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Introduction to Ephesians
October 15th, 2016
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In groups of three, please work on the handout 15 minutes
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Context of the Redemptive Plan
Creation Fall Redemption Restoration Glorified
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Ephesus (Turkey) - (~55AD)
Capital of Roman province of Asia Major commercial center; port city 200,000+ residents
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Ephesus (Turkey) - (~55AD)
The “place” to be Public squares (agoras) Synagogue Hall of Tyrannus Lectures, philosophy and religious learning and debates Theatre Seats 25,000 Temple of the goddess Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders)
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Theatre
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Goddess Artemis 2-1 Combination Tourist attraction
Greek goddess, the virginal goddess of the hunt Anatolian goddess Cybele, earth and fertility god Tourist attraction Generated income Logging Souvenirs for worshipers
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Paul and Ephesus Acts 18 Paul visits Ephesus (18:18-22)
On his journey back to Jerusalem (second missionary trip) Apollos the Jewish teacher (18:24-19:1) Baptism of John Priscilla and Aquila teach him Heads off to Corinth
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Paul and Ephesus Paul returns to Ephesus (19:1-7)
Finds disciples who were baptized into John’s baptism of repentance Paul teaches them about Jesus, the fulfilment of John’s message Disciples are baptized into Jesus’ name Spirit descends on these twelve men Paul presents the gospel message in the synagogue for three months (19:8-10) Persecution arrives and Paul moves to the Hall of Tyrannus Two years go by and “all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord…”
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Paul and Ephesus Paul’s ministry flourishes (19:11-20)
God is conducting miracles by Paul’s hands Seven sons of Jewish high priest named Sceva Name of the Lord Jesus is extolled Worshiped and revered among the residents Confession of sins; particularly among those of the magic dark arts Spell books burned Indicates wide-spread problem and we see wide-spread confession Word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily
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Paul and Ephesus Riot at Ephesus (19:21-20:1) Acts 20:17-38
Paul resolves to move on to Jerusalem and Rome Silver shrines of Artemis Demetrius, the silversmith Riot at the theatre “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians” Paul leaves (20:1) Acts 20:17-38 Call the Ephesians elders to him at Miletus Departs for Jerusalem, never to see them again
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The Book of Ephesians New Testament Epistle; letter, book
Salutation, thanksgiving, exposition, exhortation, and closing Considered the background and extent of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus Who wrote it? Pauline Authorship Claims to be written by Paul (1:1) The early church unanimously accepted this letter Letter was evidently delivered by Tychicus (6:21)
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Pauline Authorship Modern analysis shows Ephesians has more similarities to Paul’s accepted style that was earlier recognized Archaeological evident has shown that Ephesus controlled a large network of outlying villages and rural areas; up to 38km from the city Acts 19:10 – preaching had radiated out to “all the residents of Asia” Some scholars believe the letter was intended to be circulated; that’s why there are no personal greetings
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When was it written? And to who?
Paul is in prison (3:1; 4:1; 6:20) Dated to 62 AD Acts 28:16-31 Prison epistle, written along with Colossians and Philemon Written to the church in Ephesus To the Jew and Gentile, all those in Christ – the believer Those reconciled to God in one body (2:16)
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Why was it written? No specific occasion or problem that inspired this letter Paul wants to update the church on his confinement and how he is doing (6:21-22) Emphasis is on the church – Christ’s body Both Jewish and Gentile believers are one Promotes unity and love among the various members
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Questions?
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Group Exercise (20 minutes)
Summarize the following passages into one or two sentences. What is the main idea Paul is conveying? Group 1 - Ephesians 1:3-14 Group 2 - Ephesians 1:15-23 Group 3 - Ephesians 2:1-10 Group 4 - Ephesians 2:11-22 Group 5 - Ephesians 3:1-13 Group 6 - Ephesians 3:14-21 Group 7 - Ephesians 4:1-16 Group 8 - Ephesians 4:17-24 Group 9 - Ephesians 4:25-32 Group 10 - Ephesians 5:1-21
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Breakdown Ephesians 1-3 Ephesians 4-6
Indicative - theory - “Know this” General truths and instructions about the cosmic redemptive work of God in Christ Orthodoxy (truth) Ephesians 4-6 Imperative - practical - “Do this” In light of the truths, you as the chosen people of God will be united and live accordingly Orthopraxy (conduct)
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Outline Introduction (1:1–14) Paul’s Prayer of Thanksgiving (1:15–23)
Greetings (1:1–2) Spiritual blessings in Christ (1:3–14) Paul’s Prayer of Thanksgiving (1:15–23) Salvation by Grace through Faith (2:1–10) Hopelessness and helplessness without Christ (2:1–3) Hope in Christ (2:4–10) Unity and the Peace of Christ (2:11–22) Unity of Christ’s people (2:11–15) Peace with God (2:16–18) Implications of Christ’s peace (2:19–22)
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Outline Revelation of the Gospel Mystery (3:1–13)
Paul’s apostolic ministry (3:1–7) The mystery and wisdom (3:8–13) Paul’s Prayer for Strength and Insight (3:14–21) Unity of the Body of Christ (4:1–16) Exhortation to unity (4:1–6) The different gifts (4:7–10) The gifts for edification of the church (4:11–16) Paul’s Testimony of the New Life in Christ (4:17–24)
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Outline Exhortation to an Edifying Lifestyle (4:25–32)
New Life in Love (5:1–20) Exhortation to self-sacrificial love (5:1–2) Instruction in holy living (5:3–20) Submission to One Another (5:21–6:9) Submission in general (5:21) Wives and husbands (5:22–33) Children and parents (6:1–4) Slaves, bondservants, and masters (6:5–9)
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Outline The Whole Armor of God (6:10–20) Conclusion (6:21–24)
The Lord’s strength (6:10–13) Standing firm (6:14–17) Being constant in prayer (6:18–20) Conclusion (6:21–24)
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Themes - Brief God’s rich mercy in Christ has saved sinners; this free gift is by grace through faith alone. 1:7–8; 2:4–14 Christ’s reconciliation entails uniting all people, whether Jew or Gentile, into his one body, the church, as a new creation. 1:23; 2:10–22; 3:1–21; 4:1–6 Christ’s people are renewed to new lives of holiness in thought, word, and deed, and must reject their old, sinful lifestyles. 4:1–3, 17–32; 5:1–20 We are equipped and called to pursue maturity, to grow up into Christ 4:1–16
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Focus for the Upcoming Term
Strangers and Aliens in this world Reminds us of where are lives, minds and heart should be Do we long for Christ’s triumphant return? Fellowship and community Marked by gospel love for one another United and reconciliation at the heart of our relationships What fuels this? Grace - what Christ has done This is our motivation
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Message of Ephesians When we embrace and truly understand the love of Christ, we will also embrace the way of life that Christ loves and has called us to live Indicative Imperative We are either complacent or committed to Christ We are either complacent or committed to one another Remember why we are here: Don’t be comfortable and don’t settle
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Conclusion Examining these themes and verses in much more detail over the course of the year Encourage you all to read through the book Devotions Memory Excited Excitement for the word? Does what we have in Christ trump what the world offers?
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