As we kick off the year 2019, we are grateful for all the time we have shared together, and the hope that our faith in Jesus provides. Today we begin in the scriptures of the book of Ephesians. We have done a lot of review and research of Paul, the city of Ephesus and the culture, now we can receive the message in context as written. We begin with the greeting:

Greeting

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:
² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. – Ephesians 1:1-2 ESV

We have all heard of a “calling” or a natural talent. Many of us might even feel very fortunate that God allows us to engage in his ministry and that we can gratefully serve him and assist others.  There are even some people that look from the outside and desire to be involved in a movement greater than themselves. They go to church, they get training, they invest a lot of time, money and energy to carry out their will and desire.

How does Paul give credit to his ministry with Jesus? How does that sound to you? Is it encouraging? What are some other alternatives, if there are any?

One thing we need to note is that Paul never related the term apostle as a title or class, it was a vocation, an occupation. When we take on a particular job, rarely is it directly correlated with a social class or title.

God’s will is what called Paul to be an apostle. He was not chosen by a counsel or proposed by the church and voted on. We do not see where Paul interviewed to be the ambassador for Christ.

The letter is addressed to the saints of Ephesus, and in some translations “God’s people”. Who are the saints? What is the definition of a saint? Who can be a saint?

The word “saints”, as Paul used it does not distinguish persons from others by moral or spiritual qualities, but as being set apart because they belonged to Christ. They are saints because they have been called by God, and have responded.  The identify of a saint is not earn when we do enough or clean-up enough. We become saints when we surrender and commit our daily walk with Jesus. It is good to note that Paul never uses the word in its singular form? It is always plural, saints. Christians are saints because they are members of the holy community—the community of God.

One characteristic of all of Paul’s writings is the key alignment he sets at the beginning of each letter. It is always about “grace” and “peace”, and always in that order. This is not a casual thought, or idea. It is one of the foundational facts in the Christian relationship.  Check out some of his other references: (Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:3, Philippians 1:2, Colossians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:2, 1 Timothy 1:1, 2 Timothy 1:2*, Titus 1:4, Philemon 1:2)

What are some of your thoughts why Paul included this in all his letters? What might be the reasoning and thought on the order?

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, ⁴ even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love ⁵ he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, ⁸ which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight ⁹ making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. – Ephesians 1:3-10 ESV

Paul opens the letter with a eulogy to God. This paragraph of joyful celebration is carefully constructed composition with 3 significant points:

• God has blessed us… with every spiritual blessing (3b)
• Predestined us to be adopted as his sons (5)
• Made known to us the mystery of his will (9)

In each case the focus is on the Father’s action (i.e. he is the subject of the verb), and the point is that God is to be seen as worthy of praise precisely because he has performed the actions concerned.

Some have speculated that the book of Ephesians specifically in this section is focused on a salvation that is already complete. When in reality, it is not done yet, we are still on this side of heaven, like Paul we can celebrate the fact that future salvation has been inaugurated and assured in Christ.

Having this foundational understanding, let’s us receive the next section more clearly.

¹¹ In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, ¹² so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. ¹³ In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. – Ephesians 1:11-14 ESV

A beautiful reference used in verse 11 is the “counsel of his will”.  What do you think this is and how do we get counseled by his will?

Repeatedly Paul uses the term “in him”. How would you explain the concept of “in him” to another if they asked you?

Thanksgiving and Prayer

¹⁵ For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, ¹⁶ I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, ¹⁸ having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might ²⁰ that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. ²² And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. – Ephesians 1:15-23 ESV

We acknowledge and give thanks for our little men’s gathering; the opportunity we have to come together. We gather with faith that our relationships are more than just activities that we think make us good men. As we build relationships and become aware of each person, we unite in prayer and community. It is always good to get encouragement during the week from out of nowhere, from a brother that knows me. This section is written in the same context.  Wouldn’t it be great to get such a message from someone like this?

How do you pray and encourage other saints?  Over time, as you walk with Jesus, has the level of your encouragement to others changed? if so, why do you think that is?

Use this as a challenge as we start this year to live out God’s will in your life. Do not be limited by your personal expectations and results, but know who you are and the awesome opportunity you have as his son.

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Next week we continue with Ephesians chapter 2…. be the salt and light to the world, you are saints, a chosen family member…

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 1:1–23). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Dunnam, M. D., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1982). Galatians / Ephesians / Philippians / Colossians / Philemon (Vol. 31, p. 144). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.