Becoming a People of Grace

In this 26-part exposition of Ephesians, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores what it means to be a “people of grace.” The series transitions from the deep theological foundations of our identity in Christ to the practical, daily walk of a believer in the home, the workplace, and the spiritual battlefield.

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1. Ephesians: A Life-Changing Letter (Overview)

• Overview: Introduces Ephesus as a bustling commercial and religious hub. Paul writes not to correct a specific error, but to expand the believers’ understanding of God’s eternal purpose.
• Key Fact: Ephesus was home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, making the message of Christ’s supremacy culturally radical.
• Scripture: Ephesians 1:1–2 – Paul emphasizes that grace and peace come only from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Unloading the Theological Truck (Ephesians 1:3–6)

• Overview: A deep dive into the “wealth” of the believer, focusing on election and adoption.
• Scripture: Ephesians 1:3 – Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places is already ours in Christ.
• Key Fact: Election is a sovereign act of God done “before the foundation of the world.”

3. Ten Reasons to Give God Praise (Ephesians 1:7–14)

• Overview: Paul lists the specific benefits of being in Christ, including redemption, forgiveness, and the sealing of the Spirit.
• Scripture: Ephesians 1:7 – Redemption is through His blood, according to the “riches of His grace.”
• Key Fact: The Holy Spirit is described as a “pledge” or “down payment” (earnest money) guaranteeing our future inheritance.

4. Praying Like We Mean It (Ephesians 1:15–19)

• Overview: Paul’s first prayer for the Ephesians focuses on spiritual enlightenment rather than physical needs.
• Key Fact: True knowledge of God requires the “eyes of your heart” to be enlightened.
• Scripture: Ephesians 1:18–19 – Paul prays that believers would know the hope of His calling and the surpassing greatness of His power.

5. What Is Christ Doing Now . . . and Why? (Ephesians 1:20–23)

• Overview: Explores the current session of Christ at the right hand of God and His headship over the Church.
• Scripture: Ephesians 1:21 – Christ is far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion.
• Key Fact: The Church is described as “His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

6. You Were Dead . . . But God! (Ephesians 2:1–7)

• Overview: Contrasts the hopeless state of spiritual death with the vibrant life found in Christ.
• Scripture: Ephesians 2:1–3 – Humanity’s natural state is being “dead in trespasses and sins.”
• Key Fact: The two most important words in the Gospel: “But God” (v. 4), signifying His intervention in our helpless state.

7. God’s Artwork on Display (Ephesians 2:8–10)

• Overview: The classic passage on salvation by grace through faith and the purpose of good works.
• Scripture: Ephesians 2:8–9 – Salvation is a gift, not a result of works, so that no one can boast.
• Key Fact: We are God’s “workmanship” (Greek: poiēma), created for good works which God prepared beforehand.

8. Breaking Down the Barrier (Ephesians 2:11–18)

• Overview: How Christ abolished the “wall of partition” between Jews and Gentiles to create one new man.
• Key Fact: The “middle wall” refers to the physical barrier in the Temple that excluded Gentiles.
• Scripture: Ephesians 2:14 – Christ Himself is our peace, having broken down the barrier of hostility.

9. God’s Household (Ephesians 2:19–22)

• Overview: The Church is depicted as a building, a temple, and a family.
• Scripture: Ephesians 2:20 – The church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone.
• Key Fact: Believers are no longer strangers but fellow citizens and members of God’s household.

10. The Mystery, the Ministry, and Me (Ephesians 3:1–13)

• Overview: Paul explains the “mystery” hidden for ages—that Gentiles are fellow heirs with Jews.
• Scripture: Ephesians 3:6 – The mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow members of the body.
• Key Fact: Paul considers himself the “least of all saints,” yet entrusted with preaching the “unfathomable riches of Christ.”

11. Paul on His Knees . . . Again (Ephesians 3:14–21)

• Overview: Paul’s second prayer, focusing on spiritual strength and being filled with the fullness of God.
• Scripture: Ephesians 3:17–19 – A prayer to comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of Christ’s love.
• Key Fact: The doxology in v. 20 reminds us that God is able to do “exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.”

12. A Worthy Walk (Ephesians 4:1–6)

• Overview: The transition from doctrine (chapters 1–3) to duty (chapters 4–6).
• Key Fact: A “worthy walk” is one that balances our high calling with our daily conduct.
• Scripture: Ephesians 4:4–6 – The “Seven Unities”: one body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, and God.

13. His Gift and Our Gifts (Ephesians 4:7–11)

• Overview: How Christ distributes spiritual gifts to the church following His ascension.
• Scripture: Ephesians 4:11 – Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers to the church.
• Key Fact: Spiritual gifts are given “according to the measure of Christ’s gift” to every individual believer.

14. Body Life at Its Best (Ephesians 4:12–16)

• Overview: The purpose of the gifted leaders is to equip the saints for the work of service.
• Scripture: Ephesians 4:15 – Believers are to “speak the truth in love” to grow up into Christ.
• Key Fact: Maturity is reached when the church is no longer “tossed here and there by waves” of false doctrine.

15. Here’s How to Get Dressed (Ephesians 4:17–24)

• Overview: The metaphor of “laying aside” the old self and “putting on” the new self.
• Key Fact: Renewal begins in the “spirit of your mind” (v. 23).
• Scripture: Ephesians 4:24 – Put on the new self, created in the likeness of God in righteousness and holiness.

16. Steps That Lead to Freedom (Ephesians 4:25–32)

• Overview: Practical applications of the “new self,” including honesty, anger management, and speech.
• Scripture: Ephesians 4:26 – “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.”
• Key Fact: Bitterness and wrath “grieve” the Holy Spirit of God (v. 30).

17. A Stirring Summons to Purity (Ephesians 5:1–7)

• Overview: The call to be “imitators of God” and to walk in love and purity.
• Scripture: Ephesians 5:3 – Immorality and impurity should not even be named among saints.
• Key Fact: “Coarse jesting” is identified as conduct that is out of place for a believer.

18. This Little Light: Is It Really Mine? (Ephesians 5:8–14)

• Overview: The contrast between the “fruit of light” and the “unfruitful deeds of darkness.”
• Scripture: Ephesians 5:8 – “You were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light.”
• Key Fact: Light exposes and reproves darkness, bringing everything into the open.

19. The Christian Life 101 (Ephesians 5:15–21)

• Overview: Wisdom, time management, and the command to be “filled with the Spirit.”
• Scripture: Ephesians 5:16 – “Making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”
• Key Fact: Being “filled with the Spirit” is a command to be under the Spirit’s continuous control, contrasted with the control of alcohol (v. 18).

20 & 21. The Most Challenging of All Relationships (Ephesians 5:22–33)

• Overview: A two-part look at marriage, focusing on mutual submission, the wife’s respect, and the husband’s sacrificial love.
• Scripture: Ephesians 5:25 – “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.”
• Key Fact: Marriage is a profound mystery that ultimately points to the relationship between Christ and the Church.

22. Secrets of a Nurturing Home (Ephesians 6:1–4)

• Overview: The roles of children and parents (specifically fathers) in a grace-filled home.
• Scripture: Ephesians 6:1 – “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”
• Key Fact: Fathers are commanded not to “provoke” their children to anger but to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

23. Honoring God in Our Occupations (Ephesians 6:5–9)

• Overview: How the Gospel transforms the relationship between “slaves and masters” (applicable to employees and employers).
• Scripture: Ephesians 6:7 – Service should be rendered “with good will, as to the Lord, and not to men.”
• Key Fact: God is the ultimate “Master in heaven” to whom both employee and employer are accountable.

24. Standing Firm against Satanic Schemes (Ephesians 6:10–13)

• Overview: Recognizing that our primary struggle is not against “flesh and blood” but against spiritual forces.
• Scripture: Ephesians 6:11 – “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”
• Key Fact: The word “schemes” (Greek: methodeia) implies a calculated, deceptive strategy used by the enemy.

25. Strong Armor for Weak Sheep (Ephesians 6:14–17)

• Overview: A detailed look at the six pieces of spiritual armor: truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word.
• Scripture: Ephesians 6:17 – The Sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon, identified as the “word of God” (rhēma).
• Key Fact: The “shield of faith” is able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

26. Here’s How to Finish Well (Ephesians 6:18–24)

• Overview: The importance of prayer in the believer’s life and Paul’s final greetings.
• Scripture: Ephesians 6:18 – “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit.”
• Key Fact: Even from prison, Paul asks for prayer that he may speak “boldly,” showing his focus remained on the mission.