Sermon Tone Analysis
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General Introductory Information
Writer: Paul
What is an Epistle?
Simply a letter with intent.
Paul was a preacher and a missionary and he had a calling from God to exhort and instruct.
He did this many times in person but he did it often through letters.
Today we have copies of those letters and they have become part of the cannon of Scripture.
What is the general theme or idea of the Epistle?
The Believers riches in Christ!
It does not have his personal messages like other Epistles (Corinthians for example).
It is not addressing any specific problem (Consider Galatians and Paul's defense of the one true Gospel).
Illustration: It is a rich description!
Like the layers of Tiramisu or Lasagna.
When Paul describes our riches in Christ it is layered over and over repeated and enumerated to greater level of depth in each sentence.
How can words be so rich?
How can they be so hard to even digest?
Letter to the Christians in the great city of Ephesus and vicinity written with a magnificence that both instructs and inspires the reader.
It provides a sweeping view of the role of the church as history moves toward the ultimate recognition of the universal headship of Christ.
This letter is different from some others by Paul.
It doesn’t have his usual personal messages, and the earliest versions don’t even mention Ephesus.
Again, in this letter Paul isn’t tackling any particular problem.
It isn’t a troubleshooting letter like some of his others.
At the same time, it is very similar to the letter to the Colossians.
A lot of the material overlaps.
What was Ephesus like?
1.
It was where the temple to the Goddess Diana was located (known as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world)
The temple of Diana at Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
The impressive building was supported on 100 large columns.
The local legend was that there her statue fell from the sky (Acts 19:35).
This may have been a reference to a meteorite.
Pliny described a large stone over the doorway, which, according to tradition, had been put in place by Diana.
Ceremonies and services of worship in her honor were conducted by eunuch priests.
2. It was a major hub of commerce and wealth would have been evident (similar to what we see in America)
Most important city of the Roman province of Asia, located on the western shore of Asia Minor (modern Turkey).
Ephesus was built on a natural harbor whose waves, according to the Roman writer Pliny the Elder, “used to wash up to the temple of Diana.”
Ephesus was described by Strabo, an early Greek geographer, as the largest commercial center west of the Taurus mountains.
It was also well known as the “guardian” of the temple of Artemis or, as the Romans called her, Diana (Acts 19:35).
When did he write it and under what circumstances?
Around AD 60 - From Prison in Rome
but most scholars think that Ephesians (along with Colossians, Philemon, and probably Philippians) was written during Paul’s imprisonment at Rome (Acts 28:16, 30).
This probably took place sometime between A.D. 59 and 63 and lasted for two years.
Paul writes several of his letters from prison.
Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon all seem to have been written in these circumstances.
We know from the book of Acts that Paul is in prison in Caesarea for two years (Acts 24:27) and, later, under house arrest in Rome.
The most popular theory is that Paul writes these letters from Rome, while he is waiting to be tried before Emperor Nero.
This is in the years between AD 60 and 62.
What is the significance of the Epistle being written from Prison?
In prison Paul's heart was stirred for those he has led to Christ and helped to mature.
He longs to see them strengthened and developed into full maturity.
We can only experience this grace and peace as we fully realize and apply our standing and our state in Jesus Christ.
Consider Paul's other introductions (Prison Epistles)
The Grace & Peace Combination
I. Grace
Definition: The unmerited favor of God - Favor, Good will, kindness
A. Saving Grace
This grace was bestowed upon us the moment we were saved.
However, there is another aspect of God's grace that we don't often hear about.
B. Sustaining Grace
The Element of God's grace that comes from obedience
Noah found grace and I believe the Bible tells us why:
1. Noah was "just"
He was exact, straight, obedient, correct, right
2. Noah was "perfect"
"perfect in his generations" - meaning that in spite of the wickedness that surrounded him, he was mature!
In spite of our environment we can be mature in Christ!
3. Noah "walked with God"
This is very evident because the Bible says:
Do you think that Noah being just and perfect had anything to do with his walk?
Do you think it had anything to do with God speaking to him?
Do you think it had anything to do with God warning him?
Paul is saying that grace and peace go hand in hand.
The heights he is about to discuss as it relates to our heavenly blessings in Christ are going to be understood by the faithful, by those who have found grace and peace.
II.
Peace
I believe what Paul was saying was that when you are experiencing the grace of God the peace of God will accompany it.
Peace is a byproduct of grace and grace is a byproduct of faith!
1.
It takes faith to trust God
2. When we do this God gives grace
3. Grace produces peace
Peace is not something we can work up it is something that God work out!
What happened to this Church?
I wonder if the influence surrounding the Church (the religious and commercial) had anything to do with them "leaving their first love"?
First is not referring to the first thing they have ever loved but rather to the primary importance Christ occupied in their heart at one time.
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