Simply Ephesians

Bible Matters 562: Simply Ephesians

Paul’s ministry was almost ten years old, when he wrote the epistle to the Ephesians.  The epistle wrote during Paul’s time in prison contains rock solid testimony concerning God’s gospel of Love.  The preponderance of evidence is overwhelming.  Let’s review.

·        Paul tells you to believe in God. God will deliver you to glory.

Ephesians 1:17 – That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

·        Repent of your sins.  Do not walk in darkness.

Ephesians 4:17-19,21-27 – This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:  Neither give place to the devil.

Ephesians 5:2-6,8,11 – And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.  For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

·        Judge No One – You know sin.  Be ye kind, one to another.

Ephesians 4:31-32 – Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

·        Love God – God is looking for your good works. 

Ephesians 4:1-6 – I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Ephesians 5:2-6,8,11,20-21 – And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.  For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

·        Love your neighbor with acts of charity and good works.

Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 6:5-8 – Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;  Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;  With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:  Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

·        Endure to the end with the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit in the hope of eternal life. 

Ephesians 6:5-8,13-17 – Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;  Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;  With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:  Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Paul gave testimony and clearly spoke the gospel of Love in Ephesians.  Paul concludes by telling you that the truth in God’s word and the message is clear.  Speak this message with authority and do not let any man fool you with false doctrine.  If some man throws a simple plan of salvation on you, save this message to rebuke him.  When you believe in God, you walk as children of the light.  Neither give place to the devil.

Ephesians 5:6,8 – Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Ephesians 4:27 – Neither give place to the devil.

Paul lays out the gospel of Love, simply to the Ephesians.  They knew exactly what they had to do to serve people, serve God and endure to the end.  There is not hidden message.  No hidden agenda.   The conclusion is clear.   God wants you to live God’s gospel of Love.

To God be the glory in all you do, Amen.