All About God
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The city of Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor which is modern day Turkey.
Because Ephesus is not mentioned in every early manuscript, it is believed that the letter was intended to be circulated among all of the churches in Asia Minor, and was simply sent first to believers in Ephesus.
Paul identifies himself as the author, and there should be no question about this.
Ephesians is one of Paul’s prison epistles, written while imprisoned in Rome (Acts 28:16-31). This would place the date of the letter between A.D. 60 and A.D. 62.
Ephesus was know for the temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the seven wonders of the world.
It was also a very important center of politics, education and commerce.
A key theme in Ephesians is the “mystery of the church”, which is the gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body of Christ, and partakers of the promise in Christ, through the Gospel.
Within this context, other topics will be seen, such as election, predestination, grace, faith, etc.
The first three chapters will be theological in nature, while the last three will focus on Christian behavior. In short, Paul will teach the doctrine, and then explain how we should use it in our lives.
V.1
Paul starts off by identifying himself, and describing himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ.
Apostle means messenger. As a messenger of Jesus Christ, he is delivering Christ’s message.
This sets forth the authority that this letter carries as the Word of God.
This letter is addressed to “saints”, so we must remember that it is written to Christians, and not non-believers.
V.2
Grace and peace is a common greeting used by Paul.
This greeting (as in all of Paul’s letters) goes out to Christians who are living in a world that is hostile to them.
As such, Paul is wanting them to experience the grace of God’s salvation, and the peace that passes all understanding.
Both of which emanate from God and God alone.
V.3
The blessings of God come only through Christ.
V.4
Salvation is completely of God
Salvation is completely of God
Here begins a brief look at the doctrine of election.
There is much that could be discussed about election, but sometimes less is more.
Election is God’s choosing, Salvation begins with God, not with man... this is the core of the doctrine of election.
Luke 19:10
Luke 19:10
for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
John 15:16
John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
V.5
Here we meet that oft misunderstood word, predestination.
This is an issue that can become confusing and complicated to many… but again, lets keep this simple, there is no reason to make things overly complicated.
Predestination, as it is used in the Bible, refers primarily to what God does for saved people.
Predestination, as it is used in the Bible, refers primarily to what God does for saved people.
Nowhere in the Bible are we taught that people are predestined to hell. That’s because this word refers only to God’s people.
The word simply means “to ordain beforehand, to predetermine.”, and it refers to what God does for those who are saved.
The saved are predestined to adoption.
The saved are predestined to adoption.
We see in this passage that the saved are predestined to adoption.
This is one of the things God has predestined for the saved, that they will be adopted into His family.
The saved are also predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ.
The saved are also predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ.
He has also predestined that the saved will be called, justified and glorified.
He has also predestined that the saved will be called, justified and glorified.
Romans 8:29-30
Romans 8:29-30
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Lastly, the saved are predestined to obtain an inheritance.
Lastly, the saved are predestined to obtain an inheritance.
Ephesians 1:11
Ephesians 1:11
In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
V.6
Salvation is about God, not about us
Salvation is about God, not about us
All of this is to the praise of God’s glory.
Scripture, God’s work, the Gospel, none of it is about us. Not even our salvation is about bout us, it’s about God’s Glory.
Only when we understand that, can we truly begin to find our true standing with God.
This understanding will allow us to stop focusing on ourselves.
This understanding will allow us to stop focusing on ourselves.
That is when we will truly begin to learn humility, and stop focusing on ourselves.
Romans 12:3
Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Philippians 2:3
Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
The modern day American church has a vision problem, we often can’t see past ourselves, our own desires.
The church has been organized around some very nice sounding and well intentioned ministries, that in reality are focused on satisfying our own desires and not the will of God.
It’s beyond time that Christians stop focusing on what God can do for them, or what the church can do for them.
What kinds of programs does the church have for me or for my kids? This is the wrong focus.
How can God bless me? This is the wrong focus.
These are examples of a self-centered focus, not a Christ-centered focus.
Instead, it should be how can I serve the Lord? How can I please and Glorify Him?
Unfortunately, Charles Spurgeon was right. “The church has so little influence over the world, because the world has so much influence over the church.”
Sadly, the modern church has largely become a service provider and a social club for its members.
The focus has become entertainment, self-fulfillment and political activism.
We like to fulfill our own desires, and say that God has blessed us.
We’d rather petition the government to pass more laws, rather than glorifying God by sharing the life changing Gospel and adding to His kingdom.
Laws cannot change hearts and save souls. if they could, Jesus would never have had to die on that cross. Laws can only attempt to modify behavior, only God can change hearts.
Without a change of heart, behavior means nothing. it can’t save you.
Our primary focus should be to share the life-changing Gospel. When lives change, everything else will begin to change.
This is the Biblical mission of the church, not all of that other junk that distracts us from the work we should be doing.
But when it truly becomes all about God and not about ourselves, then we will see futility of these other endeavors, and the urgency of the Gospel.
The church should remain pure, fully committed to the singular mission of bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world.
God’s salvation is a simple truth
God’s salvation is a simple truth
Its a simple truth, and a testament to the greatness of God.
Romans 10:9
Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
God has chosen (John 15:16)
God has pursued (Luke 19:10)
God has done all the work (Ephesians 2:8-9)
God gets all the glory (Ephesians 1:6)
Its all about God!