1. Introduction to Ephesians 24 September 2006

2. Basic Background Questions Who? Where? When? What? Why?

3. Who? Who wrote Ephesians? Whom was Ephesians written to?

4. Where & When? Where were the Ephesians? When did Paul visit Ephesus? Where and when did Paul write the letter?

5. Iconium Antioch (Pisidian) Antioch Lystra Derbe Mediterranean Sea Cyprus Seleucia Salamas Paphos Attalia Perga 1st Missionary Journey Acts 13 & 14 Modern Day Turkey Satellite Image - NASA © EBibleTeacher.com Paul-1st Missionary Journey A.D. 45-47

6. Paul-2nd Missionary Journey 2nd Missionary Journey Jerusalem Egypt Pauls Journeys Rome Philippi Corinth Thess Athens Caesarea Ephesus Israel © EBibleTeacher.com Mediterranean Sea A.D. 50-54, Acts 15-18 (short time)

7. Paul-3rd Missionary Journey Pauls 3rd Journey 3rd Missionary Journey Israel Jerusalem Egypt Pauls Journeys Rome Antioch Philippi Corinth Thess Athens Caesarea Ephesus © EBibleTeacher.com Mediterranean Sea (2 years) A.D. 54-58, Acts 18-21

8. Paul- Journey to Rome Pauls Journey to Rome INDEX Pauls Journey to Rome Jerusalem Egypt Pauls Journeys Rome Corinth Israel Caesarea Malta(Shipwreck) © EBibleTeacher.com Mediterranean Sea A.D. 60, Acts 27,28

9. 9 Pauls Letters to Churches INDEX Israel Egypt Rome Philippi Corinth Thessalonica Ephesus © EBibleTeacher.com Galatia Colosse Pauls Letters to Churches Mediterranean Sea

10. 10 7 Churches of Asia 1 Pergamos 2 Thyatira 3 Sardis 4 Smyrna 5 Philadelphia 6 Ephesus 7 Laodicea 1 2 3 4 6 5 7 © EBibleTeacher.com 7 Churches of Asia (Revelation)

11. What? What does the letter say? What are the important truths we find in this letter?

12. Important Truths Election Sealed In Christ Significance Wealth Glory of God Prayer

13. Election Paul begins with a heavy emphasis on election, because it is foundational to everything else he has to say in the letter Election is essential to security in Christ My position in Christ is 100% dependent upon whether God elected me or not. Therefore, when I experience pain and suffering, I know it is for correction, not justice

14. Sealed 1:13 says, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. This means that the validity of the seal depends on the trustworthiness of the one making the seal, not the quality of the item being sealed Ex: a king sealed official documents Thus, the recipient can trust that the document is not fake

15. In Christ This phrase appears 26 times in the epistle Those who are in Christ are very special and privileged

16. Significance As followers of Christ, we must allow the Bible to define what is significant in life, not what culture or peers say is significant. Paul says that our significance is found by being faithful in Christ No mention is made of significance coming from achievement or material wealth or worldly status

17. Wealth we have in Christ 1:2 – grace and peace 1:3 – every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places 1:4 – chosen to be holy and without blame 1:5 – adoption as sons 1:6 – acceptance 1:7 – forgiveness of sins 1:7 – the riches of His grace

18. Wealth we have in Christ 1:8 – wisdom and prudence 1:9 – the mystery of His will 1:11 – an inheritance 1:12 – predestined 1:13 – the Word of truth 1:13 – sealed with the Holy Spirit

19. Glory of God A lot of people seem to think we have to bring God glory But actually, God already has glory His predestining us and sealing us is to the praise of His glory (3 times in chapter 1) Thus, the purpose of our being predestined to follow Christ is to draw attention to Gods glory (that already exists)

20. Prayer Paul includes two prayers in the letter. 1:17-23 & 3:14-21 We can learn how to pray for others from these

21. Why? Why did Paul write the letter?

22. Book Overview Chapters 1-3 Position in Christ Chapters 4-6 Practice of the Christian

23. Chapters 1 – 3 Position in Christ 1:1-14 Praise for redemption 1:15-23 Prayer for revelation 2:1-3:13 Position of the Christian 3:14-21 Prayer for Realization

24. Chapters 4 – 6 Practice of the Christian 4:1-16 Unity in the Church 4:17 – 5:21 Holiness in Life 5:22 – 6:9 Responsibilities at Home and Work 6:10-24 Conduct in the conflict

25. Bibliography Special thanks goes to the following: EBibleTeacher.com for their maps NASA for their Satellite images Bruce Wilkinson & Kenneth Boa for their information in Talk Thru the Bible Walt Henrichsen for his wisdom and insight shared during Bible studies he has led and in books, articles and e-mails he has written