Jet Tour Through Ephesians Series

EPHESIANS - Exaltation

INTRODUCTION: Ephesians was one of the four Epistles written by Paul from his Roman jail. It is the loftiest of all NT literature, identifying the Believer as enjoying the blessings of “ heavenly places in Christ”. The letter identifies the wealth, the worth and the walk of the Child of God.

I. The Author of the Book -

A. Paul (1:1:3:1) - Though his name only appears twice, 1st person pronouns are used 30 times.

B. The Letter identifies Paul as:

1. An Apostle - (1:1);

2. A Prisoner - (3:1; 4:1);

II. The Recipients of the Book

A. The City of Ephesus

1. Established @ 1100 BC in Western Turkey - “Asia”

2. Political capital of Asia.

3. Commercial center: main port, major trade route to the Orient.

4. Religious center: Temple of Diana, goddess of fertility.

B. The Church in Ephesus (1:1) was:

1. Established by Paul during his 2nd Missionary Journey (Acts 18:19-21);

2. Led by Paul for 3 years during his 3rd Missionary Journey (Acts 19:20);

3. Ministered to by some of the greatest 1st Century Christians: Paul, Aquilla, Priscilla, Apollos, Timothy & John;

4. Considered by Paul to be “faithful” (1:1).

III. The Date & Place of Writing

A. Place: Written, together with Philippians, Colossians & Philemon, from Rome, while Paul was awaiting trial before Caesar (3:1; 4:1; Acts 28:30)

B. Date: Probably written in late 61 AD, or early 62 AD.

IV. The Purpose of the Book:

A. To remind the Ephesians of the spiritual blessings they have in Christ Jesus (1:3);

B. To encourage them through his prayers on their behalf (1:15-23; 3:14-21 );

C. To show them the nature of the Church (1:22-23; 2:11-22);

D. To challenge them to live as Christians (Ch. 4:1-3);

E. To prepare them for spiritual battle (Ch. 6:10-24).

V. The Keys to the Book

A. The key thought = Saved by Grace

B. The key phrase = "in Christ" - 10 times (1: ).

C. The key verses = 2:8-9

D. Key Words:

1. In - 105 times

2. Saved/Salvation - 4 times

3. Grace - 12 times

4. Wherefore - 7 times

5. Works - 8 times

6. Therefore - 7 times

7. Riches - 5 times

8. Heavenly places - 4 times

9. Walk - 7 times

10. According to - 15 times

11. Church - 9 times

12. Body - 9 times

VI. The Outline to the Book

A. The Christian’s Wealth - Ch. 1-3

1. Redemption (Ch. 1)

a. God the Father planned the Church (1:1-6)

b. God the Son purchased the Church (1:7-10)

c. God the Spirit preserved the Church (1:11-14)

d. Paul the Apostle prayed for the Church (1:15-23) = A Prayer for Enlightenment.

2. Reconciliation (Ch. 2)

a. We were ruined by sin (2:1-3)

b. We were redeemed by grace (2:4-10)

c. We were reconciled by God (2:11-16)

d. We were restored by Christ (2:17-22)

3. Revelation (Ch. 3)

a. The mystery (3:1-12)

b. The petition (3:13-21) - A Prayer for Enablement.

B. The Christian’s Walk (Ch. 4-6)

1. The Walk of the Believer (Ch. 4- 6:9)

a. Walk in unity (4:1-16)

1) The exhortation to unity (4:1-3)

2) The explanation to unity (4:4-6)

3) The implementation of unity (4:7-11)

4) The expectations of unity (4:12-16)

b. Walk in purity (4:17- 5:21)

1) Put off the old man (4:17-22)

2) Put on the new man (4:23-29)

3) Grieve not the Spirit (4:30- 5:2)

4) Walk in light (5:3-17)

4) Be filled with the Spirit (5:18-21)

c. Walk in harmony (5:22- 6:9)

1) Harmony in the home (5:22- 6:4)

2) Harmony on the job (6:5-9)

2. The Warfare of the Believer (Ch. 6)

a. The exhortation (6:10)

a. The enemy (6:10-13)

a. The equipment (6:14-20)

Conclusion: (6:21-24)