Ephesians Pt1
Glorious: A Study Through Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 50:00
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Introduction
Introduction
Glorious Definition -
Listen to what the commentators write about Ephesians
Ephesians tarries largely among the heavenlies. It is characterised by dignity and serenity which is in harmony with the elevation of its thoughts. There is scarcely even an echo of the great controversies which ring so loudly in the Epistles to the Romans and Galatians.
It is "the divinest composition of man," wrote Coleridge. It has been called "the crown of St. Paul’s writings," "the Queen of the Epistles," and the "greatest and most relevant of his works."
W. O. Carver said, "Ephesians is the greatest piece of writing in all of history." It may well be the "most influential document ever written."
"Paul has written nothing more profound than chapters 1 to 3 of Ephesians," writes A. T. Robertson.
Expositors observes: "It is the grandest of all the Pauline letters. There is a peculiar and sustained loftiness in its teaching which has deeply impressed the greatest minds and has earned for it the title of the ‘Epistle of the Ascension.’"
Let me give you my comment “it’s glorious”
Don’t think so? I challenge you to stay with this series, and when we are done with the letter, then see what you have to say! for one cannot read this verses as a believer indwelled by the Holy Spirit and not confess that it is indeed glorious!!
So, we want to start at the start, with what is a Glorious welcome!!
The Author of the Letter
The Author of the Letter
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
First word we are greeted with is a name, and it is a name that is well known to student of scripture. It is the name Paul.
However, it may or may not surprise you to known that many a modern day scholar would put doubt that Paul wrote this letter.
Ephesians: Verse by Verse Author
Several church fathers (Ignatius, Polycarp, Clement of Rome) admitted that it is very different from Paul’s other writings but said it demonstrates the very heart of Paul and therefore should be regarded as authentic. However, beginning in the nineteenth century critical scholars began to doubt Paul’s authorship, and today the letter is widely considered non-Pauline—a pseudepigraphical (falsely ascribed to Paul) letter.
Reasons for this include language and style differences from Pauls other letters.Alongside some other typical higher critical type arguments.
Here are my thoughts....the beards in the bookrooms have one major problem.. they don’t understand verbal plenary inspriation -(explain)
There bibliology is all wrong - This is Gods revelation to man, and it does not say that this letter is from Paul, while all the time being from the hand of another writer - that would be a lie...
Twice Paul states he wrote this letter in verse 1 and again in verse 1 of chapter 3
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—
Not only does Paul state his name, but he further narrows it down from any old Paul by giving positional title
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
an apostle - positional
The title “apostle” can at times be used to designate a messenger sent by a church (like Epaphroditus in Phil 2:25 or Paul’s coworkers in 2 Cor 8:23).
25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need;
Here it has a technical sense, referring to those designated by God to lead the church, called “apostles” by Christ (of the Twelve) in Mark 3:14 and including Paul, as well as Barnabas (Acts 14:14) and Apollos (1 Cor 4:9).
by the will of God - practical
This is Paul(roman) or Saul(Jewish) the man who was the great persecutor of the Church
1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Somethings changes
2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
THE WORD OF GOD
God can radically change anyone
what an intro to a letter that is going to unpack gospel truth
its glorious
God will do the same thing for you as he did for paul. He will transform your life
Will - are we willing to surrender to the will of God
1st - God wants you saved
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
2nd god wants you serving
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
The word changes lives!!! Reading Ephesians should change your life! It’s glorious!!!
Listen to what John Stott records in his commentary on Ephesians
Lives have been forever changed by the exploration of this little book. John Mackay, former president of Princeton Seminary, recalled how, at the age of 14, he took his Bible into the hills of Scotland and studied the book of Ephesians. He wrote these words: “I saw a new world . . . everything was new . . . I had a new outlook, new experiences, new attitudes to other people. I loved God. Jesus Christ became the center of everything. . . . I had been ‘quickened.’ I was really alive” (in Stott, Ephesians, 15).
The Apostle Paul was alive by word of God and had responded to the will of God. The man who led believers to the stocks went on to lead many unbelievers to the saviour.
Gospel power
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Paul transformed by God’s grace and goodness is going to write of the amazing positional truth of Salvation, from his imprisonment in Rome he writes this letter not allowing his chains to prevent his work for the Lord and His Church.
Which brings us nicely onto the audience of the letter
The Audience of the Letter
The Audience of the Letter
Ephesians 1:1 (NKJV)
1 .................., To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
Now, here we have some more controversy to deal with… The problem arises for some, not me, but some, in that the word Ephesus is said not to appear in some of the older manuscripts that come from the Alexandrian line of texts..
again Bibliology will play a part here, but suffice to say, as I don’t want to get bogged down in Bible translations, but just because and ancient manuscript is older, it doesn’t mean that it is by default more accurate - (KJV & NKJV)
So we will ignore the theories that abound, such as:
it had a blank so that any of the Asia minor churches could have it addressed to them
It is actually the letter to the laodacian church metioned by Paul in Col 4:16
16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
Other points of contention are that Paul did write with any familiarity if this was for Ephesus, as it is believed he planted the Church and on his second missionary Journey
9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;
then went on to spend nearly 3 years there on his 3rd missionary journey
Acts 19:8-10.
So the argument is that the letter isn't personal enough. Again there are arguments against this, that easily explain the issue, like the letter is written several years after Paul was there and he seems to address the gentile believers which of course he would be familiar with...
All that to say, surprisingly I am taking as written to the church at ephesus!
What does Paul say :
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
He calls them saints and faithful, postional and practical
Saints - positional
Listen to what Osbourne writes in his commentary
Ephesians: Verse by Verse Paul Greets the Ephesian Christians (1:1–2)
Paul often addresses his readers as “saints” or “holy people” (Greek hagioi; see Rom 1:1; 1 Cor 1:1; 2 Cor 1:1; Phil 1:1; Col 1:2), building on the frequent Old Testament designation of the Israelites as “God’s holy people” (Exod 19:5–6; 22:31; Lev 11:44; 19:2; Ps 16:3). This meant that God had chosen them out of all the people of earth and set them apart to belong to himself. Paul’s words indicate that the church is now the new covenant community that carries on the legacy of these people of the old covenant as the special possession of God, called out to exemplify his holiness and character to a lost world.
Faithful - practical
The tie in with practical is unavoidable
Set apart positional, a position that one gained by the new birth cannot be lost
but they where applying their theology...
They were faithful in a faithless place.. You Ephesus was a warground for the souls of people..
Ephesus was rife with the Emperor worship cult, where Caesar Augustus was spoken of as Saviour
Ephesus was all the centre of Diana worship, with the temple dedicated to Diana(Roman), or Artemis(greek) - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world
Temple of Diana
Artemis & Diana
Paul experienced this warfare when he was on the ground at Ephesus
9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. 21 When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time. 23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.” 28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” 29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions. 30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. 31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater. 32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. 34 But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”
The Church at Ephesus was birthed in a battlefield, like all Churches that came before it and have come after it… However in the Ephesians context they knew it!!
Exploring Ephesians & Philippians: An Expository Commentary b. The Larger Church (1:1c)
Pollution, perversion, and pornography were accepted norms in their world and in ours. Our calling is to be “faithful in Christ Jesus” in our corrupted world. How did Jesus react to the corruption of human life and society? He loved the sinner and hated the sin. So must we.
We have looked at the author, we have looked at he audience, and finally we ant to end on the authority
The Authority of the Letter
The Authority of the Letter
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace to you - positional - charis
- goodwill of God freely give, though we dont deserve it..
And peace - practical shalom
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
This is what you have in Jesus, is what Paul is saying - grace and peace, life and hope!
Ephesians: Verse by Verse Paul Greets the Ephesian Christians (1:1–2)
This is called “inaugurated eschatology,” the view of the early church that in Jesus the future has been brought into the present. Here future hope (for God’s eternal grace and peace) has become a present reality in Jesus.
Ephesians: Verse by Verse Paul Greets the Ephesian Christians (1:1–2)
The reason such incredible blessings can take place is their source. They don’t stem from Paul or just from the church but come “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” The fatherhood of God and the lordship of Christ undergird these heavenly gifts and guarantee their reality. The “Abba” (intimate Aramaic word for “father”) theme stresses the love and care of God, and “Lord” stresses the sovereign power of the exalted Christ exercised on the believers’ behalf.
The grace and peace of God, is something they needed to hear
17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. 32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
They needed grace and peace from God in the battle..and whats true for them is true for us, wether we acknowledge it or not..
Conclusion
Conclusion
Ephesians provides grace-filled encouragement.
If you feel tired, discouraged, beat up, lonely, or confused, then welcome to Ephesians!
Our souls need to see this description of the glorious grace of God.
We need the gospel folks, every day we need it!
Ephesians at a high level can be split into two sections - 3 chapters of gospel truth and 3 chapters on gospel application - positional and practical-
Paul is writing to believers and he gives them 3 chapters of positional gospel truth before getting to practical gospel application -
Why? because we need it!!!!!
Two thoughts of application then as we wrap this up for now
Our position should effect our practice, but our practice can never change our position
God’s grace when readily realised and applied, brings God’s peace.
Let’s Pray