For the past 8 years or so, I have done some sort of Bible plan that has me read the entire Bible in a year. It is always amazing to see things I’ve forgotten or never noticed. It’s also beautiful to how God opens my eyes to new truths in His word again and again.

One of the books I always get super excited to read is Ephesians. It is so rich with gospel truths and identity.

One of my mentors says, “Chapters 1-3 focus on what Christ has done and then Chapters 4-6 show us what we must do.” I have since heard others say that the first three chapters are God’s story and the last three our story.

With this in mind, I want to remind us of what God has done for us!

Background on the Book of Ephesians

Ephesians was a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus around 60-64 A.D. You can dive into how Paul got to Ephesus and got the church started there in Acts 19.

Ephesus was a wealthy and important port city. It was located in Roman’s Asia Minor province in what would now be present day Turkey.

One of the great draws to this city was the temple of the goddess Artemis. It was so large and elaborate that it was named as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

What Ephesians 1 says God Has Done

The book of Ephesians is a call to let the gospel shape every part of our lives. A big part of this is understanding what God has so graciously done for us. This realization leads to gratefulness and gratefulness leads to willing and active obedience.

Praise God for What He’s Done

We are going to pick out the action verbs in Ephesians 1:3-14 that talk about what God has done in Christ on our behalf to save us.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—  to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,  in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,  who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. -Ephesians 1:3-14 NIV

• Blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
• Chosen us to be holy and blameless.
• Predestined us for adoption into the family of Jesus.
• Freely give us His glorious grace.
• Redemption by His blood.
• Forgiven our sins.
• Lavished on us the riches of God.
• Made known to us the mysteries of His will.
• United with Christ.
• Included with Christ into salvation.
• Sealed by the promises of the Holy Spirit.
• Guaranteed us to an inheritance.

How We Respond to What He’s Done

This could totally be a brand new post just over Ephesians 4-6 on how we are called to live in response to what God has done on our behalf. I am just going to give you the highlights however and hope that this post encourages you to study the book of Ephesians more closely.

From Ephesians 4:1-5:2:

• Live worthy.
• Bear others with love.
• Grow in maturity.
• Speak the truth in love.
• Take off the old and put on the new.
• Forgive.
• Imitate Christ.
• Walk in love.

Prayer Guide for Ephesians 1

Here is a simple prayer guide that you can use as you walk through this overwhelming list of all God has done on your behalf. I hope it causes lots of praise and thanksgiving along with repentance in your heart. I know it does mine!

Praise

God, I praise you for….. (go through the list of all He has done and praise Him for each one.)

Jesus, thank you for all you have done on my behalf. Please call these things to my mind often so that I might live a life of praise.

Repentance

Heavenly Father, I confess that I often forget all that you’ve done for me and live my life expecting more from you. You have done it all on the cross and lavishly provide grace in my life. Make me more grateful and mindful.

Jesus, please forgive me when I don’t live chosen, blessed, forgiven, and redeemed. Please give me a mind full of praise and focused on all you’ve done.

Request

God , today, I don’t feel _____________(which of these acts God has done are you struggling to know), show me how to live like I am free in you and help me understand all you’ve done for me.

Lord, I want others to experience this same love, hope, and freedom in you. Please save my friend____________ and let them experience all you have done on their behalf.

Surrender

Right now, I am going to live in obedience and thankfulness because of all you’ve done, Lord.

I am going to proclaim today what you’ve done to the next generation. Give me determination and boldness.