Ephesians Class 1

LESSON TEXT: Ephesians 1:1-6

LESSON AIM: To preview the book and in so doing to get an understanding of the place of the church in the purpose and planning of God.

LESSON PREVIEW: You will...

Learn who wrote the Ephesian letter, to whom it was addressed and study the first six verses of chapter one. Discover that the book of Ephesians presents the Christ in the eternal purpose and plan of God. Learn that men view the church with very limited insight, evaluating only the external, visible aspects of its history. Be aware of nineteen views of the church as God sees it. His criteria of judgment is totally different.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EPHESIAN LETTER

Ephesians Is Not Written in a Context of Controversy

Ephesians is not a controversial book like some of the other apostolic letters. Be aware that satanic forces were (and still are) at work against the church (Ephesians 6:12). Those forces were and are attempting to destroy the unique constitution of the church by creating false notions about Christ, about the church itself, about the moral standards by which Christians must live, and even about the ultimate destiny of God's people.

Other Apostolic Books Are Written in a Context of Controversy

In other words, they presented the church, and then had to oppose those doctrines and practices that were attempting to corrupt and pervert the nature and unity of the church.

Ephesians Has a Different Purpose

lt simply presents the church as God sees it. lt advances the plans of God for the church as a model for all succeeding generations to imitate. Ephesians explains the plan of the ages which God made before time began. lt shows how Christ accomplished those plans in His sacrificial death on the cross and resulting reign over the redeemed, indeed over all cosmic orders. lt presents the Holy Spirit as He involves Himself in guaranteeing to the church the inspiration of the message by which it lives, in conducting the saved through that message toward their eternal destiny, and in the meantime seals their relationship though His personal indwelling in the saved.

MAN'S VIEW OF THE CHURCH

When men view the church they have different criteria of judgment. Their evaluations are distorted because they: Judge it by the Externals Visible to Them

Men judge the church by eye-sight. Their standard of judgment is generally based on their experience in a local congregation. They judge the church by the size of its membership, or by the building in which they meet. They judge the church by the programs of work in which it is or is not involved.

They judge the church by the moral weaknesses and sins of its members, and by the seeming aimlessness of the church in its drift.

They judge the church by the sometimes coldness of its rituals of worship. They judge the church by the dynamics or lack of the same of its leadership and staff. They judge the church by the denominational confusion that is created by divisions and the religious sects that exist around the church.

Men Hold a Limited View

Men assume that their judgment is correct and therefore become negative toward the church. They become critical of the church and everything that it represents. God's view is drastically different. He sees the church as the end-product of His own involvement with it throughout the ages.

GOD'S VIEW OF HIS CHURCH

God does not consider man's judgment at all.

His criteria is based on the following perspectives. The following presentation of God's views also forms an overview of the entire book of Ephesians. The flow of the book will be indicated with chapter and verse references. An Overview of the Book of Ephesians

God sees the church as timeless.

lt is rooted in the eternities before time and is destined to span all history as it extends into the eternities beyond time (Eph 1:4-14; Eph 3:9-11). God sees the church as the arena in and through which all heavenly grace flows (Eph 1:6-11; 2:4-10).

God sees the church in Christ.

Those two words, in Christ defines the location, the arena in which all divine activity takes place. He sees the church, therefore, as the fullness of Christ who dwells and reigns in the heavenly places with His people. They reign with Him and share in His rote, and partake with Him all the privileges of their exalted King (Eph 1:17-23; Eph 2:5-6).

God sees the church holy and without blemish,

for it lives under the blood of Calvary. (Eph 1:4; Eph 5:25-27)

God sees the church as unique, unrivaled in every aspect of its nature and privilege,

for it occupies the attention of all heaven itself. (Eph 2:14-22; Eph 4:4)

God sees the church as the only organization through which He is able to carry out His work

and to extend His redemptive purpose among men (Eph 3:1-13).

God sees the church as guaranteed in its unity by the exclusive doctrines

that have been built into its constitution (Eph 4:3-6).

God sees the church as exclusive in all the endowments which He bestowed through His gifts that enable it to accomplish its mission on earth (Eph 4:7-16; Eph 6:10-18).

God sees the church as provided with all human and divine personnel necessary

for its survival and for the conduct of its mission (Eph 3:1-12; Eph 4:11-16).

God sees the church as well instructed in its lifestyle which distinguishes it from the pagan societies

and the immoralities that surround it (Eph 4:17-5:13).

God sees the church as reproducing all the internal fraternities that make for peaceful relations toward all those within the church,

and meaningful interaction with those on the outside (Eph 4:1-3, 20-24; Eph 5:21-6:9).

God sees the church as the glorious bride of Christ,

therefore sharing in all the honors that derive from that noble relationship with Hirn who is its head (Eph 5:22-33).

God sees the church as the only acceptable source of worship of the Godhead.

bgfGod is worshiped because of His dignity as God. But adoration arises from the church because of its deep sense of gratitude and love which springs out of appreciation for the redemption it enjoys in Christ and its anticipation of future bliss in heaven (Eph 3:14-21; Eph 5:18-20).

God views the church as being glorious, not so much for what the church is doing for Hirn but for what He has done, is doing, and will continue to do for it (Eph 3:20-21). The church is the direct object of satanic Opposition. Satan wants the church to fail. Therefore, he attempts to destroy its redemption, negate its endowments, and eliminate or diminish its soul-saving mission among men. Satan is furious in his Opposition to the church. But God is aware of that fact, and so is the church (Eph 6:11-12). God has fully equipped, prepared and armed the church against all enemy attacks on its doctrines, and on its members (Eph 4:11-16; Eph 6:11-18). The church is the proper subject and the only worthy object of all human endeavor. lt deserves all of the support, service, resources and devoted Giftedness with which men can serve and respond to the grace of God (the entire book of Ephesians). Ephesians so clearly presents the church as God sees it that it must not be confused with the cheap imitations and the false misrepresentations of it that are created in the denominational world and the sectarian organizations that surround it. The church cannot be improved by man. There is nothing lacking or superfluous in its nature. lt possesses everything essential to its life and existence. lt is perfect in the blueprint presented in the book of Ephesians. lt has to be perfect, for it is the end-product of the work of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God's View Is the Only One That Possesses Ultimate Value

Clearly, any perversion of any of the aspects of the church's life, of its doctrines, or of Him who is its head, would result in the loss of its identity as the body of Christ. Therefore, it is evident that this book holds a challenge to every individual who studies it to bring his views into harmony with the views of God. God's view must become the standard by which the church will forever be identified. All human thinking must adjust accordingly. THE OPENING SALUTATION AND GREETING

The Writer — the Apostle Paul (Eph 1:1)

An apostle — a chosen instrument, (see Acts 9:15). "Of Christ Jesus" — belonging to and sent by Christ. "By the will of God." Paul was not self-appointed. He was a chosen vessel. When Ananias was sent to Paul in the city of Damascus to complete the process of his conversion, he told Paul that he was selected ". . . to bear my name before the Gentiles and before their kings and before the nation of Israel" (Acts 9:15). The Recipients — the Saints and Faithful in Christ Jesus (Eph 1:1-2)

The term saint defines their moral nature in Christ. The word faithful may well imply something exclusive. The honors and privileges described in this book are enjoyed only by those that are faithful, from which the unfaithful would be deprived. Faithful also describes the obedient response of all who acknowledge the Christ to be their Lord.

NOTE: Probably the two words "in Ephesus" were not a part of the original text. The earlier and more reliable manuscripts do not contain them. lt is likely that since the letter was first sent to the church in Ephesus, it came to be identified as the name of the apostle's message.

The Salutation — Grace and Peace

"Grace and peace to you from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." These words compose the natural and ordinary salutation of all apostolic correspondence with the church. It was a kind wish for divine benevolence that would create peaceful relations between the believers in Christ and God himself. It would also encourage like tranquil relationships within the church family and with mankind in general. The Praiseworthy Nature of the Church. "Praise be to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

The word "praise" (blessed — in other translations) comes from the Greek EULOGETOS.) lt is used in this verse three times in some form.

lt means for the readers to eulogize, to praise, to give honor and glory first to God for He is worthy and more than deserving of praise. Blessed us comes from the same root word, but in the passive voice.

It insists that God has shared with the church His glory and has made it a proper subject of like eulogies and praise. God has poured upon the church the privileges of His own praiseworthy nature. Blessed us with every spiritual blessing assures the church of the total, unreserved dignities He has granted His people.

The statement is very exclusive to the church, and affirms that there are no spiritual blessings enjoyed by outsiders. These blessings are unique, exclusively shared only by the saints and faithful. The heavenly realms defined.

The term heavenly realms appears four other times in the book of Ephesians.

Ephesians 1:18 — where Christ is enthroned at God's own right hand, exercising His reign over all, with special emphasis on His kingdom. Ephesians 2:6 — where Christians have been raised from the dead to share in His reign and rule. Ephesians 3:10 — where angelic hosts behold God's wisdom manifested in the church. They are made aware of the glory and wisdom of God in bringing the church to its privileged status. Ephesians 6:12 — where Satan brings his attacks against the church. The church is the arena in which Satan battles for control over God's people. The heavenly realms then are to be identified as the arena in which Christ exercises His reign over the kingdom of heaven, which is the church. The Church Is Not an Afterthought (Eph 1:4). "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.”

The death of Christ and the establishment of the church was not a frustration of God's eternal purpose, but the very realization of those purposes. The church is rooted in the eternities of the Eternal God!

The church therefore spans the ages: before, during and after time. The word chose comes from the Greek EKELETE. It means to "elect" or to "choose." God's people were thus chosen to be His before time began. That divine choice relates to the Christian's position and privilege in Christ Jesus. Holy and blameless speaks of the moral quality and status of the church under the blood of Calvary.

This spiritual innocence is not a result of the Christian's performance — for such performance is too frequently flawed by sin. Rather the "holy and blameless" character of the church is the product of divine grace made available through the blood of Christ. Before Him defines the believer's status in the eyes of God. Christians are not always so viewed by one another — for they are always conscious of each other's failures. But it is God's view that reflects reality. May God hasten the day when God's people adopt His view one toward the other! God's Predestination of the Church (Eph 1:5). "In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”

Divine predestination does not deny or destroy the free will of man.

Predestined comes from the compound Greek word "PRO"— meaning "before", and "ORIZO" — meaning the "horizon". Literally the horizon is the line of Separation between the earth and the sky. The concept is that before the creation of the world, God drew a line around His people and chose them to be His adopted sons. Romans 8:28-32 adds another element involved in this divine choice and predestination. lt is God's own foreknowledge. lt is His all-knowing awareness of all human activity even before it occurs, that preserves His predestination from any manipulation or imposition.

Paul's explanation shows that God — BEFORE TIME:

First purposed — planned the church. Secondly, foreknew the faith and obedience of the future members of the church. Thirdly, then drew a line around those He determined to be His SONS. Paul further shows that God — IN TIME:

First, called His people through the Gospel (see also 2 Thessalonians. 2:13-14). Secondly, He then justified them through the blood of Christ because of their obedient faith. God foreknew their faith before time and therefore was able to foreordain their election to salvation. Thirdly, God then glorified the church through the creation of their intimate Union with their Lord and Divine Head.

NOTE: With these six aspects of God's working with the church placed in proper perspective, it is clear that God's foreordination and predestination are not destructive to man's free will and the exercise of man's own choices, based on his faith. God's choices concerning the future church were worked out in harmony with His foreknowledge of man's own choices.

God's choices are not arbitrary. Man's choices are freely, voluntarily mute. Only because of such freedom is man held to be accountable for his actions — products of his choice.

CONCLUSION:

Further illustration of God's decisions before time

We often foresee certain actions on the part of someone. For example, we might see a blind man walking along the ledge of a tall building toward the edge. We foresee what is about to happen. We can even make some judgments about the consequences of what is about to happen. Once he steps over the edge — he will die! We did not cause his death, simply because we foresaw it. With God it is much the same.

If we should study the history of an evil man, taking knowledge of the evil choices he made in life, noting the total absence of any faith in God — then from that history we could make some judgments. And according to all the Biblical information we have, we would be forced to conclude that such a man is lost eternally. We did not cause his evil choices — simply because we read them in the historical account of his life. The point is that God saw those same choices before time. He also, before time, arrived at the same judgment as we did. The difference is in the fact that God read His history before it happened, and we read it afterward.

In the Next Lesson. All those divine plans for the church that were laid out before time were designed with glorious purposes in mind. Paul affirms that it was all done: TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORIOUS GRACE (Eph 1:6). This is where our next lesson will begin.

REVIEW:

We have studied:

The Characteristics of the Ephesian Letter.

Not written in a context of controversy. Other books are written to deal with controversy. Ephesians’ purpose is different.

Man’s View of the Church Is Determined by:

The externals visible to them. The size of its building/membership. Its programs of work. Its weaknesses and sins. Its rituals of worship. Its leadership and staff. Denominational confusion around the church.

REVIEW:

We have studied:

The Characteristics of the Ephesian Letter.

Not written in a context of controversy. Other books are written to deal with controversy. Ephesians’ purpose is different.

Man’s View of the Church Is Determined by:

The externals visible to them. The size of its building/membership. Its programs of work. Its weaknesses and sins. Its rituals of worship. Its leadership and staff. Denominational confusion around the church.

God’s View of the Church.

It is timeless. It is the avenue of God’s grace. It is in Christ. It is holy and without blemish. It is unique and unrivaled. It is the avenue of God’s redemption. It is unified by its exclusive doctrines. It is exclusive in its endowments of gifts. It is equipped to conduct its mission. It is instructed in its lifestyle. It is where peace exists. It is the glorious bride of Christ. It is the only acceptable source of worship of the Godhead. It is glorious because of what God has done for it. It is the direct object of satanic opposition. It is equipped to stand against enemy attacks. It is the worthy object of human endeavor. It must not be confused with cheap imitations. It cannot be improved by man.

Opening Salutation and Greeting.

The writer – the apostle Paul. The recipients – the saints and faithful in Christ Jesus. The salutation – Grace and Peace. The praiseworthy nature of the church. The church is not an afterthought. God’s predestination of the church.