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Each verse has a bunch of sermons and bible studies within themselves. You can't just 'read through' Paul like you can in the OT. History is history but words of life directed to us today are nothing to skim over!
We may tend to skim through those longer verses as they all seem to run on... but let's slow down and read a few of these in a manner that we see the importance of what Paul is saying. As you read more of Paul's writings, be sure to slow down and allow those 'added' comments within the verses to be noticed and meditated upon.
Note: we don't do all the verses below in the audio sermon. However, take the time to do your own studies on this subject. There are many more verses that are very long sentences full of content!
7-12
7: In whom
we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according
to the riches of his grace;
8: Wherein
he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9: Having
made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure
which he hath purposed in himself:
10: That in
the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one
all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth;
even in him:
11: In whom
also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to
the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own
will:
12: That we
should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
15-23
15: Wherefore
I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all
the saints,
16: Cease
not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17: That the
God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the
spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18: The eyes
of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope
of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in
the saints,
19: And what is the exceeding greatness
of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty
power,
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:
22: And hath
put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things
to the church,
23: Which
is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
4-7
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;)
6: And hath
raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ
Jesus:
7: That in
the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his
kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
11-13
11: Wherefore
remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called
Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made
by hands;
12: That at
that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of
Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and
without God in the world:
13: But now
in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood
of Christ.
14-17
14: For he
is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall
of partition between us;
15: Having
abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained
in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16: And that
he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain
the enmity thereby:
17: And came
and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
19-22
19: Now therefore
ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints,
and of the household of God;
20: And are
built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself
being the chief corner stone;
21: In whom
all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the
Lord:
22: In whom
ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
8-12
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;
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,
11: According
to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12: In whom
we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
14-19
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;
17: That Christ
may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in
love,
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.
11-13
11: Put on
the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles
of the devil.
12: For we
wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places.
13: Wherefore
take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand
in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14-16
14: Stand
therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate
of righteousness;
15: And your
feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16: Above
all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all
the fiery darts of the wicked.
17-20
17: And take
the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word
of God:
18: Praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto
with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19: And for
me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly,
to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20: For which
I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought
to speak.
9-11
9: And this
I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in
all judgment;
10: That ye
may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without
offence till the day of Christ;
11: Being
filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto
the glory and praise of God.
12: Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13-14
13: Brethren,
I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting
those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which
are before,
14: I press
toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.