Page 14 - Ephesians

In order to get this book before your heart, let me suggest the
reason God put it after Galatians, and before Philippians. I think
as you study more and more, under the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, you are going to see that God has providentially arranged
every book in the Bible. Each book is in its “right” place. They
are logically arranged, not chronologically arranged. God is
concerned about His message and purpose. Not the actual order
of events. The Bible was written to tell the story of God’s
redemptive purpose.

One reason Ephesians follows Galatians, is that Galatians
declares “Jesus only”. It says, “Just Jesus. Don’t supplement
Him with anything”. That’s what legalism does. It adds to Christ.
Galatians says “Jesus alone”. Someone might come along and
say, “Well, that’s an over simplification. You can’t say Jesus
only.” Yes you can, because of Ephesians. Why can I say “Jesus
only”? Because, everything, is in Him. That’s why it’s Jesus
only. Nothing is missing. Unfathomable riches in Christ.

Look at chapter 1:10, “The summing up of all things in Christ.”
That’s why you can say Jesus only. And in Him, are hidden all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge. You don’t miss a thing when
your eyes are on Christ. Galatians leads you right into Ephesians.
Galatians says, “One thing” and Ephesians says, “All things”.
Then, after you get that into your soul, you can move on to
Philippians where you learn to rejoice. Once you see that there is
one thing. Then, see that in Him you are rich. You can move on
to Philippians, and rejoice no matter what. In order to get any
book before your heart, you’ve got to get an idea of the books
content. Let me suggest a little outline that we can follow.

Almost all commentators divide it up the same way. Chapters 1-3
they call “Doctrine”, and chapters 4-6 they call “Application”. One
of my favorite outlines says, “Chapters 1-3 is God’s Work For us,
and chapters 4-6 is God’s Work Through us”. I think that nails it
down – God’s work for us and God’s work through us.