EPHESIANS
INTRODUCTION
Ephesus:
“Religiously like Rome, commercially like New York” – Wilbur Fields
About 600,000 in population – Don Dewelt
West coast of Asia minor – accessible by land and sea
River valley (Cayster River) between 2 hills – one having a large theatre
Apparent birth place of mother-goddess of earth, and home to her temple which became one of the seven wonders of the ancient world (Diana aka Artemis, Isis etc.)
The Acts Account:
Priscilla and Aquila and Apollos– Acts 18:1-3; 18-21; 24-26
Baptismal confusion – Acts 19:1-7
Who did Paul find and later baptize?
Who very likely taught them?
Discipleship – Acts 19:8-10
Speaking out boldly, reasoning, persuading for 3 months
Reasoning for 2 years
Miracles versus magic tricks – Acts 19:11-20
Repentance from evil practices v18, 19
Restitution is made by burning their magic books
No small disturbance - Acts 19:23-41
Blacksmiths losing money because of Paul’s preaching against idols (Martin Luther)
“Great is Diana of Ephesus” or “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians”
Farewell to Ephesus - Acts 20:17-24
Spent time with them
Declaring anything profitable, teaching publicly and from house to house
To finish his course, his ministry – solemnly testifying of the gospel of grace
He preached the kingdom and declared the whole purpose of God
Be on your guard for yourselves and the flock
For three years he admonished them with tears
“I commend you to God and the word of His grace”
He knelt down and prayed with them all
How would you describe Paul’s relationship with those whom he taught?
Timothy’s Letter:
Remain on at Ephesus and instruct – 1 Timothy 1:3-4
Onesiphorus was at Ephesus with Paul – 2 Timothy 1:16-18; 4:19
Tychicus was sent there – 2 Timothy 4:12
Sent for the purpose of informing the Church about Paul’s situation - Ephesians 6:21-22
John’s Revelation:
Commendations: (Revelation 2:2-3,6)
Confrontations: (Revelation 2:4)
Promises: (Revelation 2:7)
EPHESIANS 1
The Purpose of God (4-6)
A. Predestined
1) He died so we might be holy and blameless before Him (1 Thess. 4:3,7, Eph 5:27, Col. 1:22)
2) To adoption as sons thru Jesus to God (Rom. 8:14, 1 John 3:1-3)
3) We are sons not slaves – the son takes on the characteristics of the father: he hates what the father hates and loves what the father loves
B. According to His kind intention (good pleasure) of His will
C. To the praise of the glory of His grace – we are to be holy and blameless to glorify God (Matthew 5:14-16)
“In Him” (7-14)
A. We have redemption (to buy back, as a ransom) thru His blood
1) Forgiveness of our trespasses – according to His grace
2) He made known to us the mystery of His will (Salvation for all men, the Jew first and then the Greek)
3) This was the purpose of the son – to seek and to save that which is lost. He was pierced through for our transgression and crushed for our iniquities (Isaiah 53)
4) This was with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of times (Galatians 4:1-7), the summing up of all things in Christ
B. We have obtained an inheritance
1) “Obtained” – been allotted
2) Having been predestined according to His purpose and will
3) To the end: we would be to the praise of His glory
C. We were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise
1) After listening to the message of truth – the gospel – and believed
2) The Holy Spirit is a pledge (or down payment)
3) Towards being God’s own possession (special treasure)
4) To the praise of his glory
Paul’s Prayer (15-19)
A. Give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowledge of Him!
B. That their eyes be enlightened (2 Kings 6:17)
C. So that they will know
1) The hope of His calling
2) What are the riches of the glory of His inheritance
3) What is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us
The Strength of His Might (20-23)
A. His strength was displayed in the resurrection and ascension of Jesus to be seated in the heavenly places (heavenlies – where God is, spiritual realm)
B. Jesus is above all rule and authority (Matthew 28:18-20)
C. God put all things in subjection to Him
D. God gave Him as head of the Church – not the pope
EPHESIANS 2
Review of Chapter 1:
Chosen to be holy and blameless (light of the world...Matt 5)
Predestined to adoption – his likeness, his inheritance
Sealed with Holy Spirit as pledge or down payment of inheritance
Prayer that saints would know hope of His calling, riches of inheritance, greatness of His power
Christ is the head of the Church which is His body
Once dead, now alive in Christ
v1 Dead in trespasses and sins – How can a man be dead while alive?
This refers to the spiritual condition of unsaved men (Vines Dictionary). It is a condition that exists in the mind of God. When we understand what it means to be lost, then we can understand what it means to be saved, when we understand what it means to be saved, then we are ready to understand how to be saved. (Roger Chambers New Testament Local Church Part 2, paraphrase) It all happens in the mind of God outside of us. We are lost in the mind of God; we are saved in the mind of God; righteousness is imputed to us through the cross of Christ when are sins are nailed to it in the mind of God by grace through faith at our immersion into Christ when we have died to ourselves and are buried with Christ.
v2,3 We are dead in sins when we
Walked according to the course of this world
Walked according to the prince of the power of the air
Were of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience
Lived in the lusts of our flesh
Indulged in the desires of the flesh and the mind (thoughts)
Were by nature children of wrath
v4-7 BUT GOD,
Being rich in mercy
Because of His great love
When we were dead made us alive with Christ (Romans 5)
Raised us up with Him (Romans 6)
Seated us with Him in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus
Will show the riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus
v8,9 By grace you have been saved through faith
Grace is free to us. The debt or ransom was paid on Calvary
Faith...
a. without works is dead (James 2:26)
b. is the assurance of thing hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1)
c. comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ (Romans 10:17)
d. without faith, it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6)
Not as a result of works, so that no one may boast
a. salvation is not a result of works, it is not earned
b. salvation is freely given by God as a promise of His covenant. We must remain faithful once in covenant with God (Acts 2:42)
1) Continuing steadfast in growing in our knowledge of Him
2) Continuing steadfast in assembling together (Hebrews 10:25)
3) Continuing steadfast in gathering around His table
4) Continuing steadfast in prayers
5) Being His witnesses and making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20)
v9,10 For we are God’s workmanship
Created in Christ Jesus – recreated, reborn, regenerated
Created for good works – not for the things of old (v2,3) we were bought at a price
God prepares the works and we walk in them
a. We must be available and willing to serve
b. We were saved to serve, we are disciples to teach and live like Jesus
Once strangers and aliens, now fellow citizens
v11,12 Once not a people
Gentiles
Uncircumcision
Separate from Christ
Excluded from commonwealth of Israel
Strangers of the covenants of promise
Having no hope
Without God in the world
v13-19 BUT NOW IN CHRIST JESUS
You have been brought near by the blood
He made both groups into one and broke down the wall
He abolished the enmity – the Law of commandments
He made the two into one new man – bringing peace
He will reconcile both in one body to God through the cross
He brought peace and both have access in one Spirit to the Father
We are fellow citizens with the saints
God’s household
God’s temple built on apostles and prophets, Jesus being corner stone
The dwelling of God in the Spirit
Application:
The purpose of God is for us to be made in the image of His Son, holy and blameless [adopted] through redemption, which is Christ Jesus.
The Church is the body of Christ (1:22,23), the people of God (2:11-19), and the temple of God (2:20-22). God is going to perform His purpose through His Church.
The body, people, temple is vitally connected
The body, people, temple is subject
The body, people, temple is growing
The body, people, temple is interdependent
(Dick Chambers - The Purpose of God)
EPHESIANS 3
Review of Chapter 1:
Chosen to be holy and blameless (light of the world...Matt 5)
Predestined to adoption – his likeness, his inheritance
Sealed with Holy Spirit as pledge or down payment of inheritance
Review of Chapter 2:
We were once dead, but are now made alive in Christ
We were once strangers and aliens, now fellow citizens
The Church is the body of Christ, the people of God, the temple of God
v1 Paul was imprisoned for the sake of you Gentiles
Acts 21:27-36
v2-13 The Mystery
v2 Grace was given to Paul to preach – he considered his apostleship a gift (3:7, 4:7-11)
v3 The Mystery was made known to Paul – by revelation
v4 We can understand his insight into the Mystery – by referring to his letters
v5 The Mystery has now been revealed – to His holy apostles and prophets in the spirit
God’s plan and purpose was revealed thru the Spirit to the Apostles
John 14:16-17, John 14:26, John 16:12-14, John 17:20, Acts 2:42, Ephesians 2:20
v6 The Mystery is that Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus
v7-11 Paul was made a minister (diakonos) or servant or deacon of the mystery – according to the gift of grace (see notes on v2)
- to preach the unfathomable riches of Christ
- to bring to light the administration (stewardship) of the mystery
- so that the manifold wisdom of God will be made known thru the Church
To the rulers and authorities in the heavenlies (6:12)
This was in the eternal purpose of God carried out in Christ Jesus
That God has reconciled all the world to himself thru the propitiation of Jesus to establish His Church; a people covered in the blood of the lamb, being transformed by the renewing of their minds; being conformed into the image of His Son and walking before Him holy and blameless.
v1, v14-21 Paul’s Prayer
v1 For this reason...what reason? Because,
- Those who were once dead are now made alive together with Christ (2:5)
- Those who were formerly far off have been brought near by blood of Christ (2:13)
- Those who were strangers and aliens are now fellow citizens (2:19)
v14 For this reason... Paul prays to God that He would grant them
- to be strengthened with power thru His spirit in the inner man
Inner man verses Rom 7:22, 8:16, 2 Cor 4:16
- that Christ would dwell in their hearts thru faith
- that they be rooted and grounded in love
- that they be able to comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of Jesus
- and know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge
EPHESIANS 4
Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you’ve been called (vs 1)
A. Called by the gospel
1) 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
2) 1 Peter 2:9 Out of darkness into light
B. Walk in humility and gentleness (Philippians 2:5-8, Matthew 10:16)
C. Walk in patience, showing tolerance or forbearance in love (2 Peter 3:9, Rom. 3:25)
D. Being diligent to preserve unity in peace (Matthew 5:9)
Walk in unison (vs 4-13)
A. One Body – Eph. 1:23, 1 Cor. 12:12-18
B. One Spirit – Spirit of God, Holy Spirit
C. One Hope – in Resurrection to life 1 Cor. 15:19, Rom. 15:4-6)
D. One Lord – Jesus 1 Cor. 8:5-6
E. One Faith – Apostles Doctrine Phil. 1:27, Jude 3
F. One Baptism – Matthew 28:18-20
G. One God and Father
H. But a variety of gifts given to maintain unity (vs 7)
1) Psalm 68:18 Jesus’ was victorious and received spoils/gifts (Eze. 29:18)
a) Slaves to sin – John 8:31-36
b) Fear of death – Hebrews 2:14-15
c) Law of sin – Romans 8:1-4
2) Apostles and Prophets – NT prophets, carrying inspired word
3) Evangelists – Timothy, Titus, Philip
4) Pastors and Teachers – shepherds of local congregations
5) How do these gifts help us walk in unison and be holy and blameless (Jer. 3)
a) Holy examples – 1 Tim. 3, Titus 1
b) Equipping and building up
c) Knowledge of the Son of God
d) Maturing to the measure of that of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 1:23)
Walk as a mature man (vs 14-16)
A. Not deceived by false doctrine – by craftiness and deceitful scheming (of Satan)
B. Speak the truth in love
C. Grow up into Him! – Living and teaching like Jesus
D. Growth of the body depends on every joint supplying and working
E. Built up in love – John 13:34-35 (sacrificial, patient)
Walk no longer as the Gentiles walk (vs 17-20)
A. Futility of mind
B. Darkened in understanding
C. Excluded from life
D. Ignorance
E. Hardness of heart
F. Callous
G. Given over to sensuality and impurity with greediness
Walk in the newness of life (vs 20-32)
A. You’ve heard Him and been taught in Him (1 Timothy 4:16)
B. Put off the old self which is being corrupted and put on the new self and be renewed in your mind (Romans 12:1-2) in the likeness of God in righteousness and holiness
C. Lay aside falsehood and speak truth
D. Do not steal but work hard so you may share
E. Speak no unwholesome word but speak words of edification
F. Get rid of bitterness, anger, malice and be kind and tender hearted
G. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit – but be transformed
EPHESIANS 5:22-6:9
The purpose of God as seen in the Ephesian letter is that we would be holy and blameless before God (Ephesians 1:4-6), sanctified, and conformed to the image of the Jesus – (Rom. 8:29) our adoption as sons. He wants to have many sons like His first Son. The reason for this purpose is so that any other person may see us in a correct relationship with God and glorify God because of it (Ephesians 1:6a, Matthew 5:14-16).
In the same way God is going to explain 3 relationships in which we are to be an example in.
I. Relationship of Husband and Wife
A. The Wife
1) She is to be submissive to husband
2) As to the Lord – she is a child of God and therefore to be treated as a sister rather than a maid
3) The submissiveness is based on obedience to God and scripture.
B. The Husband
1) Love you wife as Christ loved the Church
a. Realized – Jesus didn’t just say it he lived it – John 3:16 (give!)
b. Sacrificial – willing to give up your life for you wife
c. Purposeful – for her sanctification (26,27) to remain faithful
d. Exclusive – Nourish and cherish – you are one flesh (28-31)
II. Relationships in the Family
Children
1) Obey your parents – (1) Proverbs 15:20, 17:21, 30:17
2) Honor them (2)
Parents
1) Don’t provoke or exasperate your children (4)
2) Teach them the ways of the Lord – Proverbs 22:6
3) Parents “bring them up” they do not raise themselves
4) Discipline – Proverbs 13:24, 19:18, 22:15, 23:13-14
III. Relationships at Work
Workers –
1) Obey your bosses with fear and trembling, and sincerity (5)
2) Do it as you would for Christ – (6,7) 1 Peter 2:18-20, 1 Tim 6:1
Bosses –
1) Do not “lord it over” them (9)
2) Love your workers
EPHESIANS 6:10-17
Spiritual Warfare
I. SATAN’S SCHEMES – methodiah – methods or trickery (as a hole covered by reeds)
A. By Deception – Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:17, 3:1-24)
1. “You shall surely die/You shall surely not die” (Gen 2:17, Gen 3:4)
2. Serpent was crafty and subtle (2 Cor 11:3)
3. He made the disobedience appealing (Gen. 3:5-6)
B. By Destruction – (Job 1 and 2)
1. Took his wealth, Killed his children and colleagues, boiled his skin, and then brought discouragement from wife and friends
2. Satan doesn’t care about those things, God isn’t really concerned about them either – the war is spiritual – deny God or bless His name
BUT OUR BATTLE IS NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!
II. THEREFORE, TAKE UP THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD
Gird your loins with TRUTH
1. “Gird your loins” - do something in haste as in Ex 12:11, Acts 12:8
2. Spiritual warfare is waged in truth and lies!!
a) Satan is the Father of Lies John8:44
b) Jesus is the way the truth and the life
c) Jesus prayed sanctify them in truth, thy word is truth
d) Many will perish for not loving the truth so as to be saved 2 Thess 2:9
e) Pilate: What is truth, Somebody: Truth hurts, Jack Nicholson: You can’t handle the truth, Jesus: truth set you free
Put on the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS (Isa 59:16-20)
1. Satan is the accuser (1 Timothy 3:6-7)
2. But by Christ’s righteousness we are blameless
3. This righteousness is not our own but imputed through the blood
Shod your feet with the PREPARATION for the GOSPEL of PEACE
1. “Shod” – to bind under as a sandal
2. The soldier is prepared to fight (2 Tim 2:3-4)
3. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news (Rom 10:14-17)
Take up the shield of FAITH
1. It comes from hearing the words of Christ
2. Assurance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1)
3. Conviction (convinced by persuasion) of things unseen (Hebrews 11:1)
Wear the helmet of SALVATION – If God is with us, who can be against us?
1. Righteousness of God guards our hearts
2. Salvation of God guards our heads (be strong in grace)
Wield the sword of the Spirit – the WORD OF GOD
1. Sharper than any sword, everything is laid open and bare (Heb 4:12)
2. Accurately handling the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15)
III. THE ARMOR IS DIVINELY POWERFUL (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
To destroy fortresses, To destroy speculations and lofty things raised up against knowledge of Christ, Take every thought captive
Conclusion: The disciples destroyed fortresses and speculations in the midst of Roman rule without any protection but the shield of faith, without any breastplate but righteousness, no helmet but that of salvation, and no sword but the word of God. And they turned the world upside down Acts 17:6-7