Download - Introduction to Ephesians 24 September 2006. Basic Background Questions Who? Where? When? What? Why?
Introduction to Ephesians
24 September 2006
Basic Background Questions
Who?
Where?
When?
What?
Why?
Who?
Who wrote Ephesians?
Whom was Ephesians written to?
Where & When?
Where were the Ephesians?
When did Paul visit Ephesus?
Where and when did Paul write the letter?
IconiumIconiumAntioch (Pisidian)Antioch (Pisidian)
AntiochAntioch
LystraLystra
DerbeDerbe
Mediterranean SeaMediterranean Sea
CyprusCyprus
SeleuciaSeleucia
SalamasSalamas
PaphosPaphos
AttaliaAttaliaPergaPerga
1st Missionary JourneyActs 13 & 14
Modern Day TurkeyModern Day Turkey
Satellite Image - NASA
© EBibleTeacher.com
Paul-1st Missionary Journey
A.D. 45-47
Paul-2nd Missionary Journey
2nd Missionary Journey2nd Missionary Journey
JerusalemJerusalemEgyptEgypt
Paul’s JourneysPaul’s JourneysRome PhilippiPhilippi
CorinthCorinth
ThessThessAthensAthens
CaesareaCaesarea
EphesusEphesus
IsraelIsrael
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Mediterranean Sea
A.D. 50-54, Acts 15-18
(short time)
Paul-3rd Missionary Journey
Paul’s 3rd Journey
3rd Missionary Journey3rd Missionary Journey
IsraelIsraelJerusalemJerusalem
EgyptEgypt
Paul’s JourneysPaul’s JourneysRome
AntiochAntioch
PhilippiPhilippi
CorinthCorinth
ThessThessAthensAthens
CaesareaCaesarea
EphesusEphesus
© EBibleTeacher.com
Mediterranean Sea(2 years)
A.D. 54-58, Acts 18-21
Paul- Journey to Rome
Paul’s Journey to Rome
INDEX
Paul’s Journey to RomePaul’s Journey to Rome
JerusalemJerusalemEgyptEgypt
Paul’s JourneysPaul’s JourneysRome
CorinthCorinth
IsraelIsraelCaesareaCaesarea
MaltaMalta(Shipwreck)(Shipwreck)
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Mediterranean Sea
A.D. 60, Acts 27,28
9Paul’s Letters to
ChurchesINDEX
IsraelIsrael
EgyptEgypt
RomeRome PhilippiPhilippi
CorinthCorinth
ThessalonicaThessalonica
EphesusEphesus
© EBibleTeacher.com
GalatiaGalatiaColosseColosse
Paul’s Letters to Paul’s Letters to ChurchesChurches
Mediterranean Sea
10
7 Churches of Asia7 Churches of Asia
1 Pergamos1 Pergamos2 Thyatira2 Thyatira3 Sardis3 Sardis4 Smyrna4 Smyrna5 Philadelphia5 Philadelphia6 Ephesus6 Ephesus7 Laodicea7 Laodicea
1122
3344
66 5577
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7 Churches of Asia (Revelation)
What?
What does the letter say?
What are the important truths we find in this letter?
Important Truths Election
Sealed
“In Christ”
Significance
Wealth
Glory of God
Prayer
Election Paul begins with a heavy emphasis on
election, because it is foundational to everything else he has to say in the letter
Election is essential to security in Christ
My position in Christ is 100% dependent upon whether God elected me or not.
Therefore, when I experience pain and suffering, I know it is for correction, not justice
Sealed 1:13 says, “we were sealed with the Holy
Spirit of promise.”
This means that the validity of the seal depends on the trustworthiness of the one making the seal, not the quality of the item being sealed
Ex: a king sealed official documents
Thus, the recipient can trust that the document is not fake
“In Christ”
This phrase appears 26 times in the epistle
Those who are “in Christ” are very special and privileged
Significance
As followers of Christ, we must allow the Bible to define what is significant in life, not what culture or peers say is significant.
Paul says that our significance is found by being faithful “in Christ”
No mention is made of significance coming from achievement or material wealth or worldly status
Wealth we have in Christ 1:2 – grace and peace
1:3 – every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places
1:4 – chosen to be holy and without blame
1:5 – adoption as sons
1:6 – acceptance
1:7 – forgiveness of sins
1:7 – the riches of His grace
Wealth we have in Christ 1:8 – wisdom and prudence
1:9 – the mystery of His will
1:11 – an inheritance
1:12 – predestined
1:13 – the Word of truth
1:13 – sealed with the Holy Spirit
Glory of God A lot of people seem to think we have to
bring God glory
But actually, God already has glory
His predestining us and sealing us is to the praise of His glory (3 times in chapter 1)
Thus, the purpose of our being predestined to follow Christ is to draw attention to God’s glory (that already exists)
Prayer
Paul includes two prayers in the letter.
1:17-23 & 3:14-21
We can learn how to pray for others from these
Why?
Why did Paul write the letter?
Book Overview Chapters 1-3 Position in Christ
Chapters 4-6 Practice of the Christian
Chapters 1 – 3Position in Christ
1:1-14 Praise for redemption
1:15-23 Prayer for revelation
2:1-3:13 Position of the Christian
3:14-21 Prayer for Realization
Chapters 4 – 6Practice of the Christian
4:1-16 Unity in the Church
4:17 – 5:21 Holiness in Life
5:22 – 6:9 Responsibilities at Home and Work
6:10-24 Conduct in the conflict
Bibliography
Special thanks goes to the following:
EBibleTeacher.com for their maps
NASA for their Satellite images
Bruce Wilkinson & Kenneth Boa for their information in Talk Thru the Bible
Walt Henrichsen for his wisdom and insight shared during Bible studies he has led and in books, articles and e-mails he has written