Letters from Paul: Ephesians

We are looking at some of the Letter from Paul.

Paul wrote almost half of the new testament.

Some of his letters are among the longest letters sent in Antiquitiy.

Last week we looked at Galatians, where Paul was trying to address an issue where people were coming up to gentile - non jewish - believers and saying to properly follow Jesus you have to convert to Judaism

Paul wrote that in Christ you are not under the law but under grace

So don’t focus so much on being right as opposed to doing good.

This week we look at the first of his Prison epistles, letters he wrote while on house arrest in Rome

Ephesians.

Paul’s letter to the ephesians is unique, most of his leters to churches are trying to solve some problem or address some concern,

Here he writes to the ephesians to encourage them, and to keep pushing them forward in their growth.

Paul spent a large part of his ministry in Ephesus,

It became very close to his heart,

He spent several months directing the church in Ephesus , and in later life he sent Timothy, his student to be the pastor at Ephesus.

In a sense Ephesus became Paul’s Home Church.

He lived there over two years.

Acts 19:1–10 ESV

And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all. And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

Paul did not plant the church in Ephesus, that was done by Apollos, another disciple - and apollos was a great teacher, but he only knew part of the gospel,

So paul came later, and found people who believed in jesus - and Paul filled in their teaching and helped them receive the Holy Spirit.

HE then taught for 3 months in the synagogue

to the jews

And then for 2 years in the hall of Tyrannus, the house of one of the members.

The church grew so well when paul was there that it interuppted the local economy,

EPhesus was home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple to Artemis

Much of the local trade was people who made idols of artemis to sell to pilgrims and tourists travelling to the temple

Acts 19:23–28 ESV

About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.” When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

Demetrius starts a riot, because the church in ephesus had grown to the point where it rivaled one of the wonders of the ancient world.

the riot forces paul to leave ephesus and continue on his journey.

Paul’s journey leads him to Jerusalem, where he is arrested for Blasphemy, and then he appeals to ceasar, and is sent to rome, where he sits in house arrest while awaiting his trial.

and while he is there he writes to the Ephesians.

The church he had spent so long with.

and this is what he had to say

Ephesians 1:1–10 ESV

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 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, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Paul starts with this wonderful benediction, remidning the Ephesians, the church closest to his heart, reminding them of thier calling,

That they were called by God through Christ to be holy and blameless, adopted into the family of God.

Now paul talks about predestination here. and the Predesitnation free will debate is one that we do not have time for right now.

But God called us, the church to be his children, adopted through the Blood of Jesus, and as children of God he expects us to be holy and blameless.

Now the holy and blameless calling comes from Christ, who is able to forgive us our sins by his sacrifice, and through his sacrifice, and through the church, God plans to set all things right in heaven and on earth.

Church that is a high calling

to be counted as children of God

and to help heal heaven and earth and unite them together.

But notice, its nothing that we have done

it was all JEsus.

Paul explains this better as we continue

Ephesians 2:1–10 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Before we knew Jesus we were spiritually dead, enslaved to the Prince of the power of the air

That is the Devil.

Now with Christ’s death and ressurection, we are given new life

and this is only by the grace of God through faith

Not by works

Works cannot save us, only faith in jesus can.

and once we are re-created in Christ, we are re-created to do good works.

This sounds a lot like what paul was telling the Galatians. last week.

Works cannot save us, Only Jesus can, and we are then saved to do good works.

And this salvation is for both th jew and the gentile.

Ephesians 4:1–6 ESV

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

HAving established that we have been called by Christ our savior to live holy and blameless lives, to do good works, paul urges us to live in a manner worthy of that calling

to be humble, and gentle, and patient, maintaining unity, working together, as one body.

Now bodies have many members,

Paul explores this more in 1 corinithians 12 - read that this week

Here in ephesians he talks about the various parts of the church

Ephesians 4:11–16 ESV

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

There are many apsects of Ministy - and your role within the church is determined by your gifts and your talents and your desire

the Apostles are Missionaries

they are sent to preach the gospel and plant churched

the Prophets declare the word of God,

They see what is going on in the world around them and Guide the church in how to respond

The Evangelists preach to those they meet

like missionaries, but staying at home, helping those around them

Shepherds or Pastors - are people who make sure the church is being taken care of

They care for the needs of the congregation and help them grow spiritually

Teachers preach and teach the word of God

They help train new leaders in the church and make sure the church knows what the Bible says

Church there are so many churches today that have a Pastor - who they are expecting to be a prophet an evangelist, a shepdherd and a teacher - he is doing too much

I try to be both shepherd and teacher - I personally feel i am more a teacher.

But i also do my best to be a pastor - a shepherd making sure you are doing well.

But to be built up as a proper church - we need to have our members find out which of these you all could be.

Some of you already have ideas.

So now that we have our calling - to be holy and blameless and to do good works, as a unified body with many members working together. Paul gives practical advice on how to best live as followers of Christ.

Ephesians 5:1–4 ESV

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

When we imitate God, that is we try to live like Jesus, we will natually live better lives and avoid all signs of sin.

whether sexual imorality, or crude language, or covetousness

we need to replace it with thanksgiving.

Ephesians 5:21–25 (ESV)

submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

This verse sometimes makes people angry, telling wives to submit,

Firstly it says to submit to each other 1st.

then wives submit to husbands who are the apiritual authority of the home, and are responsible for what goes on in the home

then it says husbands ought to love thier wives - as CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH

give himself for her.

a husband has to give up his own selfish desires to serve his family.

Ephesians 6:1–4 ESV

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Children are to obey their parents and parents are to make sure their children grow up well

sometimes using discipline.

Paul concludes with this awesome call to put on the Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10–17 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Our Battle is not against flesh and blood,

people are not your enemies.

our enemies are the spiritual forces of darkness that try and keep us from doing the will of Christ.

In Ephesus that was represented by the temple of Artemis.

so put on your armor.

Belt of truth,

belts hold your tools and bind your armor together,

Without truth you have noting else at your disposal. your armor falls off and your tools are gone

Breastplate of righteous ness

the plate armor defends your vital organs, your heart

when you live a righteous life you defend your heart from the enemy.

the readiness of the gospel of peace

the shoes of roman soldiers were some of the first to use cleats, which helped them stand their ground

when you are ready to share the gospel you advance against the enemy and take ground - and it is very difficult for you to be pushed back

shield of faith

shields defend against arrows, and work best when there is someone next to you

Faith - trust in God keeps you safe from most of the attacks the enemy sends your way,

Helm of salvation

Helmates protect your head, but also identify you.

when you are saved you choose to be idenitifed with Jesus.

Sword of the Spirit - the Word of God

THis is the only offensive weapon in the list.

Without the Spirit and without the word of God you cannot fight back.

Church, Ephesians is an encouragment for every church to step up, work together, and live lives that fit the calling God has for us.

We are called to be Jesus to those around us,

We are called to help fix the world around us

We are called to love one another.

So Church lets us figure out our calling as a church, and as followers of Christ.

and then lets live by it.

Because this is not a life where we can just sit and let things happen, this is a battleground. thats why we need armor.