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All bible study is important. A study of the scriptures will note that the amount of material surrounding the city of Ephesus is especially prominent. On the Apostle Paul’s second mission, after preaching in Athens and Corinth “he came to Ephesus . . entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. When they desired him to tarry a longer time with them, he consented not; But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus” (Acts 18:19-21). On Paul’s third journey he returned to this city, “ . . while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus . .” Acts 19:1.
Paul’s ministry in Ephesus at this time was lengthy. “But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years . . ” (Acts 19:9-10). “Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:31). Historians believe the school of Tyrannus was used by Paul between eleven a.m. and four p.m. each day. We know that Paul was thorough in his public preaching and private teaching for he said “I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:20-21). His labors had a wide reception for “ . . all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10).
These facts relate to us the Holy Spirit’s great use of Paul in this city and church. Paul’s ministry here had solid doctrinal foundations, lengthy steadfast teaching, and widely spreading success. Our respect for Paul’s influence here is deepened by the fact that it was all in the midst of great opposition. “And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.” (Acts 19:28-31).
The book of Ephesians is noteworthy because it was written from the heart of a man to a people in whom he invested his very life. The importance of the Ephesian church is further shown in the fact that Paul’s first letter to
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Timothy concerns this church. “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:1-3).
This epistle was not a letter to scholars, theologians, or specialists. It was addressed to a common people, the believers in Ephesus, who needed strength to face a decadent society. Brethren, we today must focus on our blessings in order to face the demands of the secular society in which we live. This book enumerates God’s children’s spiritual blessings. They are infinitely more glorious than earth’s greatest joys. How appalling that we often disregard the great things of heaven for the contemplation and conversing about things of earth.
Do we not spend plenty of time contemplating our times and surroundings, in analyzing our ups and downs, and in assessing what we do or do not have? Indeed it is a crime when we contemplate and converse about earth so much that we disregard the majesty of our Heavenly Father, the love of Jesus Christ, the filling of the Holy Spirit, and the wonder of our redemption. This is a book that corrects spiritual near sightedness by far sighted views of heavenly truths. With eyes of faith the book of Ephesians is a telescope of truth that enables us to see our spiritual blessings. They are far more glorious than the brightness of any of earth's greatest joys.
Ephesians is a letter addressed to the faithful in Christ Jesus, or to those as our Savior spoke, "who have eyes to see". In this epistle the truths are related how filthy sinful urchins in rags of unrighteousness are taken from the dredge of earth's streets and adopted washed and attired in purity and holiness. The children of the king are brought into the heavenly places to enjoy all the bounties of God's chosen family.
Bible study must not be only academic. The gospel calls each of us to peer into our own case and to see how this message applies to us individually. May God bless each believer by faith to focus upon and live in its revelations of grandeur. Do you see yourself, though wretched by nature, embraced in God's love and enveloped in the infinity and immensity of his benevolence towards sinners? "Blessed are those who have eyes to see," for theirs is the rapturous delight of sinners saved. My dear friends, such believing and living will put our difficulties, our emotions, and our society in their proper perspective. As we begin a study of Ephesians I pray that an outline of the book will begin to enhance our spiritual vision and bring into clearer focus the blessings we possess.
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Ephesians Chapters 1-3, Enlightened, or listing our blessings
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Chapter 1, Counting our blessings, (1:3)
a. Blessings of God's will, 1:1-6
b. Blessings of Christ's work, 1:7-12
c. Blessings of Sprit's seal, 1:13-14
d. Paul's prayer for blessing of saint's enlightenment, 1:15-23
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Chapter 2, Remembering our blessings, (2:11)
a. Blessings of grace's gift, 2:1-10
b. Blessings of God's peace, 2:11-17
c. Blessings of God's presence, 2:19-22
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Chapter 3, Glorifying God for our blessings, (3:21)
a. Blessings of God's revelation, 3:1-7
b. Blessings of apostolic ministry, 3:8-14
c. Paul's prayer for blessing of saint's comprehension, 3:14-21
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Ephesians Chapters 4-6:20, Enabled, or living our blessings
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Chapter 4:1-6, Blessings of unity, (4:3)
a. Blessings of bonds of unity, our attitudes, 4:1-3
b. Blessings of basics of unity, the absolutes, 4:4-6
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Chapter 4:7-16, Blessings of maturity, (4:14)
a. Blessings won triumphantly, 4:7-10
b. Blessings possessed individually, 4:7
c. Blessings noted publicly, 4:11
d. Blessings used corporately, 4:12-16
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Chapter 4:17-5:16, Blessings of purity, (4:24)
a. Blessings of walking differently, 4:17-32
b. Blessings of walking circumspectly, 5:1-16
c. Blessings of walking spiritually, 5:17-21
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Chapter 5:22-6:9, Blessings of charity
a. Blessings of gracious wives, 5:22-24
b. Blessings of Christ like husbands, 5:24-33
c. Blessings of obedient children, 6:1-3
d. Blessings of nurturing parents, 6:4
e. Blessings of single hearted servants, 6:5-8
f. Blessings of forbearing masters, 6:9
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Chapter 6:10-20, Blessings of Victory, (6:13)
a. Blessings of strength, 6:10
b. Blessings of armor, 6:11-17
c. Blessings of prayer, 6:18-20
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Ephesians Chapter 6:21-24, Enriched, or loving our blessings
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Chapter 6:21-24, Blessings of Sincerity
a. Blessings of an apostle's tenderness, 6:21-22
b. Blessings of an apostle's truthfulness, 6:23-24 |
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