Devouring the Word Ephesians Week 3 2 Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (NASB)
Seven Weeks in Ephesians Week 1 Introduction and Greco-Roman culture Eph 1:1-14 God s planned spiritual blessings Week 2 Eph 1:15-23; 3:14-21 - Paul s prayers Week 3 Ephesus Eph 2:1-22 A believer s new position
Seven Weeks in Ephesians Week 4 Eph 3:1-13 Mystery and Ministry Week 5 Eph 4:1-32 Walking Part I (unity, and holiness) Week 6 Eph 5:1-6:9 Walking Part II (love, light and wisdom) Week 7 Eph 6:10-24 Spiritual warfare and conclusion
Ephesians - Doctrine 1. The Calling of the Church (Ch 1-3) A. Prologue (1:1-2) B. Praise for God s spiritual blessing (1:3-14) C. Prayer for wisdom and revelation (1:15-23) D. New position individually (2:1-10) E. New position corporately (2:11-22) F. Parenthetical expansion of the mystery (3:1-3) G. Prayer for strengthened love (3:14-21)
Ephesians Application 2. The Conduct of the Church (Ch 4-6) A. Walking in unity (4:1-16) B. Walking in holiness (4:17-32) C. Walking in love (5:1-6) D. Walking in light (5:7-14) E. Walking in wisdom (5:15-6:9) F. Standing in warfare (6:10-20) G. Conclusion (6:21-24)
Ephesus
Ephesus in Paul s Time
Temple of Artemis
Artemis
Christian Influence in Ephesus Paul Planted the Church in Ephesus on his Second Missionary Journey (Acts 18:19-21) Apollos, Priscilla and Aquilla in Ephesus (Acts 18:24-26) Paul stayed in Ephesus for about two years and three months on the Third Missionary Journey (Acts 19) Paul wrote 1 Corinthians while in Ephesus
Christian Influence in Ephesus Paul Writes the Book of Ephesians to. the Ephesians while in prison in Rome ~60AD Paul leaves Timothy at Ephesus to Lead the Church there Sends 1&2 Timothy ~ 63-65 AD and 66-67 AD The Church in Ephesus Grows and Develops, yet is one of the Seven Churches written to in Revelation But I have this against you, you have left your first love. (Rev 2:4)
Riot in Ephesus Acts 19:23-41 Our prosperity depends upon the business of making idols of Artemis. Paul s preaching is contrary to the practice of idolatry and is greatly damaging our business. Our trade may not only suffer, but it may fall into disrepute. If Artemis continues to lose favor, then her temple will become worthless, and the role of Ephesus as the guardian of her temple will be worthless.
Ephesians 2:1-2 The Old Position Dead in your trespasses and sins Gen 2:16-17; 3:1-7 Trespasses - deliberate steps of disobedience Sin - missing the mark What is the standard? 1 Pet 1:14-16 Following the course of this world Prince of the power of the air Spirits in the sons of disobedience
Ephesians 2:3 The Old Position We too all formerly lived Lusts of our flesh Rom 1:1 Indulging the desires of the flesh and mind By nature children of wrath Rom 1:21
Ephesians 2:4-6 The New Position But God Rich in Mercy (Eph 1:7) In the OT Hebrew hesed = loyal love Great love for us Even when we were dead made us alive with Christ Gen 3:15 By grace you have been saved Raised us up Seated with Him in the heavenly places
Ephesians 2:7 The New Position The ages to come Eternal state Show surpassing riches of His grace Kindness towards us Who gives life to the dead? Rom 4:17 Spiritual life is completely an act of God s grace!
Ephesians 2:8-9 The New Position Saved by grace through faith Grace = unmerited favor Not of yourselves You cannot earn salvation Salvation is a gift of God (Rom 6:23) Not as a result of works, so no one may boast Works don t work What are the qualifications for salvation?
Ephesians 2:10 The New Position God s workmanship Not man s work Rather a work of art, a masterpiece Created in Christ God s work, not man s To do good works prepared by God beforehand (Titus 2:11-14; 3:8)
Ephesians 2:11 The New Position Corporately Eph 2:11-22 Unity of saved Jews and Gentiles Gentiles the uncircumcised The Jews knew they were God s chosen people A great social and spiritual boundary existed between Jews and Gentiles
Ephesians 2:12 The New Position Corporately Gentiles lacked five privileges of God 1. Separated from Christ (Messiah) 2. Excluded from citizenship in Israel (Eph 4:18; Col 1:21) 3. Strangers to the covenants of promise (Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, New) 4. No hope (no expectation of a deliverer) 5. Without God in the world (no meaning, hope, purpose or direction in life)
Ephesians 2:13-16 The New Position Corporately But now.. You were far off Brought near by the blood of Christ Christ is our peace between Jews and Gentiles He made both groups (Jews and Gentiles) into one Broke down the barriers Abolished the enmity betwixt them In Himself making two into one new man What is the One new man?
Ephesians 2:17-18 The New Position Corporately He came and preached Peace to the Gentiles (those far away) Peace to the Jew (those who were near) Through Christ we (the new man, the Church) have access to the Father (1 Cor 12:13) The Church is a unity of believers, whether Jew of Gentile
Ephesians 2:19-20 The New Position Corporately Peace between man and God No longer strangers and aliens Fellow citizens with the saints Of God s household; the apostles and prophets the foundation with Christ the corner stone Do Gentiles become part of Israel? Does the Church replace Israel?
Ephesians 2:21-22 The New Position Corporately The Church growing into a holy temple of the Lord Individually you are being built together into a dwelling of God s Spirit