Ephesians Series Ephesians 3:1, 13 The Prologue to Paul s Second Prayer 3/13/2013

Transcription

1 Ephesians Series Ephesians 3:1, 13 The Prologue to Paul s Second Prayer 3/13/2013 I. Introduction and review A. Paul has been stressing the family of God 1. It was made up of Gentiles and Jews 2. They both had equal standing B. The ballad of Richard Corey C. The same story could be told about Marilyn Monroe 1. How many women in our country, wanted to be like her? II. Ephesians 3:1 A. Paul, in his initial plan, starts off speaking of why he is a prisoner 1. There are multiple reasons a. For this reason (1) Because he was the one assigned the task of bringing the Gentiles into the church at the same level or standing with the Jews b. Him being a prisoner benefits the Gentiles (1) How is that? (2) We must wait on that answer c. The phrase of (the) Christ Jesus 1 8

2 (1) The words in this phrase are genitive case (2) It is considered genitive of originating cause (3) Which is Paul saying he is a prisoner because Jesus wanted him to be one, and not because the Jews or the Romans wanted him as one III. Ephesians 3:13 A. Therefore in verse 3:13 follows the statement in verse 3:1, as if it followed directly after it 1. That is: I am asking you, in spite of the fact that I am a prisoner of Christ B. Key words to understand three 1. Ask aivte,w aiteo {ahee-teh'-o} Meaning: 1) to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require a. This word carries the idea of asking with urgency or pleading b. NLT Ephesians 3:13 So please don't lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored. 2. Glory do,xa doxa {dox'-ah} Meaning: 1) opinion, judgment, view 2) opinion, estimate, whether good or bad concerning someone 3) splendor, brightness 4) a most glorious condition, most exalted state a. NLT Ephesians 3:13 So please don't lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored. 2 8

3 b. Why should Paul s suffering cause the Gentiles to feel honored? c. If Paul did not preach the gospel, he would not be in prison, but the Gentiles would not have been born again d. A mother gives birth to her child and it is a painful experience, but a new life is brought into the world and there is joy afterwards e. They should rejoice and feel honored that Paul suffers for them as their Savior suffered for all of them f. And the more he suffers, the more they should not want to lose heart 3. Lose heart evkkake,w ekkakeo {ek-kak-eh'-o} or evgkake,w egkakeo {eng-kak-eh'-o} Meaning: 1) to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted to the point of capitulating or giving up a. This is a unique Scriptural term b. It is used seven (7) times in the New Testament and Twice (2) in the Old Testament 4. Five (5) of those times by Paul a. 2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, b. 2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. c. Galatians 6:9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time 3 8

4 we will reap if we do not grow weary. d. Eph. 3:13 e. Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart. 5. Once by Luke when he is quoting something Jesus said a. Luke 18:1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, 6. And finally by the writer of Hebrews a. Hebrews 12:3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. b. The writer of Hebrews is aying that Christ suffered for us so that we would not lose heart C. What does this term mean? [Eph. 3:13] 1. It speaks of quitting or giving up, but as a process, not as an instantaneous decision a. That process involves first discouragement (1) to deprive of courage or confidence : to be dishearten b. Continued discouragement turns into depression (1) Depression can be described as feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration which interfere with everyday life for a 4 8

5 period of time. (2) Depression can change or distort the way you see yourself, your life, and those around you. (3) Symptoms of depression (a) (b) (c) (d) Agitation, restlessness, and irritability Becoming withdrawn or isolated Difficulty concentrating Dramatic change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss (e) (f) (g) (h) Fatigue and lack of energy Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and guilt Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed (i) (j) Thoughts of death or suicide Trouble sleeping or too much sleeping c. Finally depression becomes despair (1) Different people have the capacity to last longer in depression then others (just as some can run longer then others) (2) Despair is what leads people to panic or to just give up d. And then we lose heart or quit 5 8

6 e. Let s consider some Biblical examples: (1) E.g. Elijah in the Negev, or (2) Peter when he returned to Galilee to start fishing again 2. Paul urges us not to lose heart a. Because of its effect on us and our ministry b. His solution, communion with God D. What is the sure cure for losing heart, or is there one? 1. Paul prays about that next 2. It starts with communion 3. The term communion is derived from Latin communio (sharing in common). a. The corresponding term in Greek is koinwni,a, which is often translated as fellowship. b. In Christianity, the basic meaning of the term communion is an especially close relationship between two or more persons, including the believer and God. IV. Is it possible to have real communion with God A. What does that mean? B. Consider I John 1: Fellowship koinwni,a koinonia {koy-nohn-ee'-ah} a. Meaning: 1) fellowship, association, community, communion, 6 8

7 joint participation, intercourse b. Communion is an act or instance of sharing intimate fellowship or rapport 2. Walking with God, is how the Old Testament refers to this kind of communion with God a. Its not about walking, its about experience, sharing, learning, knowing 3. Walking with God is all about experiencing Him 4. But we must ask again, is this possible in our time a. And the answer is yes b. If so why are people not experiencing it and telling all of the rest of us about it and how to achieve it? 5. Most people who experience communion with God don t want to talk about these experiences. Why? 6. They are too personal or private a. It involves deep spiritual intimacy b. Like a married couple sharing their physical intimacy 7. These times are in a way, too holy and they don t want to profane them 8. They are embarrassed to reveal them to others 9. They worry that some might think we are crazy 10. Or others might think they are bragging 11. It may also be that they have trouble really describing it and not sounding 7 8

8 foolish C. A second thing that we must understand that communion with God comes in degrees 1. As we will learn, you can only take so much and then you can t take anymore 2. These personal accounts that I will be sharing with you are near the top of the scale 3. You have to work up to these levels D. We have spent all of this time speaking of the reality of communion with God, now I want us to turn to the dynamics of it E. Consider Eph 3: We pray to the Father, through the son and in the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit 2. Family God s family of Jews and Gentiles 3. Bowing that is a highly unusual way for them to pray a. Usually standing up with their hands outstreached b. Or seated in fron of people 4. This is intense for Paul and he wants to display honor and reverence 8 8