The One Who Proclaims the Message

Ambassadorship

cf. 2 Cor 5:20 - Pleading for reconciliation

Chains

Slavery to Christ?

Or in physical prison because of Christ? (no diplomatic immunity).

The issue here is that Paul’s circumstances are standing in the way of his ministry. This is a theme for Paul:

Single people should stay single if they can

Slaves should get free if they can

Widows should not devote themselves to prayer in the church, if they can help it.

Praying in the Spirit

Col 4:2-4

NOTE: Contrast between pastors praying for believers (James; Gospels, the disciples want Jesus to teach them to pray) and, here, believers praying for pastors.

The Spirit intercedes in prayer for us Romans 8:26-27

Certain kind of prayer? Prophetic or tongues or something else? 1 Cor 14:14-15

Hierarchy

Paul is clearly over the Ephesian church, at least on a spiritual level.

The Ephesian church has it’s own pastors

Paul also sends Tychicus (Paul’s companion, Acts 20:4) to encourage them and to update them on Paul’s circumstances (somewhat so they can know how to pray, but also so that they would be encouraged by the work God was doing through him). Cf. Colossians 4:7-8 (Note: Paul pastors the Eph church through T, even as they edify him through prayer—and provision, but that’s another story).

Tychicus had been to Ephesus before and they know him (2 Timothy 4:12)

Tychicus was capable of pastoring a church himself as Paul asked him to relieve Titus (Titus 3:12)

Me

Story about how I became a teacher, preacher, pastor.

I pursued a knowledge of the scriptures (knowledge/wisdom gifting)

I sought to be obedient to the scriptures and tell it to others (teaching gifting)

I was recognized by the elders of the church as having pastoral gifting (prophetic/evangelistic/proclamatory)

We

We tend to put more significance on “ministerial calling” than I think the biblical authors do.

knowledge>teaching>proclaiming

God doesn’t call a person to teach who has not pursued the gift of teaching.

God

Tychicus

Paul’s traveling companion

Been to Ephesus before, 2 Tim 4:12

Pastoral gifting, Titus 3:12

Paul is willing to send out Tychicus to do the work of ministry

Eph 6:21-22

Titus 3:12 (already mentioned)

Tension

Last week: All are called to be ready with the knowledge of the truth (belt). All are called to be offensive, proclaiming the truth of the Gospel (sword).

This week: It appears some people (Paul) have special gifting or calling (Eph 6: 18b-20)

You

Don’t be content to let your teachers know the scriptures—you need to know it.

Your knowledge of the scriptures may give way to a teaching gift and eventually may give way to a proclaiming gift.

If you aren’t there yet, pray for those who proclaim so that their words will be effective. (cf. Eph 6:19-20)

Us

We need to know how we fit into God’s strategy for this place and time.

Are you a Christian? The get to know the Bible.

Are you a knower? Then start teaching.

Are you a teacher? Then start proclaiming.

Always share knowledge.

Be ready with a handful of verses and/or biblical ideas that help to tell your faith story.

Social media

Quotes and verses (good for conversation starters—add your own caption)

short (15-30 min) message videos (good for people asking questions)

services (good for people who are already Christians but out of fellowship)

It’s not my job to preach and yours to listen.

Preaching is our job together.

Your prayers will make me a better preacher.

Your sharing will make the message go further.