Master the Basics

Master the Basics: Overview of Ephesians

Introduction

To be good at something, you must master the basics. Why? Because the basics are fundamental. The word fundamental means “a central or primary rule or principle on which something is based.”

Before you can understand books you need first to learn how to read. In order to learn how to read you need to learn how to read words and understand their vocabulary. In order to do that you need to learn the “ABC”. That is the fundamental in which you build your reading and comprehension skills.

Basics is not something you ignore or neglect when you are trying to learn a skill. It is something you master. It is something you build upon.

Illustration:

Recently one of the sports that I’m currently adapting is running. I personally don’t like running. Running is hard. I get nauseated when I run. It’s not a pleasurable sport in my past experience.

Then I was introduced in a video, the amazing benefits of running. It improves cardiovascular health. It will strengthen the overall core of the body. And when I started running it actually helped improve my sleep.

Furthermore, I learn about the types of running like speed run, easy run, tempo run and long distance easy run. In the past, I thought running is just simple, you just run. I was so ignorant of the basics. If you are a beginner, you begin with an easy run.

Another basic thing I learned is that there are appropriate ‘basic stretching for running’ that you have to do before you run.

The last basic thing I learned are the zones in running:

Zone 1 (recovery/easy) 55%-65% HR max

Zone 2 (aerobic/base) 65%-75% HR max

Zone 3 (tempo) 80%-85% HR max

Zone 4 (lactate threshold) 85%-88% HR max

Zone 5 (anaerobic) 90% HR max and above

These basic principles give me enough knowledge on how to approach the lifestyle of running.

To grow at anything you must (not just know but) master the basics.

To become a great musician, one must master the basics.

In arts, there are basic theories and fundamentals you need to master.

You don’t skip the fundamentals. You rather built on it. You improve upon it.

That’s the reason why Paul wrote the letter of Ephesians. He wrote it as a guide or manual for the basic things that Christians should know and do as they follow their crucified, risen and exalted Messiah.

Last time we learned that this letter is a ‘circular’ to the churches in Asia Minor. Paul wrote them a guide to help them progress in their discipleship to Jesus.

Today we are going to look at the whole book of Ephesians, its structure and overall message. If I could distill it in one word it would be:

Master the Basics. What are those basics?

Know Your Wealth (1-3)

Practice Your Walk (4:1-6:9)

Engage Your Warfare (6:10-24)

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Basic Principle 1:

Know Your Wealth (Chp. 1-3)

I believe we can look at chapters 1-3 from that perspective. When I say wealth I’m not talking about material/financial wealth.

Paul here is talking about wealth that is much more important than earthly wealth. He is talking about riches and blessings that no money or fame or human power can buy. He is talking about the ‘gospel riches/blessings that we received and is ours when trust in Jesus the Messiah.’

Look with me for example in Chapter 1:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Eph. 1:3)

After this Paul talks about in this doxological introduction the list of blessings that we have received. The blessings of election (v.4), the blessings of adoption (v.5), the blessing of redemption (v.7a), the blessing of forgiveness (v.7b), the blessings of knowledge and insight about God’s plan (v.9), the blessing of inheritance (v.11), the blessing of sealing of the Holy Spirit (v.13).

These are blessings from God to us through our union/connection in Christ. You can’t buy this. No amount of money, gold, silver or riches in this world can possess this. But you have this if you are believer in Christ Jesus

So Paul ‘burst out a song of praise and blessings to the Trinity’.

V.6 - ‘to the praise of his glorious grace’.

V.12 - ‘to the praise of his glory.’

In Chapter 1:15-23, Paul then prays that God “may give us the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe.”

It’s like Paul is saying, I just want you to know and understand ‘how spiritually rich and wealthy you are’. I’m praying that God would illumined your eyes so that there’s an “AHA” - Eureka - moment.

Then in Chapter 2, he reminds us once again of the immeasurable riches of grace (in salvation) we have as believers in Jesus. He reminds us of our former status before God.

We are not just poor. We are spiritually dead before God. Rotten like a corpse. Unable to please God.

But God in his grace saved us through our faith in Christ. (v.8-9)

Not only saved us but seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ (v.6). It is a glorious picture of a believer to be seated with Christ.

How many of you would feel privileged to be seated with someone who is powerful like a President, CEO, or a famous person? As a believer you are seated with Christ, the Lord of lords and the King of all kings. What else are you looking for?

And then he ends Chapter 3:14-19 by praying (again) that we can comprehend (the goal is to know) with all the saints (both Jews and Gentile) what is the breadth, and length, and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, and that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

He again ends this section with a doxology. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21)

This is only possible because of the immeasurable work of grace of God in Christ Jesus. Jesus is the god of all Gods. He is the king of all Kings. But look at what He’s done for us lost, dead, wretched sinners. He blessed us with all spiritual blessings.

Paul here is simply teaching the ginormous wealth that we receive when we put our faith in Christ.

Church, do you know how blessed you are in Christ? Do you know your spiritual riches and resources available for you in Christ Jesus? Do you know your privileged position as a believer that you are seated with him in the heavenly places? Do you know the implications of these truths in your life? Or are you ignorant about it?

Do you know that God has richly provided everything you need to successfully grow and live a godly life as a Christian?

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness… (2 Pe 1:3 ESV) - THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED.

My friends, did you know and get that? You lack nothing in living the Christian life. But if we don’t know that, it will hinder our effectiveness and fruitfulness and our spiritual growth. Knowledge is key.

That’s why Peter says “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Pe 3:18) (Grow - command; two areas - grace/knowledge)

That’s why knowing good theology and sound biblical doctrine matters a lot. “Dili ni pa brayt2x”. That’s why it’s wrong to go to church and just seek emotional experience. You and I need to be taught proper theology and doctrine so that we can appropriate and appreciate what God has done for us.

What you don’t know can hurt or hinder you. People say ignorance is bliss. Nope, ignorance is not bliss, it can hurt you.

Story: There’s a story of an old couple who are saving part of their pension in order to purchase a ticket to sail on a cruise ship. They spent quite a fortune to be in that cruise ship. They enjoy their stay. But Every time they have lunch or dinner they go into their room and eat their ‘baon’ biscuits’ and foods. They continue to do this until the last day. On the last day of their trip, someone eventually recognizes them and asks why are you going to your room during breakfast, lunch or dinner. Why won’t you join us at the buffet? The old couple sheepishly told their friend what we can afford is just to buy the ticket to be in this cruise ship. We can’t afford the buffet. Their friend was shocked and asked them “are you kidding me?” Don’t you know that included in your ticket are all the buffet?

But some believers are like that because of ignorance. They are not aware of the wealth of grace in Christ Jesus so they constantly live in guilt and self-pity and shame (They don’t know or believe that there’s an abundance of grace that is greater than their sin and shame). They don’t know the wealth of power through the Holy Spirit so they constantly live in the defeat of their flesh.

Do you know how blessed you are?

You don’t have to live in guilt, shame and failure - because of God’s wealth of grace, forgiveness and redemption in Christ Jesus.

You don’t have to live in hurt and prison of bitterness and forgiveness because you have the abundant grace of the Holy Spirit shedding His love upon your hearts so you will be able to forgive those who hurt you and live in freedom.

Do you know your wealth in Christ? (That’s the first thing)

Basic Principle 2:

Practice Your Walk

I love how Paul progressively arranged this letter. Think of it like a ladder. The first step - know your wealth in Christ. Built upon that is - to practice your walk.

You cannot practice your walk unless you know your wealth. You cannot give what you do not have. You cannot love others unless you are loved. You cannot forgive unless you are forgiven. You cannot be gracious to others unless you’ve been gracious in your life. As humans, we are naturally responders.

So what should be the proper response for this enormous wealth of grace God has poured out into our lives? Let’s look at Chapter 4

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called… (Eph 4:1)

I love how many times the Apostle uses the word walk in this section.

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. (Eph 4:17)

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Eph 5:1–2)

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. (Eph 5:15–16)

We can summarize the walk of a Christian as:

Worthy walk (4:1)

Different walk (4:17)

Loving walk (5:1-2)

Wise walk (5:15-16)

Submissive walk (Eph. 5:18-6:9) *result of the Spirit filling

Husband & Wife

Parenting

Employee and Employer

Christianity is an invitation to a new kind of walk (lifestyle). You are saved by grace but the grace that saves will change the way you live. That is true biblical conversion.

Your values are being changed by the Gospel. (Sa una wala kay paki-alam sa Bible, or going to church on Sunday, pero karon value na nimo na…)

Your perspectives about life are being changed by the Gospel. (Sa una having money and material things is everything, karon Jesus and serving Jesus is the most important thing.)

So it’s an invitation to walk - a new creation walk. A Jesus and Gospel driven life. It's a walk where Jesus is the center and He drives every aspect and area of your life.

Finances

Fitness

Dating, Marriage Relationships

Workplace/Vocation

Life plans & goals

*These are submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

This is not a walk of perfection but a walk of progression. Paul uses the word walk for a reason because it signifies not just a step - but a series of steps.

It’s a series of steps toward becoming like Jesus. It’s not one time. It’s a lifestyle of ‘practicing’. It’s a lifelong process.

Sadly, many professing believers treat Christianity like a pill. They want instant cure and fixed. Christianity doesn’t work like that. They go to a bible study once thinking that will change your life. Going to a gym once does not make you a fit person. Running once does not give you cardiovascular health. What’s the key? Consistency. It’s not perfection but progress. Consistency to the process. Walk. It's a limping walk but you still walk.

One of the habits that I committed to the Lord when I was a new Christian was ‘not to miss the church on Sunday’. This is not legalism, this is just my personal conviction. It is my personal commitment to the Lord. And I can proudly say that by God’s grace that commitment of gathering with God’s people deepen my understanding of God and the gospel and it helps me to be the person that I am today. It helps me in my marriage and relationships and in the ministry that God has called me today.

Don’t just read the Bible once - commit to the process.

Don’t just attend a small group once, or Sunday gathering once - commit to the process. Practice the walk.

Imagine what God can do, if there’s one thing you commit to the Lord this year that you are going to do - one area that you will be consistent by God’s grace.

Giving, Prayer Life, Sunday Gathering, Small Groups, Bible Study. Serving. (Practice Your Walk)

Basic Principle 1: Know Your Wealth

Basic Principle 2: Practice Your Walk

Basic Principle 3:

Engage Your Warfare

Once you know your wealth in Christ and you begin to practice your walk in Christ, eventually you will realize that you are engaging in a spiritual war.

That’s the last part of this letter. In Eph. 6:10ff.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:10–12)

We are at war with a spiritual unseen enemy. Therefore you have to learn how to fight, stand and engage against this enemy. Don’t be passive in your Christian life, rather have a warrior mentality. Why? There’s an enemy that is out to get you.

…so that you will be a miserable Christian.

It’s possible to be a Christian and not walk worthy according to the calling of God.

It’s possible to be a Christian and not walk differently, not walk lovingly, not walk wisely, not be submissive - to live in the flesh rather in the Spirit.

Paul says I don’t want you to do that, I want you to fight. How are you going to do that? By putting on the armor of God - ‘all the resources God has given to you’ - principal 1 +2. The armor of God is just the basic summary of what Paul has declared that the believer possesses in Christ Jesus in the Gospel.

So what Paul is saying - Know your wealth, know what God has provided for you- why? - because we are at war with an unseen enemy.

Practice your walk - because we are at war.

Read the Bible - so you can have a weapon against the lies of the enemy that tries to discourage and poison your mind.

Parent your children well in the Lord - why? Because you have an enemy that tries to hijack the mind of your kids.

Parenting is a warfare

Marriage is a warfare - date your wife, because there’s an enemy that tries to create emotional distance in your marriage.

Spiritual growth is a warfare - because there’s an enemy that is threatened when you become serious in your Christian and in your serving and discipleship.

Do you realize this beloved? When you wake up today, there's a thousand voices and unseen forces trying to distract you, discourage you, cast doubt and put ungodly thoughts in you?

We are not gonna go deeper on this because we are going to study all this in a few weeks to come.

We are at war. Don’t be passive. Engage it.

These are the basic things that Paul wants us to grasp as we study this letter. It’s basic but fundamental to our spiritual growth and discipleship to Jesus.

“Know Your Wealth” - Do you know how richly blessed you are in Jesus?

“Practice Your Walk” - Are you intentionally taking steps to be like Jesus?

“Engage Your Warfare” - Do you live your Christian life with an awareness that you are in a spiritual battle and that your daily choices matter?

Whatever your situation is today, God has immeasurable grace for you in Christ Jesus. Come to Jesus.