Paul and the Ephesians

Who was the Church in Ephesus?

They were saints, who was set apart, they were chosen before the foundation of the world. When I hear the foundations of the world, my first thought goes back to creation. That God created man and woman in the image of God! It reminds me that he of the relationship in the garden before sin entered the world. Could this be what Paul was talking about when he was telling the “Saints in Ephesus” that they were chose before the foundation of the world?

They were predestined for the adoption as children through Jesus Christ according to the purpose of his will. Our salvation is for a purpose, it is not for our glory but for Christ will in the foundation of creation.

The saints in Ephesus were united into God’s plain, God’s plain here on earth as well as in heaven.

The saints in Ephesus were promised the Holy Spirit, He was the inheritance that was guaranteed to us in our salvation.

It was God’s plain from all ages to save the people of Ephesus

What was Pauls Purpose in Writing?

Paul had heard of the faith of the Saints who were in Ephesus Reminded them of that blessing which was given to him in ()

Paul was giving thanks for them and was praying that God would give them the “Spirit of wisdom” and “revelations of knowledge” of who Jesus and the relationship with God. I find this interesting!

GREAT: “that the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which HE has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” ()

Paul wanted to remind them of the great work that God did in the work of Jesus Christ. Jesus was raised from the dead! Seated at the right hand of God, and gave Jesus all authority and power and dominion, and put him above all authority here on earth in the time Paul was writing to the church in Ephesus as well as the days to come. Which would be today!!!

Paul wanted to remind them that Jesus chose the Church “his body” work work this fullness out in the days to come.

Paul was reminding him that he was in prison because of his work with the Gentiles. () Paul also wanted them to know not to loss confidence because he was suffering in prison.

Paul wanted to encourage them to put on the new self created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. ()

The Saints in Ephesus

Paul wanted t remind them that they were dead in there sins and trespasses, that they waked in them, that they followed the course of the world.

When we were dead in our sins, Jesus made us alive because of his great love toward us. It is by grace that we were saved. That we were seated next to him as sons

Paul reminded them that there is immeasurable riches of his grace and kindness toward the Saints in Ephesus. This is a promise as they walk daily, not something that will happen when we get to heaven. The reason people fear dying to flesh and surrendering to Jesus is that they don’t realize the life that on can live today.

Salvation is a gift it is not something that I earn, it is not something that I can boast as something I have done for myself. It is the “Workmanship” of Jesus Christ and it is done to full fill his good purpose, in the life of the saints, within the working of the church.

Through the Blood of Jesus Christ they have found peace, and has broken down the wall of hostility

Though the cross we have been made into one man, who has killed the hostility that we live in.

It was God’s plain from the start of the ages to save the saints in Ephesus, to begin his church in Ephesus thought the message of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone. ()

Paul is praying that the Saints in Ephesians (The Church) would be rooted and grounded in love, that they would have the strength to comprehend with all the saints all that is around.

The Saints in Ephesus were called to one body and one Spirit, just like we were called to one God, one Father, and One Lord, one faith, one baptism. (()

The Saints “The Body of Ephesus” is to be equipped so that when each part in working properly, makes the body grow so that it build itself up in love. ()

The Sons of Disobedience

They live in the passion of the flesh and carry out the desires of the body, mind, and are children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Still far off from Christ

still living in the law of commandments expressed in ordinances

“futility of their minds” interesting concept when one gives their lives to Jesus they exchange their mind/desires/hopes/and dreams for that of Christ. ()

darkened in their understanding alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to their hardness of heart, they have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. ()

What is Jesus Doing?

He come to preach peace, example would be the woman at the well!

Thought the message of the apostles and the prophets Jesus Christ has become the cornerstone. () ()

Grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ gift.

What is the Holy Spirit Doing?

He is building the temple of God “His Church” the dwelling place of God, in and thought his followers, “The Saints”

Though Jesus, the Holy Spirit gives, apostles, prophets, evangelist, shepherds, and teacher for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry for the building up the body. ()

What does Manner worthy of the calling look like?

Humility, gentleness, patience, bear with one another in love, maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ()

Unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God to mature into manhood and the fullness of Christ. ()

To not be children whom is tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by cunning and craftiness in deceitful schemes, instead we are to speak the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, “into Christ” ()