before time began. In other words, we didn't know when we were born that we would be saved for all of eternity, but God did. Therefore, from our "stuck in time" perspective, we choose to have God rule over our lives at some moment in our life. From God's all knowing, outside of time perspective, He knew we would make that decision and chose us before the world began. OK John, so God has chosen us before time began and I believe He is my Lord and Savior, what do I do now? That is one of the main subjects this letter to the Ephesians. In fact, the first three chapters focuses on all the blessings one does receive as a Christian and just what that belief means for our lives both now and eternally. The final three chapters then say in effect, "If God has done all of this for us, here is what He desires of us based on that blessing." More on that concept when we get there. It just occurred to me that I haven't given a title to this lesson, but in effect, I have been talking about the title since I started writing this commentary. That title is, "Understanding how we as Christians are blessed by our trust in God. As both our Lord and Savior." With that title stated, let us move on to the first lesson. My usual welcome to newcomers. Feel free to read all you want, God willing, I'll write more. Below is the instructions for reading the entire lesson:

Thanks,

John -------------------Welcome to the biblestudyemail.com broadcast mailing list. You are on this list because: 1. You asked to be on the list. 2. You were added by friend. 3. You were on one of my previous lists. 4. I just thought you would like this. Cancellation instructions are at the end of this e-mail.

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I keep a no-questions-asked cancellation policy. This is a weekly e-mail Bible study. You can read the EXACT SAME FILE by either: Clicking on: biblestudyemail.com/karmelich_ephesians/ Ephesians_1_Part_1.htm OR (2) Opening the attached file. This is a MS Word document (MS Word 2000) OR (3) Reading the same file in Adobe Acrobat Format: biblestudyemail.com/karmelich_ephesians/Ephesians_1_Part_1.pdf

(Personally, I prefer reading option #2 or #3. It is easiest on the eyes.) That's it. Hope you enjoy it. Don't forget to fire up a prayer prior to your reading. All further items below are optional and help support items. ------------------------------If you wish to see my complete archives of everything I've written click on: www.biblestudyemail.com/archives.php

Just so you know, I write weeks ahead of what I broadcast. This is because future lessons are always a work in progress. Sometimes I discover something in a future lesson that requires me to make changes to past lessons. If you click on a lesson that it scheduled to be broadcast in the next few weeks, note that you're reading a draft version, and the final version may change. Questions? I have a "frequently asked questions" page on the web site. http://www.biblestudyemail.com/faq.php. If you have a different question or comment, this can be done at http://www.biblestudyemail.com/signup. php Instructions for AOL users only. Please print out this e-mail. It may be
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helpful. If you do not know how to open the attached file: There is a button with a name similar to "download now". Please do so. The file is now stored on your hard drive. If you use AOL 9.0, the file is in the folder C:Aol9.0 download If you use AOL 8.0, the file is in the folder C:Aol8.0download The same rule applies for older versions of AOL It will have the same name as the e-mail. Therefore, the file will be in the "download" file and called "Ephesians Chapter 1 Part 1.doc". This should open up in Microsoft Word if you click on it. Double Click on this file to read it. Again, this is a Microsoft Word File. You MUST own Microsoft Word to read that file. If you do not have Word, then you must use Option #1 or Option #3, which is the link to the web site. If you do not have Word, or have trouble opening it. Please contact me through www.biblestudyemail.com and I can help. Here is another idea for AOL users... If you can't "click" on the line below, then.... biblestudyemail.com/karmelich_ephesians/Ephesians_1_Part_1.htm

...here is what you CAN do: 1) Highlight the whole line with your mouse. 2) Right click, and choose "copy" 3) Paste that same line on the "WWW" box to go there. Hit "enter". That's it. The file should then come up. You can print the file if you wish. To go back to your AOL menu, just hit the back button. Just to let you know, AOL is VERY safe from computer viruses. AOL automatically screens all incoming files for viruses. My outgoing e-mail is also automatically checked for viruses. If you are still having trouble reading this file, e-mail me or call me for help. I'm happy to do so. Attachment help for Outlook Express Users: You have two ways of reading the file. If you click on the file line, it should automatically open up either Internet Explorer or Modzilla (or any
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other browser) and you can read the file. It also can be loaded easily on an IPAD or a Kindle reader. The attached file is the exact same as the "click' option. It is in MS Word format. You should see a little paper clip. If you click on it, Outlook Express will show you how to download the file. From there, open MS Word or just click on the downloaded file and it will automatically upload word. Please e-mail back if you have problems. Virus Concerns: I have Norton Anti-Virus software on my computer. All outgoing e-mails are automatically screened for viruses. Further, the software is automatically updated daily for the latest viruses. I regularly do a complete scan for spyware as well as viruses. You can NOT get a virus from reading an e-mail. The danger is in the attachment. If you are nervous about viruses, don't open the attachment. Again, you can't get a virus from "clicking" on Option #1 or Option #3. It is only "Option #2", which is opening the attached file where lies a danger of getting a virus. Forwarding these notes/Copyright issues: This is discussed on the Frequently Asked Question Page of the web site. http://www.biblestudyemail.com/faq.php -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Help and Support: Prayer is all I ask. Pray for the Lord to guide me as to what he wants me to learn, what he wants me to write, and what he wants me to apply to my life. Please pray for those reading these e-mails that it may inspire them to grow in their maturity and faith as believers. Pray that God may use these notes for His glory. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Canceling: If you do not want to stay on this list, go to www.biblestudyemail.com/ signup.php. Please make sure you include your e-mail address when you cancel. There is a checkbox for canceling the e-mails. No questions asked, period! Your name is NEVER sold, copied, or solicited, etc. I do this only because I enjoy it as a hobby and want to share my love for the Bible with others. I'm never offended when people cancel and again, I never ask why. Please make sure you type your e-mail address correctly. Canceling will have no affect on our friendship!

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