Transformed By Christ
Ephesians: Transformed By Christ • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Welcome to Ephesus!
Welcome to Ephesus!
Paul spent 3 years in Ephesus (from 54-57 AD) and helped build up the church there. He is now in prison in Rome (61-63 AD), and his thoughts are turning back to his friends and fellow believers in this great city.
This letter is unique in that it was probably sent to Ephesus, and the surrounding areas as simply an encouragement. It wasn’t written to address any specific problem.
Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia. It contained an estimated 250,000 people— with about 10% of them being Jewish. There was even fewer who were believers in Jesus. You can read more about their origin story in Acts 19.
It became a very strong church—so strong that it was a force within the society. As you can imagine within a bustling, busy and large capital city, there were a multitude of foreign gods and worship practices that pre-dated Jesus’ time. The main goddess of the city was Artemis Ephesia— this was common in that day, Artemis, or “Diana” as the Romans would call her, was a goddess of fertility— and there was a very and ancient large temple for her in the city. This is actually the background image that is seen on our series slides. In Acts 19, we can read of some very powerful moves of the Holy Spirit, miracles being performed— and finally a riot that was started:
23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.
24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there.
26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all.
27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”
A large crowd begins to shout “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” A town official intervenes and stops the crowd before anything violent happens— but this is a great example of the power that God can have within a region— politically, business and society are indeed impacted by God through people! The “Way” was making an impact on those around them!
Throughout this letter— we will consider the transformational power of God’s work in our lives, our relationships, our community. It’s really a great teaching for us today. It will echo The wonderful words Paul wrote to several other churches:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
What does it look like when a person, a church, a community really lives INTO the transformed life in Christ? This is what we will discover together here in the letter to the Ephesians. I want us to make this real— and make every effort to implement what we learn here each week INTO our experience together here at Walnut Creek.
I have found a great tool in getting a little copy of the book I’m studying, just separate like this, and they usually have a page of scripture, and a page for journal work. We have some of these back on the welcome center table— if you feel like this would be helpful, feel free to take one— and maybe place a little donation of some sort in the offering at some point.
Ephesians is also found on page 798 of the pew bibles— and if you need a bible— take that one with you today! We would love for you to have it.
There’s so much we could unpack with all this, but lets get started:
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Even the greeting has a powerful meaning. Paul has experienced a great transformation in his own life! His name used to be SAUL! (See Acts 9). I’ve placed in the outline a place for you to write your name in the place of Paul’s— and to describe yourself just like Paul:
Ephesians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God.
Who are you?
____________, a ____________ of Christ Jesus, by the will of God.
God has a wonderful purpose for all of us— individually and corporately. Both alone, and together!
It’s important that we know what we are by the will of God. Do you know what you are— by the will of God.
I’m Charlie— I’m a teacher and encourager of Christ Jesus.
That is a wonderful exercise we need to try- Who are you, BY THE WILL OF GOD?
You can be a lot of other things— by the WILL of a lot of other things— That’s what we challenged you with last week! For many years, I was Charlie— a Coach of Track and Field, or Athletic Director by the will of God— and Malone University. I spent those years actually pretty frustrated. It wasn’t a terrible thing, but I just wasn’t settled in my soul. Being an athletic director is very business oriented. I’m wired to be a pastor, not a detail oriented, finance minded, facility fixer, policy and procedure person. I did fine, but that’s not quite who I was deep inside.
Maybe you’re here and you’re trying to be something that God hasn’t willed you to be. That’s a really difficult thing. He’s not created you to do that— Have you discovered what He has created you to do? Give it some time, pray and continue to ask Him to reveal to you who you are, and what you are called to do.
I can tell you it is such a joy and privilege to discover and fit into who you are, and what you are called to do.
There are four other things that Paul mentions about Christians in Ephesus:
They are holy people.
This really means “set apart” Some translations may also say “saint” — I like that even better. It’s not just a Roman Catholic thing: I’m Saint Charles, because God says I am, and so are you! We are saints!
They are faithful.
They are true believers who are consistent and persevere.
They are in Christ.
They are one with Him, they know Him, and Love Him! They are new creatures because of this connection. This is a key aspect of the transformation!
They are in Ephesus.
They are in an actual physical location— and live among the people places and things of the world in that context!
The earliest manuscripts that we have of this letter is called “Papyrus 46” and in some of these copies— the words “In Ephesus” are actually either deleted, or left blank— this is an indication that this letter was passed around from church to church— and those who read it, could basically do what we are doing right now! Put our church in that spot!
“To God’s holy people in Walnut Creek, the faithful in Christ Jesus:”
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord is his title— Jesus is his name, and Christ is his role.
He is the Messiah— the “anointed one”. The king was anointed by the prophet in the old testament. The high priest was also anointed to do his work on behalf of the people. Jesus has become that priestly king for us. He is the one everyone was looking for!
Now in this next section of the passage, I want us to see a beautiful representation of the Trinity. We believe in one God— in three persons: Father, Son, and Spirit. Remember this word for God— Elohim— that is actually a plural word! We can’t quite wrap our thoughts around an infinite God— but lets look for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to be mentioned here— they are each very active in the transformational work in our lives. Each will have their own contribution and specific interaction.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Many miss the qualifier here: the blessing is in the heavenly realms. It doesn’t necessarily mean physical blessing or physical transformation. These are great things—and they can happen-- but that’s not what the scripture says. The first point I really want us to catch today is that this transformed life comes as a result of God’s will— His Ordination. The Father bestows this blessing.
God ordained blessing. (v.3-6)
God ordained blessing. (v.3-6)
The next few verses are basically a “fanfare” of blessings and transformation:
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love
5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—
These verses mirror each other— they describe the great blessing that we have with a list:
The Father chose us. (v.4)
It’s the blessing of election! It’s mentioned again in verses 5 and 11. It reiterates the point that God selected you, by His will. He ordained you, and chooses to save you. Think of the story of King David being chosen and anointed as the King after Saul. Samuel goes through all the brothers— anyone left? Oh yeah— just little David! He loves you, and all of you doesn’t happen without Him.
Some may have some struggle with this— but I don’t want you to fight this thought too much. Some are confounded by the idea that God chooses. Do you have a choice also? Do you appreciate that God gives you and me a choice also? I believe that He does give us a choice also— and when we choose to accept His free gift of grace and forgiveness— we’ll make a wonderful discovery: He chose us also, from the beginning of the universe.
The Father sanctified us. (v.5)
Once again, this theme of setting apart — He chose us to be holy and blameless. That’s what sanctified means. It’s a process. Remember— Justification, Sanctification, Glorification— That’s back to Ruth’s story. God chooses us to be set apart— IN HIS SIGHT. No one else’s judgement or “sight” really matters does it?
This is how God sees us— without blemish and fault.
The Father adopted us. (v.5)
He makes us sons and daughters. That’s actually Paul referring to the Roman legal system. There was the ability for adoption even back then. And it was everything that it is today— in every way, an adopted son or daughter has the RIGHT to the name, the property, the status of the Father. God adopts us into His Holy Family. What our sin had make impossible, God’s grace has indeed made very possible! I know the word “predestined” may tend to trip some of us up. But remember we are dealing with the infinite knowledge of God— with our finite minds. We are only able to look at it from our side.
The Father accepted us. (v.5)
I love the part where Paul emphasizes that God did this in accordance with “his pleasure”. He accepts us, and he wanted to do it, because it gives God pleasure to do it.
Do we get that? This is the Father we’re talking about. I know some of us have a block with regard to our Fathers. But let me tell you, God the Father is pleased with you. It’s an acceptance that is “in Christ”. It’s not that he is accepting us without Christ. That’s a humbling thought—for those who are in Christ— we are accepted that gives God pleasure.
Many of you know that my own earthly father passed away suddenly on Monday night. Some of you have even asked me how I can get up here and keep working and teaching so close to the time when he left us. But there was no more exciting thing to my Dad— than to hear that I was moving into the ministry.
There is this powerful moment I’ve relived plenty of times— a time where my Dad stopped me in a tender quiet moment and said— I’m proud of you. I’m pleased with you. Basically, you are accepted. You are my son, and I’m happy you are.
This is what being “God Ordained” is all about. Not rejected, but accepted. So I’m doing today— exactly what My Heavenly Father ordained— and my earthly Father would want me to do! To God be the Glory.
But Paul starts to turn a corner here in the text— To shift our focus from the Father— to the SON:
6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.
6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
We can even take this one step further to what is called a “literal translation”:
Eph 1:6 (Literal translation) “to the exaltation of the good opinion of his grace, which he has graced us with through the One who is agape”
We are recipients not only of the God Ordained Blessing— it is also a
Christ centered blessing. (v.7-12)
Christ centered blessing. (v.7-12)
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
If you want— make a note of anytime here in this entire study of Ephesians where we see the phrases “in Him, for Him, through Him, by Him” etc. You're going to see this over and over. Everything centers on Jesus. It is only Jesus.
In 1873, about 11 years after our church was formed here on this corner— the Fisk Jubilee Singers captured it so well with their modified/modern version of an old African spiritual:
“In the morning when I rise, In the morning when I rise...
Give me Jesus—
You can have all this world— but give me Jesus.”
The Son redeemed us. (v.7)
Redemption— we’ve talked about that with the Ruth story. Jesus is that redeemer, that claims us, takes responsibility for us, and loves us.
The Son forgave us. (v.7)
But that redemption requires a price. Our sinfulness, our brokenness— the Law that we have broken requires a resolution. It’s not just hanging out there— unresolved. That’s been the problem in many relationships— unforgiveness. Someone might say— hey, we just need to be “ok”. But if you’re the one who has been offended, you’re going to say— ok, hold on a second. Are you sorry? Is there any resolution? Yes— with Jesus there is a resolution— He died on the cross to take the punishment. It’s not like your sin has not been accounted for.
Christ forgives us— He’s the very one who Isaiah prophesied about:
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
He’s the only one who can forgive us. And just a side note— if Jesus forgives you for something— you should forgive yourself also. If He does, why wouldn’t you?
8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,
9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
The Son revealed wisdom to us. (v.9)
Yes, it’s a mystery— but He has let us in behind the curtain. He’s made the plans for the Universe known to us! Some of you may not feel like you have much knowledge like this— but it really isn’t about “head” knowledge. It’s a privilege to have a God-given ability to understand and appreciate the things of God.
He took sin away from us— but He fills it back with a knowledge of the mystery. To understand why and how His kingdom seems so upside down. Last are First, poor are rich, Meek are inheriting the earth. Weak are made strong. Death to self is actually eternal life.
Spiritual wisdom is only reserved for those who are spiritually alive.
This knowledge informs us of the beautiful resolution of time— and the restoration of everything through Jesus, and for Jesus.
10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
The Son brings unity to all things (v.10)
Another great piece of writing by Paul is found in Philippians 2.
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
We have been redeemed and forgiven, we’ve been given wisdom and knowledge of the plans of God through Jesus— a plan that will bring everything under the authority of Jesus at the end of time. For the praise of His Glory. He restates that truth in verses 11-12:
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
This is actually a statement to the Jewish population within the church at Ephesus. This is Paul referring to the promises that God has made to Abraham’s descendents. That’s quite a purpose statement. That’s why we worship the way we do. This is our purpose— we are “for” the praise of His glory. In everything we say, do, sing, think about— we praise and bring Glory to God. May it be so!
The last two verses here in this section turn our focus again to the work of the final person in the Trinity.
God ordained, Christ-centered— and:
Spirit led blessing (v.13-14)
Spirit led blessing (v.13-14)
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
This is actually speaking primarily to the Non-Jewish population within the church at Ephesus. “WE” in verse 11, “You” in verse 13. We heard the message— through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit prompted our faith. (v. 13)
The Holy Spirit guides our learning and growing in God.
Holy Spirit seals us. (v.13)
This was also a common part of the culture—Ephesus was a major trading center— anything headed to Rome from the East, would pass through here. Whether by land or by sea— it was a hub for this type of activity. A “seal” was a mark of ownership and purpose. This could be a sign, or even an ink branding— or a signet ring, that would imprint onto clay or other pliable surface like hot wax. It was a legal identification. This is mine. I bought it. It’s going to be protected by me. I’m in charge of the processing of this box of goods.
We are “marked” with a seal as owned by God— it was a sign that we have been purchased by God. Transformed by Him, Blessed by Him. But that happens through the work and the impartation— the incarnation of the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds the Corinthians in their letter of this very truth:
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Holy Spirit is our deposit on a future inheritance. (v.14)
When we believe— the Holy Spirit takes up residence in us. This is a powerful truth— many of us don’t realize the fact.
This seal is a deposit— that brings Security, Authenticity, Ownership and Authority. It’s the down payment. The first installment on the full payout later. It’s a declaration of Intention.
Like if you were selling a car— and someone contacts you, and they say they want it— but they need to go to the bank and get the money— but they ask you to hold it and not sell to anyone else until they get back?
The Holy Spirit is that “earnest payment” on the future finalization of the contract.
It’s a guarantee that the owner is coming back to claim His property!
What a journey this is going to be! WOW— we are so blessed. We are revealing to you in this message a bit of a “tag line” or mission statement for the work we do together here at Walnut Creek.
We seek to be “God ordained, Christ centered, and Spirit led” in our life together. This is a frame work we will use to make decisions— is God leading us, Does it focus on Christ, and is the Spirit leading us now?
It all comes back to the great blessing we have in the life that is Transformed through Christ.
“Nearness to God brings likeness to God. The more you see God the more of God will be seen in you.”
Charles Spurgeon
Let’s pray—