Ephesians Studies Complete

Bristol Road Baptist Church October 2002
Life in the Body of Christ STUDIES IN EPHESIANS
David A. Green BD
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ
Study No. 1
IN CHRIST
and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 hea predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of Gods grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And hea made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilmentto bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
3 Praise
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus,a the faithfula in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace
In him we were also chosen,a having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are Gods possessionto the praise of his glory.
11
I wonder what impresses you most as you read through the first chapter of this letter? I was always struck by the length of the sentences especially in the AV. Pauls argument is a long string of statements and its difficult to read the passage without having a sense of thoughts tumbling over each other. I also used to get a bit tense whenever I spotted that word in v 5 predestined Id worry a bit about it. As a result I often missed the general thrust of the words.
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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ Theres little doubt about this being a particularly important passage theologically for here Paul is soaring like a bird of prey above the landscape of the expanding Church, taking in the immensity of the territory and the wonder of its design. Most of the time we have a very restricted view of the Church, dont we? And here at Bristol Road, just at present, it is all to easy for us to see the trees and not the wood, the obstacles and not the course, the problems and not the plan. Its my hope in these studies to take an OVERVIEW of the passages rather than handle the letter verse by verse. I believe we have a great need of seeing the Church from a heavenly perspective so that we can begin to address the day by day problems we face as people trying to make sense of the way our particular church is going. This letter will help us to do that. The Letter to the Ephesians is a letter about the Church of Christ. It has a very simple but very profound key phrase in Christ and I want you to make sure that you examine the book, and particularly this first chapter looking for all the occurrences of that phrase in its various forms. (We have four studies, three of which are sequential and these lead up to a Church Members meeting at which we need to review the way things are.) A B C D 1: 1-14 1: 15-23 2: 1-10 2: 11-22 IN CHRIST EMPOWERED The Plan and the Process Prayer, Power and Purpose
A GREAT LIFE Great change, love, grace and prospects THROUGH THE CROSS Were .+. Are
That will do for a beginning. Tonight we are getting straight into the first major paragraph. I am going to assume that you know that Paul was writing this letter from prison, and that although we always know the letter as To the Ephesians there is good reason to believe that the original was written out with the destination church left blank rather like a circular letter intended for a group of churches. (In fact Paul refers to the practise of churches handing on the letter he writes them and reading the letters he has written to other churches in the group. See Colossians 4 16:
16 After
this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea )
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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ This letter is part of the group that includes Colossians, Philippians, Galatians and Philemon. A general letter to the churches in Asia those in Rev 1-3. So it could just as easily be entitled To the Church at Bristol Road I have entitled this study
IN CHRIST
There are ten instances of that hallmark phrase : 1,3,4,6,7,9,11,12, and 13(twice) and I want to divide it up into two broad sections: The Plan & The Process Paul gets into his theology very quickly by a statement of praise to God for what He planned and what He has done in us the members of the Church. In doing so his words are chosen for their profound meaning and astonishing depth. As I said earlier, he soars above the landscape, going high, so that he can present us with the extent of Gods plan and the amazing nature of what He has done for us and in us. He presents our salvation as something seen from the perspective of heaven and from the vantage point of eternity:
3 Praise
be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. This is NOT a view we often share. We are so limited in our vision, so restrained in our understanding. We see only the immediate surroundings. Indeed we are often so preoccupied with that limited view that we worry incessantly about the obstacles to our faith and our spiritual progress. The world is vast, the need great, the resources we recognise so restricted that it is amazing that we even consider progress possible!
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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ Paul shares with us a different viewpoint and a totally different time scale. Despite the fact that we are constantly being encouraged to look away to Jesus the architect and perfecter of our faith we get distracted by our own limited perspective. We look back over our yesterdays and worry about tomorrow. I remember as a young man reading Miltons Paradise Lost for the first time. Its a long poem and the language is fairly inaccessible but what impressed me about Miltons view of Gods work with man was its perspective of a HEAVENLY DIMENSION. This world is not an accident. It bears all the marks of its Creator. When we look at the amazing design of the created world we wonder at the Person of the Creator who made it so. I will understand it best if I know the One who designed it and the wonderful truth is that, in Jesus Christ I do. In the Creator this wonderful world, this astonishing Universe makes sense. In Christ my part in all of that and especially in the Church whom Jesus has brought into being In Christ the uneven tracks of my life begin to have a purpose. That is what Paul is saying here. See your part in the whole. See how God PLANNED all this in the heavenly realms in Him before the creation of the world He was not frustrated in His purpose for the Universe He will not be frustrated in His plan for the Church the very body of Christ. This plan is further elaborated for us in these key words: chosen predestined redeemed revealed CHOSEN He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight v 4 I may not understand it indeed I dont but it is gloriously true. Page 4 of 11
The Plan
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ It may seem incredibly presumptuous It may seem impossibly inaccessible It may seem as I look at myself and ponder my imperfections that it just isnt like that in the real world But which is the real world? The world of man or the world of God, the world of sin or the world of grace? TWO essential components make it REAL : o The One in whom I am chosen My Lord Jesus Christ and o The reason for which I am chosen to be holy and blameless in His sight It is wonderful but not too difficult to say: I belong to Jesus Paul views this from the reality of eternity and the glory of heavenly places and uses the ever so common but gloriously gracious word CHOSEN Then he moves on and amazes us with that controversial, conquering word PREDESTINED v 4b,5 and 6
In love 5 hea predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Destiny is a rare word these days. A settled purpose decided by an outside power that cannot be altered. No wonder the word gives us a headache as we try to grapple with its implications! But it is in a FAMILY SETTING I like the way the NIV begins the sentence In love He predestined us to be adopted as his sons We are not chiselled out by some divine sculpting tool to make an impression in the world but lovingly predestined to be adopted as sons.
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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ And that love is reinforced in the phrase of v 6 grace which He has given us in the One he loves In verses 11 and 12 Paul develops this theme of DESTINY and DIVINE PURPOSE a little more especially with regard to himself and the other apostles. He wants us to rejoice in the CERTAINTY of it. If God has set His love upon us, if God has chosen us, then he has emphatically arranged it all so that we meet His requirements and bring Him all the praise. Our human will and our imperfect understanding may jib at it that God should organise our lives for us but He does. Nothing is going to stand in the way of His plan for His family. As our Lord did so do we acknowledge: Your will be done! Paul goes on REDEEMED
7 In
v7
him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of Gods grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. Gods plan does not ignore our sinful nature and our guilt it meets head on in the the work of Christ the problem of our sin. redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins This is the plan as seen from Gods side if you like. It is all in Christ, all of grace, and as such it is UNSTOPPABLE, CERTAIN, SURE! All the OT ideas of sacrifice and redemption and salvation meet in the work of Christ redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins I am not yet like my Lord but I will be! I cannot bring it out by my effort or my deserving but it is gloriously real in CHRIST.
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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ So I am not surprised by the last part of that PLAN:-
REVEALED
9 And
v9
hea made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilmentto bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. CHOSEN PREDESTINED REDEEMED REVEALED He made known to us. That is the fourth part of this great plan as God designs the Body of Christ to bear His likeness and to demonstrate His grace We are SHOWN what He is doing PURPOSED IN CHRIST Once again the wonder of the plan is centred in CHRIST and expressed in two ways: The wonder shared hea made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, The future glory shown be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilmentto bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. What a view of Gods design! chosen, predestined, redeemed, revealed
10 to 9 And
These are the works and wonders that God has done.
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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ Now Paul turns to the similar wonders of our response: THE PROCESS in vv 13 and 14
The Process
Heard, believed, marked and owned:you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are Gods possessionto the praise of his glory. As we noted earlier, in verses 11 and 12 Paul writes of himself as part of that plan, and now tells us (with the churches to whom he wrote this letter) our EXERIENCE of this wonderful design: You also were included in Christ How? The plan outlined in such majestic terms is now expressed in language that tells of our response: HEARD v 13 when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. As we were reminded on Sunday last the Gospel has been going out into the world ever since our Lords disciples were first baptised in the Spirit and sent out to share it. It reached the province of Asia, as it had done the towns of Collosse and Ephesus so it moved into Europe and Philippi and, down through the ages in which that Plan has been working out His purposes the gospel reached these shores and our times and us. We HEARD. When did you first hear? Ah! Part of the plan that was. We heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation. Page 8 of 11
13 And
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ What had been a design in the very heart of Creator God is now applied to ME! And after hearing comes: BELIEVED v 13b
Having believed With what simplicity does the reality of my faith In the Gospel get stated. I responded to the Gospel as you did. And in that glorious instance God worked in me by His grace a wonder that one day will be celebrated in the Coming again of My Lord! Theres no doubt about it! And what happened next? MARKED v 13b Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, The work of the Holy Spirit memorably described as a seal set on the believer marking him out as His But notice that the mark is in Him - although the language suggests a seal as used to denote ownership or quality the focus of the Holy Spirits work is still upon Christ. As the Message renders it: Its in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home freesigned, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. (The Message) As John 6 27
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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval. 28 Then they asked him, What must we do to do the works God requires? 29 Jesus answered, The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.
27 Do
2 Cor 1 20 2 Cor 1 20 no matter how many promises God has made, they are Yes in Christ. And so through him the Amen is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Eph 4 do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. and, finally:OWNED v 14
30 And 20 For
Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are Gods possessionto the praise of his glory. 2 Cor 1 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Cor 5 5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. This is evidently a favourite analogy of Paul. There can be no escaping the certainty of which he writes.
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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ Having soared above the natural world, having fixed the certainty of Gods plan in eternity and the heavenly places in Christ, Paul brings us down to the individual witness of the Holy Spirit in our own lives and hearts. Know this the apostle is saying all your hopes of salvation and the future, all your expectation of a final likeness to Jesus these things are guaranteed by the PLAN and the PROCESS of Gods work in us in Christ. Whatever the world may throw at me, however I may be challenged by circumstances or by the world around me my God designed it, has determined it will be and has set His love on me and completed His work in Christ for me. Now by the Spirit completing a Trinity of work on my behalf it is so! Against any background of uncertainty I am encouraged to see the Church local and universal from the perspective of Gods Plan and His process for our inclusion. I am encouraged to soar above the mundane and the troublesome, to catch a glimpse of a Divine Purpose and a Divine Process. We too often see the church from the pew or even the pulpit, when we should be looking away to Jesus in whom the Church has its life and being. I believe that we need as a group of Gods people to set aside those things that have disturbed us and focus on our Lord. I am not saying that you have not been doing that in previous months. I am not suggesting that this means a setting aside of all the lessons you have learned recently. I am saying that we need to gather at His feet who knows what is best for us. We need to set right our relationship with Him then our relationship with one another. We have to stop seeing the Church from our own limited perspective, or even by comparison with other churches that seem less troubled by schism and hurt. We need to see ourselves as IN CHRIST first. He will not ultimately allow His plan to be thwarted He may allow us to step out of the way or deviate from what He most desires for us, but His plan is secure, His process certain in the whole godhead Father Son and Spirit. This realignment of our spiritual life is the subject of Pauls prayer in the next paragraph (vv 15-22) it is also the subject, God willing, of our next study.
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Study No. 2
EMPOWERED
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirita of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fulness of him who fills everything in every way.
Chapter 1 vv 15-23 In a passage which reminds us of the Early Churchs emphasis on the resurrection power of Jesus, Paul shows us the hallmarks of the Christians life in Christ. We may summarise these in the following way: o Faith mixed with love o Constant Prayer o A deeper knowledge of Jesus and o A place in His Church First of all take a look at the verses before us. Notice how the prayer leads into a general statement about the power that works in the believer. Can you see where the prayer ends and the statement begins? Almost exactly half way through, in the middle of verse 19. Study 2 : Page 1 of 9 v15 v16 vv 17,18 and 19 vv 18,22 and 23
15
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ We shouldnt be surprised at that. Real prayer like that which Paul describes always leads on to a better understanding of the nature of the Lord Himself. You will find it in all his letters and mixed with doctrine and thanksgiving. So then where does the strength to live a Christian life come from? Essentially the power of the Risen Jesus but expressed to us here firstly in:-
FAITH MIXED WITH LOVE

15
v 15
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
These are the hallmarks of the believer: Faith in Jesus Love for others Paul has already told us where that FAITH began
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, v13
(See also 2 v 8; 3 v 12, 14; 4 v 12; 6 v 15) How do you recognise this faith in yourself? It shows itself in the work of the Spirit, a relationship with Christ. How do you recognise it in others? Possibly by words of witness and arguably by works of righteousness but here in this passage the emphasis is upon FAITH mixed with LOVE. Although faith in Jesus is the touchstone of the spiritual life it MUST be worked out in LOVE. And not a love in isolation but for all the saints Study 2 : Page 2 of 9
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ Faith Christ Jesus always opens the way to a wider fellowship - as in verse 19:
19
and his incomparably great power for us who believe
CONSTANT PRAYER
16
v 16
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you
As in Chapter 3 14-19, PRAYER fervent and focussed prayer is the feature of Pauls ministry for these believers. I have not stopped Even when fresh challenges, new churches, new areas of service presented themselves, Paul carried an immense weight of burden in prayer for those with whom he had shared the Gospel. I have said elsewhere that I find prayer the hardest of all spiritual disciplines. I find it hard to imagine how Paul could remain constant in prayer for his contacts. Of course you could say it was just a general prayer appropriate to any and everyone but that does not seem to be the way with the apostle. He frequently alludes to specific individuals and specific needs. He uses many different kinds of prayer. Here in this passage we have THREE COMPONENTS: (1) (2) (3)
16 17
Giving thanks Asking Praying also
v16 v17 v18
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirita of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that
Study 2 : Page 3 of 9
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ GIVING THANKS Paul always mixes his prayers with thanksgiving. Here he claims I have never stopped giving thanks for you Pauls model is a good one for us as individuals and for the church. Phil 1 v 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
3
Col 1 v 3~ We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. Clearly this was a phrase that Paul used frequently. A sequence of related thoughts that he tends to unite in a common pattern for his own prayer. ASKING I know that some believers get confused about how we should ASK. Some set limits on the kinds of things you may ask for others suggest that ANYTHING can be the subject of supplication. Certainly our Lord Himself seemed to invite any kind of request he speaks of prayer as the natural language of our relationship with the Father. Paul has no hesitation having thanked His Lord in getting down to the business of ASKING that God will do certain things for the (Ephesian) Church. Well look at that in a moment or two as we take a closer look at his aspirations for the Lords people. But for this moment consider the possibilities of PRAYER REQUESTS. Notice how Paul says keep asking he has taken the teaching of His lord to heart. Study 2 : Page 4 of 9
3
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ PRAYING ALSO The words are supplied by the NIV to make sense of the next long sentence. Prayer is an extended conversation in which many areas are revisited. God is according to the OT pattern constantly reminded of His previous faithfulness and ASKED again and again for present faithfulness and help. Prayer continues that work begun in us by faith. It deepens our awareness and understanding of the Lord and expresses itself in love. As we look at what Paul ASKED for the Ephesian (and Colossian) churches we see further evidence of the hallmarks of the Christian life.
A DEEPER KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST 17,18,19

17
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirita of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe
Compare this with his words in Colossians:
9
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Pauls first strand of request for these believers is indeed a deeper knowledge of Christ. v 17 so that you may know Him better The secret of a vibrant Christian life is knowing more of Jesus by the working of His Spirit. the spirit of wisdom and revelation. As Paul desired for himself: in Phil 3 v 10
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
10
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ In the next verse Paul expands that phrase know Him better: v 18 that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened that you may know the hope to which He has called you the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints his incomparably great power for us who believe It begins in the heart It embraces the hope of our calling It measures the richness of our inheritance It tests the power of God in believers lives This is no mere academic knowledge but a heart response to the heart of God. A wisdom that reaches out in admiration of Gods calling to a special hope Which is (implied) the vast resources of His inheritance in the believing community It is a powerful force beyond our comparison. All of this is a knowledge of Him A return to BASIC UNDERSTANDING of Jesus Himself of all He has done of all He promises us in the future of the power of His risen life in us.
This thought of knowing Christ leads Paul on to explore the wonder in his own words. It seems he is taken up with that word POWER. This makes the natural connection between his prayer and his presentation, between verses 15-19a and 19b 23
him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fulness of him who fills everything in every way.
That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ Paul leaves us in no doubt that the POWER that drives the Christian life, the power that drives the Christian community forwards is the RESURRECTION POWER and even more than that ASCENSION POWER. In considering the knowledge of His Lord Paul sees Christ RISING SEATED ABOVE ALL OVER ALL
Our hope and our daily spiritual life is lived in nothing less than the mighty strength of God demonstrated in the rising, ascending and triumphing work of Christ. It is as we saw last time ALL IN CHRIST. As He is on the up so are we! So Paul concludes his prayer and his presentation of the alignment of the spiritual life IN CHRIST by showing us that that life includes:-
A PLACE IN HIS CHURCH v18, 22 and 23

v 18 v 22 & 23 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fulness of him who fills everything in every way. It is difficult to find words that describe the Church to equal what Paul says here. As we move with the risen, ascended and majestic Christ into the heavenly places language is strained to express the meaning of what it is to be PART OF HIM to be truly IN CHRIST If you want to see the Church as God sees it you must see Christ. You must also lose the preoccupation with the foreground issues that splinter and divide, and see the vast background tapestry on which is woven the immense wonder of the Body of Christ. No way can we see this from pew or pulpit we have to rise with Him and, as Paul says to the Colossians Study 2 : Page 7 of 9
22
the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ Set your mind on things above (An excellent College motto LBC)
But it begins (v18) with the folk we know
(A) the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints

Notice this is not OUR inheritance it is His glorious inheritance in us! Of course we share it but in a wonderful way WE are His inheritance We are meant to shine in the reflected wonder of those RICHES {This word is used repeatedly in this letter: 1,7 1,18 2,7 3,8 3,16 usually of grace, or glory or of Christ Himself}
(B) head over everything for the church, This must surely reassure us put our problems into perspective he is head over EVERYTHING (C) 23 which is his body,
12
See 1 Cor 12 27~
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptised bya one Spirit into one bodywhether Jews or Greeks, slave or freeand we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body, it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body, it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, I dont need you! And the head cannot say to the feet, I dont need you! 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honourable we treat with special honour. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honour to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part uffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1
There is a wonderful echo here of the Communion Table This is My Body.

Believers as the Body of Christ Rom. 12:35; 1 Cor. 6:1517; 1 Cor. 10:1617; 1 Cor. 11:29; 1 Cor. 12:27; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 1:2223; Eph. 4:1113; Eph. 4:2225; Col. 1:24; Col. 2:19
1
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ SUMMARY So we see the measure of the Christian life the EMPOWERMENT of the believer as an individual and as a member of the Body. By FAITH and LOVE By PRAYER in its various forms By a DEEPER KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS and By FELLOWSHIP IN THE CHURCH Which is His body.
Next week, God willing we move on to a series of Greats in the first half of Chapter 2.
Study No. 3
A GREAT LIFE
2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful naturea and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressionsit is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God 9 not by works, so that no-one can boast. 10 For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. EPHESIANS 2 vv 1-10 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desiresa of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordainedb that we should walk in them. AV Here in this wonderful section of Ephesians the letter to any and every Church we can see FOUR GREATS: Study 3 : Page 1 of 7
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1. 2. 3. 4.
Great CHANGE Great LOVE Great GRACE Great WORKMANSHIP
vv 1-3 v 5a v4 vv 5b, 7,8,9 v10
GREAT CHANGE
vv 1-3 and 5a
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful naturea and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions {AV
1
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;}
Paul frequently reminds his hearers of what they were like before God transformed them by His Holy Spirit in saving grace. This is so that they can give all the praise to God for what He has done in Christ. He tells them here that there were FOUR characteristics of their state before grace transformed them and made them alive: (a) DEAD
That is, spiritually dead just as God had warned Adam and Eve in Eden a deadness of disobedience and sin. An existence characterised by slavery to sin and helplessness
dead in your transgressions and sins
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ This hope is rooted in what has gone before in Chapter 1 15-23 where Paul presents a picture of Christ rising, ascended, glorified and triumphant. Because He lives we may live. (b)
2
SUBJECT TO SATAN
in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
We may live in an era where Satan is sidelined but the reality is quite different. Paul makes it clear that before Gods gospel reached us we followed HIS WAYS and HE STILL WORKS in those who have not believed.. Secondly Paul shows us that it is not merely a sinful nature but sinful living that made us subject to Gods judgement. (c)
3
SUBJECT TO EVIL WAYS AND THOUGHTS
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful naturea and following its desires and thoughts.
The effects of sin and Satan in our lives permeated everything cravings, desires and thoughts. (d) SUBJECT TO JUDGEMENT
Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. V 3b

We were indeed dead dying and deserving of judgement. BUT all that changed was a very great change to what we are now in Christ
But5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions
What a GREAT CHANGE!
GREAT LOVE
v4
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions
WHY? HOW? WHEN? WHAT? because He loved because He loved us so much When we were dead in transgressions He MADE US ALIVE with CHRIST
Paul makes it very clear that the work, motive and initiative is ALL OF GOD Nothing in my hands I bring Simply to Thy cross I cling Because He loved me so much:
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Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: 1 JOHN 3 v 1
EPH 3 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledgethat you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
(1) (2) (3) rooted and established in love the vastness of that love the knowing of a love that surpasses knowledge!
And anticipating a later section:
GREAT GRACE
5b 7, 8 and 9
it is by grace you have been saved. . . . 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God 9 not by works, so that no-one can boast.
GRACE has been described as the smile of God. It is much more than that it is all the character of God poured out on undeserving sinners to transform them into saints into nothing less than the Body of Christ. It is the GIFT of God that cannot be earned or won And although it operates through faith (verse 8) even that faith is in Gods gift. (1) By GREAT GRACE we are rescued
(2) Grace does not wear out or grow dim nor ever lose its value on the contrary one day He will demonstrate His grace in us.
in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
What are these riches? They shine in what we will be in Christ They are expressed now in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus (3) Grace is never never never never earned deserved substituted failing
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It is ALL OF GOD so that no one can boast.
9 not by works, so that no-one can boast

Do we need such a reminder? Yes, emphatically for we are prone to pride even in this. Study 3 : Page 5 of 7
GREAT WORKMANSHIP 6, 7 and 10

. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
There are two strands to this theme: An expectation or prospect of being celebrated in Christ vv 6 and 7 A present recognition of a past and perfect plan v10
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seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

(a) (b) A place beside Him! What a prospect! Sharing His glory contributing to His triumph. Evidence of Gods incomparable Grace
This is something we often miss because we are preoccupied with OUR BENEFITS in Him. He intends to exhibit us as evidence of HIS GREAT WORK OF GRACE A living evidence of the kindness of God to us in Christ Jesus
in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
(c)
GODS WORKMANSHIP Study 3 : Page 6 of 7
For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
The two great themes of PREDESTINATION and SANCTIFICATION meet in this statement. This is our end and chief joy to do good works as He intended This is the way His plan is worked out now. Paul will make it clear elsewhere that we are designed to do good works but that those works are God working out His plan and purpose in us. So then there is a PRESENT EXPECTATION and a FUTURE EXPECTATION Today it is required of us that we do good works. That we demonstrate in our daily lives the wonderful way in which we have been transformed so that in a world of sin and sinners we may be seen as evidence of Gods plan to work for good. And in the glorious future - IN THE AGES TO COME - we shall celebrate with Him, and our lives will be a living example of the perfection of His grace. We have a GREAT GOD - a GREAT SAVIOUR risen, ascended, triumphant He works GREAT WORKS in us A great CHANGE Great LOVE Great GRACE and Great WORKMANSHIP
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Study No. 4
THROUGH THE CROSS

remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called uncircumcised by those who call themselves the circumcision (that done in the body by the hands of men) 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with Gods people and members of Gods household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. In our earlier studies we saw the way in which Paul focuses on the resurrection of Christ here the focus changes to the Cross. The paragraphs as set out in the NIV provide three sections: What you were But now through the cross What you are Pauls main point is made in v13: now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
13 But
11 Therefore,
11-13 14-18 19-22
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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ If you like verse 13 is his text and the text is expounded in those three paragraphs. It is not a popular message in these days speaking as it does of the work of Christ in terms of the blood of Christ. Paul, who is writing mainly to Gentile Christians focuses first on what they were; then on what Christ did and finally what they are becoming.
1.
WHAT YOU WERE
vv 11-13
The keyword is LOST Paul lived in a world of clearly marked categories: slave or free; Jew or Gentile etc. The idea of an egalitarian society was foreign to him. Paul had first hand experience of the JEW-GENTILE issue. The fact that Jews were in a minority was not a problem if you were a Gentile, then your were LOST. Once again our so called tolerant society is becoming polarised along similar lines. Pauls first description of the unbelievers state is in terms of JEW and GENTILE for which he uses the word uncircumcised and those familiar with the OT narrative of David and Goliath will know the contemptuous way in which that word is used. (1Samuel 17 v 36) He goes on: SEPARATE from The Messiah EXCLUDED from citizenship in Israel FOREIGNERS to the covenants of the promise These are words full of alienation and outsider what he later describes as FAR AWAY in v13. But, just in case we miss the point, he presses his argument home with: WITHOUT HOPE WITHOUT GOD in the world.. TRULY LOST! Page 2 of 5
2.
BUT NOW THROUGH THE CROSS
vv13-18
The Work of Christ is described in a set of powerful phrases: (a) (i) (ii) (b) There can be no reconciliation without suffering and sacrifice Through the blood of Christ through the cross It is not so much the PROCESS of the Redeemer as the PERSON of the REDEEMER
These verses (13-18) are full of Christ He himself his flesh his purpose He came preached peace (c) The TRINITY is at work
18 For
through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Notice then how Paul variously describes this wonderful work: (d) Making peace
He Himself is our peace v14 He came and preached peace to both parties v17 (e) Breaking down barriers
Barriers due to sin hostility Barriers due to class Barriers between man and God (f)
15 by
Abolishing a law which found us guilty abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations.
Once again it is the cross that is in view: in His flesh..
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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ (g) Creating a new man
His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, Paul seems to have two areas of the work of Christ in mind: REDEMPTIVE & RESTORATIVE dealing with sin dealing with distinction
This emphasis lays the foundation for the teaching about CHURCH UNITY later. With that in mind he changes the metaphor in his third paragraph:
3.
BUILT TOGETHER
19 Consequently,
vv 19-22
you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with Gods people and members of Gods household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. See how his phrases make the transition: v 19 fellow citizens members of Gods household Once again there are three parts: A people A building A temple A permanent expression of what Christ has achieved (once for all) in His work on the Cross. (a) No longer foreigners! 19 the broader picture the intimate family snapshot >> BUILDING
fellow-citizens members of Gods household
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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ (b) Built on the ONE foundation
on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. historically and by Divine plan and destiny apostles prophets . Christ the chief cornerstone Fulfilling the OT expectations and the NT Gospel (c) HELD TOGETHER IN CHRIST
21 In
20 built
him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. He beautifully blends the pictures of building and temple habitation for the Spirit inorganic and organic stone and spirit So Paul moves from what we were to what we are and what we will be. And all of it in Christ who suffered on the cross. ---------------
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Study No. 5
PAUL THE PREACHER
Surely you have heard about the administration of Gods grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to Gods holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of Gods grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all Gods people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. INTRODUCTION When we began this series of studies I commented on the very long sentences that Paul uses and how difficult they are to read in public, even in translation. (Verses 2-7 and 8-12 form single sentences in the Greek.) This chapter (which is the last of three doctrinal chapters in the book) demonstrates a similar difficulty. Paul begins by introducing a prayer in verse 1 but the prayer doesnt appear until verse 14! What we have for our present study is pretty much a parenthesis. Before he shares his prayer for these people he will go on a detour in which he will describe the way God involved him in His plan and gave him a particular ministry This parenthesis provides us with an insight into what he regarded as his ministry to them and therefore an insight into the nature of the Christian Ministry. Page 2 of 10
Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles
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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ I am sure you will agree that that makes the passage before us particularly relevant as we consider the nature of the Christian ministry. STRUCTURE I like to know where I am going in an exposition and for that reason I tend to be somewhat tied to a structure. I know it isnt the only way to preach or to teach but it is my preferred method. I offer you the following division of the passage: The subject of his preaching The method of his preaching The outcome of his preaching verses 2 - 6 verses 7 - 11 verses 12 and 13
But first of all look again at the opening words which, we might argue, more properly belong to the next section. For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles We are reminded of Pauls situation as he writes. More than likely chained to a Roman soldier, and dictating his letter in the presence of such a gaoler and such evident difficulty. At once Paul asserts his view of this difficulty he is not the prisoner of the Romans but the prisoner of Christ Jesus. (A phrase repeated twice in Philemon another letter written at the same period.) Christ Jesus man imprisoned (that is what is meant by prisoner of Christ Jesus, not that Jesus is the jailer!)1 He often describes himself as the SLAVE of Jesus but here it is prisoner. He has done so in many other letters but here his introductory title is apostle and his reference is to imprisonment. We notice too the link with the Gentiles: For the sake of you Gentiles Pauls imprisonment arouse directly from his specific ministry to the gentiles of which these
1
Carson, D. (1997, c1994). New Bible Commentary : 21st century edition (electronic ed. of the 4th ed.) (Eph 3:14). Downers Grove: InterVarsity.
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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ verses will have much to say. Because of that particular ministry Paul was accused by the Jews and imprisoned by Rome. For this reason takes us forward to the prayer. It also reminds us of the verses just before that spoke so eloquently of the Gentiles being included into the temple and the building and the community and family of the Church. Paul is saying Im here in prison but that is part of Gods plan His way of using me for you Gentiles. Let me tell you a little about it And so he does, and in the passage before us presents us with this threefold description of his ministry:
THE SUBJECT OF HIS PREACHING

2
verses 2-6
Surely you have heard about the administration of Gods grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to Gods holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
There is obviously a distinction here between preaching in general and the particular ministry of the apostle. He wants us to know that God gave him a unique ministry. A mystery made known to me by revelation.. (3) Paul wants his readers to understand that what had been denied to all others even the Old Testament has been given to him. This unique ministry or mystery is that through the gospel
the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
This was Pauls distinctive ministry.
Of course, in the broadest sense it was to preach Christ. It was the gospel. But it was specifically for the Gentiles. And it is easy for us who take possession of Paul and his writings; to regard him as one of us but he was a Hebrew of the Hebrews. For Paul the message demanded a specific vision, a specific revelation a mystery shared by God with His chosen apostle. Page 4 of 10
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ So you will notice as Paul explains this to his readers that he shares with us these strands of the gospel truth that motivated everything he did. MYSTERY We use this word in such a different context nowadays that it deserves a closer look. Back in Chapter 1 v 9 Paul has used the word: And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilmentto bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. He now uses it four times in our passage 3, 4 6 and 9. It is something that can only be known by revelation. In that sense Jesus spoke to His disciples in Luke 8 v 10 (and Matthew and Mark)
10 9
And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. It is something hidden from those who do not know the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. It is not like a modern mystery simply waiting to be unravelled or explained. So here Paul uses it like this:
the mystery made known to me by revelation my insight into the mystery of Christ,
3 4
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 6
The ordinary sense of the word is something hidden from general view the NT sense is truth revealed by God Himself. As in Col 2 v 26:
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26
the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ADMINISTRATION (NIV) STEWARDSHIP (AV)
v 2 the administration of Gods grace that was given to me for you,

The word is that from which we derive ECONOMY at a personal level a stewardship committed, on a wider scale a system for organising wealth. Paul sees his ministry as an administration of Gods grace by which God gave him an insight into the mystery so that he might share it. Given to me FOR you There is nothing ad hoc about Ministry it has a divine origin, a divine subject and a God ordained audience. Those who are called to it know the mystery are aware of the solemn stewardship of it, and recognise that it is for the Lords people. Of course it bestows privilege as it did to the prophets of old but with that privilege, and our recognition of the office goes a solemn ECONOMY both an individual stewardship and a collective administration. Verse 6 shows us the three-fold strand of his ministry: This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. The mystery is about the Gentiles who are: 1. 2. 3. heirs together with Israel members together of one body sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus
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THE METHOD OF HIS PREACHING

7
VV 7 11
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of Gods grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all Gods people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You will notice in this paragraph two very unusual words: v 8 unsearchable v10 manifold
The thought of our riches in Christ Jesus is one the hallmark phrases of the letter but Paul here uses a most unusual word unsearchable which ties in perfectly with the phrases he will use in his prayer presently. The word is only found here and in Romans and in Job (in the Septuagint) :
ROMANS 11 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor? 35 Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.
33
Job 5 v 9 and 9 v 10
He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.
The thought is of trying to track out the confines of a lake and finding it is in fact no lake at all but an arm of the immeasurable ocean (Jowett) Today we would probably want to use the expanse of space as a better analogy.
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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ The second unusual word is manifold v10 The word is found only here but is used elsewhere to describe the varied colours of an individual flower or a bed of flowers or the intricate beauty of an embroidered pattern. (It suggests to me (being that way inclined) the many different coloured pixels of which an image is composed on a digital screen.)
In this paragraph Paul describes the way he preaches: I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of Gods grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all Gods people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. Dependent Privileged Professional DEPENDENT
7 7
7 8 8,9,10,11 preachmake plain make known through the Church
v7
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of Gods grace given me through the working of his power. Paul makes it plain that in the same way that his subject is by divine inspiration his life as a preacher depends entirely on Gods grace and His power. He describes himself as a servant of this gospel he is entirely given over to it. In the next verse he enlarges on this: PRIVILEGED v8
. 8 Although I am less than the least of all Gods people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, Page 8 of 10
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ True preaching has to begin with humility as the prophet speaks not his own words but the word of the Lord so the preacher begins with a totally realistic view of his own status. This is the balance between humility and honour a real sense of privilege : I am nothing but the message is everything. Here too is the thought of an utterly bottomless, unlimited range of material from which to speak. PROFESSIONAL vv 8-11 to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. Notice the phrases Paul uses to describe his technique: to preach to make plain through the churchmade known Evangelize Illuminate
Both elements are needed the evangelising and the making plain. Once the gospel is preached there must be growth in discipleship so Pauls ministry includes both strands. You can see that the second strand does not stay in the shallows but pushes out into the deeper water of that which was kept hidden by the Creator. In the third strand Paul shows us that the ministry extends through the whole church:
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10
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
If the word is to reach rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms then it is a work of God in His Church - by its worship, witness and its salting influence. There is little point in preaching unless the Gospel is declared, the saints enlightened, and the world reached by the Church as a whole. Finally we see in the closing phrases of our passage:
THE OUTCOME OF HIS PREACHING

12
VV 12,13
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. We noticed in v 11 that the ministry affects the spiritual beings but its effect upon the Body of Christ is a community of the Lords people who approach God with freedom and confidence who are not discouraged by what happens in particular to their apostle Paul because the Lord who planned the revealing of His mystery and equipped Paul to minister it has their GLORY in mind.
David A Green BD www.davidagreen.com Feb 2003
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Study No. 6
PAUL THE PRAYER

Chapter 3 verses 14-21 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledgethat you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. This is not the first prayer of Paul in this letter. It is worth placing both prayers side by side: Chapter 1 15-19, and our passage 3 14-21
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
15
14
For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledgethat you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
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Study Six - Page 2 of 10
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ (You might also want to take this exercise a stage further and compare the prayers in Colossians, Ephesians and Philippians and for that reason I have printed them out for you side by side.) Notice than in both the prayers in this book Paul links his praying to their experience and their need. Both prayers begin with the phrase For this reason as indeed does the prayer in Colossians. Both prayers present a broadly similar range of requests centred in the indwelling Christ. Both focus on the power of God. Here are the strands of each prayer teased out: OPENING PRAYER that God may give you.. wisdomso that you may know Him better that your heart may be enlightened to know Him better the eyes of your heart...be enlightened to know the hope the riches the power THIS PRAYER that He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit that Christ may dwell in your hearts be rooted and established in love to know the love of Christ his love that surpasses knowledge filled (with) the fullness of God The doxology. Of course it is all about KNOWING CHRIST and THE POWER OF CHRIST and that reaches a crescendo in the doxology which has already occupied us this year in our motto text.1 So in this study we can allow ourselves the luxury of a closer examination of the words of this prayer verses 14 19.
1
Sermon: Immeasurably more 29 Dec 2002 am
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole familya in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledgethat you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God. In these six verses we have much to learn about the way Paul prayed, as well as his prayer requests for this group of believers. The The The The attitude of his praying focus of his praying subject of his praying climax of his praying I kneel the Father. knowing Christ deeply and fully the doxology of verses 20 and 21
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The Attitude of Pauls Praying

For this reason I kneel before the Father. This is not the common attitude of a Jew praying. You will remember the story that Jesus told about the Pharisee and the publican at prayer. Both are standing. Luke 8 11,13. Compare this with Mk 11:25:
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Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
(In Gen 18 22 Abraham stands and 1Chron 17 6 David sits) In the New Testament bending the knee is used of homage or worship and then only by Paul, and in each case as part of an Old Testament quotation. (Ro 11:3; Ro 14:11; Phil 2:10 quoting from 1Kings and Isaiah.) Clearly Paul wants to stress the force of his praying, like his Master in Mt 26 19. Psalm 95 v 6 comes to mind: Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Study Six - Page 4 of 10
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The Focus of Pauls Praying

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the Father
For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. Paul reminds us that prayer is addressed to the Father. The pattern prayer reminds us of that. There is little evidence of prayer addressed to Jesus, and even less of prayer addressed to the Holy Spirit. It is a family conversation and this is borne out by the verse that follows. If you are using the AV or the NKJV you will know that the translators have included the phrase of our Lord Jesus Christ most translations leave that phrase out, not because it is not appropriate but because there is little textual warrant for it. But what is striking is the description of the Father that follows: From whom his whole family in heaven and earth derives its name NIV NKJV From whom every family in heaven and on earth is named RSV Paul has used the phrase Father of glory or glorious Father in the earlier prayer here he expands on that to embrace the godly in every generation. (Although some have tried to see a reference to the heavenly family of angelic beings in glory.) The word used is that from which we obtain PATRIARCH and a reference to Abraham in Genesis 12 2 and 3 is appropriate:
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I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. Our Lords commentary on the Fatherhood of God is found in John 8 where the reference to Abraham and the family of God is spoken about clearly. God is the God of relationships and from Him every concept and rule of family and earthly groupings derives. The sense of family is important in Pauls stress on unity.
The subject of Pauls Praying

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledgethat you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God. One sentence across four verses, which revisits Pauls favourite word in this letter riches and concentrates upon the work of the power of God in the believer. This is indeed at the heart of Life in the Body of Christ which we have taken for our title to this series. The central thoughts are expressed in the verbs: strengthen indwell have power grasp know 16 17 18 18 19
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and summed up in the closing phrase before the doxology: Filled with all the fulness of God. Paul is asking for this group of Christians a deeper knowledge of God and to that end he asks the Father to empower them as only He can. In that sense his prayer here directly mirrors his earlier prayer that God will give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation (Ch.1 v 17). It is as our Lord Himself told us the Fathers good pleasure to GIVE us the Kingdom so Paul is building his prayer upon the very character of God and the promise of God to give. If you look at these verses in a different way you will see where the work of God is focussed: in your inner being in your hearts in your minds (..to know) Study Six - Page 6 of 10
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ We must not separate the reality of Gods working into aspects that appeal either to heart (emotions) or mind (knowing and grasping) for we are created to feel and to know, to experience and to grasp the rich giving of the Father. Neither must we perceive of this work of God as something for the individual only. As elsewhere in the letter Paul wants us to have power, together with all the saints (18) (see also the earlier prayer, also verse 18 in chapter 1) The work of God is seen here in the heart as it was in Chapter 2 an indwelling by the Spirit of the Church as temple of God. How easily as individual believers we distinguish between the way God works in our emotional feeling beings and our intellectual and reasoning activities but God wants to possess the whole not the part. How easily too as individual believers we focus on the work of God with us as individuals and fail to see that His is a FAMILY WORK with the whole Body of Christ. Perhaps in the light of Pauls prayer we should ask searching questions about our experience of the power of God in our lives: How do I recognise His strengthening me in my inner being? How am I aware of Christ dwelling in my heart through faith? How am I rooted and established in love? How much do I know of the power that helps me to explore all the dimensions of the love of Christ? In short: How do I know that I am filled to the measure of all the fulness of God? I believe that we do experience the work of the Spirit at a deep personal level, we do know the indwelling Christ in our individual lives through faith but there are deeper and more wonderful realities waiting to be experienced not in isolation but WITH ALL THE SAINTS. All of our society concentrates on the personal and the individual and this affects our spiritual lives too. We can and do experience God in our hearts but we are in danger of missing out on the blessings that come to the family together. Study Six - Page 7 of 10
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ Pauls requests for the Ephesians show us the possibilities that exist within the Father heart of God for us less as individuals and more as part of the Body of Christ. He is praying for Life in the Body of Christ His requests from the middle of verse 17 are to be answered in the Church together: And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledgethat you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God. We have been reminded about revival recently. That is a phenomenon of the Church together isnt it? Yes, God can revive my slow, unfeeling, unresponsive heart but revival is a function of the Holy Spirit at work in the Body of Christ. It is something He does in His family in His people in The Church. I doubt very much if we may hope to see Pauls prayers for us answered if we remain divided, or preoccupied with individual matters. Being rooted and established in love is something which is to be seen when I know the riches of Christ applied to me within the body of fellow believers. Thats where love is tested and where it grows. I may have power but God intends me to have it together with all the saints so that AS A GROUP we may grasp how immense is the Love of Christ, and know not just for myself but for the CHURCH AS A WHOLE the love that surpasses one mans knowledge. So I suggest to you that there are things God longs to do for us that will only be realised as we recognise our part within the whole, as we are rooted and established in love. We return to another earlier sermon And have not love2 so that we may have that uniquely shared power that belongs to the saints together to know what would otherwise remain beyond our knowledge His love filled to the measure of all the fulness of God. And where are we most likely to find that? When we are together. In worship at His table in a common desire to pray down the blessing of God upon us no
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Sermon 16 Feb 2003 AM 1 Cor 13.
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ longer separated by distance or age or differing backgrounds but brought together in both WORSHIP and CORPORATE PRAYER. Paul who was uniquely placed to see the Lord at work in His church in His churches whether at Corinth or Rome or Colossae or Philippi or Ephesus prays these great supplications for the believers he knows because he recognises that that is what the Father desires for His family. And so the requests mounting up to God and finding an echo in the great Heart of the Almighty provoke from the apostle:
The Climax of Pauls Praying

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verses 20-21
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. A great doxology a paean of praise. He does not conclude: All this is highly unlikely All this is unreasonable to expect All this is beyond the grasp of these people No! He concludes this is what God Himself desires the IMMEASURABLY MORE. The work not of a few enthusiasts, or a few active believers, or a handful of dedicated workers, but the work of HIS POWER THAT IS AT WORK WITHIN US! To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus Amen! Study Six - Page 9 of 10
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ COLOSSIANS

always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood Gods grace in all its truth. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. 9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
CHAP 1 : 3 We
EPHESIANS
this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirita of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fulness of him who fills everything in every way. ----CHAP 3 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledgethat you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
CHAP1 : 15 For
PHILIPPIANS
thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in Gods grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christto the glory and praise of God.
CHAP 1 : 3 I
Key:
Thanksgiving Intercession Doxology
Bible Studies at Bristol Road Baptist Church
Life in the Body of Christ
EPHESIANS
STUDY SEVEN : UNITY & DIVERSITY Chapter 4 1-16
David A. Green BD May 2003
Study No. 7
UNITY & DIVERSITY

Chapter 4 verses 1-16
Unity in the Body of Christ
have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spiritjust as you were called to one hope when you were called 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says:
4 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you
When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men. (Psalm 68 v 18)
(What does he ascended mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare Gods people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
11 9
Paul moves into the PRACTICAL section of his letter with a characteristic turn of phrase rendered notably in the AV walk (He uses this word in 4:1, 4:17, 5:2, 5:8 and 5:15. He has already used it in 2:2.)
[Each of those references might provide us with a paragraph pointer for our next set of studies: 4 4 5 5 5 1 17 2 8 15
Unity in diversity Purity Like Him Find out & Wake up Instead
5 vv 1 & 2 5 vv 3-14 5 vv 15-20
(may deserve a separate study)
Paul then presents the theme of submission (5:21-6:9) which he develops in relationships within family, marriage and the working world. His closing and well known paragraph (6:10-23) has the theme of steadfastness. The summary outline for the second half of the letter is here. ]
As you might expect, his first practical point arises directly from the central theme of the letter Unity in Christ.
4 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
As we might expect, Paul requires that every believer LIVE OUT the realities of the Christian life but surprisingly his first call on our obedience has to do with the one aspect of Christian life and witness that seems most lacking in todays communities. Paul makes it clear that we do not have to CREATE unity but to MAINTAIN it. The failure to make that distinction has arguably cost us dearly in the controversies that marked the 1950s and 60s and have been with us since. 1
(One of the reasons this church has the title that it has is a reflection of those days when fellowships left the Baptist Union because of deeply held convictions about compromise and liberalism. At the heart of that debate was the issue of church unity.)
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ There can be no doubt that the issue of unity dominates the Lords teaching. He knew well that disunity would dog the church from the beginning. It is, for example, at the heart of His High Priestly Prayer in John 17. It is one of Satans greatest achievements that he has diverted attention away from the Head of the Church to the failures and squabbles of the parts. In this passage Paul presents us with a compelling series of reasons why keeping the unity of the Spirit is so important:(a) (b) (c) Unity is at the heart of the Godhead and this must be expressed in the Church the Body of Christ (vv 4-6) This is not uniformity but rather a striking diversity which comes from Christs distribution of gifts amongst His people. (vv7-12a) The aim of those gifts and the expected unity is maturity in Christ. (12b-14) This is finally expressed in a reprise of verse 2 in the closing verses of the paragraph. (vv 15 and 16) You will notice here that Paul cites a quotation from Psalm 68 and an apparent reference to the ascension of Christ as the Biblical basis for his appeal. The earlier emphasis upon the resurrection and the cross is absent. Before we see how Paul develops his argument look briefly at the instruction itself:
4 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
It begins with Gods plan for His people : a life worthy of the calling We have already noticed how Paul constantly refers to the DESTINY of Gods people. Our walk our living out of the inner life of Christ in us is an expression of Gods plan for us. It is neither an accident nor an option. It flows from Gods purpose and His purpose will not be diverted.
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ So, what kind of life is this that flows from the divine destiny? Is it a triumphalist parading of virtues an advertising campaign of witness? No it is a distinctive but quiet and submissive life!
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Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
This seems to go against the grain doesnt it? Paul the prisoner appeals to his readers to adopt the life of humility, gentleness, patience and toleration. And yet, as we consider the Lord Himself and the witness of His life we can understand it. He did not strive or shout or clamour. His was a ministry marked by that rare and undervalued commodity meekness. Of course there will be times when He will speak out against hypocrisy in terms that are memorable and severe but mostly His life and ministry is marked by gentleness blended with strength. Consider how he dealt with His followers. How he gently rebuked, restored, warned and comforted them. And He sends them out as those who will always be accompanied by Him.
MATTHEW 28 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
In Pauls time the notion of humility was as it is in our own day and age associated with weakness. But that which the world reckons weakness is indeed its strength And thirdly:
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Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
There is a unique blend of energy and settled confidence personal effort and the Spirits power. But it is a commandment to EFFORT
fences.
The Message abbreviates it: alert at noticing differences and quick at mending
A.
Gods Nature is One
4-6
4 There is one body and one Spiritjust as you were called to one hope when you were called 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
As you would expect there is a clear link between the Nature of the Godhead and the nature of the Christian. We are to be an expression of Him who made us, Him who redeemed us and Him who transforms us. Paul may be making a reference to the Hebrew Shemah Hear O Israel the Lord your God is one DEUT 6 v 4 But the Trinity is clearly at work here. There are seven ones : body Lord Spirit faith hope baptism God and Father of all The Church should be unmistakeably a statement of that Oneness that marks the work of God and the nature of God. No experience of the believer or ordinance of the Church should divide it even though in practice some of the commonest causes of disagreement in the Church are highlighted here! As always the root of all conduct is the character and unity of the Godhead. Our pattern is One our pattern is Him.
B.
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Unity in diversity
verses 7-12a
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men. (Psalm 68 v 18)
(What does he ascended mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
11
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare Gods people for works of service,
Paul returns to his favourite theme of GRACE and he quotes the Messianic Psalm 68 (18) to remind us of the Lord Jesus triumphant distribution of gifts to His people. It is worth noticing how Paul uses the words of the Psalm that is so pivotal to his argument. If you turn up the Psalm itself you find the wording rather different:
Psalm 68:18 (NIV) 18 When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men, even from the rebellious that you, O Lord God, might dwell there.
Spot the difference? Yes the sense seems to quite different doesnt it. Why? All sorts of suggestions have been made including that that Paul used a Rabbinic tradition or perhaps he was aware that by transposing just one Hebrew character the word for received becomes the word share. (Did Paul know a textual tradition that read chalaq (share, divide) instead of laqach (receive)a transposition of only one consonant in Hebrew? Did he read laqach with the (plausible) sense take to, or receive for a person2 )
Carson, D., & Guthrie, D. (1997, c1994). New Bible Commentary : 21st century edition (electronic ed. of the 4th ed.) (Eph 4:17). Downers Grove: InterVarsity.
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ Clearly the arguments may continue but there is absolutely no dispute about Pauls understanding of the words. Indeed Paul seems much more preoccupied with the word ascended doesnt he? See how he grapples with its meaning in verses 9 and 10. Its a fascinating passage for folk who like the puzzles of exegesis but the central theme and meaning is clear: Christ decides how He will distribute grace to each one of us It is part of His triumphant work (cf Col. 2 15) - emphatically linked with what Jesus did! It will one day be brought to a glorious conclusion to fill the whole universe It is a mark of His honour and glory and it is THAT which is to be worked out in the Church which is His body. And specifically: It is most evident in the range of ministries within the Church
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It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare Gods people for works of service,
Please notice that the stress is on ministries NOT offices. to be apostles prophets evangelists pastors and teachers
And for what purpose? To preach the Gospel?

12
to prepare Gods people for works of service,
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ There is an historical and a theological perspective here. Those who (like Paul himself) ministered to prepare Gods people for service, and the underlying principle that Christ decides the distribution of gifts that ensures the continuing ministry of the Church to its members so that they may live out works of service. If you step back into the times of the apostle as you read these words you can more easily capture the meaning for the folk who received this letter were those who knew about apostles and prophets, evangelists and pastors and teachers. They would be able to identify these ministries especially as listening to the words of Paul himself. We, however, like to read into the list all manner of prescriptive rather than descriptive roles. Unity is expressed in the diversity of MINISTRIES within Christs Body. This Church is a living and growing organism not a static role-determined organisation. So Paul concludes
C.
The mark of unity is Maturity
12b 16
so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
That is why I have split the passage in the middle of verse 12 to emphasise the OUTCOME of the unity in the diversity of Christs gifted ministries in His Church.
so that the body of Christ may be built up
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ We often miss this point. We are preoccupied with the expansion of the Church rather than its growth. This is an important marker of success to set beside those that we are more inclined to use. How do we shape up? So we notice as Paul develops his theme of the practical outworking of the wonderful ministry of Christ a transition from maintaining in verse 3 to reaching unity in verse 13. MATURITY is all about growing in Christ
and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ.
How do we know that we are grown up? How do we know that the church is built up? The description is set out in the closing verses of our paragraph:
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
These are the marks of that maturity: no longer at the mercy of Satans influence or deceit no longer uncertain about what to say no longer on our own stability
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- speaking the truth in love
- but in all things held together
no longer uncertain about who we are or what to do Stable Speaking the truth Certain of our nature Certain of our function Study Six - Page 10 of 12
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ In this first practical section, then, Paul sets out the first priority unity in Christ. This is a unity which derives from the Lord Himself It is a unity we have to make an effort to maintain It is a unity that reflects the constant giving of the triumphant Christ A unity that is seen in the different ministries He wants us to have A unity that grows and matures. Are we ready for this challenge?
until were all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to Gods Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ. No prolonged infancies among us, please. Well not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in lovelike Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.
3
David A. Green BD 21 May 2003
Peterson, E. H. (2003). The Message : The Bible in contemporary language (Eph 4:13-16). Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress. Study Six - Page 11 of 12
EPHESIANS
STUDY EIGHT : PURITY Chapter 4 17-32
David A. Green BD 28 May 2003
Study No. 8
PURITY
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbour, for we are all members of one body. 26 In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
[There are four paragraphs in the NIV we are combining the last two into one.]
25 20 17
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ We forget easily that the world into which the new-born Church emerged was a world just like our own. Morality was in steep decline. The spread of the Roman Empire coincided with a loosening of personal morals and a decline in standards. Many of the issues that have preoccupied our 21st Century minds recently homosexuality, depravity of many kinds, the exploitation of children and a general decline in standards of public life and private mores those issues were characteristic of the Gentile world in the time of Paul. Those who were the guardians of Gods laws were spread throughout this empire in the Jewish diaspora and sometimes the effect was salutary. But Judaism itself had become a long argument about traditions, or else it was forced as in recent times, into a ghetto existence and had less effect on others. The Jewish influence upon the emerging Church was mainly concentrated on imposing Jewish outward values on the new believers. In this letter Paul is clearly writing to Gentiles, and he sets about showing the believers that they have to stand out from the darkness of the age. It was not that the gospel was ineffective but then, as now, the forces of godlessness were doing all they could to taint and corrupt Christians. Satan is busy now as then to dilute the outward witness of the children of God. So, having stressed the necessity of maintaining unity, Paul turns to matters of conduct. The Christ who so wonderfully transforms the believer must be seen at work in the believers daily life making him/her stand out from the crowd of godless selfishness and lax morals. It is worth noting that we are often sheltered by our own church culture from the wider and more divergent morality of our age. We either choose not to know or are in fact ignorant of the way people feel today about what is good living. Impurity has become a standard. If you pause long enough to consider it you will see how our day reflects perfectly the days of the Judges when everyone does what is right in their own eyes, having little regard for friends and family even let alone society and nation. We often look upon these excesses in a superficial way much as a safari tourist views the wild life from the security of a four wheel drive or through binoculars, curious indeed but somehow convinced such things are in another world. They are not. As evangelicals we need to restate the importance of MORALITY. Study Six - Page 3 of 11
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ R W Dale in his lectures on this passage says: Christian people who are troubled because nothwithstanding all their prayers and all their meditation on eternal things their faith in God is weak, their love for Him cold and inconstant and their hope of eternal glory very dim, would do well to consider whether their spiritual failure may be explained by defective morality. (p299) We place so much stress upon grace that we are in danger as happened in the time of Paul of losing sight of the importance of Christian behaviour. Those who read Pauls letter at Ephesus would have known very well about sexual immorality for the church was positioned in the heart of Artemis country and the evils that accompanied a sex-based worship were all too evident. From Acts 19 it is evident how the gospel reached Ephesus and what kind of effect it had on the Jewish and the Gentile population. In particular the riot that was provoked there demonstrates the issues that surrounded believers at this time.
The Riot in Ephesus About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen. 25 He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: Men, you know we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshipped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty. 28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Pauls travelling companions from Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theatre. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theatre. 32 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33 The Jews pushed Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defence before the people. 34 But when they realised he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!
23
Vested interest had exploited the souvenir trade of the cult of Artemis at Ephesus and confronted with the radical changes that believing brought rioted about the Way So as Paul addresses these moral issues he begins by demonstrating the CONTRAST
A. A CONTRAST
- the old nature
vv 17-19
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. Paul claims a special emphasis and insist on it in the Lord (17) The passage reminds us of the black description of pagan life in Romans 1. There are seven marks of this life: aimless blind ungodly shameless sordid indecent insatiable3 AIMLESS No one could have said there was nothing going on for this was one of the noted regions of the time attracting visitors and housing many famous institutions. Asia Minor ( as so well depicted in the Seven letters of Revelation ) was growth area but it was spiritually bankrupt without purpose and progress. Chasing the bubbles and shadowsneglecting the great realities of life (ibid.) BLIND A two fold disability not understanding because they could not, and made blind because of their rejection of God. Compare Laodicea in Rev 3:
3
in the futility of their thinking darkened in their understanding separated from the life of God having lost all sensitivity given over to sensuality indulge in every kind of impurity with a continual lust for more
17 18 18 19 19 19 19
Believers Bible Commentary (Nelson)

17 You say, I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. But you do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so that you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so that you can see.
See how the qualities of the unbelieving world have become the feature of the unbelieving church! UNGODLY separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. This fundamental and hopeless state of alienation turning from the God of creations to idolatry and then plunging further and further away from Him in an increasingly incurable manner. Those three words describe their SPIRITUAL STATE it is linked to their MORAL DEPRAVITY with the next word: SHAMELESS 19 Having lost all sensitivity, The underlying mental and spiritual processes now bear fruit in a defective conscience which is seared to the point of insensitivity. At first bad conduct produces a twinge but as conscience is progressively ignored the pain seems less and less until we have a moral anaesthesia (ap-algia) Compare: 1 Timothy 4 v 2 whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. The idea is conveyed by our word callous - hardened by repeated sin to the point of insensitivity. The last stage of the process of degradation is set out in the three remaining words: sordid indecent insatiable
which words describe the blatant immorality of the age. Study Six - Page 6 of 11
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ SORDID given over to sensuality The old word lewd is rarely used but if it was it would describe an old form of depravity as well as a new one. When the mind and heart are hard and blind and ignorant, and the conscience is dulled out of existence then the animal takes over as the displays at Pompeii testify. As The Message translates the verse: 19 They cant think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion. INDECENT
indulge in every kind of impurity

The suggestion here is of a trade in impurity making such behaviour a means of profit and life. INSATIABLE
with a continual lust for more

As Jesus said: Luke 12:15
Then he said to them, Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a mans life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
So does Paul describe the Gentile darkness beginning with a way of thinking proceeding with hardness of heart and culminating in rampant vice.
But against such darkness SEE THE LIGHT A Great Change
B.
A Great Change
verses 20 - 24
20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. As John says : The light shines in the darkness Against a backdrop all dark with sin and vanity and ugly excess the message of Christ came and He affected a PROFOUND CHANGE. Elsewhere in this letter the message is seen in terms of resurrection and the grave here it is described in terms of EDUCATION and a change in moral ATTITUDES. We do not often describe the work of salvation in terms of education but Pauls language is such language: came to know Him heard of Him were taught in Him
v 20
It is the language of DISCIPLINE and changed habits: you were taught to put off to put on vv 22-24
This process of CHANGE is progressive, learned, measured and always being applied more and more. It is a process of learning, discipline and example. (a) (b) (c) (d) It is centred in Christ It is applied by a PUTTING OFF of the old life It is a CHANGE OF ATTITUDE It is a determined PUTTING ON of the new vv 20,21 v 22 v 23 v23, 24
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ And culminates in the unfashionable words: RIGHTEOUSNESS HOLINESS
This manner of life is the subject of these closing chapters of the letter but we conclude tonights study with reference to one aspect in particular:
C.
A New Conversation
vv 25 32
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbour, for we are all members of one body. 26 In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. If you were to be asked which lessons a new Christian should learn first about the application of the spiritual life in Christ to the day by life in the world where would you begin? In verses 25-32 Paul speaks about: lying anger theft idleness unwholesome talk bitterness and rage At the same time he stresses a new attitude to: One another The Devil and The Holy Spirit Study Six - Page 9 of 11 25 27 30
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ It is interesting that so much stress is placed upon TALKING and the sins that transform talk into lies or anger or unwholesomeness. Paul once again uses a fragment of Scripture to make his point again from the Psalms, but this time quoting consistently from the LXX of Psa 4 v 4 4 In your anger do not sin; (when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah)
Apart from the commandment to steal no more but on the contrary be usefully employed Pauls advice has to do with CONVERSATION. These are the marks of the changed life and you will notice that they are given in the context of OUR LIVES TOGETHER AS CHRISTIANS So notice the threefold emphasis: One another The Devil and The Holy Spirit 25 27 30
The constant refrain concerns our life as members of the Body of Christ
ONE ANOTHER
we are all members of one body something to share with those in need helpful for building others up according to their needs 25 28 29
THE DEVIL
26 In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. The Psalm is quoted to reinforce an interesting injunction that illustrates the way in which we can easily allow Satan a way in to spoil our fellowship. Paul does not forbid anger neither does he encourage it but he does forbid anger with sin.
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ Anger is to be avoided at all costs, but if, for whatever reason, you do get angry, then refuse to indulge such anger so that you do not sin.4 As James 1 :19 19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for mans anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. and finally THE HOLY SPIRIT 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. The Holy Spirits most obvious work in the early Church was the power He exercised on speech. It seems natural therefore that Paul should link this warning about grieving the Spirit with his words about speech on the one hand and kindness and forgiveness on the other. We all too easily forget that in our relationship with each other in the fellowship we may grieve the Holy Spirit after all He is the One who seals us for the Day of redemption. He is sensitive to the wrongs of believers and looks for a kind and compassionate nature that more than anything else is FORGIVING. With that closing phrase we go full circle and are back with the thought of Christ forgiving us which must accompany every moral directive, as it does every act of worship.
David A Green BD 28 May 2003
Lincoln, A. T. (1998). Vol. 42: Word Biblical Commentary : Ephesians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System;Word Biblical Commentary (Eph 4:28). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.
EPHESIANS
STUDY NINE : Children of Light Chapter 5: 1-20
David A. Green BD June 2003
Study No. 9
Children of Light
5 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for Gods holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy personsuch a man is an idolaterhas any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.a 6 Let no-one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things Gods wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be very careful, then, how you livenot as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lords will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 3
Study Nine - Page 2 of 10
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ There are three sections to the passage before us this evening of which the first is by far the most memorable. verses 1 and 2 verses 3 14 verses 15 20 be like Him children of light wisdom and worship
(We shall be revisiting the section on the Holy Spirit and worship in a later study as I felt the fellowship has need of a more in-depth discussion of these themes. So tonight we shall see it as a conclusion to the theme of Living as Children of Light.)
Before we step into the study itself, you may like to consider one remarkable feature of the passage and that is the quotation in verse 14b. Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. There is a considerable body of opinion that takes this to be an early Christian baptismal hymn or liturgy. We cant trace an OT origin with any certainty (Isa 60 1 and Isa 26:19 are the most likely candidates.) and the poetic form of the words is as significant as the content. My own view for what its worth, is that this is another hymn or credal statement like the one we have already identified in Chapter 4 verses 5 and 6: One Lord, One faith, One baptism; One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
The passage before us begins with a beautiful but immensely challenging summary of the heart and habit of the Christian Life: 5 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. It is all about family likeness, family love, and family worship.
A.
LIKE HIM The heart of the Christian Life in action v1,2
5 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. There is sufficient here for our whole study but well content ourselves with an overview of these two verses which provide the root and hope of our conforming. As dearly loved Children As Christ loved us As a fragrant offering The essential command here is be imitators and the original is the word from which we derive our word mimic. As children It is one of the embarrassing realities of family life that we see ourselves in our children. Children may inherit some of those features but they learn a great deal by imitation. Here Paul does not think of it as an embarrassment but as something he positively encourages us to do habitually. In the previous section we saw how the command is tied to the theological reality of being in Christ here we see the command tied to the relationship of sons and daughters of God. This is a LOVING, a LIVING and a GROWING relationship with Him that is worked out in our relationship with the rest of the family with each other. As Christ loved us Live a life of love my goodness! What a standard! But then it was so in the Masters teaching wasnt it? Beginning with His love for us it reaches out into the community at large by way of the church to demonstrate in practical ways and in genuine affection that we who belong to Him as children love one another and seek to demonstrate His love to the world.
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ In His earthly life and of course supremely in His work upon the cross Jesus constantly demonstrated His great love towards us not in some sentimental way but in a robust and consistent attitude. As a fragrant offering and sacrifice before the Lord This is an unusual turn of phrase suddenly presented. Yet I suggest the phrase would have had meaning to those to whom Paul wrote. They knew the significance of incense even in the pagan world, and they would have known from their teaching as Christians of the OT sacrifices and how Jesus was our Passover. The notable thing about this phrase is the fact that obedience to the command makes a mark on our surroundings as well as ourselves. You cannot miss the fragrance of incense it captures your senses and makes you aware that worship is intended and sacrifice too. As we shall see in a few minutes when we reach the end of this section, worship is never far away from both ethics and evangelism. Here he wants us to know that we are required to live in a manner that pleases the Lord whom we worship, that provokes attention in the world at large, that demands sacrifice and commitment and leads on to witness. Peter has the same emphasis in his first letter:
2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
B.
Children of light
verses 3-14
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for Gods holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy personsuch a man is an idolaterhas any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no-one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things Gods wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Once again Paul refers to the background immorality and sexual sins of the region of Asia Minor to which he writes. He addresses the need of his hearers to adopt a life style that is in sharp contrast to the standards of the place and time. If you look down the verses you will see the range of subjects he touches on: sexual immorality and impurity obscenity and coarse language (such things are altogether under Gods judgement) dont associate with such dont enter into any partnership with such instead expose them.
As we saw before, the Ephesian Christians would have to cope as we have to cope with an evil age in which personal morality has declined. Paul gives us the central thread of this argument in verses 8 10 Study Nine - Page 6 of 10
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. Then he uses that unknown quotation to round it all off: Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. I want you to notice first of all what Paul says here about our TALK. This is something he has already addressed in the earlier passage. He returns to it here to remind his friends that the wrong type of talk should be replaced with the right kind of talk. The wrong type of talk is describe here in verse 4 (a parallel passage is found in Colossians 3 v 8) obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking We have little difficulty identifying the first but we notice that Paul has something to say about two other forms of conversation Foolish talk comes from a root meaning drunken or senseless = foolish and is like the others to be seen in a sexual context. Coarse joking includes witty talk which is elsewhere (particularly in the Greek philosopher Aristotle) commended as a virtue. The world sets a high price on wit particularly that kind which has subtle innuendo and is more popular in intellectual people or praised in modern day comedy but for the Christian a much higher standard is set. What Paul wants is to supplement this negative instruction with something positive: v4 rather thanksgiving
v12 not even mentioning what the disobedient do in secret
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ The balance between exposing the deeds of wickedness and yet not being preoccupied in conversation with such things reminds us of a frequent double standard that applies in many Christians. We speak up in criticism of such things but secretly enjoy being able to talk about them. The over-arching teaching here is the two POSITIVE INSTRUCTIONS embedded in the passage: v 10 find out what pleases the Lord v 14 Wake up Theres a PROCESS and an APPLICATION and its interesting to note that Paul writes about finding out what pleases the Lord. Once again Paul uses a word that has currency in the world of Greek philosophy. The word for find out by testing in a moral situation. Some things are not as straightforward as is often claimed. There are areas of ethics which make great demands on the individual to untangle the difficult moral questions of our day in much the same way as the philosophers and teachers of the age in which Paul lived studied hard to give guidance. Some things are self evidently wicked Paul has been listing those things. Other things must be learned by study of the Word and by experience. Paul also uses this phrase in: 1 Thes 5:21, Phil 1:9,10 and Romans 12:2. What matters is that we actually make the effort to find out. So Paul concludes with what must be a quotation from the ancient liturgy Wake up!.. possibly a baptismal phrase. It reminds us of the passage in Romans which led to the conversion of S Augustine
11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light. ROMANS 13 v11~~
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ It is a real danger falling asleep. (And not just in long Bible Studies either!) We are lulled into false security and rhythm of surrounding sin causes us to become drowsy. We try to stay alert but the effect is often hypnotic. WAKE UP! We need a resurrection change and Christ has seen to that! And if we wake up He will shine upon us. The true light that lightens the world that makes everything clear will epiphany shine on us.
C.
Wisdom and worship
verses 15-20
15 Be very careful, then, how you livenot as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lords will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (As I said earlier I will be revisiting this section in the next study God willing in August 20th which I hope will give you more opportunity for discussion and input. Right now I want to see these verses in their present context.) It seems that Paul has difficulty moving away from more references to conversation and social behaviour. He encourages his hearers to apply what they have learned and come to worship with music and thankfulness. Central to this advice is his instruction concerning the infilling of the Holy Spirit in verse 18 which Paul applies with an astonishing contrast with drunken behaviour. He counsels them to FIND AND APPLY WISDOM No doubt this wisdom comes from the foregoing verses and the theme of v 10 find out what pleases the Lord. This teaching is also found in Colossians 4:5 : 5 Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Here he emphasises the need for vigilance as much as knowledge. Study Nine - Page 9 of 10
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ You are to live as someone who belongs to the Family of Christ who is trying to imitate Him in daily life. You are to be constantly finding out, from the application of Scripture to your everyday situations, what pleases Him. This kind of wisdom watches for dangers and for opportunities: 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. and finally He tells them to WORSHIP and work together with MUSIC and THANKFULNESS 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. See Col 3:16
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Notice that in Ephesians the emphasis starts out speak to one another He is giving us a subject matter and a suitable manner to converse and relate to each other within the Church. I notice that the music is the music of the heart that rises in praise to the Lord! I dont need perfect pitch for this. Well leave the detail of these words to our later discussion study. The suggestion seems to be that we should be talking to each other in song. Commentators dont agree about whether Paul is using making music in a figurative or literal sense but of this there can be no doubt music has a unique place in human experience and in the working Church. Lets not argue needlessly about what sorts of song to use in worship but get on living the Christian life in a melodic way. That way we will produce a new work pleasing to God and attractive to outsiders : Christian Life The Musical. David A Green BD June 2003 Study Nine - Page 10 of 10
DISCUSSION BIBLE STUDY 20th AUGUST 2003 Ephesians 5 vv 18-20 THE HOLY SPIRIT & WORSHIP
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
See Col 3:16

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
INTRODUCTION The instruction has more to do with conversation than worship and it can be argued that there is little to distinguish the forms of singing in v 19. But I want this study to provide us with the opportunity to discuss ASPECTS OF OUR LIFE TOGETHER IN THE CHURCH
The filling of the Spirit The variety of worship
The interpretation of these words tends to reveal those influences which colour our view of Scripture, the Holy Spirit and worship. You will therefore expect to find pronounced differences of emphasis and meaning according to the attitude of the reader to scripture the Holy Spirit and worship particularly as public worship When I send you away into smaller groups to consider these matters I want you to try and own up to the things which influence your views.
You would expect to find a general unanimity about Scripture as God breathed but you will still observe differences that reflect the church traditions in which you were converted or brought up here at Br Rd we draw on a range of traditions including particularly: Brethren Baptists Evangelical Free Church and perhaps a few Anglican and Methodist So I want you to do one activity AS INDIVIDUALS 1. 2. Identify the Bible tradition of your life Reflect on your perception of phrases like baptism of the Spirit gifts of the Spirit the place of the Holy Spirit in personal prayer The musical traditions that have shaped your Christian experience make a note of must have worship songs
3.
Then I want you to divide up into groups to discuss for a while the three themes before us: a. b. Being filled with the Spirit The characteristics of Church Worship especially singing
I have prepared a question sheet for you to fill in
1.
What description best fits your personal/family roots as a believer? Roman Catholic Anglican/Episcopal Methodist Presbyterian Congregational Baptist strict open Brethren closed open Main stream Pentecostal Charismatic House church
2.
Have you moved away from a particular denomination or group or remained within the group in which you were converted? If so are the reasons: a. b. c. d. e. theological geographical worship related or family related other doctrine, persuasion nearest, where converted.. style of worship rebellion against or conforming
3.
Underline those words which best fit your view of the work of the Holy Spirit in the CHURCH
challenging/dangerous/divisive/uniting/uncertain/definite/open 4. Do you regard the baptism with the Holy Spirit as: synonymous with conversion/a distinct experience for all believers/for a few believers relevant/irrelevant divisive/determinative dont know
5.
How do you feel about the GIFTS of the Spirit in todays church? for the early church/for todays church for a few believers/for all believers liable to energise/liable to cause schism to be encouraged/to be tolerated/to be discouraged open/practising/uncertain/opposed other
6.
Church heating and church music cause most disputes in the church Do you:
agree strongly/agree slightly/disagree slightly / disagree strongly?
7.
Bible Studies at Bristol Road Baptist Church : 20 Aug 2003

EPHESIANS 5 18-20
STUDY TEN : A discussion study
This Wednesday we shall return to Ephesians after quite a long break and we return to a passage we studied earlier. This time we will approach it from a different angle and endeavour to involve everyone in a discussion study of the two themes: The Filling with the Holy Spirit and Worship in the Body of Christ v 18 vv 19 and 20
On the back of this summary are some notes and parallel passages that you may
find helpful, and in the introductory section you will be given a questionnaire1 to fill in which I hope will prepare you for what is to follow. Both of these themes tend to provoke distinct if not strong views on the part of individuals. We need to recognise how much our own background and previous church life influences our ideas of what the Holy Spirit means in our life, and also how much our ideas of the structure of church worship too is influenced by our own personal experience. We want to challenge these ideas in a constructive way so that we can face up to some of the issues that confront the church at Bristol Road in these days. Please study the verses and come prayerfully expecting God to speak.
David
This is an entirely personal questionnaire to help you understand your present ideas and is not for sharing. It will not be collected in, nor will it be given out before the meeting starts.
DISCUSSION BIBLE STUDY

Outline of Session: Introduction
Bristol Road 20th August 2003
The way in which our personal background informs our views. A reminder of the general context of the verses in the letter The filling with the Spirit Varieties of worship ===
Discussion 1 Summary Discussion 2 Summary
Questions that may inform our study: HOLY SPIRIT 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Why does Paul contrast or compare the filling of the Spirit with drunkenness? How does this relate to the work of the Spirit in conversion and subsequently? What is the immediate result of this work of the Spirit in this passage? What other passages inform our understanding of Pauls teaching about this? How far should this work of the Holy Spirit spill over into worship?
VARIETIES OF WORSHIP 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Paul is not dealing with worship alone what verb begins the passage? 19 Paul makes a connection between music and the Christian life what can we learn from that? Some argue that there are three kinds of music mentioned do you agree? Can you find a connection between these terms and our current worship? Worship involves all three Persons of the Trinity how? How should the individual Christian influence the variety of worship?
Supplementary Materials and Notes Parallel passages:

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. COL. 3 16,17
Other references: Matt 24:49; Luke 12:45; 1 Cor 5:11; 6:10; 1 Tim 3:8; Titus 2:3; and 1 Pet 4:3 Acts 2:4, 13, 15 and 1 Cor 12 28~ Gal 5 22~ Luke 20:42; 24:44; Acts 1:20; 13:33 Mark 14:26; Matt 26:30; Acts 16:25; Heb 2:12; Rev 5:9; 14:3; 15:3. Phil 2:611; Col 1:1520; Eph 5:14; 1 Tim 3:16
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Outline of Session: Introduction
Bristol Road 20th August 2003
The way in which our personal background informs our views. A reminder of the general context of the verses in the letter The filling with the Spirit Varieties of worship ===
Discussion 1 Summary Discussion 2 Summary
Questions that may inform our study: HOLY SPIRIT 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Why does Paul contrast or compare the filling of the Spirit with drunkenness? How does this relate to the work of the Spirit in conversion and subsequently? What is the immediate result of this work of the Spirit in this passage? What other passages inform our understanding of Pauls teaching about this? How far should this work of the Holy Spirit spill over into worship?
VARIETIES OF WORSHIP 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Paul is not dealing with worship alone what verb begins the passage? 19 Paul makes a connection between music and the Christian life what can we learn from that? Some argue that there are three kinds of music mentioned do you agree? Can you find a connection between these terms and our current worship? Worship involves all three Persons of the Trinity how? How should the individual Christian influence the variety of worship?
Supplementary Materials and Notes Parallel passages:

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. COL. 3 16,17
Other references: Matt 24:49; Luke 12:45; 1 Cor 5:11; 6:10; 1 Tim 3:8; Titus 2:3; and 1 Pet 4:3 Acts 2:4, 13, 15 and 1 Cor 12 28~ Gal 5 22~ Luke 20:42; 24:44; Acts 1:20; 13:33 Mark 14:26; Matt 26:30; Acts 16:25; Heb 2:12; Rev 5:9; 14:3; 15:3. Phil 2:611; Col 1:1520; Eph 5:14; 1 Tim 3:16
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Bible Studies at Bristol Road Baptist Church : 20 Aug 2003

EPHESIANS 5 18-20
STUDY TEN : A discussion study
INTRODUCTION Our views about worship and the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer are informed as much by our church background and our individual spiritual pilgrimage as they are by the teaching of Scripture. The purpose of the questionnaire is to highlight this and to challenge or preconceived notions. 1. The filling with the Holy Spirit
a. b. c. d. e.
2.
Why does Paul contrast or compare the filling of the Spirit with drunkenness? How does the infilling relate to the work of the Holy Spirit in conversion and subsequently? What is the immediate result of the this work of the Spirit in this passage? What other passages inform our understanding of Pauls teaching about this? How far should the work of the Holy Spirit spill over into worship?
Varieties of worship
a. b. c. d. e.
Paul is not primarily dealing with worship here what is his emphasis? What can we learn from what Paul says about the connection between music and the Christian life? Some argue that three kinds of music are mentioned do you agree? From this passage how do we see the Trinity involved in our worship? How should the individual Christian influence the variety of worship?
Summary
Bristol Road 20th August 2003 QUESTIONNAIRE
3 4
7 8
Church Background Roman Catholic / Anglican / Methodist / Presbyterian Baptist strict / Baptist open / Brethren open / Brethren closed / FIEC / Main stream Pentecostal / Charismatic / House Church / Other Have you moved from a particular denomination or group or remained Within the group in which you were converted? For what reason? Theological / Geographical / style of worship / family related / other The work of the Holy Spirit Which word best fits your view of the work of Holy Spirit in the Church? Challenging/dangerous/divisive/uniting/uncertain/definite/open/other Do you regard the baptism with the Holy Spirit as: Synonymous with conversion / a distinct experience For all believers / for a few believers Relevant today / irrelevant today Divisive / determinative Dont know How do you feel about the gifts in todays Church? For the early church / for todays church For a few believers / for all believers Liable to energise / liable to cause division To be encouraged / tolerated / discouraged For private use / public use Open / practising / uncertain / opposed Dont know In the light of scripture about these matters I feel: Challenged / Confused / Afraid / Uncertain / Indifferent Varieties of Worship Church heating and church music cause most disputes in the Church agree strongly / agree slightly / disagree slightly / disagree strongly I am most comfortable with worship that : Reinforces my values Challenges my tastes in music Reminds me of the values of my earlier years Provides me with the opportunity to extend my repertoire Is soundly based on scripture Reflects the moods and fashions of my world I can distinguish between psalms, hymns and spiritual songs and I prefer I dont distinguish between psalms, hymns and spiritual songs I am happy with things as they are I leave these decisions to others I think it is the heart that matters not the voice I like worship to be: Predictable and reassuring Stimulating and exciting Mostly predictable but occasionally varied Never predictable and constantly changing Well directed Free and open
Notes
10
11
Whatever God has for us He intends it to be better Are we ready for it?
EPHESIANS
STUDY ELEVEN : Submit! Chapter 5: 21- 6: 9
David A. Green BD October 2003
Study No. 11
Submit!
Chapter 5 verse 21 to Chapter 6 verse 9
21
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Saviour. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no-one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church 30 for we are members of his body. 31 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. 32 This is a profound mysterybut I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. 6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honour your father and motherwhich is the first commandment with a promise 3 that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. 9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favouritism with him.
5
22
"...All the reasons in favour of the 'subjection' of woman to man in marriage must be understood in the sense of a 'mutual subjection' of both 'out of reverence for Christ.'" Pope John Paul Study Eleven - Page 2 of 12
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ If you want to get a group of people going on an issue that arouses strong feelings then this passage is a good place to begin. At their convention in 1998 the Southern Baptists provoked a storm of criticism for their amendment to their church constitution:
XVIII. The Family

God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood or adoption. Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church, and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel for sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race. The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God's image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the Godgiven responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation. Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents. 3
Why do such views provoke such hostility? Because in our modern western society people no longer see the relevance of Gods word to their lives and women in particular are encouraged to be liberated and to shake off what are seen to be the shackles of an overbearing religious tradition dominated by men. So it would be interesting to see what you good people would make of it. At the heart of this passage before us this evening is the word SUBMISSION. This argument BEGINS with the teaching of Paul about the filling of the Holy Spirit in v 18, it CONTINUES with a well known passage about the CHURCH and the pattern for marriage, and it CONCLUDES with instruction for children and fathers, and for servants and masters.
3
http://www.utm.edu/martinarea/fbc/bfm/1963-1998/18.html
Study Eleven - Page 3 of 12
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ Notice the structure of the argument a string of verbs (in the English, though not in the Greek of v 22) that carry forward Pauls teaching here:
Be filled with the Spirit 18 Submit to one another 21 submit (22) 24 love 25 28 33 respect 33 obey 6:1 do not exasperate 4 obey 5 6 serve serve 7 treat fairly 9 Notice secondly how Pauls teaching about husbands and wives is centred in his teaching about the Church We have observed before, and will observe again and again, that when Scripture gives advice on practical matters it always roots that advice in the nature of God Himself and in the THEOLOGY that the Word proclaims. Here the teaching concerns THE HEADSHIP OF CHRIST and the LOVE OF CHRIST FOR HIS BODY. Notice thirdly how Paul uses SCRIPTURE to inform and direct his teaching: Both quotations are from the LAW the Torah v31 for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. Genesis 2:24 and 6: 1 Honour your father and mother... the first commandment with a promise. Deuteronomy 5:16 Study Eleven - Page 4 of 12
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ Notice finally that emphasis which is distinctive of this letter what Paul asks of the believers is not only rooted in theology but specifically IN CHRIST submit out of reverence for Christ wives submit as to the Lord v22 as Christ is the head of the church v23 as the Church submits to Christ husbands loveas Christ loved children obey in the Lord v24 v25 v29 6:1 6:4 6:5 v21
fathers the training of the Lord slaves obey as you would obey Christ like slaves of Christ 6:6 6:7
serve as if serving the Lord
masters do not threaten He who is their Master and yours 6:9
It is impossible to separate the principles of family life and the workplace from the principles of Gods nature, His work in Christ and the Church, and the essential of principal of LIFE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST. For all of these reasons then this teaching about RELATIONSHIPS cannot be avoided or ignored without denying the fundamental principles of the work of Christ in His people.
1.
THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE
SUBMIT!
Verse 21 submit to one another out of reverence for Christ The word for submit which is carried forward into the next verse by implication is the word used to denote SUBORDINATION in military language. Yet here there is no hierarchy but instead a MUTUAL SUBORDINATION.
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ I suppose if you wanted a modern equivalent you might use the traffic word GIVE WAY. (Sometimes this causes confusion, doesnt it? I know there is a mini roundabout near my home where you can often witness motorists having difficulty deciding who should give way.) This word is used : as here and of wives and husbands in Col 3:18 Titus 2:5 and 1Peter 3:1 of servants and masters in Titus 2:9 and 1Peter 2:12 of people to the state authorities in Romans 13:1 so Im afraid there is really no escaping the thrust of OBEDIENCE that is intended but there is also the thought of DEFERENCE and COURTEOUS RESPECT that seems to point us back to a bygone age. We live in a world of RIGHTS and it is the world ideology that must yield, not the Christians teaching. Is this a hallmark of our relationships to one another? I suspect we are more influenced by the ideas of rights than we would be happy to admit. My right as member, or deacon, or minister, or leader, or man or woman must be subordinate to the rights of others. For this is THE WAY OF CHRIST and
2.
WIVES AND HUSBANDS
You might not think so to look round at the family of the 21st century but God long ago laid down principles for the relationships that are at the heart of all human life. He ordained an order and pattern in His creation of Adam and of Eve, and he laid down a specific commandment to govern the relationship of child and parent. If you look at the passage (22-33) you will see that, apart from being a direct application of the general principle of v 21 there are THREE PARTS:
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ WIVES SUBMIT v22 - 24
HUSBANDS LOVE v25 - 29 EACH ONE OF YOU (husbands) LOVE WIFE MUST RESPECT v33
Paul presumably begins with WIVES because he is carrying forward the overarching principle of V21, he then EXPANDS on the teaching about the CHURCH, as he instructs HUSBANDS TO LOVE. And finally after expressing amazement at Gods principle enshrined in marriage/the church he sums up with a general conclusion. WIVES SUBMIT 22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Saviour. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Why? Because they owe that to the Lord first, and recognise that the husband is the head of the wife, and because that is the way the Church lives
Are there any exemptions? Is it realistic? Why does the world reject this idea? Why do we sometimes feel uncomfortable with it? REMEMBER it flows from the GENERAL PRINCIPLE OF MUTUAL SUBMISSION and it is intended to represent in this imperfect age the PERFECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH. There IS an order in the way God has made people an order which is built into His creation, reinforced by His Law and demonstrated by His Church. HUSBANDS LOVE
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ Firstly the love that scripture commands to husbands is associated here with certain distinct aspects of Christs relationship with and work for His Church: just as Christ loved and gave Himself up for 25 to make her holy to present her radiant.. it is directed away from themselves and devoted to the perfection of their wife.
Secondly that love is to be as intense and productive as their own care of themselves: as their own bodies This underscores the monogamist principle in a world of polygamist habits as ours is a world of promiscuous relationships.
feeding and caring for it Thirdly as Christ does the Church for we are members of His body Paul ponders the physical union between husband and wife as a UNIQUE relationship which can only be truly understood in the RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHRIST AND THE CHURCH. HOWEVER LOVE RESPECT Paul breaks off from wonder at what God has done in both marriage and the Church to return to the practical advice. The word for RESPECT is the usual word for revere or fear that recognises standing and authority.
3.
CHILDREN AND PARENTS
6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honour your father and motherwhich is the first commandment with a promise 3 that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Its interesting isnt it that in the rules for children it is fathers that are instructed and not mothers. You could argue that this tells us a lot about the world in which Paul the Jew lived and the values of the Greek world in which he served. It is even more interesting that the LAW is directed not to parents but to children for of course this law does not expire when we reach adulthood. Paul reminds them it is in the LORD Paul states the principle this is right Then he quotes the LAW Honour your father and mother Then he emphasises the uniqueness of that LAW that it has a promise with it. Prosperity depends upon obedience to this law. Now Paul addresses fathers that law, that right, that promise all carry a responsibility not only to the children but to the (parents) father: 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. I Pauls day whether under Jewish law or Roman law parents had unlimited control over their children. This could lead to exploitation and it is against the exploitation and potential abuse of the position of fathers that he gives this further instruction. Study Eleven - Page 9 of 12
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ We notice how this is the underlying pattern of his practical advice about relationships - all who are parties to the family have responsibilities. Dont exasperate (In Colossians dont embitter and so discourage) But instead INSTRUCT It is interesting that in our day this command must seem rather strange it is increasingly likely that rather than exasperate children will be accommodated and even pandered to with discipline much lower down the list. The command to INSTRUCT is vital and threefold: instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. The phrase bring them up echoes the same word in v 29 feeds and cares Training implies discipline see Hebrews 12:5-11:
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: My son, do not make light of the Lords discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
5
Instruction implies warnings more suitable to older children.
4.
SLAVES AND MASTERS
5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8 because you Study Eleven - Page 10 of 12
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. 9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favouritism with him. The world in which Paul lived accepted slavery as normal. Indeed as many as a third of the people were slaves. The whole fabric of Roman rule was challenged whenever slaves attempted to revolt and the consequences for slaves who disobeyed or ran away were devastating. (Philemon gives us a little insight into this.) Nowhere is that fabric condemned as such in the New Testament but the teaching constantly reinforces the absence of discrimination on the basis of slave or free, and master and servant.
Instead, Paul plants the seeds by which slavery would finally be destroyed. Slaves are told to obey their earthly masters. This affirms the slaves responsibility to fulfill their necessary role, but includes a subtle reminder that the masters have only an earthly (lit., according to the flesh) authority. Both slaves and 4 masters should remember their Master in heaven.
The underlying principle in these verses is as before IN THE LORD. We have a relationship to Christ which is that of slave to Master. Any employment law that is framed should reflect that fundamental relationship. Where the existing order reflects the divine pattern there will be no exploitation but only mutual cooperation and care. Notice Pauls argument for slaves to obey: just as you would obey Christ 5 like slaves of Christ 6 as if you were serving the Lord, not men 7 He uses some very unusual language :
4
Boles, K. L. (1993). Galatians & Ephesians. The College Press NIV commentary (Eph 6:5). Joplin, Mo.: College Press. Study Eleven - Page 11 of 12
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, a phrase he seems to have invented as its found nowhere else as if you were serving the Lord, not men eye-pleasers and men pleasers A higher form of obedience is required of those who have known the highest form of service from the Lord and Master Himself. Christs example as the Suffering Servant must have presented the believing slaves of Pauls time with a great encouragement. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. Paul does not say what the reward will be but he does assure us that there will be one. Often even believers see no further than the pay-packet! And finally Paul instructs the masters whose position enabled them to exploit and to tyrannise. 9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favouritism with him. So we see again that that principle of relationships obtains we obey, serve, love our Master and doing that we GIVE WAY to one another and we echo in the fundamental relationships of our earthly life the fundamental relationship of our heavenly life. This is LIFE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST. GIVE WAY!
EPHESIANS
STUDY TWELVE : Stand! Chapter 6: 10 - 6: 24
David A. Green BD October 2003
Study No. 12
Stand!
The Armour of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Final Greetings 21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. 23 Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love (It is with mixed feelings that I approach our final study together in this book. It has taken a long time to cover six chapters - and sometimes we never thought we would get there.) Along with teaching about heaven and hell, and to a great extent issues of morality very little is heard about the Devil these days. I dare say that suits his purpose.
Study Twelve - Page 2 of 10
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ It is interesting that, in a book about the centrality of the Lord Jesus in His church, the concluding paragraph should focus on the Enemy. In dealing with this final paragraph I would like you to divide it into three sections: The Kind of battle in which we are engaged The Complete armour that God provides The over-riding objective to Stand!
1.
The kind of battle in which we are engaged
I suppose most of would accept that the Christian life is a battle but we probably go from day to day without much regard for our Enemy. We may perceive the minor trials of everyday life as the most constant barrier between us and a peaceful and prosperous spiritual life. In fact the situation is far more serious. The battle is : Real Personal and Spiritual (a) It is a REAL battle
Despite all the attempts of the world and all the devices Satan uses to persuade us that he is not real, and despite the way that the world of today rationalises our enemy into something of a myth OURS IS A REAL BATTLE Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes Our battle is a REAL battle 1. Between RIGHT and WRONG
It is an ETHICAL battle Study Twelve - Page 3 of 10
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ fought against the background of moral corruption, social failure, and the compromise of our leaders. When we do not see those enemies and that conflict we have lost our way. 2. Between LIGHT and DARKNESS
That was Pauls stress a few verses ago. It is a fundamental conflict which is at the heart of the nature of things 3. Between WHAT WE WERE and WHAT WE ARE IN CHRIST
And like most battles it waxes and wanes. There are moments of singular victory and there are times of defeat. There are advances and retreats There are strategic withdrawals and offensive attacks. And like any army in any age our lines of supply are essential, and our watchfulness for enemy action is crucial. This is part of Pauls earlier teaching about BEING AWAKE in 5:14 (B) It is a PERSONAL BATTLE It is personal to us and also personal as regards our enemy. This is something we are disposed to forget. All the advice Paul gives in this section is personal advice to an individual combatant in a field of battle in which others are involved. Paul does not give advice to a GLADIATOR but to a FOOTSOLDIER this is no spectacle of a battle put on like the actors who recreate famous battles of yesterday or like the gladiatorial conflict that was mostly theatre. He speaks personally : take your stand you may be able to stand your ground Yet he also instructs us to spare a thought for others who are also under attack:
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, (C) A SPIRITUAL battle Its interesting isnt it that we are generally less aware of the spiritual side of our struggle. WE recognise easily the physical and circumstantial difficulties that impede our progress but how often do we give proper consideration to the SPIRITUAL conflict. Of course one is often a marker of the other. You might be tempted to feel reassured as Paul begins: 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, But he goes on but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. If our battle were against other people (flesh and blood) or human resources we might deploy quite different weapons but on the contrary our enemies are SPIRITUAL we might use the word COSMIC when translating of this dark world There is a battle raging which like Elishas servant we cannot see or understand.
though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor 10:35).
All the more reason then for considering what kind of weapons and armour we will need. Only in western societies where we have apparently rid ourselves of the notion of spiritual forces is there such a little understanding of what Paul says.
2.
The Complete armour (panoply) that God provides

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ Paul draws, it seems, on a verse in Isaiah:
He saw that there was no-one, he was appalled that there was no-one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. 17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
16
Isa 59 17 (not 7 as on the handout)
and almost certainly he looks at the Roman soldier who stands next to to whom he is chained (v20) 13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Notice that Paul does not seem to envisage an unrelenting battle but he speaks of the time when the day of evil comes. God has set limits on the Adversary.
him and
Be prepared with that which God supplies but which we must ensure we are using. Paul speaks of each item of that armour in the order they would have been put on: belt of truth buckled breastplate of righteousness feet fitted with readiness that comes from the gospel of peace take up the shield of faith take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit If you have my printed sheet you may want to consider whether I have chosen the correct illustration for the first item: Study Twelve - Page 6 of 10
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ BELT OF TRUTH Although Paul can doubtless see the belt that carried markings and decorations that identified the unit the soldier was fighting in he knows that the first leather apron that is tied around the waist tightly to lend support is what is in mind. Truth in this instance probably means INTEGRITY rather than that of the Gospel. It is an appropriate first part of the armour for a battle with him who is the father of lies. That which undergirds all else and holds the man ready to engage in fight is TRUTHFULNESS guileless honour and integrity. But I suppose it would be equally fitting for that outer belt which holds the sword and identifies the legion. BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS with the breastplate of righteousness in place, It seems less likely that Paul is referring to that righteousness which is imputed to us by Christ and more likely that righteousness of life that marks the Christian. They are obviously related and afford the most noticeable protection. FEET FITTED WITH READINESS As you can see from the pictures Roman soldiers wore strong sandal boots which were studded with sharp nails ensuring a firm grip and immediate preparedness for action. I guess the irony of being prepared with the gospel of PEACE for readiness in WAR was intentional. How easily we discard these shoes and are found less prepared to share the Gospel of peace? THE SHIELD OF FAITH Study Twelve - Page 7 of 10
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ In these days when the police force regularly take up riot shields we are left in no doubt of the protection afforded by the Roman soldiers scutum not to be confused with a circular shield only affording protection in gladiatorial conflict. The Greek word for it is the word for door a clear indicator of its size and cover. Paul leaves us in no doubt of its effectiveness as indeed was the scutum the Roman soldiers carried with several layers of ox-hide over a light wooden frame. take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. THE HELMET OF SALVATION On a long march the helmet was not worn but carried by its strap putting it on was a sure sign that battled was joined. In 1 Thess. the hope of salvation is the helmet. THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT which is the Word of God Paul refers to the only OFFENSIVE weapon the short sword with which so much skill was needed and in the wielding of which so much training was given. The Word of God is both inspired by the Spirit and wielded both in understanding and attack by the power of the Spirit. We do well to spend as much time as we can familiarising ourselves with our weapon. Notice however the stress upon COMPLETENESS of equipment here. Put on the panoply of God the WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD. And keep in touch with your Commander 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
3.
The Over-riding Objective - to Stand!
This passage is truly unusual for the number of times that Paul uses that command.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes.
so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, Also : 1 Cor 16 13 Phil 1 27,28 Romans 5 2
11
The PREPARATION for this remarkable steadfastness is in verse 10: 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. That strength declares itself in a READINESS STEADFASTNESS POSITION OF VICTORY so STAND THEN - take up your position now! and PRAY v 18, 19 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. on all occasions v 18 Study Twelve - Page 9 of 10 v 11 v 13 v 14 having done everything .
Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ with all kinds of prayers and requests v 18
alert and always keep on praying for all the saints and for me v 19 Prayer is invoked in its DISCIPLINE VARIETY and SCOPE It is the means of communication with the LORD and it maintains a constant awareness of those who fight beside you shoulder to shoulder.
POSTSCRIPT
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. What an unusual prayer request - for the imprisoned apostle facing the possibility of death. He has his priorities right to fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel 21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. 23 Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love Paul concludes his letter with the customary personal notes. Notice how he views TYCHICUS who will communicate how Paul is to his friends and to encourage them.
David A Green 22 Oct 2003 www.davidagreen.com

Ephesians Studies Complete

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Bristol Road Baptist Church October 2002

Life in the Body of Christ STUDIES IN EPHESIANS

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

FAITH MIXED WITH LOVE

and his incomparably great power for us who believe

Giving thanks Asking Praying also

v16 v17 v18

A DEEPER KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST 17,18,19

A PLACE IN HIS CHURCH v18, 22 and 23

the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

But it begins (v18) with the folk we know

(A) the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints

See 1 Cor 12 27~

There is a wonderful echo here of the Communion Table This is My Body.

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

Great CHANGE Great LOVE Great GRACE Great WORKMANSHIP

vv 1-3 v 5a v4 vv 5b, 7,8,9 v10

dead in your transgressions and sins

SUBJECT TO EVIL WAYS AND THOUGHTS

Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. V 3b

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

And anticipating a later section:

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

It is ALL OF GOD so that no one can boast.

9 not by works, so that no-one can boast

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

GREAT WORKMANSHIP 6, 7 and 10

seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

GODS WORKMANSHIP Study 3 : Page 6 of 7

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

THROUGH THE CROSS

11-13 14-18 19-22

WHAT YOU WERE

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

BUT NOW THROUGH THE CROSS

through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Once again it is the cross that is in view: in His flesh..

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ (g) Creating a new man

fellow-citizens members of Gods household

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

PAUL THE PREACHER

Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles

THE SUBJECT OF HIS PREACHING

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

v 2 the administration of Gods grace that was given to me for you,

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

THE METHOD OF HIS PREACHING

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.

7 8 8,9,10,11 preachmake plain make known through the Church

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

THE OUTCOME OF HIS PREACHING

David A Green BD www.davidagreen.com Feb 2003

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

PAUL THE PRAYER

Study Six - Page 2 of 10

Sermon: Immeasurably more 29 Dec 2002 am

Study Six - Page 3 of 10

The Attitude of Pauls Praying

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

The Focus of Pauls Praying

Study Six - Page 5 of 10