Read: (Ephesians)
Research:
Research:
A quartet of men left Rome in the year A.D. 62 bound for the province of Asia which was located in what was designated as Asia Minor and is currently called Turkey. These men had on their persons four of the most sublime compositions of the Christian faith. These precious documents would be invaluable if they were in existence today. Rome did not comprehend the significance of the writings of an unknown prisoner. If she had, these men would have been apprehended and the documents seized.
When these men bade farewell to the apostle Paul, each was given an epistle to bear to this particular constituency. These four letters are in the Word of God, and the are designated the “Prison Epistles of Paul,” since he wrote them while he was imprisoned in Rome. He was awaiting a hearing before Nero who was the Caesar at that time. Paul, as a Roman citizen, had appealed his case to the emperor, and he was waiting to be heard.
The quartet of men and their perspective places of abode can be identified: (1) Epaphroditus was from Philippi, and he had the Epistle to the Philippians (see Phil. 4:18); (2) Tychicus was from Ephesus, and he had the Epistle to the Ephesians (see Eph. 6:21); (3) Paphras was from Colosse, and he had the Eplistle to the Colossians (see Col. 4:12); and (4) Onesimus was a runaway slave from Colosee, and he had the Epistle to Philemon who was his master (see Philem. 10).
These Epistles present a composite picture of Christ, the church, the Christian life, and the interrelationship and functioning of them all. These different facets present the Christian life on the highest plane.
Ephesians presents the church which is Christ’s body. This is the invisible church of which Christ is the Head.
Ephesians reveals the church as God’s masterpiece, a mystery not revealed in the Old Testament (see (Eph. 2:10). It is more wonderful than any temple made with hands, constructed of living stones, indwelt by the Holy Spirit. It is the body of Christ in the world to walk as He would walk and to wrestle against the wiles (schemes) of the Devil. Someday the church will leave the world and be presented to Christ as a bride.
In this letter, Paul takes us to the mountaintops of Christian truth and invites us to look at the breathtaking view! When we do so, we see, that it is Jesus Christ who dominates that view. We see Him breaking down the wall between God and humanity. We see Him subduing the hostile cosmic powers. We see Him creating the church, a new social order of love and unity that transcends the racial, ethnic and social distinctions between people. In conveying this vision, Paul reaches into eternity past and eternity future to demonstrate how God, out of His love and glory, calls people to be reconciled to Himself and to one another through the cross of Christ. The cross provides forgiveness of sins, a new life and a new people. Between Paul’s greeting (1:2-2) and salutation (6:21-24), the letter divides easily into two parts. Part one (ch. 1-3) focuses on doctrine, specifically, the new life and new society God has created through Jesus. Part two (ch. 4-6) focuses on ethics, specifically the new standards and new relationships expected of believers.
Reflect:
Reflect:
- What team have you been a part of where the unity of the players was amazing? What made it that way?
- As you read through the Epistle to the Ephesians, what verse stands out to you?
- When you count your blessings, what do you put on the top of the list?
- Read (Eph. 6:10-20) How does it make you feel to know that you are in a battle against something/someone that can’t be seen? What can you do to better prepare yourself for warfare?
Respond:
- “And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:17) [NIV] To what do your eyes need to be opened, so that you can see God working in your life?
- “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints ...” (Eph. 1:18) [NIV] In what area does your heart need to be “enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you ...”
Request:
A prayer for us as we begin this series: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spirituals songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (Col. 3:16) [NIV]
A prayer for us as we begin this series: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spirituals songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (Col. 3:16) [NIV]
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