Lesson 14 Review: Ephesians in the Heart

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10, NKJV).

The letter of Paul to the Ephesians stands in relation to the rest of Paul’s letters rather like the London Eye where you can see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and the many Historic palaces and cathedrals. Paul doesn’t just focus on issues of local concern, these letters address believers all over the world. The letter indeed is timeless too. This week’s lesson will review each chapter for truths embedded in Ephesians that should continue to shape our lives as believers.

What peaks and inspiration can we see in Ephesians 1?

Ephesians 1:3-14 functions as a map at a mountain's summit that identifies the peaks of the horizon. The scenery covers the full span of salvation history, from eternity past, through God’s grace-filled actions in Christ, to eternity future. Being on a mountaintop inspires thanksgiving. Paul gives thanks to God as he prays that believers may experience the salvation God has planned for them according to Ephesians 1:15-19. We find another steep climb as Paul points us to the risen, ascended, exalted Christ, who rules over every imaginable power for all time (Eph. 1:20-23).

When will the pre-creation strategies be accomplished?

These pre-creation strategies will be fully accomplished at the end of time (Eph. 1:9, 10) when all things both “in heaven” and “on earth” will be gathered together or united in Christ, and God’s plan for “the fullness of time” (ESV) will be fulfilled (Eph. 1:10). Then, we will experience God’s mysterious plan (Eph. 1:9).

What’s the important part of God’s wide-reaching plan for the redemption of “all things”?

In the present, we may be certain that the Christ-centered salvation in which we stand is an important part of God’s wide-reaching plan for the redemption of “all things.”

When was this wide-reaching plan initiated?

“before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4), which are now being worked out in our lives (see Eph. 1:7, 8, 13, 14).

How does Paul describe the believers’ past in Ephesians 2?

Believers were bent toward rebellion against God, their lives were dominated by sin and Satan (Eph. 2:1-3)

What did God do for believers in Ephesians and us?

1.       He made us alive with Christ-Christ’s resurrection is our own.

2.       He raised us up with Christ-Christ’s ascension is our own.

3.       In heaven, He seated us with Christ-Christ’s coronation is our own (Eph. 2:4-7).

How are these actions from God possible?

God does these to save man not by our merits but by His grace (Eph. 2:8, 9).

How can we divide Ephesians 2 into sections?

Ephesians 2:1-10 teaches that we live in solidarity with Christ, Ephesians 2:11-22 teaches that we live in solidarity with others thus establishing the fact that Jesus’ death on the cross comes with both vertical and horizontal benefits.

What other benefits does the cross give as highlighted in Monday’s lesson?

Through His cross, Jesus demolishes all that divides Gentile believers from Jewish ones, including the misuse of the law to widen the gulf (Eph. 2:11-18).

What sequence does Paul follow in Ephesians 3?

Paul starts a report of his prayers for believers in Ephesus (Eph. 3:1; compare Eph. 1:15-23, NKJV) but breaks off to discuss God’s creation of the church (Eph. 3:2-13), and then completes his prayer report (Eph. 3:14-21).

What important things can we understand about God’s “plan” or “mystery”?

·         In eternity, God conceives of “the mystery” or “the plan” about the church (Eph. 3:3-5, 9, 11).

·         Through the life and death of Jesus, the long-hidden plan is “accomplished” (Eph. 3:11, NKJV; compare Eph. 2:11-22).

·         By revelation, Paul learns “the mystery” of the church and the astonishing fact that Gentiles are to be full partakers in it (Eph. 3:3-6).

·         Paul participates in spreading this good news as preacher to the Gentiles of “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8, 9).

·         With many won to Christ, the church composed as it is of both Jews and Gentiles, displays “the manifold wisdom of God” to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places” (Eph. 3:10, NKJV), announcing their coming doom (compare Eph. 6:10-20). The plan to unite all things in Christ (Eph. 1:10) is underway, and their time is short.

What motivates Paul to pray for believers?

The understanding of God’s “plan” or “mystery” motivates Paul to pray for believers.

What does Ephesians 4 begin and end with?

Ephesians 4 begins and ends with calls to care for each other as church members (Eph. 4:1-3, 32).

What invitation does Paul give between the verses of Ephesians 4?

Paul offers strong support that we should nourish unity in the church. He begins by listing seven “ones”: There is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord (Jesus Christ), one faith, one baptism, one God and Father (Eph. 4:4-6). We are bound together by these spiritual realities. We are, in fact, united.

What does unity require?

Our hard work, we should be “endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit” (Eph. 4:3, NKJV) by being an active “part” of the body of Christ Eph. 4:7-16).

What other admonitions does Paul give in Ephesians 4?

All should benefit from the work of the apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors, and teachers (Eph. 4:11, 12). All should not be tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine. All should avoid anger and harsh speech, substituting it instead with language that builds up and imparts grace (Eph. 4:25-31). All should be kind to one another.

What are we to model our behavior toward others on?

We are to model our behaviour toward others on God’s forgiveness and grace towards us.

What does Paul contrast this Christian behaviour to?

He contrasts this imitating-the-love-of-God lifestyle with the usual, pagan approach, sexual pleasure and “works of darkness done “in secret” (Eph. 5:11,12).

How are we to live as Imitators of God?

We are to redeem the time by offering thanks to God (see Eph. 5:15-21) rather than wasting our lives on drunkenness. Wives too, are to submit to their Husbands, and Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church. They should be “one flesh” (Eph. 5:28-33)

In Conclusion,

The letter to Ephesians is a letter to all believers, we are to live as Christ. We are to live our lives with the consciousness of what God has done for us. I pray that God grants us the grace to do His will in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 13 Review: Waging Peace

Introduction

Memory Text: “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:16, 17, ESV).

Apostle Paul imagines a great army, the church, visiting God’s armory and suiting up in the divine panoplia, the Greek term for full, head-to-toe armor. Bunyan’s writing in 1678 from a prison resonates with Paul’s imagination where Christian is escorted into a palace armory and shown all manner of weaponry enough to harness out as many men for the service of the Lord, as there be stars in the heaven for multitude, where Christian is even fitted from head to foot.

What was victory in the Greek and Roman warfare dependent on?

Victory in Greek and Roman warfare was dependent on the cooperation of the soldiers in a military unit and especially in their support for each other in the heat of the battle.

What reasons support the idea that Paul, in line with his usual military understanding, is primarily addressing the church’s shared battle against evil in Ephesians 6:10-20?

1.       The passage is the climax of a letter that is all about the church. It would be strange for Paul to conclude his letter with a picture of a lone Christian warrior doing battle against the foes of darkness;

2.       At the end of the passage, Paul highlights Christian camaraderie in his call to prayer “for all the saints” (Eph. 6:18-20, ESV);

3.       Most significant of all, earlier in the letter when Paul discusses the powers of evil, he places them over against the church, not the individual believer: “So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places” (Eph. 3:10, ESV).

What are the descriptions of the church preceding the concluding description of the church as the army of the living God?

1.       The church as the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22, 23; Eph. 4:1-16),

2.       The building /temple of God (Eph. 2:19-22),

3.       and the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:21-33).

What does Paul’s warning of intense battle do for the readers?

Paul’s warning of intense battle (Eph. 6:13) prepares readers for his final call to stand and is a detailed call to arms.

What does it mean when Paul tells his readers to gird their waists with truth?

The belt served the essential function of tying up the garments and holding other items in place in the Roman legion. Truth is a gift from God (compare salvation in Eph. 2:8). When Paul tells his readers to gird their waist with truth, they are to “put on” God’s truth, to experience and use this divine gift. They do not so much possess God’s truth as God’s truth possesses them.

What does it mean when Paul urges believers to put on “the breastplate of righteousness” (compare 1 Thess. 5:8)?

The body armor of Paul’s day was either made of mail (small, intertwined iron rings), scale armor (small overlapping scales of bronze or iron), or bands of overlapping iron fastened together for protecting the vital organs from the blows and thrusts of the enemy. In an analogous way, believers are to experience the spiritual protection offered by God’s protective gift of righteousness.

What does righteousness mean?

In Ephesians, Paul associates righteousness with holiness, goodness, and truth (Eph. 4:24, Eph. 5:9), thinking of it as the quality of treating others justly and well, especially fellow church members.

What does Paul mean when He says “and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” (Eph. 6:15)?

‘By keeping alive the gospel story of Christ’s rescue and His victory past and looking toward the victory shout in the future, believers shod their feet and stand ready for battle. Like the messenger in Isaiah 52:7, believers are messengers proclaiming the victory of Christ and His peace.’

Why does Paul use military imagery to proclaim peace?

The church is to “wage peace” by employing the gospel arsenal of Christian virtues (humility, patience, forgiveness, etc.) and practices (prayer, worship) thats point toward God’s grand plan to unify all things in Christ (Eph. 1:9, 10).

What does it mean to take up “the shield of faith” (Eph. 6:16)?

‘To take up “the shield of faith” (Eph. 6:16) is to enter the cosmic battle with confidence in God, who fights on behalf of believers (Eph. 6:10), supplies the finest weaponry (Eph. 6:11, 13), and who ensures victory.’

What does “the helmet of salvation” (Eph. 6:17) symbolize?

‘Given the essential protection the helmet provided, “the helmet of salvation” (Eph. 6:17) symbolizes the present salvation believers experience in solidarity with the resurrected, ascended, and exalted Christ (Eph. 2:6-10).’

What does it mean to put on “the helmet of salvation” (Eph. 6:17)?

To put on “the helmet of salvation” means to reject the fear of spiritual powers so common in the time and, instead, to trust in the supreme power of Christ (compare Eph. 1:15-23, Eph. 2:1-10).

What does “the sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17) symbolize?

“the sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17) symbolizes the word of God.

Why can we say “the sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17) is the lead weapon?

We can say “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17) is the lead weapon because it refers to the broad promises of the gospel that we find in the Bible which also includes Ephesians 6:1-10.

What does it mean to take “the sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17)?

To take “the sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17) can simply mean taking the promises of hope and victory from the divine Commander in Chief even as it is contained in the word of God.

What is the integral part of Paul’s battle exhortation and military metaphor?

Prayer. Crucial, continuing prayer “for all the saints” (Eph. 6:18, NKJV).

What are the prayer requests in Paul’s exhortation in Eph. 6:18-20?

In the first of two prayer requests, Paul asks the addressees to participate in fervent, urgent, and perseverant prayer “for all the saints” (Eph.6:18, NKJV). This is to ensure the success of the church in the battle against the powers of evil.

Paul’s second prayer request is for himself: “and also for me” (Eph. 6:19, ESV) that God might grant him the right message (“that words may be given to me”), at the right time (“in opening my mouth”), delivered in the right way (“boldly to proclaim”), and addressing a most important theme, “the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:19, ESV) ¾ God’s intervention in Christ to redeem Gentiles along Jews (see Eph. 3:1-13).

What answers does Paul’s military metaphor suggest is the reason why believers should participate in earnest, persevering prayer?

1.       The threat of spiritual battle against an array of supernatural enemies is dire and real and

2.       God’s promises of spiritual strength and victory are illustrated through Paul’s military imagery (Eph. 6:10-17).

What is one of the benefits that earnest, persevering prayer brings?

Earnest, persevering prayer provides opportunity for us to listen carefully to these promises, to celebrate them, and to thank God for the resources of His grace.

In Conclusion,

As believers, we are to “wage peace” by employing the gospel arsenal of Christian virtues and practices that point toward God’s plan to unify all things in Christ. It is only when we put on the full armor of Christ that we can go forth to work with hearts full of Christ-like tenderness, compassion, and love. I pray that God helps us to wage peace and put on His whole armor in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 12 Review: The Call to Stand

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10, 11, ESV).

Like Elisha's prayer for God to open the eyes of his servant who was overwhelmed by the sight of a hostile army, Paul's prayer for believers is for an enhanced vision of the full reality of the great controversy and for believers to draw hope from the full reality of the great controversy.

How does Paul conclude Ephesians?

Paul concludes Ephesians with a call to battle, urging believers to take their stand in the church’s war against evil (Ephesians 6:10-20).

He begins with an overarching exhortation “to be strong in the Lord” (Eph. 6:10), which he repeats as a call to put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:11). He specifies the purpose why we must put on the whole armor of God, and that is to enable us to be able to stand against the devil's schemes (Eph. 6:11). Paul then offers a rationale: the battle is against spiritual forces of evil (Eph. 6:12).

He then reissues the call to arms: “take up the whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:13) in order to stand firm in battle.

Then finally, He invites believers now fully armed and ready to enter the fray to do what soldiers in ancient times might do – and that is, to pray (Eph. 6:18-20).

What do Paul's battle exhortations signal?

Paul’s battle exhortations signal the mission of the church in terms of military conflict and weapons.

How are we to derive our victory over the devil?

Victory results from depending on the presence and power of God and not in the superiority of our weapons or army.

What are the themes Paul makes bold in exhorting believers in the conclusion of Ephesians?

1.      Active in pursuing the church’s mission.

2.      Attentive to the unseen dimensions that impact their lives and witness.

3.      Cognizant of the Divine provision for their success.

4.      Always alert to the importance of unity and collaboration among believers.

Who does Paul identify as the source of believers’ strength?

Paul identifies Christ as the source of believers’ strength with his phrase, “in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10, NKJV).

How do we know that the triune God is involved in strengthening believers for spiritual combat against evil?

God makes His power available as the “armor of God” (Eph. 6:11, 13; compare Isa. 59:17).

Paul's initial command identifies Christ as active in providing strength for believers (Eph. 6:10).

 Earlier, Paul identified the Spirit as active in strengthening believers. Paul prayed that God may grant you “to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being” (Eph. 3:16, ESV). The Spirit issues “the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). Believers are also to pray “at all times in the Spirit” (Eph. 6:18, ESV).

Why does Paul use military language in his exhortation to believers?

Paul frequently uses military language and imagery in his letters, inviting believers to mimic exemplary, soldierly behavior.

This is a way of understanding the gospel story, having conquered the “rulers and authorities” at the cross (Col. 2:15, ESV), the exalted Christ now works out the results of that victory from His position of exalted Lord over the powers (Phil. 2:9-11).

Thus imagery also leads believers recruited in the Army of Light to the grand day of victory.

This imagery helps us understand that the conflict between good and evil is a long-running cosmic one.

What elements does Paul draw together concerning the cosmic war that he has already used?

God’s empowering of believers with immense “power” (Eph. 1:18-20; Eph. 3:16, 20);

Christ’s victory and exaltation above the powers (Eph. 1:20-23);

Believers as the resurrected army of the once-dead but now empowered by their identity with the exalted Christ and able to fight against their former, dark master (Eph. 2:1-10);

The church’s role in revealing to the powers their coming doom (Eph. 3:10);

The use of Psalm 68:18 to portray Christ as the conquering, divine Warrior (Eph. 4:7-11);

And the call for Believers to “put on” gospel clothing (Eph. 4:20-24).

What is the hope for all Believers from the military imagery?

When called to put on God's “full armor,” we are well prepared to understand the central role of cosmic conflict, but also, we are to remain firm in the assurance that we have in participating in Christ’s ultimate victory.

What three successive actions must take place if a side must be victorious according to the writings of Thucydides, one of the great classical authors of battle literature?

1.      Soldiers must “close with the enemy,” which means they must march to meet their foes; then,

2.      They must attack and “stand fast,” or “stand our ground,” fighting hand-to-hand with their foes; and finally,

3.      They must “beat back the enemy”

See Wednesday’s lesson for references.

What was the great challenge of ancient battle?

‘Standing firm, holding one’s ground at this strategic moment, was the great challenge of ancient battle.’

What does Paul mean when he says Believers should stand?

This is no relaxed stance! To “stand,” then, means to be vigorously engaged in battle, employing every weapon in close-order combat, a point obvious from Paul’s earlier exhortation to be “found standing firm in one Spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27, ESV).

How does Paul describe our struggle as believers?

Our struggle as believers is described by Paul as a wrestle against evil powers. Wrestling is identified as an excellent preparation for battle, hence making Wrestling the appropriate description for the struggle believers face against evil powers.

What are the titles Paul gives the evil powers in Ephesians?

Ephesians 1:21	Ephesians 3:10	Ephesians 6:12
every ruler (or every rule)	the rulers	the rulers
(every) authority	the authorities	the authorities
(every) power		the cosmic powers over this present darkness
(every) dominion		the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places
every name named

What does Paul affirm in his broad descriptions of evil powers?

Paul does affirm that all evil and supernatural powers are subjected to Christ (Eph. 1:21).

What other thing are we to be careful about in this cosmic battle?

We should be careful not to underestimate the forces on the opposing side, because they are not “flesh and blood”, but “spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12, NKJV). We must be on the alert against our powerful foes, we need not be daunted by them.

What is our assurance of victory in this cosmic battle?

God’s presence with us in the battle, along with all His provisions for us to stand against the powerful foes is assurance of victory in this cosmic battle. God has placed at our disposal His truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:13-17). Equipped from head to toe with the armor God has supplied, we cannot fail (Rom.16:20; 1 Cor. 15:23, 24; 2 Thess. 2:8).

In Conclusion,

The Call for Believers of this age is to stand in our faith, and this is not some relaxed stance, it entails being vigorously engaged in battle against the willy foes. With God by our side, we are victorious. I pray that God helps us to stand in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 11 Review: Practicing Supreme Loyalty to Christ

 

Introduction

Memory Text: "And Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favouritism with Him." (Ephesians 6:9, NIV).

Like the abridged Bible from the museum that contains only chapters that reveal essentials of faith while deleting any passage inciting rebellion by slaves, the essential chapter for our time is Ephesians 6:1-9 but in the context of salvation, as revealed in the entire Bible. There is a lot to learn from Paul's application of values of the gospel to the flawed social structures of his day.

What exactly is Paul's appeal to the Ephesian Children?

Paul's appeal is for children worshiping in Christian congregation to honour their parents "in the Lord," that is, in Christ (compare Eph. 5:22; Eph. 6:4, 5, 7-9). He highlights that this is the first commandment with a promise that it may be well with you and the promise of living long on earth. He also says that parents should not provoke their children to wrath.

What does it mean for Children to obey and honour parents "in the Lord" (Eph. 5:22)?

"When the commands of parents "contradict the requirements of Christ, then, painful though it may be, they [children] must obey God and trust the consequences with Him."–Ellen G. White, The Adventist Home, p. 293.

In what sense is Paul saying that parents should not provoke their children to wrath?

These children though young enough to be under parental training are old enough to be faithful disciples of Christ. When Parents are urged not to provoke their children it is Paul's appeal to parents to respect their Children as themselves being disciples of Christ and to include them as active participants in worship. This is the foundation for parenting and for ministry to children.

What does obedience to parents Foster?

'Respect for parents, imperfect though they may be, will he'll Foster health and well-being.

What is Paul's advice to Christian Fathers?

Paul's advice to Christian fathers takes a different approach to the system of Fathers having complete legal control over their children who regarded as legal property as to inflict violent punishment, even death, on their children. Paul's advice is not endorsing such power but is body clarifying and reshaping family relationships. His advice is for Fathers to rethink their use of power since children provoked to anger will not be well positioned to accept "the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4, ESV).

What was the nature of slavery in Paul's day?

Slavery was not focused on a single ethnic group. Urban, household slaves were sometimes offered opportunities for education and could work as architects, physicians, and philosophers. Sometimes these household slaves received freedom after a limited period of service, though most slaves never gained their freedom. However, slavery at any time, does not cease to be an inexcusable evil, and God will judge, and condemn, slaveholders according to His infinite justice —and for that we can be thankful.

How does Paul address the issue of slavery in his day?

He addresses it not as a reformer but as a Pastor who advises believers how to deal with current realities and to cast a new vision centered on the transformation of the individual believer, which later could have wider implications for society at large. This social revolution was to begin with the church, in the body of Christ, in the Christian home and household.

What substitution does Paul ask Christian Slaves to make?

Christian slaves are not to place their Masters in the place of Christ offering to Him the allegiance that belongs to Christ. Rather, in the commitments and allegiance that motivate their heartfelt, excellent service, they are to substitute Christ, the Lord, for the slave Master. This encourages a Christian understanding of the master-slave relationship.

What are the several ways Paul presets this substitution upon slaves?

'Their slave masters are diminished by Paul as their "earthly Masters," pointing toward the real and heavenly Master (Eph. 6:5, ESV; emphasis added).

They are to serve "with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ" (Eph. 6:5, ESV; emphasis added).

Paul notes this substitution most clearly in arguing that Christian slaves are to offer genuine service as slaves, not of their masters, but as "slaves of Christ" (Eph. 6:6, NIV).

In performing their service, they are to do the "will of God from the heart," offering heartfelt service directed to God (Eph. 6:6, NIV).

Paul invites positively motivated service, offered "as to the Lord and not to man" (Eph. 6:7, ESV).'

What should Christian slaves expect from Christ when He returns for their heartfelt service?

Christian slaves may expect full reward from Christ when He returns for their heartfelt service.

How does Paul imagine slaves and slave masters in Ephesians 6:8?

Paul imagines slaves and slave masters as standing on an equal footing before Christ in the judgment (compare 2 Cor. 5:10; Col. 3:24, 25).

What sharp contrast does Paul give between slave masters of his day and Christ?

Paul gives a sharp contrast between "the lords", who had a habit of "threatening" their slaves, and "the Lord", Christ, with whom there is "no partiality" (ESV).

What is Paul's counsel to Slave masters who were in the habit of "threatening" their slaves?

Paul's counsel to slave masters is for them to stop threatening their slaves, and common practice of a time in which masters administered a wide variety of punishments to their slaves.  For this, They will be judged—by God.

With what motivations does Paul support his commands that call slave masters to look beyond their Greco-Roman world?

1. They and their presumed slaves are co-slaves of a single Master ("knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven," ESV; compare Col. 4:1); and 
2. the heavenly Master judges all without partiality.

Why is Paul's language especially heartening for Christian slaves?

Adoption as sons (Eph. 1:5); redemption (Eph. 1:11, 14; Eph. 3:6); being enthroned with Jesus (Eph. 2:6);  becoming "fellow citizens," "members of the household of God" (Eph. 2:19, ESV; compare Eph. 3:14, 15), and integral parts of the body of Christ (see Eph. 3:6, Eph. 4:1-16). Ephesians 6:5-9 activates the teachings in the letter as operative in the relationships between slaves and slave masters, including the counsel about speech (Eph. 4:25-32) and sexual ethics (Eph. 5:1-14).

In Conclusion,

When we practice Supreme Loyalty to Christ, all of our relationships, whether master-slave relationships or father-son relationships, such relationships are greatly improved. I pray that God helps us to put Him first in all of our relationships in Jesus' name.