From Paul’s Pen – Ephesians

Today we will be in Ephesians:

Paul’s fifth letter

Written to a church Paul is very familiar with, the church in Ephesus. Paul stayed there maybe as long as three years. He visited this church on his second and third missionary journeys. His interaction with them is recorded in Acts 19.

This letter is unique from the other letters in that it was written a bit later, maybe in the early 60’s. And written when Paul was in prison. At the end of Acts that’s where we find Paul, as a prisoner in Rome. I find this especially impressive that Paul is not letting his circumstances stop his ministry. He’s still writing. He’s still encouraging the churches. His mission is not deterred by his circumstances.

Ephesians 6:19–20 (NIV) — 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Prison has not discouraged Paul from his mission.

In addition to Ephesians – Philippians, Colossians and Philemon are also written from prison and these letters are known as the “prison epistles.”

As promised last week, much more positive and encouraging tone. There seems to be no special problem being addressed.

General teaching on the work of God and how he continues to work through the church, the body of Christ, and through individuals.

A lengthy section (chapters 5-6) on relationships between husbands and wives, slaves and master, children and parents. This gospel makes a difference in our personal lives.

Although this letter has been associated with Ephesians there is strong evidence that his book was meant to be circulated among the neighboring churches as well. A couple of reasons for this:

No personal greetings at the end. This appears odd given Paul’s long association with Ephesus. Scholars believe that this is an indication that this letter was meant for a wider audience.

No particular issue is addressed. The letter just has a more general tone to it that Corinthians where Paul addresses several specific issues.

There is an interesting textual note in the introduction to Ephesians.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

That phrase “in Ephesus” is not in some of the reliable early manuscripts. Most scholars therefore see this letter as much more universal than some of the other letters. In other words, this letter was not written to a particular church. This was written with all churches in mind. This letter was intended for us.

Today I want us to look at this letter as a letter to the Park Avenue Church. Many times we hear sermons or have personal devotion times with the intention of how does this affect me? What is God saying to me? We make Bible study so individual. This is good, but we also need to see ourselves as part of a spiritual community. We need to know that not only does God want me to live a holy life, He wants this church to be holy.

My premise today:

The epistle of Paul we call Ephesians is a call to mobilize the church to effectively engage in the spiritual warfare that was going on not only in the first century but is ongoing throughout the church age and will only be resolved when Christ returns in ultimate and final victory.

We are in a battle

I hope that is not news to you. There are forces of evil waging war against the forces of good.

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) — 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The church is God’s plan to fight this battle

Ephesians 3:7–11 (NIV) — 7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This was God’s plan from the beginning that he would call together people of faith, from all nations, to engage in this battle.

Ephesians 1:11–14 (NIV) — 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. 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, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

There’s a lot of debate about predestination, but I see that in the context of this letter predestination is simply a description that God had planned from the beginning to use the church as the instrument to win this battle against the evil one. The church is God’s plan to battle against the spiritual forces of evil.

The church is well equipped

Ephesians 1:18–23 (NIV) — 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

We are sealed with the spirit

We are empowered with resurrection power

We are led by our hero Jesus

Hear this prayer of Paul:

Ephesians 3:14–21 (NIV) — 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Paul has confidence that the church can win this battle. The same conficence Jeus had:

Matthew 16:17–18 (NIV) — 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

The church needs to be healthy

A healthy church is built upon the teaching teachings of Jesus and the teachings of the apostles and prophets.

Ephesians 2:19–22 (NIV) — 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

A healthy church is unified

Ephesians 4:1–6 (NIV) — 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

A healthy church is mature

Ephesians 4:11–16 (NIV) — 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

A mature church is one where every member is using their gifts and works together in love and mutual respect.

A healthy church is committed to purity

Ephesians 5:1–4 (NIV) — 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

The epistle of Paul we call Ephesians is a call to mobilize the church to effectively engage in the spiritual warfare that was going on not only in the first century but is ongoing throughout the church age and will only be resolved when Christ returns in ultimate and final victory.

This letter is a call to confidence. The church, God’s plan from the beginning, is God’s instrument to fight his battle. We are well equipped so longs as we continue to build on the truth of the gospel, we maintain a spirit of unity, we continue to grow to maturity, and commit ourselves to holy and pure living – good will triumph.

Paul wraps up this letter with this familiar call to action:

Ephesians 6:10–18 (NIV) — 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

May God help us stand firm in this spiritual battle!