Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise, Executive Director of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation in Macomb, MI joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Ephesians 1:11-23. Learn more about the work of LHF at lhfmissions.org.
Paul encourages unity in the Ephesian church by clearly proclaiming our Triune God and His authority in everything. The Ephesian church was surrounded by other gods who required complete obedience and submission for salvation, such as Artemis, but it is our LORD Jesus who has all authority and gives Himself and His gifts to you. What joy it is to know that no matter what happens, here or around the world, our church is the Lord’s Church and He will care for us. “O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, by the mystery of the Trinity, You show us again Your power and the gifts You lavish upon us. Thank you for truth, salvation, the seal of promise. Bless the Church that we may be faithful to this grace and trust in You our Head. Lord have mercy. Amen”
Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two LCMS pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.
Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.
Ephesians 1:11-23
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee[a] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,[b] to the praise of his glory.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[c] toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Footnotes
- Ephesians 1:14 Or down payment
- Ephesians 1:14 Or until God redeems his possession
- Ephesians 1:15 Some manuscripts omit your love
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org
