Ephesians Series #1
“Bless the Lord”
INTRODUCTION TO THE SERIES
Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus is an essential foundation of the New Testament and warrants frequent visits for deeper understanding. Any portion of the Bible has basic truths that never change but the applications and the particular emphasis always changes with time and circumstance.
The Message of Ephesians (Overview)
Ephesians is a sister letter to the letter to Colossians; two-thirds of the content of Paul’s letter to the Colossians can be found in some way paralleled in Ephesians. The message of Ephesians is a universal message to all the followers of Jesus outlining the identity and responsibility of the Church of Jesus Christ in a dark world. Many have spoken of the greatness of this letter.
Luther called it “the gospel in its purest expression”. Others see Ephesians as a “panoramic view of this wondrous and glorious work of God in Jesus Christ Our Lord.” It is a most vital message to the church today. As is all Scripture, the book is profitable for teaching doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness that the child of God may become mature, perfectly trained for every good work.
It is my hope that as we encounter the truths of this portion of the Bible and mine some of its numerous precious jewels, we will find ourselves filled with overflowing praise to God a even more transformed into the image of Christ than before we began.
If I were to single out a particular theme for Ephesians that would best express the intent of the letter it might be:
The identity and responsibility of the Church
Ephesians is one of many epistles or letters written to specific churches or individuals.
Some of these letters were intended to be shared and passed between the churches in various cities. The bulk of the letters were written by the Apostle Paul. A letter is a personal communication to a specific audience with a particular purpose. They were often triggered by issues related to a particular church. These letters, by reason of such personal nature, were not intended to be a theology class although they contain significant theological concepts.
The first part of the letter provides sufficient background information. In this case both the author and the intended recipients are clearly identified.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 1:1
The author
It is clear from the introduction, content and the style of this letter that it is a letter of Paul.
Paul used a similar style and vocabulary in all of his writings. Paul identifies himself as “an apostle”. "Apostle" means "one sent out". It is used 10 times in the Gospels, 28 in Acts, 38 in the letters and 3 times in Revelation. It is used in a general sense of anyone sent as a special messenger as well as a technical reference to the original 11 apostles plus Paul as "one untimely born". Here Paul affirms Jesus Christ as his sending agent by the will and authority of God the Father. He thus establishes the authoritative nature of his letter. He spoke on God’s behalf. The content was inspired and authorized by God Himself.
Time of Writing
Somewhere in the middle of the period 61-63 AD
Circumstances of Writing
Ephesians is one of several letters written by Paul during one of his imprisonments.
This letter is believed to be written by Paul during his house arrest in Rome and is thus categorized as a “prison Epistle” along with Colossians, Philippians. This was a rich period in the life and ministry of Paul. He was called, taught and personally discipled by Christ and had seen and experienced much as God's special messenger to the Gentiles. He suffered great persecution and hardship few of us will never experience and remained true to his calling and to the One who called Him to the very end. At the writing of this letter, Paul remained in prison for his faith and God delegated this time to get into writing some vital truths that have become the solid foundation for the Church to this day.
The Audience
Paul focused on three things concerning the members of this congregation.
First, he called them "saints”.
The term "saint" comes from the word "holy", "set apart for a special use". We know from other passages that God considers every genuine follower of Jesus a saint. It is God’s designation and viewpoint. It is how He sees us. That is our identity. We are His special people set apart as special by Him for His pleasure. It does not mean that we always act like saints. The Ephesians were no angels; Paul addressed lying, stealing, bad language, unhealthy family relationships, sexual immorality. Yet because of their relationship with Christ, Paul still called them "saints" NOT "sinners". We need to follow the pattern of Scripture, not of the evil one.
We are not just "rotten sinners merely saved by grace." We are "saints" by God's grace who do indeed sin but called saints by God Himself. We must continually keep our true identity as special children of God foremost in our thinking. A people for God’s purpose and pleasure, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a chosen generation.
Second, Paul called them “faithful”.
This word comes from the same root translated faith, believe or trust. Paul acknowledged their part in this special relationship. They were those who put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. They were not just trusting in just any one. Their faith was firmly rooted “in Christ Jesus”. It was this faith in Jesus that put them in such a privileged and special relationship with God so as to be called saints. These were not super Christians. These were not extraordinarily gifted individuals. These people were special by reason of their faith in Jesus. There were common folk, slaves, rich, educated, uneducated. Paul wrote this letter so that they would understand just what God had done in them and wanted to do through them.
Third, Paul identified their location as Ephesus.
It is significant that this is a group of people living in a pagan culture.
The Cultural Background of Ephesus
The culture of the time was not unlike what we face today. Ephesus and the surrounding area was a melting pot due to its location as a sea port and trade route. Ephesus was the location of a major temple to Diana; complete with idol worship and rampant sexual perversion through male and female temple prostitutes. Archeology has unearthed a great deal of evidence depicting the corrupt nature of this area of the world that would make even Corinth blush.
It is into this degraded and disintegrating society God rose up a generation of faith empowered follower of Jesus in need of the faithful building truths contained in Paul letter.
The gospel seed planted by this group of people sprouted and spread to transform a culture.
Great revival and victory over the corruption of the culture is recorded in the book of Acts.
Paul spent considerable time teaching day and night and exhorting personally with tears.
There was a stand taken against the witchcraft of the day and a "house cleaning" was followed by a great bonfire. Later in their history we read the exhortation dictated to John to the church at Ephesus who had lost their first love for the Savior but not their grasp of the truth. They were commended for their doctrinal tenacity and exhorted to repent and return to devotional tenderness.
The Greeting
Paul began his letter by expressing his heart’s desire for the well being of the saints.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:2
Some call this the overture to this spiritual symphony.
"grace and peace"
This salutation reflects the greatest need for fallen man (grace) followed by the greatest longing of fallen man (peace). Grace flows all through the book. The basic concept of grace has to do with favor granted irrespective of merit. Some have called it “unmerited favor”
Others refer to it as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense
The concept is the same. It indicates blessing or favor or gifts given regardless of personal merit. If it is merited it is called a wage. Grace or favor is extended out of the generosity and kindness of the giver.
Scripture employs grace to at least five areas of life.
• Common grace – favor showered on everyone (Matt 5:45)
• Saving Grace – favor extended for salvation (Eph 2:8-9)
• Living or enabling grace – favor or energy extended for everyday living (Heb 4:16)
• Resurrection Grace – favor promised at Christ’s return (1 Peter 1:13)
• Eternal grace – favor that will be show throughout eternity (Eph 2:7)
Since Paul writes to those already part of the kingdom through saving grace, I believe he is envisioning God’s granting of “living” grace. He wishes God to grant them the grace to continue to live faithful in a hostile environment.
“peace” is the outcome of grace. It is the sense of tranquility, blessing that comes from a restored relationship with God. It was used to refer to a reconciliation, bringing together.
The source of these foundations of life is God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Peter indicates (2Pet 1:2) that the multiplication of this duo in our daily life comes through an increased knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.
Paul verbalized his desire that God grant and they find the fulfillment of their greatest needs.
• Power to live a life of faith in this age.
• Realization of a restore and secure relationship with Jesus with nothing to prove, nothing to lose, nothing to protect and therefore nothing to fear.
Basic Outline
Greetings
I. Our Wealth and Worth in Christ 1-3
II. Our Walk with Christ 4-6
III. Our Warfare for Christ 6
Farewell
I. Our Wealth and Worth In Christ 1-4
Having penned his brief introduction, Paul then broke out into a three stanza doxology expressing the significance of what it means to be "in Christ". A doxology is expression of praise directing all around to appreciate the grand glory of God. This section from verse 3-14 is one well structured, truth packed sentence in the original Greek. Each of the three stanzas focus on one of the members of the Trinity and end with a statement reflecting the ultimate goal of His work in our life “to the praise of His glory.” (6, 12, 14
Paul exclaims from the onset in verse three…
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ!
I am hoping by taking the time to explore the blessings communicated by Paul to the Ephesians to inspire us as a church and as individuals to express more fully our deepest gratitude for God’s abundant blessing to us.
Paul's basic instruction is to
"Bless God who has blessed us!"
God’s abundant blessing is our motivation to bless Him. God is the beginning and the end goal.
God took the initiative to bless us so that we in turn will bless Him. We will be to the praise of His glory. We are His workmanship that we might reflect Him. The whole book is an instruction manual as to how we may bless God with both life and lip.
"Blessed"
This is the Greek root "eulogeo" made up of two parts; "logeo" meaning to speak or say and the fragment "eu" meaning well. Thus the basic meaning of “bless” means "to speak well of".
Our English word "eulogy" comes from this Greek word. The Old Testament concept of "blessing" has a very similar meaning to esteem highly or to endue with power for success, prosperity and longevity. It is helpful to compare this term with its Biblical opposite to curse or to esteem lightly. The curse is intended to block prosperity or success by our negative words.
This same word is used of our response to God and His action toward us in graciously securing all of the things mentioned in this passage. Over the next few weeks we will more fully detail the things God has done for us not only in this initial passage but on through chapter two.
I want to focus on the response Paul encourages us to offer to Him for blessing us. Paul’s cry is to bless the Lord for His extravagant grace toward undeserving fallen creatures. Bless the Lord for His marvelous plan to save sinful men. Bless God for the ongoing execution of that plan in time and space. Whenever we contemplate and better understand the wonder of God’s blessing we like Paul and King David before Him are inspired to utter our most grateful praise and blessing.
"Bless the Lord O my soul, let all that is within me bless His holy name."
This is not just words but a heart overflowing with praise to God that breaks out in words and song. I want us too to bless God who has so marvelously blessed us with every spiritual blessing.
1. What does it mean to Bless God?
We have nothing to offer God that makes Him more successful. We cannot add or subtract from His greatness. We can however express our amazement and gratitude for His blessing.
We can draw attention to His person and works by our words. Words in songs. Words without music. Blessing God involves verbalization. “Speak well of.”
But we can also draw attention to His greatness by our life and actions. To bless is to esteem highly. It is very similar to praising. It is to speak well of God before others; to exalt His name.
The Psalms contain many calls to the people to bless the Lord that give us some help in this practice.
I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. PSA 16:7
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord the humble shall hear it and rejoice. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. PSA 34:1-4
Bless our God, O peoples, and sound His praise abroad, Who keeps us in life, and does not allow our feet to slip. For Thou hast tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined. PSA 66:8
Sing to the Lord bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. PSA 96:2
Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle. Psalms 103:1-5
Speaking well or blessing God ought to arise from a realization of who God is and what He has done that we just have to tell someone about it, we have to proclaim the good news in some way. Blessing God is simply verbalizing my delight at the person and work of God, especially as it pertains to me.
"Arise, bless the Lord your God forever and ever! O may Your glorious name be blessed and exalted above all blessing and praise! NEH 9:5
Like Paul here in the first chapter of Ephesians blessing God covers the range of His past, present and future benefits and blessings.
2. What keeps us from blessing God as we ought?
• Bitterness -- Too bitter or defiant to Bless
When we have not fully surrendered our life to the capable hands of God or demand from God what He has not promised, we fall into the trap of demandingness to God.
Job started out wonderful.
"The Lord gives the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord."
As time wore on and his patience wore thin, and things didn't change, Job began to demand that God provide answers for why things weren't turning around. God did not give reasons to Job. He confronted Him with His authority and might and wisdom to which Job responded by silence and repentance. We, like Jesus, must allow God to be God and entrust our souls to a Faithful Creator in doing what is right.
Romans 1 reveals the first step of a downward path is failure to honor God as Lord. When that happens, then we become ungrateful (fail to bless God) and exchange the glory of God for the "glory" of man and then live life in the depravity of a demon flesh which produced behavior worthy of death. We did it. God had nothing to do with it.
Are you angry at God? Do you think you know what is best? Are you blaming God for things in your life that are merely consequences to your own wrong choices?
God isn't there to "fix" your problems or make you happy. Stop working to be comfortable and happy and focus on being useful. God is working to make us Holy for eternity and not happy for today! To do that involves facing pain and problems in your life. It involves walking by the Spirit and living by the truth and responding in a Biblical manner. Who will you allow to be Lord of your life?
• Self-centeredness – too selfish to bless
Whenever we get self centered rather than God and others centered we are unable to bless God. When things don’t focus on us and our comfort, we complain to people rather than bless God.
Paul told the Thessalonians to give thanks to God in EVERYTHING!
Paul told the Philippians to “do all things without disputing and grumbling”.
• Ignorance -- Too ignorant to Bless
Many simply do not know what God has done for them. Satan has done such a thorough job of deceiving that we spend a good deal of our time bemoaning the lies about what God will do to us rather than blessing God for what He has done and has promised yet to do for us. He gets us so focused on the temporal and material, we miss the wonder of the eternal and spiritual.
Satan must keep us ignorant of our heritage as children of God in order to accomplish his purpose of robbing God of the glory due His name.
• Busyness -- Too busy to Bless
We become too occupied with other things to take the time to reflect on God. Many of us do not meditate on the things we do know. We do not have a time to be quiet before Him or take time to learn more about Him. We are still operating on age old experiences and thoughts about God that we learned early in our salvation experience. Therefore it becomes routine to us and those who listen to us. As we continue to learn about God and submit to Him we will find ourselves breaking out in spontaneous blessing that is fresh to us, pleasing to God and inspiring to those who hear.
3. How can practice blessing the Lord?
I have already suggested above some ways of developing the habit of blessing God.
In addition I would suggest that you read in the Psalms every day. There you will see blessing God modeled for you. Then practice verbalizing praise and blessing God out loud in private.
Read some good material on the Person of God. Start with "Knowledge of the Holy" by Tozer.
Verbalize to the family your reflections about God. Learn more about His blessing.
DECISION
Make a decision to pursue God, to seek after Him and then bless Him as you start each day.
