3. A Brief Study of Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians As Preached by Watchman Nee Watchman Nee started preaching in 1923 as a University Student in China. Nee Founded 200 Churches Nee was Arrested in 1952 and found guilty of false charges: He was imprisoned until his death in1972

4. “The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, raised Him from the dead, and made Him to SIT at His right Hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” Ephesians 1: 17-21 “And raised us up with Him, and made us to SIT with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus: for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory.” Ephesians 2: 6-9 Our Position In Christ

5. He set our example We Must Follow His example

6. Christianity starts not with a big DO but with a big DONE ! Thus, Ephesians opens with the statement that God HAS “blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (1:3) And we are invited at the very outset to sit down and enjoy what God has done for us—not to set out to try and attain it for ourselves. Most Christians make the mistake of trying to walk in order to be able to sit, but that is a reversal of the true order. Our natural reason says, If we do not walk, how can we ever reach our goal? What can we attain without effort? How can we ever get anywhere if we do not move?

7. We did nothing whatever to save ourselves; we simply laid upon Him the burden of our sin-sick souls. We began our Christian life by depending not upon our own doing, but upon what He had done. Until a man does this, he is no Christian. For to say, “I can do nothing to save myself; but by His grace God has done everything for me in Christ,” is to take the first step in the life of faith.

8. From our point of salvation onward, Christian experience proceeds as it began, not on the basis of our efforts, but always on that of the finished work of Another. “It Is Finished!” Every new spiritual experience begins with an acceptance by faith of what God has done – with a new “Sitting Down.”

10. How can I receive the power of the Spirit for service? How did we receive the forgiveness of our sins? Paul tells us, “according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7 We are endued with power from on high. The one gift (salvation) is no more dependent than the other (the Holy Spirit) upon what we are or what we do. We receive everything not by walking but by sitting down; resting in the Lord. “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye (wait, rest) in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49 King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)” Luke 24:49 King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.) “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye (wait, rest) in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49 King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)” Luke 24:49 King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)

11. “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to WALK worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called, with all lowliness and meekness.” Ephesians 4:1-2 “This I say… that ye no longer WALK as the Gentiles (unbelievers) also Walk, in the vanity of your mind.” Ephesians 4:17-23 “WALK as children of light,…proving what is well pleasing with the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8-10 Our Life in the World “WALK in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us.” Ephesians 5:2

12. Watchman Nee seeks to make it clear that Christian experience does not begin with walking, but with sitting. He says that every time we reverse the divine order, the results is disaster. The Lord Jesus has done everything for us, and our need now is to rest confidently in Him. It cannot be too strongly emphasized that all true spiritual experience begins from REST. But It Does Not End There!

13. When once we have been well and truly seated and have found our strength in sitting down, then we do, in fact, begin to walk. Sitting describes our position with Christ in the heavenlies. Walking is the practical outworking of that heavenly position here on earth.

14. No Matter What We Do in Life, Christ is With Us

15. “ Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” Ephesians 5:15-17 How Much Time Do You Have to Redeem?

16. “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to STAND against the wiles of the devil. That ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins … having put on the breastplate… and the sword…praying … and watching,” Ephesians 6:10-11, 13-18 Our Attitude Toward the Enemy

17. Ephesians 6:10-17 Shield of Faith Breastplate of Righteousness Belt of Truth Sword of the Spirit Shoes of the Good News of Peace Helmet of Salvation

19. Truth Righteousness Gospel of Peace Faith Salvation Word of God

20. John 15: 5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing. Jesus is the source of Life – The Vine You can be a productive Christian by remaining in Christ Or you can do the best you can without Christ – Nothing (Dead Works)

21. It is a mighty thing that God has done in thus committing Himself to His Church. In so doing, He has entrusted to His servants the greatest possible power; that of One whose dominion is “above ….every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” Ephesians 1:21

22. Today evangelism is assumed by most Christians to be the work of God. But evangelism can never be an unrelated thing. It must be integrated with God’s whole plan, for it is in fact but a means to an end. That end is the preeminence of the Son of God, and evangelism is bringing in the sons among whom He shall stand preeminent.

23. In Summary: 1. We Must Practice Daily Rest (Sitting) with God 2. Only Then are We Prepared to Walk About Being Fruitful in the Kingdom 3. And Only Then Will We be Successful in our Stand Against the Fiery Darts of Evil