Ephesians 1:1-2 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesus

Ephesians 1:1-2 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Riches in Christ 1:7 - “the riches of His grace”; 1:18 - “the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints”; 2:7 - “the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus”; 3:8 - “the unfathomable riches of Christ”; and 3:16 - “the riches of His glory.” Because of these riches we are said to be filled. 3:19 - “filled up to all the fullness of God.” 4:13 - “to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ…”; and 5:18 - “filled with the Spirit.”

Our Riches in Christ The result of… His grace (1:2, 6, 2:7); His peace (1:2); His will (1:5); His kind intention (1:5, 9); His glory (1:6, 12, 14); His calling (1:18); His power and strength (1:19; 6:10); His love (2:4); His workmanship (2:10); His Spirit (3:16); His offering and sacrifice (5:2); and His armor (6:11-13).

The Mysteries of God First, there are mysteries that no one but God has ever, or will ever, know. These are divine secrets that God reveals to no one. Deuteronomy 29:29, The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.

The Mysteries of God The second category of mysteries includes those things that are hidden from most people, but revealed to a select group. All men know something about God, that is made clear in Romans 1:18-23, but they do not know understand the deeper truths about His Word and His nature.

The Mysteries of God The third category of mysteries speaks of truths that have been hidden for a time and then revealed to the people of God. That is the kind of mystery we find in the book of Ephesians. The word “mystery” is found in Ephesians six times (1:9; 3:3, 4, 9; 5:32, and 6:19). The mystery Paul is talking about is revealed in 3:1-6. What is that mystery? It is the mystery of the church.

Ephesians 1:1-2 I.Paul’s Authority (1a) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God The work of an Apostle includes: preaching the gospel ( 1 Corinthians 1:17 ), teaching and praying (Acts 6:4), performing miracles to authenticate their message (2 Corinthians 12:12 ), building up other leaders of the church ( Acts 14:23), and writing the Word of God ( Ephesians 1:1 ).

Matthew 28: Go [having been sent out] therefore and make disciples [learners/followers of Jesus] of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit [your authority], 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you [your mission]; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age [your confidence].

Ephesians 1:1-2 II.Paul’s Audience (1b) …To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus “Saints” – holy ones; set apart ones “Faithful in Christ Jesus” – living out what they believe.

Ephesians 1:1-2 III.Paul’s Acknowledgement (2a) Grace to you and peace…. “grace” – God’s undeserved, unmerited favor “peace” – well-being from God.

Ephesians 1:1-2 IV.Paul’s Agent (2b) …from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. God our Father The Lord Jesus Christ

Ephesians 1:1-2 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.