As we kickoff the New Year we are starting to unlock Paul's Epistles by beginning with his letter to the Ephesians.

In this message we start off with exploring what was social and economic dynamics of the city of Ephusus, as well as, what the condition of the church was. Ephusus was second only to Rome in its economic prowess and trade. It also held one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

The Ephesians Church grew to be the largest church among the churches of the time having the Apostle John as one of its members.

Since it was second only to Rome it had very similar challenges to the church in Rome. So Paul starts by encouraging and reminding them of who they are:

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul begins by reminding the church that they are "saints" in the Greek meaning "sacred, consecrated." In spite of the environment that you are in, Paul was saying, don't ever forget that you are sanctified by the Blood of Jesus Christ... You are children of God... God is now your ABBA your Daddy and He pronounces Grace [the Divine influence upon your heart and its reflection in the life, including gratitude] and Peace [from a primary word to join, to be at peace, to prosper]. Your Daddy wants the absolute best for you and has [past tense] provided them to you THROUGH the Cross of His Son.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Paul then reminds them that every blessing that can be afford us HAS BEEN given to us already. We are not trying to get blessed, we ARE blessed! He goes further to say that they were chosen... They didn't choose Jesus... Jesus CHOSE them BEFORE the world was put in orbit around the Sun... to HOLY and BLAMELESS before the Father as a result of His sacrifice on the Cross.

5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

Paul then goes on to remind them that they have received "placement as sons" [literally in the Greek]. Now, I want to clarify these misinterpreted Greek word huiothesia... It DOES NOT mean adoption!!!

"You mean, we are not adopted?" NOOOOOO!!!!!

Here's the proof:

John 3:3-5 NKJV

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Jesus clearly states that unless you a born again you cannot see the Kingdom of God. He statement was not esoterical or ethereal or even spiritual... No... How do I know? Look at Nicodemus' response: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

Nicodemus clearly understood what Jesus' was saying: You have to literally be born again... be procreated AGAIN. The word Jesus used in the Greek is gennao meaning "to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother)."

You see, if we were "adopted" we would still have Adam's nature... we'd still be fallen and thus, COULD NOT see, much less enter, God's Kingdom. Worse yet, He would be our Father!!!

But the GOOD NEWS is that we ARE born of water and spirit... We HAVE put off the old man and put on the New Man:

"and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." - Ephesians 4:24

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Paul is saying to them and us: Grace is a beautiful thing... unsearchable and unfathomable that saved us ALL and made us God's beloved children...

Rejoice in it... revel in it... Never forget it! Regardless of whatever circumstances,stance you find yourself in, remember this:

The Cross Was The Ultimate Expression of Love In All of History... and this expression of love was.... FOR YOU...

So whatever the New Year has for you if you let Him lead you through whatever comes your way, it will ALL work together for good:

Romans 8:28-29 King James Version (KJV)

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Amen... Happy New Year... May you be more like Jesus this year than last year.