What’s in Your Wallet?

Introduction

A trust fund bum

Movement 1 – Check the Account

Introduction (1:1-2)

Ephesians 1:1–2 NIV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Absence of personal greetings points towards a more general letter

Some early manuscripts leave out “in Ephesus”

Relevant background

Idolatry – Artemis/Diana + 50 others

Jew/Gentile Mix

Magic

Redirection toward spiritual warfare rather than political warfare

Our Triune Blessings (1:3-14)

Ephesians 1:3–14 NIV

FROM THE FATHER 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. IN THE SON 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. […] 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, WITH THE SPIRIT 13 […] 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.

Praise is the right way to do theology

Triune shape (appropriations)

God’s sovereignty

Union with Christ

The seal of the spirit

If our great blessing comes from God himself, prayer is the logical result as we ask him to give more

A Prayer for Knowledge (1:15-23)

Ephesians 1:15–23 NIV

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

The emphasis of this prayer is increasing knowledge of the riches God has provided

Having asked for God’s help in knowing him better, Paul turns his gaze towards God’s specific generosity to his people.

New Life (2:1-10)

Ephesians 2:1–10 NIV

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

To be in in Christ is to have new life.

The basis of this new life is all of grace.

If there is anything for you to boast about in your salvation, you have missed the heart of the matter

There is here a hint of the upcoming practical section of the book – we have new life which will result in good works.

This new life brings with it a new identity

New Citizenship (2:11-22)

Ephesians 2:11–22 NIV

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)—12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Not only were Paul’s readers dead, they were also far away

The Old Testament focuses on Israel by defining its identity and bringing them into covenant closeness with God

Genealogy

Geography

Law

Political identity

Israel’s great sin in the OT was being like the other nations

Paul’s readers identity as members of “the uncircumcised” rendered them far from God

The gospel has brought them into God’s people and near to him

This message of a great new citizenship raises a problem though, why should they listen to Paul about citizenship if Paul is a prisoner of the great earthly power.

New Plan (3:1-13)

Ephesians 3:1–13 NIV

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— […] 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. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Though Paul is a prisoner, everything is happening according to plan

He is a prisoner of Jesus Christ

Nero is the one who actually holds him prisoner

His confident in God’s sovereignty is such that the actions of wicked Nero are described as actions of God himself

God has always planned to bring the Gentiles in, he is now enacting that plan

The church’s success in spite of external pressure is a continual demonstration of the greatness of God’s wisdom displayed through the gospel.

For the church to thrive in time of opposition it will need a divinely granted strength

A Prayer for Strength (3:14-21)

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.

The church isn’t called to something easy but something hard, and therefore needs God’s strengthening power, which Paul prays for.

Summary

The triune God grants us extraordinary Spiritual riches which require his help to understand. These riches include new life for the dead through faith and reconciliation between Gentiles and Jews and with God. God offers these riches according to his plan and strengthens our inner being through his riches graciously given to us.

Paul now turns his gaze to the implications of these rich blessings for daily life.

As someone possessing God's riches, I must live for him and in dependence on him by living life in the light.

Movement 2 – Make a Withdrawal

A Worthy Walk in Church (4:1-16)

Ephesians 4:1–2 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.

Ephesians 4:11–13 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.

Life in the church should be characterized by unity that flows from the calling we share

The church is made up of a diverse group which works together for the purpose of unity

Live Like Someone New (4:17-5:2)

Ephesians 4:22–24 NIV

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Because we have new life and a new identity we must live in a new way

We put off and put on

Falsehood replaced with truth

Put off anger

Replace stealing with work

Replace unwholesome talk with building up

Do not grieve the Spirit

Replace malice with kindness and forgiveness

Ephesians 5:1–2 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.

All of this follows God’s example

We are in Christ so we look like Christ

Life in the Light (5:3-20)

Ephesians 5:8 NIV

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

The new life includes a new abstinence

We abstain from sexual immorality

Ephesians 5:3 NIV

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.

We abstain from impure speech

Ephesians 5:4 NIV

4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

We expose evil deeds rather than use darkness to conceal them

Ephesians 5:11 NIV

11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

We don’t get drunk

Ephesians 5:18 NIV

18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

The new life adds good things it doesn’t just remove bad things

Wisdom

Ephesians 5:15–16 NIV

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Spirit filled worship

Ephesians 5:18–20 NIV

18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The New Life and Our Relationships

Wives and Husbands (5:21-33)

Ephesians 5:22 NIV

22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:25 NIV

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

Love and submission

Children and Parents (6:1-4)

Ephesians 6:1 NIV

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Ephesians 6:4 NIV

4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Obedience and nurture

Slaves and Masters (6:5-9)

Ephesians 6:5 NIV

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.

Ephesians 6:9 NIV

9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Wholehearted service (both ways)

The Worthy Walk Enabled

In a book that begins with our need for God’s gracious provision apart from our works, Paul closes with two more reminders of the same.

The Armor of God (6:10-17)

Ephesians 6:10–11 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.

The task Paul places before us is hard

It’s hard to

control our tongues

be generous

be good husbands, wives, children, parents, employees, and bosses

There are many commands in the second half of the book, but Paul will not let us leave his letter thinking it is our strength that enables obedience

Strong in the Lord

Ephesians 6:10 NIV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Wearing his Armor

Ephesians 6:11 NIV

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Prayer (6:18-20)

Paul then concludes the body of his prayer soaked letter with a call for the Ephesians to join him in prayer

Ephesians 6:18–20 NIV

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. 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.

VI. Closing (6:21-23)

Ephesians 6:21–23 “Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”