“Before I Go…”

EXCITE

Question:

Have you ever gotten to the end of a conversation with someone you love and they said something like, "Be careful," "Drive safely," "I love you," or "I'm praying for you"?

Those aren't just polite words. They're blessings. They reveal what's in that person's heart. Before you leave, they want you to know what's most important.

That's exactly what Paul is doing. After six chapters of teaching about God's amazing grace, our new identity in Christ, unity in the church, holy living, our homes, spiritual warfare, and standing firm, Paul doesn't simply sign his name and say goodbye. He leaves the Ephesian believers with two final gifts.

First, he sends a faithful ministry friend named Tychicus to strengthen their hearts. Then he speaks a blessing over them: peace, love with faith, and grace. Those closing words aren't an afterthought—they're a summary of everything God wants His people to experience because of Jesus.

As we finish Ephesians today, let's ask ourselves one question: What does God want us to walk away with?

EXPLORE

Strengthen One Another Through Fellowship

Head:

Paul is sending Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister to the Ephesians in order to report on everything, that he may encourage their hearts and let the church know how we are. Tychicus is coming to update the church on Paul and the advance of the gospel. That's no small thing. Paul planted this church and spent three years among them, so naturally, they were concerned about him.

Paul calls Ty 'a beloved brother.' This is more than a statement about being in God's family. It reflects deep affection. Tychicus had cared for Paul during his imprisonment, and now Paul trusted him enough to carry this letter and encourage the churches.

Further, Paul says that he is a faithful minister. He is a trustworthy servant—a faithful deacon. He is there to serve. Initially, that meant he was caring for Paul during his time in prison. Now, Paul needs him to deliver a report to the churches. Whether caring for Paul in prison or delivering letters to the churches, Tychicus simply served wherever he was needed. That's why Paul trusted him.

Finally, notice why Paul sends Tychicus. He wants the hearts of the people to be encouraged. He’s coming to give emotional strength to the people and to alleviate any sorrow or distress. In all likelihood, the believers in Ephesus felt a degree of worry and concern over Paul’s chains. That worry and fear could very easily give way to doubt, especially concerning God’s plan and goodness. Paul’s on guard. He just told the church to be vigilant and ready in their service to Jesus, and he’s exercising that same “on guard” mentality toward them.

His shepherding heart is really showing here as he wants to protect the Ephesian believers from spiritual attack. Therefore, Tychicus is going to encourage them with testimonies about Paul’s well-being and how the ministry is doing during his time in chains. There’s no doubt he shared something similar to Paul’s report to the church in Philippi: even my chains have served to advance the gospel!

The goal is to continue to strengthen their faith, bolster their commitment to Jesus and continue to root them in God’s goodness and grace.

Heart:

During World War II, families often waited weeks or months for word from sons or husbands serving overseas. Every day without a letter increased anxiety. Every knock at the door made hearts race. Then one day the mail carrier arrived.

The envelope didn't end the war. The soldier was still far from home. The danger hadn't disappeared. But reading, "I'm okay. God has been faithful. Keep praying," gave strength to an entire family.

Tychicus is delivering that kind of letter in person. He's living proof that Paul is alive, faithful, and that the gospel is still advancing.

Hand:

When we start to think about how this passage relates to us, you may find yourself in Paul’s position. You’re actually the one going through the difficulty. You’re the one feeling the weight of the chains of a tough situation in life. However, your faith is carrying you through. You can confidently say to live is Christ and to die is gain. No matter how the situation turns out, you’ve got a settled contentment because you know God is in control and He’s working it out for His glory. Let me encourage you: you’ve got a testimony to share!

But, you may be in a different boat today. You may be that faithful friend that God uses to bring a word of encouragement.

Or, you may be the one who’s been discouraged. You see the state of the world today. You hear about the burdens being carried by others. Anxiety grips you. If you’re honest, fear is beginning to whisper doubts. You find yourself needing to hear the truth: God is still at work, so stand firm and fight the good fight.

No matter which one you may relate to this morning, there’s a current carrying all three of them along: fellowship. There’s a good chance Tychicus is from Ephesus. Paul spent three years with the believers there. Certainly there is a depth of relationship that has carried their affections and concerns for one another. That’s the way the life of faith is meant to be lived—in close proximity and love and relationship with other believers…that our lives may bear witness, that we may offer encouragement, or that we may be strengthened by others in our time of need.

Rest in the Blessings of the Gospel

Head:

In many ways, these final words are Paul's summary of the entire letter. Much of what he has taught us about being in Christ is wrapped up in these three blessings: peace, love with faith, and grace. The beauty is that these ARE ours through Jesus who loved us and gave Himself up for us to bring us back into a good relationship with God. So, let’s unpack each of these.

Peace is more than just the absence of conflict. Don’t get me wrong, that’s certainly true. The gospel brings first, peace with God, and second, peace with each other. There is no condemnation and punishment reserved for those who follow Jesus because His death on the cross absorbed it all. And, because the gospel has changed us, there are no grounds for hostility toward one another. The gospel should absolutely change our attitude toward one another.

But, peace is deeper than the absence of conflict. The CJB says, “Shalom to the brothers.” In the Bible, the Hebrew word shalom means much more than just "peace." It describes a life that is whole, complete, safe, and full of God's blessing. Shalom includes peace with God, peace with other people, and a sense of well-being in every part of life. Throughout Scripture and in Jewish tradition, shalom points to God's desire to restore what is broken and bring people into a life of wholeness and harmony with Him and with one another.

Then, he declares over them love with faith. This idea had me in quite the prayerful contemplation this week. Love with faith. It’s an odd combination, not because they don’t belong together, but because we rarely see them connected in such a way. But, if the way of love is going to be lived, faith is necessary. Here’s what I mean:

Love is patient. Can I be patient, especially with others, if I have no faith? Absolutely not.

Love does not gloat over other people’s sins. Love keeps no record of wrongs. However, can I overlook an offense without faith? Is that possible in my own strength? No.

Love isn’t jealous, and it doesn’t boast. Can I be humble without earnest faith? Nope.

Love isn’t proud or rude or selfish, and it isn’t easily angered. Love is not selfish…it doesn’t demand it’s own way. Is there a world in which I can put aside my personal desires for the sake of others apart from faith in Jesus and a reckoning with the gospel? Again, no.

Can I rejoice in truth and reject wrongdoing without faith? Can I bear all things? Believe all things? Hope and endure all things without faith? You know the answer—no. Every act of love is a powerful testimony of our faith and must be empowered by genuine faith as a testimony to God’s overflowing love for us.

The Christian life is a life of love, but love only grows where faith is rooted in the gospel.

Finally, Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. Again, it’s an odd phrasing. It almost reads like a pre-requisite…something we have to do…in order to get grace. But, that would cease to a freely given gift of grace. Here’s where I think we should land when all things are considered. Paul starts this letter with “Grace.” Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. And, he notes that these believers in Ephesus are counted as the “faithful in Christ Jesus.” Now, he’s circling back to that same idea, only now he says that they’re the ones who love Christ with an incorruptible, enduring, and faithful love. At the beginning, he names their identity. At the end, he highlights the fruit of that identity. God's grace creates a faithful people, and that faithfulness is expressed in a love for Christ that endures to the end.

Heart:

If we're honest, every one of us is searching for what Paul prays over the church. We want peace. We want our hearts to be settled instead of anxious. We want our relationships to be whole instead of broken. We want to know we're loved, and we want the strength to love people who aren't always easy to love. We want grace—not just forgiveness for our failures, but the assurance that we're accepted by God.

The problem is that we often look for those things in places that can never truly give them. We think peace comes when our circumstances improve. We think love comes when everyone treats us the way we want to be treated. We think grace comes when we've finally earned God's approval by being good enough.

Paul reminds us that these blessings don't come from better circumstances, better people, or a better version of ourselves. They come "from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Peace is found because Jesus made peace with God for us through the cross. Love flows because Christ first loved us. Grace is ours because of what Jesus accomplished, not because of what we've accomplished.

Notice, too, how Paul ends where he began. He opened this letter by saying, "Grace to you." Now he closes by blessing those who love Christ with an incorruptible love. That's not a different gospel; it's the same gospel completing its work. Grace doesn't just forgive sinners—it transforms them. The grace that saves us also changes us until we become people who genuinely love Jesus and keep loving Him to the end.

So maybe the question this morning isn't, "Do I need more peace, more love, or more grace?" Of course we do, but the better question is, "Am I looking for them where they can actually be found?" Because everything your heart has been searching for is ultimately found in Jesus Christ. He is our peace. He is the One who teaches us to love. And He is the fountain of grace that never runs dry.

EXPERIENCE

Think about how this letter began. Before Paul ever told us what to do, he told us who we are. We are in Christ. Chosen in Christ. Redeemed in Christ. Raised with Christ. Seated with Christ. Created in Christ. One body in Christ. Strong in Christ. And now, as he closes, Paul reminds us that because we are in Christ, peace, love, faith, grace… they’re not distant hopes—they are present realities. Now with that in mind, here’s the challenge that stands before us: Become a part of Paul’s blessing this week.

How can you live out this passage:

Is there a relationship that needs forgiveness, a conversation you've been avoiding, or someone who simply needs your kindness? Take the first step. Bring peace. 

Be a Tychicus. Make the phone call. Send the text. Visit the person who's struggling. Share a testimony of God's faithfulness. You may never know how much your encouragement means. Strengthen someone with love. 

Stop trying to earn what Jesus has already purchased. When guilt or fear whispers that you're not enough, answer it with the gospel: "I may not be, but Christ is!” Rest in grace. 

Imagine what a testimony it would be if the believing world was committed to bringing peace, strengthening other believers, and resting in God's grace. That's the kind of community Paul envisioned. That's the kind of church Jesus died to create. So this week, don't just remember Ephesians—live Ephesians. May we then be known as people who stand firm, strengthen one another, and rest in the grace of Christ.