Ephesians
Notes
Transcript
Part 1
Part 1
I want us to begin a study on the Book of Ephesians.
This evening I want us to kind of do an overview and then dig into a few chapters and look forward to learning many different lessons as we go through this study together.
So why do I think it is a good idea to look at this Book at this time. I guess you could say q1 because we haven't done it yet, but I can think of a couple of other reasons also.
One reason is we need to understand that we are living in a world today that is constantly having a desire for more.
More money, more fun, more pleasure,more recognition, more of everything we want besides more of God.
You know we even hear of many saved people not satisfied with what God has provided them. Even when it comes to to their worship of God where they worship etc. .
How many Christians you see these days not satisfied where God has put them to serve and worship.
Christians seems to have this same more and more attitude than those who are not saved. Same problem they want new experiences, new doctrines, new music, new small groups, new children’s programs.
All these things are good but the point is even with saved people its not good enough always looking for something different and something more.
In the Book of Ephesians God’s word reminds us that if we are in Christ God has already given us everything we need for a satisfied life here on this earth.
Ephesians also reminds us how the church itself is falling.
Look at our churches today it is not just here, but every church is has less and less dedication and attendance.
Besides the churches those that are catering to the things of the world.
People fell like the church is not important anymore. That idea of coming together to worship and encourage one another is something from back in the old days.
Don’t get me wrong There are all kinds of good organizations out there that help people all kind of good christian organizations., but the church is the only organization that was created by God.
The church was God’s idea he invested his ministry and reputation with the local church.
Some people say well when the church is not the local church the church is everywhere.
That is true when we talk about the universal church but don’t think the bible and God does not show the importance of the local church.
The local church was God’s plan for accomplishing his mission.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
God wants to be glorified in the world and he is glorified through Jesus but guess what Jesus is not here right now he ascended back into heaven.
The world can’t see Jesus right now but Jesus plan was for the world to see him though the local church through us.
What the world ends up thinking about the church is what the world is going to think about the Jesus.
So like I said today we are going to look at an over view of Ephesians.
Who was the writer of Ephesians. Today when we write a letter where do we let everyone know who it is from? At the end right we sign it sincerely, God Bless or whatever then your name.
In the bible usually it is up front.
Ephesians 1:1 (KJV 1900)
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
So the bible is clear here Ephesians was written by Paul
We talk about Paul a lot right. Paul was a Jew, he kept all of the laws, he was a Pharisee. He was very sincere about his religion or his faith, but he was dead wrong.
He did everything he could to get rid of this new heresy all of these Christians that believed in Jesus. He would kill them, imprison them or whatever it took to get rid of them.
He thought he was following God he felt like he was doing the right thing, but remember what happened to him on that road to Damascus where he was headed to kill and imprison more Jesus followers.
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Paul was transformed from being a persecutor of those who loved Jesus to one of Jesus biggest followers, preachers there ever was.
Today think about those who would not have been saved if it wasn’t for Paul’s ministry.
Now who did he write the letter too.? Paul was writing to the people the church at Ephesus.
Ephesians 1:1 (KJV 1900)
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
This term saint here saints is not the football team, it is not some little figure some religions use to put on their shelf or dashboard to protect them.
in the bible a saint was anyone who was saved and believed in Jesus.
So what is Ephesus? In the book of Acts the bible talks about 4 missionary journeys Paul took.
On his second missionary journey is where he first visited the city of Ephesus.
And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
Want to point out something real quick here. Notice verse 18 where it says and Paul reasoned (ministered) with the Jews.
A lot of people say Paul was to minister to the Gentiles people like us, Paul wanted to minister to everyone to include the Jews.
Here the first people he went to was the jews.
Paul knew that the Jews also needed to accept Jesus as savior in order to be saved. See many Jews only believed and still do today that Gentiles are the only ones who have to accept Jesus.
There is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus and Paul knew that.
Finish reading Acts.
Paul always had a plan but God was in his plan obviously we can even see here.
There is nothing wrong with making plans but realize your plans are subject to God’s will.
Ephesus was a great city very prosperous, it was known for a huge amphitheater that is still there till this day.
There was also a temple there called Temple to Ardimus. It was one of the 7 wonders of the world. It was a pagan temple that was run by 200 temple prostitutes.
Paul left after 2 years he ended up in Jerusalem where he was arrested and took to Rome for his trial where he was imprisoned.
Paul was changed to a different Romans Guard every 8 hours.
What do you think they talked about ? I bet you it wasn’t about the weather, about the nice sheep in the fields,.
Paul shared the gospel with them while he was imprisoned.
Let’s look at the layout of Ephesians.
The first 3 chapters have to do with Doctrine,
The next 3 has to do with application to our lives.
We need both God didn’t give us the bible to make us smarter sinners. It was to increase our level of obedience.
Remember this Content without application is good for nothing right. I could teach a wonderful and great doctrine but give you no way to apply it I have missed the point.
We should be looking at application we have to apply the truth that we teach.
So their has to be a balance. That is what we see Paul did here.
In Chapters 1-3 he talks about the doctrines of the faith.
In 4-6 are our duties.
So like I just said it would be crazy to close this evening without giving you some thoughts and application you can remember and apply to your life.
So let’s look at a couple of things we can apply.
Every christian has to live in this world.
This letter is not addressed to the Christians that are already in heaven. It is addressed to the saints living in the world at Ephesus.
Paul is talking to us just as clear today through these words. To the saints that are in Poplarville, MS
With this being the case with us living in the world and not in heaven we should not be surprised when problems come into our lives.
The President of the Criswell college, Dr. Patterson in Dallas said while speaking at Dr. Criswell’s funeral.
He said he was upset one time just very discouraged and he went in to see Dr. Criswell before he died.
Dr. Criswell said son I can see that you are down and upset what is wrong? Dr, Paterson spilled everything, all the horrible things that has been going on in his life.
Dr, Criswell said son remember this “as long as you live in this world you are going to be in a storm of some kind, but if you are in the will of God you will be safe from the storms.
We as Christians should not be surprised when the storms come our way.
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
Then Jesus tells us himself.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Every Christian lives in this world but remember every christian also lives in Christ.
Paul loves using those words “In Christ he uses it 164 times in his letters he wrote. 27 of those times are in the book of Ephesians.
What does it mean to be in Christ?
If we are in Christ because of our relationship to him we are as close to the heart of God as Jesus because we are in Christ.
God has the same feelings towards us as he did his own son Jesus when he said. This is my beloved son whom I am well pleased.
That means that we as Christians are safe from anyone or anything in this world that comes our way that does not have to go through God first and him allow it to happen.
In Dr. Criswell’s commentary on Ephesians he uses the example of us being out in the pacific ocean in a ship, you are surrounded by thousands of sq miles of water, sharks but you never have to worry about getting ate by the sharks, drowning because you are in the ship you are safe the same it is with our faith in Jesus. In Christ.
He also gave a story of a woman that came to him onetime and said preacher I was saved as a young girl. I know I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior. But at this point in my life I feel that I am demon possessed and I feel right now if I died I would go to Hell.
So he asked her these questions. Do you believe that the bible is the word of God and she responded yes i do.
If you were to stand before God and you asked him why should I let you into heaven what would you say? She said I would tell him because I trusted you as my personal Lord and Saviour.
If that is true and you believe the bible and you are saved you are IN Christ then remember what Jesus said in his word.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
If you believe the bible and you are saved In Christ then you are safe.
Yes we will have problems but we are safe in Christ. Everything that Jesus has now we will have one day.
We actually have some of those things right now but most of it is reserved in heaven for us.
Just knowing that it should guide us in everything we do while still here on earth.
When Victoria grew up in 19th century England no one told her for many years that she would be destined to become the queen of England. They couldn’t tell a little girl that how could she handle it. But as she grew up they told her that one day she was going to be ruler over the British empire and the Queen of England. The key here is her response. “That will be good”
What I thought about here is one day just like that girl said knowing what was in her future That will be good.
We can say the same thing as saved people we are going to receive a huge inheritance and that will be good. Having that knowledge should control what we do and how we act today.
Paul said
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
