“a new way of living” a fresh look at the book of ephesians clifton community church

“A new way of living”

A fresh look at the book of EphesiansClifton Community Church

A new way of living

• A new life (1:3-2:10)• A new community (2:11-3:21)• A new way of living (4:1-5:21)• A new way of relating (5:21-6:24)

Ephesus• Most important city in Asia on the west coast of

Turkey• Ephesus was only 120 miles from Colossians• Centre of roads from Persia, Egypt, Greece & Rome• 11mile road lined with columns lead to harbour

which was the export centre from Asia to Rome• 1 of 12 cities in the Ionian league• Had a theatre that held 24,000 and a temple to

Diana• The council of Ephesus was held there in AD431 and

home of John the apostle

Ephesians

• The word Ephesians is missing from some early manuscripts – circular letter?

• Closest thing to a ‘systematic theology’ from Paul

• It has a ‘liturgical’ sound and feel to it• First half is about what God is done• Second half is about how we should

respond• A spiritual walk rooted in spiritual wealth –

“be what you are”• Neil Anderson – Freedom in Christ

A new life (1:1-14)• A single sentence of praise!• In Christ (x11), heavenly places (x5)• God’s will (thelema), pleasure (eudokia) and

purpose (prothesis)

– Father electing (4-6)– Son Redeeming (7-12)– Spirit sealing (13-14)

– Past (4-6)– Present (5-8)– Future (9-10)

Welcome (1:1-2)• v1 – Paul is certain of his calling. Could add

‘through the Spirit’.• v1 – Paul is certain of their status – saints,

and that they’re faithful• What we think of God, ourselves and others

is fundamental to how we live• v2 - Grace (charis) and peace (shalom) –

Roman and greek greetings made holy. • Grace is what comes from God and peace

is the effect of that grace in our lives

v3 – “every spiritual blessing”

• blessed (eulogeo, eu – well, logeo – word) – to speak well of or to praise.

• Important to speak the truth, a ‘word’ isn’t silent, praise is external. God ‘spoke’ the world into being.

• Heavenly realms – the spiritual reality around us

• Every spiritual blessing – he has done everything in Christ

Father electing (4-6)

• v4a – we’re chosen in Christ• v4b - before the world began• v4c – to be holy and blameless• v5a – in love he chose us• v5b – to be adopted as sons• v5c – that was his pleasure and will• v6a – to the praise of the glory of his grace• v6b - freely given through Christ• v6c – accepted in the beloved

Son Redeeming (7-12)

• v7a – redeemed at a price• v7b – our sins forgiven• v7c – part of the riches of his grace• v8 – he’s lavished his grace on us with

wisdom • v9 – this is God’s will, pleasure and

purpose• v10 – in God’s time everything will be in

Christ

Son Redeeming (7-12)

• v11a – we have an inheritance in him• v11b – we’re chosen according to

purpose• v11c – he works out everything

according to his will • v12 - by trusting in Christ we bring

praise to His glory

Spirit sealing (13-14)

• v13 – depends on our trust• v13b – faith comes through hearing and

hearing through the word• v13c – after you believed you were sealed• v14a – he’s the down payment, the

engagement ring• v14b – until Christ returns for his

inheritance• v14c – to the praise of his glory!