Encouragement in Troubled Times

Paul sends a close friend to give these believers news about His life. We have talked about unity throughout this letter. What it means that we are united to Jesus, what it means that we are to be united as brothers and sisters in Christ. Part of unity is the desire to care for one another well, to be “informed” about the lives of those around us. That we care what is happening rather than just caring about ourselves. But part of caring for others, as Paul shows, is that you let other people into your own life, you let others know how you are doing personally.

Paul sends someone to give them an update on what is happening in his life, a first hand experience. By giving them this information Paul is giving this church an opportunity to pray for Him. It gives them a point to have conversation with them when he see’s them again, and it gives opportunity and an openness to future meetings between them.

Consideration

Paul has twice prayed for them in Ephesians and also requests prayers for himself.

Communication

He is sending Tychicus so that he can give them information on what is happening in his life and so that he can encourage them and they can encourage him. Paul hopes that in learning about what is happening in his life they can be encouraged in their own life.

Community

In sending someone to see them he is connecting the community together, giving them opportunities to share life together and to see our pattern of living. Danger comes in isolation.

Paul had built community with these believers, so that even in prison he has love for these people.

Peace is the source of unity

Paul has discussed peace extensively. That Jesus is our peace, and that Christ came and preached peace to us. He called them to maintain unity with one another “in the bond of peace and forbear one another in love” and to “walk in love”. Love is the source of peace.

It refers to the well-being of people, and in this letter about reconciliation with God and to one another.

-Peace with God leads to peace with believers.

-These are given from the Father and from Jesus

Ephesians 1:2 CSB

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:14–15 “For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create in himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace.”

Ephesians 2:17 “He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.”

Ephesians 4:3 “making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Ephesians 6:15 “and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.”

Love with faith shows how faith in God enlightens us to His love for us. And this love of God from faith gives us peace.

-This are “from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

We lose peace and love when we think we should only worry about ourselves.

Grace is the application of unity

The means by which Jesus gives us reconciliation and by which we have peace with one another.

Grace comes to those who have love for Jesus.

-In a world that will hate those who believe in Jesus it will be important to love Jesus.

Notice, they have an “undying” love

-It is a love that will last for eternity.

-Revelation 2:4 “But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first.”

Ephesians 3:17–18 “and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love,”

Ephesians 2:8–9 CSB

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.

We lose grace when we think no one deserves forgiveness.

God’s new society

Paul reveals God’s desire for people to live in harmony with one another, to fellowship with others, and to recognize the love and grace we should show to others.