Sermon Tone Analysis

Ephesians 1:1-6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Caswell © 1999

 

Our Position in Christ      

 

The story is told of a wealthy London businessman who searched many years for his runaway son.

One afternoon he was preparing to board a train to London when he spotted a man in ragged, dirty clothing begging for money from passengers along the station platform.

His first impulse was to avoid the beggar, but there was something strangely familiar about him.

When the beggar approached and asked if the man could spare a few shillings, the businessman realized he had found his long lost son, crying/ " A few shillings?

you are my son - everything I have is yours!

" /

 

Introduction

 

That pictures many Christians who are ignorant or negligent of their spiritual resources.

They are children of the King yet live like spiritual paupers.

Ephesus was a wealthy city when Paul wrote this letter.

It was considered to be the bank of Asia at that time.

The worship of the goddess Diana helped the city acquire much wealth through tourism and the sale of  idols.

However, Paul explained to the Ephesians that they had far greater wealth in Christ.

He wanted them to draw on their inheritance and use it for God's glory.

.

I. The Apostles Purpose

 

*/i.

The Author/*

/ /

/There is no doubt about who wrote Ephesians.

/*Ephesians 1:1a* / Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.

/The apostle Paul wrote this letter.

An apostle is one sent with authority.

Paul says that he received his Apostleship from God.

He had divine authority to instruct them.

*/ii.

The Assembly/*

*/ /*

*Ephesians 1:1b-2* /To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:/ /Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ./

/Who were these Ephesian believers?

How was the church in Ephesus started?/

In Acts/ /18:19-21 Paul passed through Ephesus whilst returning from his second missionary journey.

He stayed a short time and preached the gospel.

The Jews desired him to stay longer, but he couldn't since he wanted to reach Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost.

However, Paul returned to Ephesus on his third missionary journey and spent 3 years ministering to this large city ad 53.

[20:31].

All who dwelt in Asia heard the gospel because of Paul's ministry [19:10].

Many people believed the Gospel turning from the goddess Diana to the Lord.

Paul performed numerous miracles in this place and cast out many evil spirits.

In ad.

62 Paul wrote to the Ephesian Church.

The Christians at Ephesus are firstly called */saint/*/s/, then the */faithful/.*

The word */saint/* does not mean a dead person who has been canonized because of good works and miracles.

The word /hagios /from which we translate/ holy /or/ saint /means /some one or something set apart for God/.

This refers to believers */consecration to God/*.

All believers are saints; set apart for God's use.

When God saved us, He did so that we might serve Him.

*1 Corinthians 6:19-20*  /Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's./

The word */faithful/* speaks of trust and fidelity.

Believers should be loyal to God in whom they have placed their faith.

Paul says, /to the saints who are in Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus./

They */lived in Ephesus/*, but they */were/* */alive/* */in Christ Jesus.

/*He had given them new life, a new sphere in which to dwell.

Paul gave the Ephesians a greeting of */grace/* and */peace/*.

This is because they had believed the Gospel.

*Ephesians 2:8-9* /For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast/.

The Ephesian Christians had received God's gracious salvation.

When people receive Jesus Christ as their Savior, He reconciles them to God.

They are no longer at war with Him but now have peace.

He saves them from sin and certain judgment.

*Romans 5:1* /Therefore having been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ./

*/ /*

The Relief of Forgiveness

 

In certain places on Alpine summits the way is peculiarly dangerous on account of the frequent falling of avalanches, and the traveler walks in dread of instant destruction.

Samuel Rogers puts it this way: Then my guide lowering his voice addressed me: /"Through this gap and On, say nothing; lest a word, a breath, Bring down the winter's snow, enough to overwhelm An army."/

Thus when alarmed by an awakened conscience people walk in fear from hour to hour, trembling lest a thought or word of sin should bring down on them the impending wrath of God.

Happy is he who has traversed that awful gap of terror and now breathes freely because their sin is pardoned and therefore every apprehension is removed.

*/ /*

*/iii.

The Aim/*

*/ /*

/Why did the Apostle Paul write his letter to the Ephesians?

Where was he when he wrote the letter?

/Paul wrote this letter from prison in Rome.

Although Paul was in prison he still cared for the Churches that he had planted.

He wrote to encourage the Ephesian believers and instruct them concerning the Christian life.*

*Paul particularly wanted them to know just how rich they were.

The word */riches/* is used five times along with*/ inheritance/* and */fullness,/* both four times.

*Ephesians* *1:3*/ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,/ The word/ *blessed*/ or */blessing/* is used three times in verse 3. Paul doesn't offer his usual thanksgiving for the recipients here.

He does this in verses 15-16.

/Why?

/Because as Paul wrote of God's blessing on the Church he was overwhelmed by God's grace to us.

V 3-14 are a hymn of praise to God for His many blessings.

Like the chorus says,/ " To God be the glory for the things He has done.

"/ All three members of the trinity were involved in man's salvation.

Verses 3 to 14 forms one long paragraph where Paul describes the work of the Godhead in our salvation./

/Verses 3-6 speak of, */The Father's Selection/*, verses 7-12, */The Son's Sacrifice/* and verse 13-14, */The Spirit's Seal/*.

Each of these sections closes with, /to the praise of His glory/.

*/Specifically how has God blessed us? /Paul describes this as he now talks about the: *

II.

The Fathers Selection

*/ /*

*/i.

He Chose Us - /This speaks of our Salvation*

* *

*Ephesians 1:4*/ Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,                                                                                      /

a/.

/The Father Chose Us In Christ

Verse 4 speaks of God's election of people for salvation.

God chose us, we did not chose Him.

No one seeks the Lord.

God seeks the sinner.

/Why did He choose you and I and not others?

Why are some privileged to receive God's grace and others aren't?/

This is a very complex question and one that we struggle with because of our finite minds.

God is infinite and He has no struggle with this issue.