EPHESIANS

BLESSED SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS–EPHESIANS 1:1-14

Art Davison EPHESIANS 0 Comment
BLESSED SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS
EPHESIANS 1:1-14
Introduction:

The Ephesian church to which this epistle is addressed (“to the saints”) was located in a very important region of Asia Minor. Ephesus was the capital of proconsular Asia located in western Asia Minor. In the time of the Romans it bore the title of “the first and greatest metropolis of Asia.” It was colonized principally from Athens.

Ephesus was distinguished for the Temple of Diana, who there had her chief shrine; and for its theatre, which was the largest in the world, capable of containing 50,000 spectators. Here were exhibited the fights of wild beasts and of men with beasts. Compare some of Paul’s comments, 1 Corinthians 4:9, “For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.” 1 Corinthians 15:32, “If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.”

I. THE SEED WAS SOWN IN EPHESUS

A. There were many Jews in Asia Minor, Acts 2:9, “Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,” Acts 6:9, “Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.”

B. The seeds of the gospel were sown immediately after Pentecost, Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

1. God had missionary plans for His first church, Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20-Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

2. The Christians wanted to stay in Jerusalem together, but God sent them out, Acts 8:1, 4, “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.”

3. As results of that scattering of early Believers the Church in Antioch was established and later sent the Apostle Paul to the Gentiles in Asia Minor and Europe, Acts 13:2-4, “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3- And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4- So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.”

II. GOD IS TO BE “PRAISED”

A. God the Father is to be blessed or “praised” for He is the source of our blessings, vv. 3-4; 1 Peter 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

1. He is the Father of our “blessed hope”, Titus 2:13, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”

2. We are protected for eternity in the Father’s hand, John 10:28-29, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand . 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.’

3. He blesses us with His comfort, 2 Corinthians 1:3, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;”

B. Through God’s blessings we are able to comfort those who are in trouble, 2 Corinthians 1:4-5, “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”

1. Paul’s expresses his love for the brethren, 2 Corinthians 2:4, “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.”

2. Our light affliction is for a moment, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

3. Believers are blessed, Matthew 11:6, “And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”

a. Whose sins are forgiven, Psalm 32:1, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”

b. Who keep the Word of God, Luke 11:27-28, “And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”

CONCLUSION

God has blessed us beyond measure and we should always be aware of it. We should always have a positive testimony about our blessings instead of going around with a bad or negative attitude.

Be aware that God could take His blessings away if we do not show His praise every day.

BE FOLLOWERS OF GOD–EPHESIANS 5:1-21

Art Davison EPHESIANS 0 Comment
BE FOLLOWERS OF GOD
EPHESIANS 5:1-21

Introduction:

Paul gives good counsel to the Ephesian Church here in this fifth chapter of Ephesians. He challenges them to walk as “dear children,” deeply loved by the Father. He reminds them of their example in Jesus Christ and the manner in which He loved His followers.

I. YOUR WALK BEFORE MEN

A. Walk as “dear children,” v. 1,

1. As worthy of His love, 1 Samuel 18:30, “Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.” [Precious].

2. Walk in love, v. 2.

a. Established firmly, Ephesians 3:17, “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,”

b. Forbearing one another in love, Ephesians 4:2, “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

3. Love fervently with a pure heart, [showing great warmth of feeling],1 Peter 1:22, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:”

B. Walk as children of light, v. 8,

1. See then that ye walk circumspectly, [to look about; cautious; prudent], vs. 15-17.

a. Prudently, Matthew 10:16, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

b. Faithfully, Psalm 101:6, “Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.”

2. Let these things not be once named among you, vs. 3-5.

a. Fornication and all uncleanness, v. 5, “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”

b. Covetousness [unjust gain], Psalm 10:3, “For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.”

c. Let it not be once named among you, Ephesians 5:12, “For it is a shame even to speak of those

B. Let no man deceive you with vain words, vs. 6-7.

1. Let not your prophets deceive you, Jeremiah 29:8, “For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.”

2. Many shall come in the Lord’s name, Matthew 24:5, “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”

3. This bring wrath upon the children of disobedience, Romans 1:18,“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”

4. Be not partakers with them, Revelation 18:4, “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

II. YOUR FELLOWSHIP

A. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, v. 11a; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14, “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.”

1. Withdraw from a brother that walks disorderly, Matthew 18:16-17, “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

2. “That he may be ashamed,” Ezekiel 36:31-32, “Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. 32 Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.”

B. Reprove the works of darkness, vs. 11b-14,

1. It is a shame to speak of sin, v. 12; Revelation 20:12, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”

2. “Awake thou that sleepest,” v. 14; Romans 13:11, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”

a. Seek those things which are above, Colossians 3:1, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”

b. Set you affections on things above, Colossians 3:2, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

C. Be filled with the Spirit, vs. 18b-21.

1. Be controlled by the Spirit as Barnabas, Acts 11:24, “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.”

2. Manifest the fruits of the Spirit in your life, Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

3. Live in the Spirit, Galatians 5:24-25, “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
 

FOLLOWERS AS DEAR CHILDREN–EPHESIANS 5:1-21

Art Davison EPHESIANS 0 Comment
FOLLOWERS AS DEAR CHILDREN
EPHESIANS 5:1-21

Introduction:
In I John 3:1-2, the Lord calls our attention to the “manner of love” that the God of heaven has put into our hearts. The love ought to motivate us to carry out what is written to us in the fifth chapter of Ephesians. These things are written to Believers, people who have trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Here we are admonished to walk in love “as Christ has also loved us.” For lack of love God’s people are destroying themselves. Consider the following:
I. WALK, vs. 1-7
A. Walk as Children of God, John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
1. We are sons of God by His will, John 1:13, “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
2. Wearing our Christianity on the Outside, Colossians 3:12-13, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
B. Walk in love, v. 2.
1. As Christ love us, Ephesians 4:2, 15, “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
2. Walk that we might be as a Sweet-Smelling Savor, 2 Corinthians 2:15-17, “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”
a. We are as the aroma of Christ, Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
b. We are the servants of Christ, Romans 6:16, 18, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”
II. STAND
A. Stand Strong for the Work of the Lord, 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
1. We are to Stand fast, 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
2. We are to be Courageous, 1 Corinthians 14:20, “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”
B. Stand Faithfully, 3 John 5-8, “Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; 6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: 7 Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.”
C. Stand Strong in Godliness.
1. Godliness is profitable in all things, 1 Timothy 4:7-8, “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”
2. There is Great Gain in Godliness, 1 Timothy 6:6, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
3. Godliness comes after Righteousness in the Service of the Lord, 1 Timothy 6:11, “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”
a. Righteousness comes from knowing Jesus Christ by faith, Romans 3:25, “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”
b. Godliness comes from knowing Jesus as Lord of your life, 2 Peter 1:3, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”
c. Faith, Love, Patience, and Meekness come from Steadfastness Under Adversity, Galatians 5:24-26, “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”
CONCLUSION
Jesus gave His all to redeem us from our sins. To make Him our Lord and allow Him to sit upon the throne of our heart is not asking much. Besides “godliness with contentment is great gain.”
How is your life? Do you have the contentment that the Apostle Paul spoke about? If not perhaps Jesus doesn’t sit on the throne of your life.