The Christian's Relationships

{2019-01-06 AM} {GCC, Gallup, NM} {The Christian’s Relationships }/ 1- The Christian’s Relationships (Ephesians 1-6; 977) Introduction Why Ephesians? Why are we headed for Paul’s letter to the saints in the city of Ephesus? Each of the books of the Bible were written for a specific purpose, to address specific needs, though the messages found in these books may overlap in some fashion, which simply provides emphasis of a message being delivered. Our Bible is divided into two major collections of books or documents. The Old Testament is the collection of documents given before the arrival of Jesus, in many ways they point to Jesus’ arrival and purpose. The New Testament is the collections of documents which give account of Jesus’ life, the actions of the Holy Spirit in the Early Church, and Jesus’ account of how things will End (by the way, we win). In between the history of church and Revelation, we find the letters written by Paul, James, Peter, John and Jude. It is in these letters we find the instructions, words of rebuke and the words of encouragement given by the apostles of Jesus. Of these letters, Romans and Ephesians are consider among the most influential. Romans a missionary letter from Paul to the believers in Roman, laying out Christian Doctrine, even as Paul was seeking their support for his efforts to go to Spain to preach the Gospel among the Gentiles. {2019-01-06 AM} {GCC, Gallup, NM} {The Christian’s Relationships }/ 2- Ephesians on the other hand is a shorter, focusing on God’s POWER and our IDENTITY which is found in this God of power. In short, Ephesians refocuses our attention on the God of our Salvation AND teaches us the implications of our relationship with this God and the impact it has on ALL our relationships. It teaches us WHOSE we are and HOW we are to live as a result. So WHY Ephesians? Because we need to refocus on God and realign our lives to him, and Paul’s words to the Ephesians can help us do that. What Does Paul Address in Ephesians? Everyone easily agrees on the greeting and closing of the letter to Ephesians, these are easily recognized. It becomes more interesting as we begin examining the divisions between the two. As we come to the text, we should recognize that we are not the original intended readers. We always want to recognize as best we can the original intent, yet, we also need to recognize that we are biased because of our perspective. I perceive Ephesians as addressing the following relationships: 1. God (Chapters 1-3) 2. Church (Chapter 4:1-5:21) 3. Family (Chapter 5:22-6:4) 4. World (Chapter 6:5-9) 5. Enemy (Chapter 6:10-20) {2019-01-06 AM} {GCC, Gallup, NM} {The Christian’s Relationships }/ 3- Ephesians addresses each of these relationships that we have as Christians. I use this format to organize my thoughts, and files, regarding ministry. However, I place Family before Church as the Family was instituted by God before the Church as instituted by Jesus. Notice HALF of this letter is focused on our God, the Gospel, and our relationship with our God. Clearly, Paul does not believe we can overemphasize our God and what HE had done. We should take note of this and believe likewise. Throughout this letter Paul issues up prayers over and over; prayers glorifying our God, prayers on behalf of the Ephesians. We can learn much by examining how Paul prays. We would do well to imitate his prayers, not as a formula, but noting his priorities and his relationship with God and those for whom he is praying. Only after giving us a proper perspective of our God and our relationship with him does Paul move on. All other relationships we have depend upon our proper understanding of this foundational relationship with our God. The Who (Ephesians 1:1; 976) 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 1 1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Eph 1:1. {2019-01-06 AM} {GCC, Gallup, NM} {The Christian’s Relationships }/ 4- Today, we make the association of the term apostle with Jesus, but it was not so in the time of Jesus and Paul. This is a Greek term that Christians have taken hold of over time. Originally, apostle carried the idea of an emissary or ambassador, generally one carrying a specific message. The Roman soldier who carried the news of the Roman census to Nazareth might have been considered an apostle of Roman, a messenger with a specific message. Likewise, the angel Gabriel might have been considered an apostle of God Almighty when he visited with Zechariah, Mary and Joseph. Paul likewise carries a message, the message, that the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews. And he makes it clear that this commission as an apostle was given by God; it was God’s will that he carry this message. See Acts 9:15, (917) 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”2 Paul addresses the “saints.” This is not what many today understand as “saints,” those canonized by the Roman Catholic Church as special individuals. “Saints” is a word used of those set aside as holy and blameless, set aside for Godly purposes. “Saints” 2 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 9:15–16. {2019-01-06 AM} {GCC, Gallup, NM} {The Christian’s Relationships }/ 5- speaks of those who are faithful in Christ Jesus. It is through Jesus that the recipients of this letter are made “saints.” For this letter to have application to us today, we need to be those make clean and blameless through the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins. What does it look like for those who are faithful in Jesus? Consider the following references: Luke 16:10-12 (875) Jesus speaking to His disciples through a parable 10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?3 Revelation 2:10 (1029) Jesus to the church in Smyrna 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.4 Revelation 2:13 (1029) Jesus to the church in Pergamum 3 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 16:10–12. 4 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Re 2:10. {2019-01-06 AM} {GCC, Gallup, NM} {The Christian’s Relationships }/ 6- 13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.5 It is also important to note these saints are living in tension, between being in Ephesus and being in Christ. Likewise, we are in Gallup and are yet in Christ Jesus. Paul will address our position in Christ and how it affects the way we live. The What (Ephesians 1:2; 976) 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 6 While part of Paul’s standard greeting in his letters, this is a prayer of sorts for the readers of this letter, specially the Ephesians. He is calling for God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ to share with the Ephesians, and with us, THEIR grace and peace. As we will see, Paul chooses his words carefully. “Grace” is the word in the Greek ‘charis,’ meaning favor or gift. It speaks of undeserved generosity. Paul is speaking (writing) a blessing asking God for His undeserved generosity/gift/goodwill upon Paul’s 5 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Re 2:13. 6 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Eph 1:2. {2019-01-06 AM} {GCC, Gallup, NM} {The Christian’s Relationships }/ 7- readers. What could be better than being thought well of and being gifted by the Creator of the Universe? Additionally, Paul writes of ‘peace’ (ĕirēnē), in the Hebrew, shalom. Paul is seeking God’s blessing of being undisturbed, at one with God Himself. ‘Shalom’ is the often-used greeting and parting statement among the Jewish. Paul carefully choose to refer to God as ‘the Father,’ indicating a sense of family. It is as if to say, ‘Dad wishes you well.’ This is also the first time Paul refers to Jesus as ‘Lord.’ This term speaks of Jesus’ authority over everything. This is the same term used of governors and emperors. It is because of Paul’s use of this title with Jesus that the Romans take issue with Paul. Paul repeatedly raises Jesus to the level of supreme ruler. As we continue through Ephesians, Paul makes it clear, Jesus is not just anyone, but is supreme. The phrase Lord Jesus Christ should be literally translated “Supreme Ruler ‘YHWH who saves’ the Chosen One of God.” The ‘grace’ and ‘peace’ with which Paul’s readers are blessed come from the one made all things and who reigns over all things. Once again, it is important to remember what, or rather who, is the source of our undeserved blessings. {2019-01-06 AM} {GCC, Gallup, NM} {The Christian’s Relationships }/ 8- How are we to respond/apply As we continue reading Ephesians, try to remember that Paul is a very expressive writer. Read carefully between commas, as his sentences can be quite lengthy. Make sure you understand to whom the pronouns refer; it is even helpful to sometimes substitute the name in for the pronoun as we read. Look for Paul’s prayers and note what he prays for and for what he gives thanks. Remember, this letter is intended for those who know Jesus, though it has been reported that men have come to know the Chosen One through the reading of Ephesians. So, read with an open heart and mind. Listen to what Paul says about God. Paul’s words about God can transform that way we think about God and Jesus. Listen that you might be changed what you read. Hymn: On Monitor—Make Me Blessing (vs 1-3)