Studies in Ephesians

Studies in Ephesians Presentation 01

The Structure of the Book Be what you are in Christ See what you are in Christ Chap 4-6 Chap 1-3 Practice Application Usage Doctrine Truth Provision

Opening and Introduction Chap 1 v1-2

Introduction • “An apostle ... by the will of God”. v18 • To see a church established in Ephesus had cost Paul a great deal. “for 3 years I never stopped warning each of you night • and day with tears." Acts 20.31 • Paul begins by presenting his credentials: • He is not an apostle because he applied for the post, he didn’t volunteer nor was he appointed by the church. • He uses the Greek word `thelemetos' which points to the sovereign will and appointment of God. • The apostles wrote and spoke in Christ’s stead. Jn.16.12-14.

Introduction Recognising Authority We all receive many letters through the post. Much of it is junk mail that is thrown immediately into the bin. However, we think twice about throwing away a letter from the government. It carries an authority that junk mail clearly does not. In the same way Paul makes it clear that he is not writing on his own behalf or stating his own opinions, rather he is writing as one who has apostolic authority given him from God.

Introduction “to the saints” v18 What is a saint? Paul does not mean a special group of Christians who are noted for their holiness. Every Christian is a saint. The word carries the idea of separation. Separated toGod Separatedfromthe world

Introduction “In Ephesus... In Christ”. v1 Paul reminds the Christian that he has two addresses. But only one of them is permanent. Our accommodation down here on earth is temporary. indissoluble.

The City of Ephesus • A Greek colony and the capital of a Roman province. • It was a busy commercial port. • Headquarters of the religious cult of Diana. Philippi Galatia Troas Collossae Ephesus Lystra Antioch

The City of Ephesus 4. The Temple of Diana: one of the wonders of the ancient world was located there. 5. The worship of Diana encouraged gross immorality. 6. It had a reputation as a centre of occult practice. 7. It was Externally beautiful, internally corrupt.

Greetings “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” v1 Storms of life Grace Peace Chain of blessing All of God’s blessings descend the chain of grace and as such this is the chain we need to hold onto. The peace that comes from God dies not mean a trouble free life but Like a submarine in the midst of a storm those inside can experience remarkable calm.

Paul’s Outburst of Praise [a] Verses 3-14

“Praise be to the God.... to the praise of his glory”. v1-14 These verses form one long sentence. They are like a snowball rolling down a hill gathering momentum as it travels. Paul’s worship is heightened as truth captivates the mind. It is important in worship for the mind to be engaged for then the emotions are legitimately warmed. The truths touched upon here are unpacked in greater detail in the rest of the epistle. In this respect they are like an overture in a symphony.

Salvation man God Who should be the Focus of salvation?

Allspiritual blessing come to the Christian through his union with Christ. The term “in Christ” is often used by Paul to describe this union. The organic nature of this union is illustrated by Jesus in John 15. “I am the vine you are the branches.”

The Blessings: • Their Scope. • “Every spiritual blessing”. Note the generosity of God. • “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up • for us all—how will he not also, along with him, • graciously give us all things?” Rom 8.32 • 2. Their Location. • “ in the heavenly realms”This expression would be of particular importance to inhabitants of Ephesus given their past connections with the occult whose powers were thought to be in the heavens. • Their Source. • All three persons of the Trinity are shown to compliment one another in the plan of salvation.

The Involvement of the Trinity Father Plan - ChosePast Son Work- Purchase Present SpiritApplication- SealingFuture Salvation

Chosen 1. The Father’s Plan. “he chose us in him before the creation of the world”.

“Agnostics will talk cheerfully about man’s search for God. For me they might as well talk about the mouse’s search for a cat...God closed in on me!” C.S. Lewis

Problems raised by election. • This is a doctrine peculiar to Paul. But what did Jesus teach? Matt 22.14 “ Many are called but few are chosen” Jn 6.37 “All that the Father gives me will come to me” Jn 15.16 “You did not choose me but I chose you”

Problems raised by election. 2. It denies freewill. In one version of Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Pilgrim arrives at the wicket gate and reads a sign above it that offers admission to all. He chooses to enter but having done so reads a sign on the reverse side of the door which tells him he had been chosen before the foundation of the world Chosen before the foundation of the world All may come

Problems raised by election. 3. It cultivates pride. God’s unmerited love BUT Choice Humility Human merit or desert

Problems raised by election. 4. It encourages apathy No one ever came to Jesus because they knew God had chosen them but because they needed him.

Problems raised by election. 5. It contradicts the justice of God If we ask God to deal with us only according to his justice what does that involve? Election transcends justice. “We want justice!” Punishment

Problems raised by election. 6. It discourages evangelism One of the arguments used by some in the early days of mission of the Church of Scotland was, “If God has elected a people for himself there is no need to evangelise the nations.” BUT It was the doctrine of election that God used to encourage Paul to stay in Corinth when as yet there seemed little response to his message: “keep on speaking... I have many people in this city” Acts 18.9

Sonship Benefit Holiness Purpose Election Motive God’s Love, Pleasure, Will Goal God’s Glory

Chosen to be Holy Holiness= Altogether different :Separated to God Moral purity : Separated from the world Reflecting God’s likeness: “Be holy as I am holy” Lev 11.44-45, See also 1Pet 1.16 In human families we see the likeness of the parents in their children. So too, in God’s family. He wants us to be like Jesus!

Chosen to be Sons: Adoption What is the greatest blessing that is ours in Christ? Some say forgiveness but more have said, ‘adoption’. It involves a new relationship. NB. Jesus words after his resurrection , “I go to my Father and your Father”. Jn 20.17 Jesus is not ashamed to be described as our “elder brother.” Heb. 2.11 “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”” Rom.8.15

Adoption: Two basic transactions The old authority under which an individual stood was broken. He was then formerly brought under a new authority. Change of relationship, environment and status

Chosen by love Human choices are controlled by external factors e.g. A football manager picks his team based on his players’ fitness, form and ability. In contrast, God’s choice is not based on any external factors like our usefulness to him or ability to use this gift or that. What did God say of Israel? “Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today.” Deut 10.15

Chosen for God’s Glory God is perfect and the perfection of his character is his glory. He is not incomplete. How then can we add to what he already has? By our lives we can exalt God in the minds and hearts of others. Jesus described his obedience as glorifying the Father. CfJohn 17 We too have been chosen to glorify God through our faith and obedience. “they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”1 Pet 2.12

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Studies in Ephesians