God's Elect Excel

Newsletter #375 - January 2010 - By Shepherds Chapel - http://www.shepherdschapel.com/

God's elect are winners. They are winners because God loves them. We are going to begin our study in the Book of Ephesians. You must rightly divide the Book of Ephesians to understand the Book. God chose His elect in the 1st earth age, because they were overcomers. They stood with God against Satan. Let's begin our study in the 3rd Chapter of Ephesians.

Ephesians 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

The crucifixion of Christ opened salvation to the Gentiles, and God used Paul mightily to bring the gospel to them. It is unfortunate that the 3 world ages and what actually happened in the garden of Eden is a mystery to many. But it isn't a mystery to you.

Ephesians 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

When you take the Word into your heart and mind, the Holy Spirit makes it easier for you to absorb and understand.

Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of His power.

God's power is a gift to those who love and serve Him. Most people don't even see that power. It's not a matter of God playing favorites. But He does bless those that have a zeal for His Word and Work for Him.

Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Paul always placed himself below everyone else, because he persecuted the church so zealously. Then God stuck him down on the road to Damascus, and He would utilize Paul to write most of the New Testament.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

Jesus Christ is at the right hand of God in heaven. You can plug into God's power through Jesus. Don't waste this power. Don't be without God's power in this troubled world and these troubled times.

Ephesians 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

The purpose of Jesus Christ in the 1st advent was Savior. He won't come as a babe at the 2nd advent. He will come as King of kings and Lord of lords. There will be order under His rod of correction.

Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him.

Don't shy away from talking with your Father. The first thing Jesus did after the crucifixion was rend the veil from top to bottom. You can boldly approach God. Claim the promises of God with confidence.

Ephesians 3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;

Do you ever need your spiritual body strengthened? It is God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit, that strengthens your spiritual body and gives you true wisdom.

Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

A plant becomes what it is rooted in. The better the soil, the better the plant. You are a planting of God. Make certain that you are rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. Grow in that love. That is when God's blessings begin to flow your way.

Ephesians 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

The word "passeth" is from the Greek word "huperballo" (hoop-er-bal'-o). It means to throw beyond the mark, or to surpass. It means to excel. God's elect excel in knowledge and understanding. They tap into His wisdom, which helps us overcome this troubled world. We know who causes evil, and we rebuke Satan in the name of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:20 Now unto Him That is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Exceeding" in this verse is "huper" (hoop-er') in the Greek language. It means above and beyond. It is good to be tied into God's power. Many of you have a destiny. You are going to need that power, when you stand against the antichrist. God's power allows His elect to excel and be overcomers. Let's turn to Chapter 2.

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Quickened man to make alive. The wages of sin is death. God forgives our sins, and we are once again spiritually alive. If we don't repent, we are spiritually dead.

Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

The prince of the power of the air is Satan. You don't have to look very far to see his influence on people now. You don't want to go there. Stick with God's power.

Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

If your spiritual being is dead, your flesh will be in the ways of the world.

Ephesians 2:4 But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

We all fall short. None of us are worthy of God's unmerited favor. But when we repent, He forgives us. Why? Because God loves us.

Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Don't overlook this verse. Jesus is at the right hand of God. If you are in Him, and He in you, you are there in heavenly places, as well. Don't ever let that slip away.

Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Here is our word again. "Exceedingly" is "huperbole" in the Greek language. The riches of Fathers grace far exceed anything else. That is why God's elect excel.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Man can't create his own salvation. Salvation is a gift from God. Don't forget to give credit where credit id due.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Our Father loves His children. Turn to Chapter 1. In verse 4 of this chapter we learn that some were chosen of God before the foundation of this world. God chose His elect in the 1st earth age. Ephesians, therefore, carries a great deal of importance to the elect.

Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power,

The word "exceeding" is "huperballo" in the Greek. God's power exceeds all other power. That is the reason we can say God's elect excel. They are plugged into the most powerful force in the universe.

Ephesians 1:20 Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

The power of God places Jesus far above any other power, not only in this age, but the one to come, as well. In conclusion, turn with me to 2 Corinthians. Paul is warning us about super preachers and antichrist.

2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

The word "transformed" can also mean "disguised". When Satan is cast out onto earth as antichrist, he is going to be disguised as a lamb. He is actually a wolf in sheep's clothing. Many will be deceived. God's elect will excel. God's elect will overcome the antichrist.

2 Corinthians 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if His ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Judgment begins with ministers (1 Peter 4:17). They all get exactly what they deserve, and that is fair.

2 Corinthians 11:16 I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. 17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

Paul wasn't one to boast, but he was a fantastic scholar of the manuscripts. He is telling them, "You are willing to listen to the false super preachers, let me have a chance to preach to you".

2 Corinthians 11:18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. 19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. 20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

Wise people don't listen to fools. Wise people don't allow their religion to put them in bondage. Truth sets you free (John 8:32).

2 Corinthians 11:21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.

Allow me to translate what Paul just said in the language of the Ozark mountains. He said, "If they mess with me, I'll knock them off their coon dog". Don't allow anyone to use religion to put you in bondage. Christianity isn't a religion; it's a reality. Be thankful for the knowledge of the mystery God has given you. Be there for God, when the antichrist appears on earth. God's elect excel.

In His Service,
Arnold Murray