8/10/12

Getting caught and then doing something about it


Cute, very cute.  Frosty picking his nose, slightly funny if not a tad tacky.  But what if it were something more serious than this innocent play on words?  What if Frosty (or anyone for that matter) was caught in a terrible lie, or a large theft or something even worse, say, child abuse or embezzlement?  What then?  Could he be forgiven or perhaps even better, could it be forgotten?  Like it or no, even Christians do things that they know are wrong and get caught doing it.  One of the things I like most about the Bible is its honesty.  In Corinth there was a man who was sleeping with his father's wife.  Nasty business, but Paul handles it tactfully and in the letter of 2 Corinthians, we see the outcome....

2 Corinthians, Chapter 7
 6 Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;  7 and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, while he told us of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced still more.

  8 For though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you sorry, though just for a while.  9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing.  10 For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.  11 For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter. 12 So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be revealed in you in the sight of God.  13 Therefore we have been comforted. In our comfort we rejoiced the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 

 
No one who draws breath is perfect, but with a change of mind and a change of action we can turn from doing wrong to living as God would have us to do.  Guilt turns into action and then Godly zeal, as this above passage teaches.  For those in contact (in this case fellowship) with the perpetrator, forgivessness is in order when there has been an obvious reversal of attitude and behavior!!!  Paul and his companions were comforted at the news of Spiritual resolution of the problem.  So should we, because Godliness is something to rejoice in. Have you done something you know to be wrong?  Go ahead and change for the better, you will be glad you did.  God forgives and hopefully those who care about you will as well!!!

Aug. 10 Nehemiah 7-9


Aug. 10
Nehemiah 7-9

Neh 7:1 Now it happened, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed,
Neh 7:2 that I put my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the governor of the castle, in charge of Jerusalem; for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
Neh 7:3 I said to them, Don't let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand on guard, let them shut the doors, and you bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, everyone in his watch, and everyone to be over against his house.
Neh 7:4 Now the city was wide and large; but the people were few therein, and the houses were not built.
Neh 7:5 My God put into my heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written therein:
Neh 7:6 These are the children of the province, who went up out of the captivity of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and who returned to Jerusalem and to Judah, everyone to his city;
Neh 7:7 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
Neh 7:8 The children of Parosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two.
Neh 7:9 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy-two.
Neh 7:10 The children of Arah, six hundred fifty-two.
Neh 7:11 The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
Neh 7:12 The children of Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.
Neh 7:13 The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty-five.
Neh 7:14 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred sixty.
Neh 7:15 The children of Binnui, six hundred forty-eight.
Neh 7:16 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty-eight.
Neh 7:17 The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty-two.
Neh 7:18 The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty-seven.
Neh 7:19 The children of Bigvai, two thousand sixty-seven.
Neh 7:20 The children of Adin, six hundred fifty-five.
Neh 7:21 The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight.
Neh 7:22 The children of Hashum, three hundred Twenty-eight.
Neh 7:23 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty-four.
Neh 7:24 The children of Hariph, one hundred twelve.
Neh 7:25 The children of Gibeon, ninety-five.
Neh 7:26 The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, one hundred eighty-eight.
Neh 7:27 The men of Anathoth, one hundred twenty-eight.
Neh 7:28 The men of Beth Azmaveth, forty-two.
Neh 7:29 The men of Kiriath Jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty-three.
Neh 7:30 The men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty-one.
Neh 7:31 The men of Michmas, one hundred and twenty-two.
Neh 7:32 The men of Bethel and Ai, a hundred twenty-three.
Neh 7:33 The men of the other Nebo, fifty-two.
Neh 7:34 The children of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.
Neh 7:35 The children of Harim, three hundred twenty.
Neh 7:36 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty-five.
Neh 7:37 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty-one.
Neh 7:38 The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred thirty.
Neh 7:39 The priests: The children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three.
Neh 7:40 The children of Immer, one thousand fifty-two.
Neh 7:41 The children of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred forty-seven.
Neh 7:42 The children of Harim, one thousand and seventeen.
Neh 7:43 The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the children of Hodevah, seventy-four.
Neh 7:44 The singers: the children of Asaph, one hundred forty-eight.
Neh 7:45 The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, one hundred thirty-eight.
Neh 7:46 The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
Neh 7:47 the children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon,
Neh 7:48 the children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Salmai,
Neh 7:49 the children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar,
Neh 7:50 the children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda,
Neh 7:51 the children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah.
Neh 7:52 The children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephushesim,
Neh 7:53 the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
Neh 7:54 the children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
Neh 7:55 the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,
Neh 7:56 the children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
Neh 7:57 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,
Neh 7:58 the children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
Neh 7:59 the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the children of Amon.
Neh 7:60 All the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety-two.
Neh 7:61 These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers' houses, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel:
Neh 7:62 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty-two.
Neh 7:63 Of the priests: the children of Hobaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
Neh 7:64 These sought their register among those who were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.
Neh 7:65 The governor said to them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, until there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.
Neh 7:66 The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty,
Neh 7:67 besides their male servants and their female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven: and they had two hundred forty-five singing men and singing women.
Neh 7:68 Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five;
Neh 7:69 their camels, four hundred thirty-five; their donkeys, six thousand seven hundred twenty.
Neh 7:70 Some from among the heads of fathers' houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury one thousand darics of gold, fifty basins, and five hundred thirty priests' garments.
Neh 7:71 Some of the heads of fathers' houses gave into the treasury of the work twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand two hundred minas of silver.
Neh 7:72 That which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand minas of silver, and sixty-seven priests' garments.
Neh 7:73 So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinim, and all Israel, lived in their cities. When the seventh month was come, the children of Israel were in their cities.
Neh 8:1 All the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad place that was before the water gate; and they spoke to Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Yahweh had commanded to Israel.
Neh 8:2 Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women, and all who could hear with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.
Neh 8:3 He read therein before the broad place that was before the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.
Neh 8:4 Ezra the scribe stood on a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
Neh 8:5 Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
Neh 8:6 and Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God. All the people answered, Amen, Amen, with the lifting up of their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshiped Yahweh with their faces to the ground.
Neh 8:7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
Neh 8:8 They read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.
Neh 8:9 Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, This day is holy to Yahweh your God; don't mourn, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
Neh 8:10 Then he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Don't be grieved; for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.
Neh 8:11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be grieved.
Neh 8:12 All the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
Neh 8:13 On the second day were gathered together the heads of fathers' houses of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, to Ezra the scribe, even to give attention to the words of the law.
Neh 8:14 They found written in the law, how that Yahweh had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month;
Neh 8:15 and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth to the mountain, and get olive branches, and branches of wild olive, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.
Neh 8:16 So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, everyone on the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the broad place of the water gate, and in the broad place of the gate of Ephraim.
Neh 8:17 All the assembly of those who were come again out of the captivity made booths, and lived in the booths; for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the children of Israel had not done so. There was very great gladness.
Neh 8:18 Also day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. They kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according to the ordinance.
Neh 9:1 Now in the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackcloth, and earth on them.
Neh 9:2 The seed of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.
Neh 9:3 They stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of Yahweh their God a fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshiped Yahweh their God.
Neh 9:4 Then stood up on the stairs of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice to Yahweh their God.
Neh 9:5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless Yahweh your God from everlasting to everlasting; and blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
Neh 9:6 You are Yahweh, even you alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their army, the earth and all things that are thereon, the seas and all that is in them, and you preserve them all; and the army of heaven worships you.
Neh 9:7 You are Yahweh the God, who did choose Abram, and brought him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gave him the name of Abraham,
Neh 9:8 and found his heart faithful before you, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite, and the Girgashite, to give it to his seed, and have performed your words; for you are righteous.
Neh 9:9 You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heard their cry by the Red Sea,
Neh 9:10 and showed signs and wonders on Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land; for you knew that they dealt proudly against them, and made a name for you, as it is this day.
Neh 9:11 You divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their pursuers you did cast into the depths, as a stone into the mighty waters.
Neh 9:12 Moreover in a pillar of cloud you led them by day; and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light in the way in which they should go.
Neh 9:13 You came down also on Mount Sinai, and spoke with them from heaven, and gave them right ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments,
Neh 9:14 and made known to them your holy Sabbath, and commanded them commandments, and statutes, and a law, by Moses your servant,
Neh 9:15 and gave them bread from the sky for their hunger, and brought forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and commanded those who they should go in to possess the land which you had sworn to give them.
Neh 9:16 But they and our fathers dealt proudly and hardened their neck, and didn't listen to your commandments,
Neh 9:17 and refused to obey, neither were mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn't forsake them.
Neh 9:18 Yes, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt, and had committed awful blasphemies;
Neh 9:19 yet you in your manifold mercies didn't forsake them in the wilderness: the pillar of cloud didn't depart from over them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way in which they should go.
Neh 9:20 You gave also your good Spirit to instruct them, and didn't withhold your manna from their mouth, and gave them water for their thirst.
Neh 9:21 Yes, forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing; their clothes didn't grow old, and their feet didn't swell.
Neh 9:22 Moreover you gave them kingdoms and peoples, which you allotted after their portions: so they possessed the land of Sihon, even the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan.
Neh 9:23 Their children also multiplied you as the stars of the sky, and brought them into the land concerning which you did say to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.
Neh 9:24 So the children went in and possessed the land, and you subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gave them into their hands, with their kings, and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they would.
Neh 9:25 They took fortified cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all good things, cisterns dug out, vineyards, and olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance: so they ate, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in your great goodness.
Neh 9:26 Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against you, and cast your law behind their back, and killed your prophets that testified against them to turn them again to you, and they committed awful blasphemies.
Neh 9:27 Therefore you delivered them into the hand of their adversaries, who distressed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried to you, you heard from heaven; and according to your manifold mercies you gave them saviors who saved them out of the hand of their adversaries.
Neh 9:28 But after they had rest, they did evil again before you; therefore left you them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried to you, you heard from heaven; and many times you delivered them according to your mercies,
Neh 9:29 and testified against them, that you might bring them again to your law. Yet they dealt proudly, and didn't listen to your commandments, but sinned against your ordinances, (which if a man do, he shall live in them), and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
Neh 9:30 Yet many years you put up with them, and testified against them by your Spirit through your prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.
Neh 9:31 Nevertheless in your manifold mercies you did not make a full end of them, nor forsake them; for you are a gracious and merciful God.
Neh 9:32 Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keep covenant and loving kindness, don't let all the travail seem little before you, that has come on us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria to this day.
Neh 9:33 However you are just in all that is come on us; for you have dealt truly, but we have done wickedly;
Neh 9:34 neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept your law, nor listened to your commandments and your testimonies with which you testified against them.
Neh 9:35 For they have not served you in their kingdom, and in your great goodness that you gave them, and in the large and fat land which you gave before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.
Neh 9:36 Behold, we are servants this day, and as for the land that you gave to our fathers to eat its fruit and its good, behold, we are servants in it.
Neh 9:37 It yields much increase to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins: also they have power over our bodies, and over our livestock, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
Neh 9:38 Yet for all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, our Levites, and our priests, seal to it.

"THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS" Chapter One by Mark Copeland

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS"

                              Chapter One

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THE CHAPTER

1) To review the wonderful blessings God has provided in Christ

2) To understand what Paul desired the Ephesians that they know

3) To notice the greatness of God's power toward those who believe

4) To consider the exalted position of Christ and His church

SUMMARY

Following a brief salutation (1-2), Paul begins this epistle with an
expression of praise to God for the spiritual blessings that are in
Christ (3).  In this doxology is a list of blessings divided into three
sections.  The first section describes those blessings related to the
Father, how He has chosen us in Christ, predestined us to adoption as
sons to Himself, and made us accepted in the Beloved (4-6).  The second
section focuses on those blessings in relation to the Son, e.g.,
redemption through His blood, forgiveness of sins, the revelation of
His will concerning Jesus Christ, and the inheritance we have obtained,
as predestined according to God's will (7-12).  The third section
describes blessings related to the Holy Spirit, how we are sealed with
the Spirit of promise, and how He serves as a "guarantee" (or deposit)
of our inheritance (13-14).  The key phrase throughout this section is
"in Him" (or "in Whom") which stresses the point that all spiritual
blessing come through Jesus Christ and enjoyed by those who are "in"
Him (cf. 1:1,3).

The last half of the chapter contains Paul's first of two prayers that
are in this epistle.  The prayer in this chapter is for their
"enlightenment", that their knowledge and understanding might increase.
Paul especially desires that they might know God more fully, what is
the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His
inheritance in the saints, and what is the great power of God toward
those who believe (15-19).  Regarding this "power", it is the same
power God used to raise Jesus from the dead and seat Him at His right
hand.  The exalted position now enjoyed by Christ includes authority
over all things, especially the church which is described as "His body,
the fullness of Him who fills all in all." (20-23)

OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION (1-3)

   A. THE AUTHOR (1a)
      1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ
      2. By the will of God

   B. THE RECIPIENTS (1b)
      1. The saints (who are in Ephesus)
      2. The faithful in Christ Jesus

   C. THE SALUTATION (2)
      1. Grace and peace
      2. From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

   D. THE THEME OF THE EPISTLE (3)
      1. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is to be blessed
         (praised)
      2. For He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the
         heavenly places in Christ

II. OUR SPIRITUAL POSSESSIONS IN CHRIST (3-14)

   A. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE FATHER (4-6)
      1. We are chosen by God (4)
         a. Chosen in Christ before the world began
         b. Chosen to holy and without blame before Him in love
      2. We are predestined by God (5-6a)
         a. Predestined to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself
         b. Predestined according to the good pleasure of His Will
         -- To the praise of His glorious grace
      3. We are accepted by God (6)
         a. Accepted by virtue of His glorious grace
         b. Accepted in the Beloved (Christ)

   B. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE SON (7-12)
      1. God has redeemed us (7a)
         a. Redeemed in Christ
         b. Redeemed through His blood
      2. God has forgiven us (7b-8)
         a. Forgiven us of our sins
         b. Forgiven us according to the riches of His grace
            1) Which God has made to abound toward us
            2) Abounding in all wisdom and prudence
      3. God has revealed His will to us (9-10)
         a. Revealed the mystery of His will
            1) According to His good pleasure
            2) Which He purposed in Himself
         b. Revealed how He will gather together in one all things in
            Christ
            1) Things in heaven
            2) Things on earth
      4. God has given us an inheritance (11-12)
         a. An inheritance predestined by God
            1) According to His purpose
            2) Who works all things according to His will
         b. An inheritance...
            1) For those who first trusted in Christ
            2) So they can be to the praise of God's glory

   C. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE HOLY SPIRIT (13-14)
      1. The Holy Spirit is our "seal" (13)
         a. Having trusted in Christ after hearing the word of truth,
            the gospel of salvation
         b. Having believed, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of
            promise
      2. The Holy Spirit is our "guarantee" (14)
         a. The guarantee of our inheritance
         b. The guarantee until the redemption of the purchased
            possession
         -- To the praise of God's glory

III. PAUL'S FIRST PRAYER:  FOR THEIR ENLIGHTENMENT (15-23)

   A. THAT WHICH PRECIPITATED HIS PRAYER (15-16)
      1. Having heard of their:
         a. Faith in the Lord Jesus
         b. Love for all their saints
      2. Resulting in his:
         a. Unceasing thanks for them
         b. Making mention of them in his prayers

   B. THE CONTENT OF HIS PRAYER (17-23)
      1. To whom addressed (17a)
         a. The God of our Lord Jesus Christ
         b. The Father of glory
      2. That God would...
         a. Give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation (17b)
         b. Enlighten the eyes of their understanding (18a)
      3. That they might know...
         a. The knowledge of God (17c)
         b. The hope of His calling (18b)
         c. The riches of the glorious inheritance in the saints (18c)
         d. The exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe
            (19a)
      4. Regarding this power toward us who believe...
         a. It is according to working of God's mighty power in Christ
            (19b-20a)
         b. The same mighty power which...
            1) Raised Christ from the dead (20b)
            2) Seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places
               (20c-21)
               a) Far above all principality, power, might, dominion,
                  and every name
               b) Not only in this age, but also in that which is to
                  come
            3) Put all things under His feet (22a)
            4) Gave Him to be head over all things to the church
               (22b-23)
               a) Which is His body
               b) Which is the fullness of Him who fills all in all

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Introduction (1-3)
   - Our spiritual possessions in Christ (3-14)
   - Paul's first prayer:  for their enlightenment (15-23)

2) Why is God to be blessed (praised)? (3)
   - Because He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the
     heavenly places in Christ

3) What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the
   Father? (4-6)
   - He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world
   - He predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ
   - He made us acceptable in the Beloved (Jesus)

4) What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the Son?
   (7-12)
   - God has redeemed us through His Son's blood
   - God has forgiven us of our sins
   - God has revealed His will to us
   - God has given us an inheritance

5) What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the Holy
   Spirit? (13-14)
   - We have been "sealed" by the Holy Spirit
   - We have received the Spirit as a "guarantee" of our inheritance

6) What had Paul heard, that prompted his prayers in their behalf?
   (15-16)
   - Of their faith in the Lord Jesus
   - Of their love for all the saints

7) Concerning what did Paul pray that his readers might know and be
   enlightened? (17-19)
   - The knowledge of God
   - The hope of His calling
   - The riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints
   - The exceeding greatness of His power toward those who believe

8) According to what is God's power toward those who believe? (20)
   - The mighty power God worked in Christ, in raising Him from the
     dead and seating Him at His right hand

9) What is Christ's exalted position at God's right hand? (21)
   - Far above all principality, power, might, dominion, and every name
     that is named, both now and in the age to come

10) What has been placed under His feet?  Over what is He the head?
    (23)
   - All things
   - The church

11) What is the church in relation to Christ? (23)
   - His body
   - The fullness of Him who fills all in all