Ephesians 1
Ephesians 1 – Living in the Power and Pleasure of God
A Cosmic Kickoff: God's Big Plan and Our Place in It
As we began reading Ephesians 1 together this week, one thing became immediately clear: this letter isn’t just another teaching—it's a cosmic call to wake up to the greatness of God and the power of the gospel. Paul wastes no time drawing us into the heavenly realm, reminding us that in Christ, we’ve already been blessed with every spiritual blessing.
From the start, Paul lifts our gaze. He invites us to widen our lens and see the big picture. He points to God's eternal plan, reminding us that before the world even existed, we were chosen, adopted, and loved (Ephesians 1:4–5). And not just out of obligation, but because it brought God pleasure. That line—“in accordance with his pleasure and will”—really struck us. Our very existence in God’s family brings Him joy. That truth alone is worth celebrating.
We also learned that verses 3–14 in Greek form one giant, run-on sentence—a breathless burst of praise, like a doxology erupting from Paul’s heart. It’s as if Paul couldn’t stop himself from pouring out the goodness of God all in one go.
The Holy Spirit: Our Sign, Seal, and Guarantee
Another standout moment from this chapter is how clearly Paul outlines the work of the Holy Spirit. In verses 13–14, we see that when we believe, we are marked—sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. This isn’t just symbolic; it’s a real deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. In other words, God’s Spirit in us is proof that we belong to Him.
That image of the Spirit as a royal seal, like the king’s stamp on an official letter, is powerful. It means our salvation is legitimate. It’s not fragile or in question. When God sees us, He sees the righteousness of Christ applied to us. That’s what makes the gospel so freeing—it’s not about us performing; it’s about us receiving.
Praying Bigger: Expanding Our View of Prayer
We were especially moved by Paul’s prayer in verses 15–23. He doesn’t pray for ease, comfort, or material blessings—he prays that the believers would know God better. That they’d have wisdom, revelation, hope, and power.
That challenged us. When we think about our own prayer life, are we asking for deeper intimacy with God? Are we praying bold, kingdom-minded prayers for others—even people we don’t personally know?
Paul’s heart for the church is expansive. He’s praying for people he hasn’t even met. It reminded us to widen our prayer lists—family, church, global issues. Let’s not just pray for safety and provision (though those are good!), but let’s also ask for open eyes, deepened faith, and real spiritual authority.
Jesus Reigns: Our Power in the Struggle
Ephesians 1 ends with a powerful reminder: Jesus is above all. All rule, all authority, all powers—seen and unseen—are under His feet. That includes every struggle we face, every spiritual battle we feel, and every fear we wrestle with.
This chapter makes it clear that Jesus’ resurrection power is at work in us (Eph. 1:19–20). That’s mind-blowing. The same strength that raised Christ from the dead is now empowering us to live, love, and lead like Him.
So when we’re facing spiritual opposition or feeling overwhelmed, we return to this truth: Jesus is King. He reigns now and forever. And as His church, we carry His presence and His mission into the world.
Let’s Keep Going
We’re only one chapter in, and Ephesians is already firing us up. Whether you’re new to this book or have read it a hundred times, it has a way of expanding your view—of God, of yourself, and of the church.
Let’s keep reading together. Let’s keep praying bold prayers. Let’s live like we’re sealed by the Spirit and sent by the King.
