WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.620 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:12.240 --> 00:00:16.199 Well, Will and I were joking that you now get part two of the sermon. 00:00:16.719 --> 00:00:20.559 Part one was his announcements, and part two is my portion. 00:00:20.839 --> 00:00:24.379 Thank you for bearing with us. That's a lot of information to take in. 00:00:24.400 --> 00:00:26.920 There's a lot of exciting things happening in this church, 00:00:26.920 --> 00:00:32.060 and I'm very excited to get to open God's Word with you for the first time in 2015. 00:00:32.840 --> 00:00:35.040 It's exciting to get to open a book with Will. 00:00:35.280 --> 00:00:37.200 A book of the Bible will be looking at Ephesians. 00:00:38.020 --> 00:00:41.179 Let me offer some things to you as we get started. 00:00:41.420 --> 00:00:43.280 This is a dangerous promise to make, 00:00:43.400 --> 00:00:47.540 but I promise that Will and I are going to move at a nice pace through Ephesians. 00:00:47.540 --> 00:00:52.200 We're not looking to set any world records on how long we can draw it out. 00:00:52.299 --> 00:00:55.480 We're not drawing up a two-year plan or anything like that. 00:00:55.479 --> 00:00:58.959 We promise to move at a good pace through Ephesians. 00:00:59.239 --> 00:01:01.399 We won't be teaching word by word. 00:01:01.719 --> 00:01:05.640 Rarely will we teach verse by verse, but we'll be looking at section by section, 00:01:05.899 --> 00:01:10.819 working at a steady pace through what Paul has to teach us through the book of Ephesians. 00:01:11.799 --> 00:01:15.299 So I have the privilege then to get to open it for the first time this morning. 00:01:15.819 --> 00:01:17.479 Here's our game plan as we dive in. 00:01:17.859 --> 00:01:20.099 We are going to look at the first two verses, 00:01:20.099 --> 00:01:25.000 and I want to hold to my promise and move through those at a pretty quick pace. 00:01:25.319 --> 00:01:28.259 And then we will take a quick tour of Ephesians, 00:01:28.739 --> 00:01:36.500 look at a few of the highlights and important things that Paul is going to talk about in this book. 00:01:36.959 --> 00:01:40.179 If you will turn with me then to Ephesians chapter 1, 00:01:40.739 --> 00:01:45.079 Ephesians chapter 1 verses 1 through 2, we will be looking at this morning. 00:01:45.079 --> 00:01:46.799 You can look in your Bibles. 00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:49.519 If you don't have a Bible, you can look on the screen. 00:01:50.099 --> 00:01:54.700 As you turn there, let me remind you or maybe tell you for the first time 00:01:54.700 --> 00:01:57.879 about some introductory material you need to know about Ephesians. 00:01:58.719 --> 00:02:03.120 Ephesians was written by the Apostle Paul, as we will soon learn more about. 00:02:03.200 --> 00:02:06.659 It was written between the years 60 and 62 A.D. 00:02:07.060 --> 00:02:09.560 That is after the death of Christ. 00:02:10.400 --> 00:02:11.919 Paul writes from imprisonment. 00:02:11.919 --> 00:02:18.299 Paul writes homebound, imprisoned after multiple missionary journeys, 00:02:18.399 --> 00:02:20.019 and he is writing to a church that's young, 00:02:20.459 --> 00:02:26.159 an infant church that needs to be reminded of simple, clear gospel truths. 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:29.899 The book of Ephesians is considered one of the most classic, 00:02:30.439 --> 00:02:34.219 one of the clearest, most beautiful books about the gospel 00:02:34.219 --> 00:02:37.839 and how it looks when it's lived out in the lives of believers. 00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:40.500 For these reasons, it's worthy of our attention. 00:02:40.500 --> 00:02:44.300 It's worthy of our care, our careful thought, 00:02:44.759 --> 00:02:47.419 especially as we look towards a new year, 00:02:47.620 --> 00:02:49.580 as we enter into a new season as a church, 00:02:49.699 --> 00:02:51.620 to be bonded together, connected, 00:02:52.020 --> 00:02:53.280 which is our sermon title, 00:02:53.620 --> 00:02:56.139 in Christ through the book of Ephesians. 00:02:56.879 --> 00:03:00.979 We will return to a few of these pieces of background information 00:03:00.979 --> 00:03:02.060 throughout our sermon series, 00:03:02.219 --> 00:03:04.159 so keep those in the back of your mind. 00:03:04.659 --> 00:03:07.860 Look with me now at Ephesians 1, verses 1 through 2. 00:03:07.860 --> 00:03:09.280 They say this, 00:03:10.120 --> 00:03:13.820 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, 00:03:14.380 --> 00:03:18.300 to the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus, 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:24.080 grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:24.540 --> 00:03:25.180 Pray with me. 00:03:26.140 --> 00:03:29.980 Father, these are two short verses. 00:03:29.979 --> 00:03:33.539 We are beginning a long series, 00:03:33.659 --> 00:03:36.919 a long journey in a lot of ways into this book of Ephesians, 00:03:37.099 --> 00:03:40.019 and we need you to meet with us now, 00:03:40.699 --> 00:03:42.639 to be our guide, to be our helper, 00:03:43.219 --> 00:03:45.280 to give us your spirit as our teacher 00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:48.799 to rightly understand and discern your word. 00:03:49.780 --> 00:03:54.139 So, Father, may this time in Ephesians not be about me, 00:03:54.139 --> 00:03:56.000 may it not be about will, 00:03:56.239 --> 00:04:01.799 but may it be about your Son being known better by these people. 00:04:02.559 --> 00:04:04.099 Will you give us the grace, 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:06.979 the ability to understand your word now 00:04:06.979 --> 00:04:09.839 as we consider these first few verses of Ephesians. 00:04:10.459 --> 00:04:13.459 Pray these things in your heavenly and righteous Son's name. 00:04:13.899 --> 00:04:14.159 Amen. 00:04:15.579 --> 00:04:17.620 It takes one to know one. 00:04:18.419 --> 00:04:22.500 It takes one to know one is a common phrase in the world that I live in. 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:28.180 The world of teenagers is one of, amongst other things, smack talk. 00:04:28.759 --> 00:04:31.379 And it takes one to know one is not the coolest phrase, 00:04:31.459 --> 00:04:34.060 not the most common phrase anymore with teenagers, 00:04:34.139 --> 00:04:35.540 but you're probably familiar with it. 00:04:35.699 --> 00:04:38.439 If you don't have teenagers yet, it's coming. 00:04:39.040 --> 00:04:41.180 If you have them currently, I'm sorry. 00:04:41.660 --> 00:04:42.680 If you've gotten rid of them, 00:04:42.720 --> 00:04:44.600 I'm sorry to bring back the memories of it. 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:48.220 It takes one to know one is key in smack talk. 00:04:48.660 --> 00:04:50.560 It goes a little something like this. 00:04:50.560 --> 00:04:53.819 You hear with junior or senior high boys especially, 00:04:54.379 --> 00:04:56.480 man, you are weak on the basketball courts. 00:04:57.519 --> 00:04:59.339 You're not real smart, are you? 00:04:59.780 --> 00:05:01.800 You're terrible at baseball. 00:05:01.959 --> 00:05:04.340 Man, you're really short or you're really tall. 00:05:04.879 --> 00:05:06.240 And then the classic response, 00:05:06.420 --> 00:05:08.180 it takes one to know one. 00:05:09.060 --> 00:05:10.300 To give this line is to say, 00:05:10.379 --> 00:05:13.980 hey man, you wouldn't know what it's like to be terrible at basketball 00:05:13.980 --> 00:05:15.699 if you weren't terrible at basketball too. 00:05:16.579 --> 00:05:19.079 It doesn't just apply to teenage boys, right? 00:05:19.079 --> 00:05:23.240 There's positive ways that we would understand this phrase. 00:05:23.819 --> 00:05:28.099 Men, you are able to connect with other men because you are a man. 00:05:28.279 --> 00:05:31.219 You understand the frustrations, the challenges, the joys, 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:33.099 the highs, the lows of being a man. 00:05:33.659 --> 00:05:36.399 Women, likewise, you are able to connect with other women 00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:39.219 because you understand the joys, the highs, the lows, 00:05:39.319 --> 00:05:42.399 the challenges, the frustrations of being a woman. 00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:43.879 It takes a man to know a man. 00:05:43.979 --> 00:05:46.219 It takes a woman to know a woman. 00:05:47.199 --> 00:05:51.560 Last spring, I got to coach baseball at one of our local schools 00:05:51.560 --> 00:05:52.839 and I worked with the pitchers. 00:05:53.120 --> 00:05:54.459 The reason why I worked with the pitchers 00:05:54.459 --> 00:05:56.579 was because I was a pitcher myself in high school. 00:05:56.959 --> 00:05:58.319 It took one to know one. 00:05:58.839 --> 00:06:00.120 When the players understood that, 00:06:00.179 --> 00:06:01.699 I went from just being a normal coach 00:06:01.699 --> 00:06:04.019 to being someone who they could now relate with, 00:06:04.479 --> 00:06:05.719 who understood them better, 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:07.399 who understood the frustrations, 00:06:08.159 --> 00:06:10.899 the unique challenges that pitchers face. 00:06:10.899 --> 00:06:12.879 It took one to know one. 00:06:13.919 --> 00:06:16.099 Well, the message of Paul to the Ephesians 00:06:16.099 --> 00:06:18.179 to begin his book is very similar. 00:06:18.859 --> 00:06:20.219 It takes one to know one, 00:06:20.299 --> 00:06:23.239 or in the case of Paul in the Ephesians, 00:06:23.339 --> 00:06:25.139 it takes one to know some. 00:06:25.979 --> 00:06:26.979 In these opening verses, 00:06:27.259 --> 00:06:28.759 Paul is going to introduce himself 00:06:28.759 --> 00:06:31.799 as one who understands both what it means to be a sinner 00:06:31.799 --> 00:06:34.859 and what it means to be one who's saved by Christ. 00:06:35.899 --> 00:06:40.099 Paul leads by telling the people of God in Ephesus 00:06:40.100 --> 00:06:42.360 that he was once an enemy of God, 00:06:42.500 --> 00:06:43.700 subject to God's wrath, 00:06:43.780 --> 00:06:47.000 but now he's been saved by the grace and the mercy of God. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:50.680 Paul knows what it means to be subject to this wrath, 00:06:50.780 --> 00:06:52.240 what it means to be an enemy of God 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:54.320 because he once was himself. 00:06:55.400 --> 00:06:58.379 Likewise, he understands the amazing news, 00:06:58.800 --> 00:07:01.680 what it means to be transformed by the power of the cross, 00:07:01.860 --> 00:07:04.160 transformed by the power of the Spirit 00:07:04.160 --> 00:07:06.439 and made into a member of the household of God. 00:07:06.439 --> 00:07:09.160 It took one to know some. 00:07:10.060 --> 00:07:12.439 The connection that I want to make as we begin this book 00:07:12.439 --> 00:07:15.860 is that we first understand the implications of who Paul is, 00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:19.459 why it's important that Paul was the author of this book, 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:20.899 why he identifies himself, 00:07:21.199 --> 00:07:23.579 how he identifies himself to start the book. 00:07:24.019 --> 00:07:27.259 He starts by identifying himself as the author 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:30.079 by saying that he was an apostle of Christ Jesus. 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:32.719 We cannot miss the power, 00:07:33.219 --> 00:07:35.339 the promise that's contained in these opening words 00:07:35.339 --> 00:07:37.599 that Paul is an apostle of Christ. 00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:42.699 Because for us who understand Paul's story 00:07:42.699 --> 00:07:46.599 and for the Ephesians who knew his story well, 00:07:47.299 --> 00:07:49.759 we knew that not long before he wrote this book, 00:07:49.899 --> 00:07:50.939 he was not an apostle. 00:07:51.459 --> 00:07:53.680 He didn't live much like an apostle. 00:07:53.799 --> 00:07:56.019 He didn't look much like an apostle. 00:07:56.740 --> 00:07:58.639 He was an adversary against the church. 00:07:58.639 --> 00:08:01.680 He fought against the power of God. 00:08:02.379 --> 00:08:06.120 Paul mocked, scorned, and shamed Christians in the church. 00:08:06.779 --> 00:08:09.360 He stood in direct opposition to God's mission 00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:12.099 and was a vile enemy towards Christ. 00:08:12.860 --> 00:08:15.339 And now, what is he calling himself? 00:08:15.719 --> 00:08:18.379 An apostle of Jesus Christ. 00:08:19.219 --> 00:08:21.060 I, Paul, who was once an enemy, 00:08:21.219 --> 00:08:23.060 an adversary towards the Lord, 00:08:23.159 --> 00:08:25.439 am now an apostle for his grace. 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:29.540 Paul's telling the Ephesians that he once was a sinner. 00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:32.399 And he's telling them that they need to remember 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:34.120 that they were sinners too. 00:08:34.679 --> 00:08:37.000 He's reminding them of their sinful state 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:39.419 even as he highlights his apostleship. 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:44.779 Paul can tell them all of these things about being sinners 00:08:44.779 --> 00:08:47.039 because he was a sinner. 00:08:47.159 --> 00:08:48.679 He is a sinner too. 00:08:49.480 --> 00:08:52.159 Paul will tell the Ephesian people in chapters 1 and 2 00:08:52.159 --> 00:08:54.919 about the love of God and how it's expressed in our lives. 00:08:55.439 --> 00:08:56.740 That through Jesus Christ, 00:08:57.039 --> 00:08:58.519 our reality, our perspective, 00:08:58.740 --> 00:09:00.939 our very hearts are changed 00:09:00.939 --> 00:09:02.919 so that we might become something different. 00:09:04.179 --> 00:09:06.799 Not only does Paul identify himself as an apostle, 00:09:06.939 --> 00:09:08.039 but what else does he say? 00:09:08.039 --> 00:09:10.779 He says that he comes by the will of God. 00:09:11.980 --> 00:09:14.179 It's so important for us to understand this 00:09:14.179 --> 00:09:16.199 as we begin a study in Ephesians 00:09:16.199 --> 00:09:18.919 of what it means that Paul is writing by the will of God. 00:09:18.919 --> 00:09:22.360 He's not addressing the Ephesians as one 00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:24.759 who's just a faithful follower of Jesus 00:09:24.759 --> 00:09:28.059 who has some things that he wants to get off of his chest. 00:09:28.699 --> 00:09:31.179 The value and the significance of Paul's words 00:09:31.179 --> 00:09:33.599 is based upon his claim of apostleship 00:09:33.599 --> 00:09:34.799 likened unto the apostles 00:09:34.799 --> 00:09:38.399 and that his words are connected to the very will of God. 00:09:39.899 --> 00:09:43.599 By making this claim of speaking to the Ephesians 00:09:43.599 --> 00:09:44.519 by the will of God, 00:09:44.620 --> 00:09:46.559 he's telling them that contained in this letter 00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:49.919 is the truth, the spirit, 00:09:50.419 --> 00:09:53.259 the very divine nature of God himself. 00:09:54.939 --> 00:09:57.659 The words of Ephesians are authored by Paul, 00:09:57.779 --> 00:10:00.000 but they are inspired by the Holy Spirit 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:02.379 by the will of God. 00:10:04.099 --> 00:10:06.939 These words of Ephesians come to pass 00:10:06.939 --> 00:10:08.779 only because God allowed it to be so. 00:10:09.399 --> 00:10:12.239 The book of Ephesians and Paul's authorship of it 00:10:12.239 --> 00:10:13.519 were ordained to pass 00:10:13.519 --> 00:10:15.819 because God chose it to be so. 00:10:15.820 --> 00:10:17.420 He has given it to us 00:10:17.420 --> 00:10:19.660 because God chose it to be so. 00:10:20.620 --> 00:10:22.379 Paul wants us to understand the power 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:23.940 of what's contained in these words, 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:25.780 that he speaks as an apostle, 00:10:25.920 --> 00:10:29.360 but he also speaks only by the will of God. 00:10:29.820 --> 00:10:32.460 Divine truth is contained in this book. 00:10:33.660 --> 00:10:34.940 He wants us to understand that 00:10:34.940 --> 00:10:39.760 he comes as one by and under the authority of God himself. 00:10:40.300 --> 00:10:43.060 He does not claim or proclaim his name, 00:10:43.140 --> 00:10:44.960 but rather the name of God. 00:10:45.820 --> 00:10:50.060 So Paul begins by identifying who he is as the author. 00:10:51.060 --> 00:10:52.560 He next addresses the Ephesians 00:10:52.560 --> 00:10:53.759 by telling them who they are. 00:10:54.340 --> 00:10:55.060 And what does he tell them? 00:10:55.100 --> 00:10:56.560 He tells them that you are the saints, 00:10:56.879 --> 00:10:58.120 the saints in Ephesus. 00:10:58.879 --> 00:11:01.560 It would be easy for us to read over this greeting 00:11:01.560 --> 00:11:03.280 and understand it as very customary, 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:05.120 which it is for the epistles, 00:11:05.300 --> 00:11:06.800 for letters of the time. 00:11:06.800 --> 00:11:08.900 But we need to consider the setting, 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:10.580 consider the setting of Ephesus. 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:13.519 Ephesus was the capital of Asia. 00:11:13.519 --> 00:11:14.819 And because of that, 00:11:14.860 --> 00:11:17.139 it was the political and commercial center 00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:19.740 of the large region of Asia where it sat. 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:21.960 If you know your ancient history, 00:11:22.039 --> 00:11:24.120 then you know the importance of it also being 00:11:24.120 --> 00:11:25.199 a major port city. 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:28.659 This meant there was not only great trade 00:11:28.659 --> 00:11:30.579 and commerce that happened in Ephesus, 00:11:30.699 --> 00:11:33.039 but there was also a high traffic of people. 00:11:33.039 --> 00:11:37.219 A high traffic of people meant the confluence 00:11:37.219 --> 00:11:40.000 of new, bold, challenging, 00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:42.740 and often very controversial ideas, 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:46.620 new philosophies, beliefs about God, 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:47.740 about his existence. 00:11:49.959 --> 00:11:52.379 Ephesus also had a reputation 00:11:52.379 --> 00:11:55.559 for being the home of the temple 00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:57.079 to Diana of Artemis. 00:11:58.199 --> 00:12:00.539 Diana of Artemis was a God who was believed 00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:02.399 to have descended down from heaven. 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:05.319 And a temple was built there to her, 00:12:05.439 --> 00:12:08.620 and it measured larger than the Greek Parthenon. 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:11.019 The temple was a depository 00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:13.319 for large amounts of treasure and gold, 00:12:13.419 --> 00:12:15.919 and it functioned as a bank in many ways. 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:17.719 For those who did business 00:12:17.719 --> 00:12:20.539 in the temple of Diana of Artemis, 00:12:21.059 --> 00:12:22.980 the priestesses of Diana 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:24.240 were also offered to them. 00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:27.139 Hundreds of priestesses who were prostitutes. 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:29.279 Their service was offered to those 00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:31.340 who did business in the temple. 00:12:32.159 --> 00:12:34.319 And so there, in Ephesus, 00:12:35.179 --> 00:12:36.259 in the home of Diana, 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:38.620 the gospel of Jesus Christ 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:39.980 is being interjected. 00:12:40.840 --> 00:12:42.519 In the most unlikely of places, 00:12:42.699 --> 00:12:44.819 the people of God are being raised up. 00:12:45.779 --> 00:12:48.159 There, by the will and the power of God, 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:49.620 the gospel is being introduced 00:12:49.620 --> 00:12:51.019 and grown through who? 00:12:51.139 --> 00:12:51.799 The saints. 00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:53.600 The saints in Ephesus, 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:55.879 into this culture of paganism 00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:57.240 and sexual immorality, 00:12:57.679 --> 00:12:59.379 Paul calls out to God's people 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:01.059 and gives them this new title, 00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:02.139 saints. 00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:07.360 Not saints as our Catholic brothers and sisters 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:08.700 would perceive, 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:10.779 whose merit and obedience was earned, 00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:12.679 and favor was given to them, 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:14.679 and they were given this title of distinction, 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:16.480 but saints who are offered 00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:17.580 the righteousness, 00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:18.779 the atonement, 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:19.960 the holiness of Christ, 00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:21.240 not of their own works, 00:13:21.299 --> 00:13:23.059 but only because of God's grace. 00:13:23.059 --> 00:13:25.879 There, in Ephesus, 00:13:26.339 --> 00:13:27.039 they lived. 00:13:28.359 --> 00:13:29.899 There's a strong contrast 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:31.239 that we need to understand. 00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:33.679 These people should feel out of place 00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:35.259 when we read the text, 00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:36.619 if we understand the background 00:13:36.619 --> 00:13:38.299 of the city of Ephesus. 00:13:39.059 --> 00:13:40.779 Don't make all the same connections, 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:42.179 but one of the first things 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:43.139 that comes into my mind 00:13:43.139 --> 00:13:45.839 is an Auburn fan living in Tuscaloosa, 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:50.379 or an Alabama fan living in Auburn. 00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:52.259 Again, don't make all the same connections, 00:13:52.700 --> 00:13:55.039 but you wouldn't expect to find one 00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:56.419 in the opposing city, right? 00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:58.080 You wouldn't expect to find 00:13:58.080 --> 00:14:00.799 an Alabama fan in Auburn 00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:02.379 or an Auburn fan in Tuscaloosa. 00:14:02.779 --> 00:14:03.860 They would be out of place 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:05.480 because their loyalties are different. 00:14:05.939 --> 00:14:06.580 Their preferences, 00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:07.439 their beliefs, 00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:09.399 even their systems of doctrine 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:10.620 are very different, right? 00:14:11.220 --> 00:14:13.460 We should understand Paul's call 00:14:13.460 --> 00:14:14.580 to the saints in Ephesus 00:14:14.580 --> 00:14:15.539 in a similar way. 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:16.759 As readers, 00:14:16.940 --> 00:14:18.019 it should stick out. 00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:19.759 It should seem unlikely 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:20.960 and unreasonable 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:22.259 that the people of God 00:14:22.259 --> 00:14:24.199 would live in a place like Ephesus. 00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:28.360 Paul's identification of the people 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:29.699 doesn't stop there, though, does it? 00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:32.199 His next description of the Ephesians 00:14:32.199 --> 00:14:34.899 is those who are faithful in Christ Jesus. 00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:36.600 And what Paul is doing 00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:39.740 by writing this second half of verse one 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:40.319 like he does 00:14:40.319 --> 00:14:42.360 is to create in the original language 00:14:42.360 --> 00:14:43.259 a parallelism. 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:45.379 He does this first 00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:46.740 by describing the Ephesians 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:48.319 in their geographical location, 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:50.460 but then also describing the Ephesians 00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:51.720 in their spiritual location, 00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:53.379 that they dwell in Ephesus, 00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:55.879 but they also dwell in Jesus Christ. 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:58.080 We can't miss the importance 00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:59.240 of what Paul is doing here. 00:14:59.299 --> 00:15:00.700 He's beginning to introduce 00:15:00.700 --> 00:15:01.360 one of the key 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:02.539 and the fundamental principles 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:04.100 of the book of Ephesians, 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:05.980 and that is the dual citizenship 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:07.179 of the people of God. 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:08.980 Paul's not presenting 00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:09.840 these two locations 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:11.419 in contradiction to each other, 00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:13.799 but rather he's presenting them 00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:14.959 in conjunction with each other, 00:15:15.339 --> 00:15:16.919 that our citizenship is dual 00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:17.919 by its very nature, 00:15:18.219 --> 00:15:19.719 that we dwell here on earth, 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:20.459 that we've been called 00:15:20.459 --> 00:15:22.120 to bring forth the kingdom of God 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:22.599 on earth, 00:15:22.659 --> 00:15:25.099 but we do so as members of heaven. 00:15:26.579 --> 00:15:27.759 The people of God 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:29.459 are both saints in Ephesus. 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:30.979 They're also faithful 00:15:30.979 --> 00:15:32.819 in Christ in heaven. 00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:35.259 And so Paul's explaining 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:36.559 to the Ephesians and to us 00:15:36.559 --> 00:15:37.339 as God's people 00:15:37.339 --> 00:15:38.899 that we are precisely 00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:40.360 where God would have us, 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:41.720 that into a culture 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:42.779 of relativity, 00:15:43.440 --> 00:15:44.560 sexual immorality, 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:45.800 all religious, 00:15:45.980 --> 00:15:46.820 polytheistic, 00:15:47.340 --> 00:15:47.919 multicultural, 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:49.399 spiritually and socially 00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:50.879 and emotionally starved world, 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:52.820 God interjects his people. 00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:54.980 He interjects those 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:56.080 who represent him, 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:57.740 who represent his character, 00:15:57.879 --> 00:15:58.460 his will, 00:15:58.720 --> 00:15:59.840 and his love. 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:04.320 Not only that, 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:05.800 but Paul is relating 00:16:05.800 --> 00:16:06.899 to the people 00:16:06.899 --> 00:16:07.620 by telling them, 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:08.320 I know. 00:16:08.320 --> 00:16:10.080 I know where you live. 00:16:10.340 --> 00:16:11.940 I understand the challenges, 00:16:12.180 --> 00:16:13.340 the frustrations, 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:14.020 the struggle, 00:16:14.160 --> 00:16:15.440 the beliefs that are 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:17.040 pressed upon you every day. 00:16:18.980 --> 00:16:20.280 But don't lose heart, 00:16:20.540 --> 00:16:20.980 Ephesians. 00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:22.280 Don't lose heart, 00:16:22.400 --> 00:16:22.760 Paul says, 00:16:22.820 --> 00:16:24.120 because your citizenship 00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:25.800 belongs in heaven. 00:16:26.760 --> 00:16:27.720 God has called you 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:29.000 to live on this earth, 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:30.500 to be a citizen of Ephesus, 00:16:30.640 --> 00:16:32.500 but also you belong to him. 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:35.240 To dwell with God in heaven 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:36.060 means the life, 00:16:36.180 --> 00:16:36.539 the death, 00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:37.180 the resurrection, 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:38.360 and the ministry of Christ 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:39.700 are given to us, 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:41.620 that we might have renewed hope 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.960 and renewed life 00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:44.340 as we live in this world. 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:47.320 So Paul identifies 00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:48.580 who he is, 00:16:48.940 --> 00:16:49.480 he identifies 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:50.820 who the Ephesians are, 00:16:50.899 --> 00:16:51.460 and lastly, 00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:52.620 he summarizes 00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:53.560 what his whole book 00:16:53.560 --> 00:16:54.460 is going to be about. 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:55.879 How does he do it? 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:56.779 By saying, 00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:58.320 grace and peace. 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:00.700 Grace and peace to you 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:01.860 from our Lord 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:03.240 and from the Lord, 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:04.360 from our Father 00:17:04.360 --> 00:17:05.819 and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:07.660 Grace and peace. 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:08.740 That's it. 00:17:08.980 --> 00:17:09.759 That's the summary. 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:11.180 That's the whole spirit 00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:11.940 of Ephesians 00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:13.259 wrapped up in two words. 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:15.880 Paul's message is contained 00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:17.819 in these two key principles, 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:19.799 highlighting God's power 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:20.880 to overcome our sin, 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:22.880 highlighting the love 00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:23.660 that God has 00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:24.519 to pursue us 00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:25.140 as his people, 00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:27.880 highlighting this unmerited favor 00:17:27.880 --> 00:17:30.540 that God has for us 00:17:30.540 --> 00:17:31.760 that we can rest in. 00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:33.600 Remember, 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:34.780 what's Paul trying to do 00:17:34.780 --> 00:17:35.720 as he opens this book? 00:17:35.780 --> 00:17:37.660 He's trying to connect himself 00:17:37.660 --> 00:17:38.660 with these people. 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:41.080 The Ephesian church, 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:41.500 we said, 00:17:41.540 --> 00:17:42.360 was young. 00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:43.480 It was infantile 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:44.080 in their faith, 00:17:44.380 --> 00:17:45.420 and Paul offers them 00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:46.220 these simple 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:47.580 and affirming words, 00:17:47.760 --> 00:17:49.840 grace and peace to you. 00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:52.040 I understand Ephesians. 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:54.100 I understand where you live. 00:17:54.520 --> 00:17:55.820 I understand the struggles 00:17:55.820 --> 00:17:56.720 that you face. 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:58.759 Grace and peace to you. 00:17:59.079 --> 00:17:59.980 Remember the work 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:01.299 that God is doing 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:02.140 in your life. 00:18:03.380 --> 00:18:04.759 We'll find this message 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:05.720 of grace and peace 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:07.339 throughout the book 00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:08.000 of Ephesians. 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:09.420 It's meant to be 00:18:09.420 --> 00:18:10.360 this bedrock, 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:12.160 this ever-present reminder 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:13.140 of God's love 00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:14.420 and his faithfulness to us. 00:18:15.400 --> 00:18:16.259 Paul's explanation 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:17.160 of the good news 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:17.819 and the reason why 00:18:17.819 --> 00:18:18.880 our lives should be different 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:20.839 is because of grace, 00:18:21.360 --> 00:18:22.400 because of the peace 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:23.079 that we have 00:18:23.079 --> 00:18:24.039 from the Father. 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:26.380 So why should we be excited 00:18:26.380 --> 00:18:27.240 about Ephesians then? 00:18:27.780 --> 00:18:29.180 We've considered the author, 00:18:29.300 --> 00:18:29.700 we've considered 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:30.540 who it's written to 00:18:30.540 --> 00:18:31.440 in this summary. 00:18:31.560 --> 00:18:32.820 Let's take a quick tour then, 00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:33.080 okay? 00:18:33.520 --> 00:18:33.980 Hold on, 00:18:34.020 --> 00:18:34.420 we're going to move 00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:34.900 really quickly. 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:35.760 We're going to take a quick tour 00:18:35.760 --> 00:18:36.740 through the book of Ephesians 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:39.280 and consider this new reality 00:18:39.280 --> 00:18:40.260 that Paul has, 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:41.500 how we see grace 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:42.580 and peace expressed. 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:43.580 First, 00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:44.260 we see it expressed 00:18:44.260 --> 00:18:45.780 through clear gospel truths. 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:46.760 Look with me 00:18:46.760 --> 00:18:48.060 at Ephesians 2, 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.820 verses 12 through 19. 00:18:49.820 --> 00:18:50.620 They say this, 00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:52.319 remember that you were 00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:53.079 at that time 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:54.439 separated from Christ, 00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:56.619 alienated from the commonwealth 00:18:56.619 --> 00:18:57.239 of Israel 00:18:57.239 --> 00:18:58.279 and strangers 00:18:58.279 --> 00:18:59.599 to the covenant of promise, 00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:01.199 having no hope 00:19:01.199 --> 00:19:01.959 and without God 00:19:01.959 --> 00:19:02.519 in the world. 00:19:03.239 --> 00:19:04.659 But now in Christ Jesus, 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:06.959 you who once were far off 00:19:06.959 --> 00:19:08.099 have been brought near 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:10.019 by the blood of Christ. 00:19:10.619 --> 00:19:11.479 For he himself 00:19:11.479 --> 00:19:12.839 is our peace 00:19:12.839 --> 00:19:15.339 who has made us both one 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:16.399 and has broken down 00:19:16.399 --> 00:19:17.479 in his flesh 00:19:17.479 --> 00:19:18.379 the dividing wall 00:19:18.380 --> 00:19:19.080 of hostility 00:19:19.080 --> 00:19:20.780 by abolishing the law 00:19:20.780 --> 00:19:21.500 of commandments 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:22.780 expressed in ordinances 00:19:22.780 --> 00:19:24.120 that he might create 00:19:24.120 --> 00:19:24.920 in himself 00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:25.960 one new man 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:26.920 in the place of the two 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:28.160 so making what? 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:28.940 Peace 00:19:28.940 --> 00:19:30.900 and might reconcile us 00:19:30.900 --> 00:19:31.700 both to God 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.360 in one body 00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:33.160 through the cross 00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:34.600 thereby killing the hostility. 00:19:35.360 --> 00:19:35.960 And he came 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:36.580 and he preached 00:19:36.580 --> 00:19:38.220 peace to you 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:39.180 who were far off 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:40.760 and peace to those 00:19:40.760 --> 00:19:41.360 who were near. 00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:43.140 For through him 00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:44.320 we both have access 00:19:44.320 --> 00:19:45.260 in one spirit 00:19:45.260 --> 00:19:45.860 to the Father. 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.200 So then you are 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:48.180 no longer strangers 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:48.779 and aliens 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:50.580 but you are fellow citizens 00:19:50.580 --> 00:19:51.519 with the saints 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:52.519 and members 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.820 of the household of God. 00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:56.580 There are clear gospel truths 00:19:56.580 --> 00:19:58.019 that Paul is going to come back to 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:59.299 again and again 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:00.440 in chapter 2. 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:02.100 This is what we would call 00:20:02.100 --> 00:20:03.340 Paul's orthodoxy. 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.799 His right understanding 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:06.600 that you were once far off 00:20:06.600 --> 00:20:08.320 you were once cut off 00:20:08.320 --> 00:20:10.019 but because of the blood of Christ 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:11.440 you've now been brought near. 00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:13.380 The wall of hostility 00:20:13.380 --> 00:20:13.960 that existed 00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:15.120 between you and the Father 00:20:15.120 --> 00:20:16.440 has been broken down. 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:18.580 And Paul's going to 00:20:18.580 --> 00:20:19.920 remind us of it 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:21.380 affirm us in it 00:20:21.380 --> 00:20:22.460 encourage us 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.480 in these clear 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:25.080 gospel truths. 00:20:26.320 --> 00:20:27.759 These gospel truths 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:29.120 are going to lead Paul 00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:30.640 to a response 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:31.519 of overwhelmed 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:32.920 prayer and praise. 00:20:34.360 --> 00:20:35.480 Paul's actually going 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.059 to be led 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:37.660 to sing over us 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:39.220 to pray over us 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:40.100 as God's people. 00:20:40.600 --> 00:20:41.820 Look at chapter 3 00:20:41.820 --> 00:20:43.120 verses 16 through 19 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:43.879 they say this 00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:44.899 that according to 00:20:44.899 --> 00:20:46.179 the riches of his glory 00:20:46.179 --> 00:20:48.339 he may grant you 00:20:48.339 --> 00:20:49.059 to be strengthened 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:49.619 with power 00:20:49.619 --> 00:20:50.479 through his spirit 00:20:50.479 --> 00:20:51.659 in your inner being 00:20:51.659 --> 00:20:53.239 so that Christ 00:20:53.239 --> 00:20:54.239 may dwell in your hearts 00:20:54.239 --> 00:20:54.779 through faith 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.839 that you being rooted 00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:57.079 and grounded in love 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:58.119 may have strength 00:20:58.119 --> 00:20:58.779 to comprehend 00:20:58.779 --> 00:21:00.039 with all the saints 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:01.179 what is the breadth 00:21:01.179 --> 00:21:01.979 and the length 00:21:01.979 --> 00:21:02.739 and the height 00:21:02.739 --> 00:21:03.399 and the depth 00:21:03.399 --> 00:21:04.739 and to know 00:21:04.739 --> 00:21:05.879 the love of Christ 00:21:05.879 --> 00:21:07.179 that surpasses knowledge 00:21:07.179 --> 00:21:08.619 that you may be filled 00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:09.739 with all the fullness 00:21:09.739 --> 00:21:10.359 of God. 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:11.339 Do you hear 00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:12.199 Paul's excitement? 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:13.200 Do you hear 00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:13.860 his praise? 00:21:14.059 --> 00:21:14.860 He can't wait 00:21:14.860 --> 00:21:15.860 for you to experience 00:21:15.860 --> 00:21:16.960 the love of the Father. 00:21:18.620 --> 00:21:19.200 He can't wait 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:20.120 for you to experience 00:21:20.120 --> 00:21:21.580 grace and peace. 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.519 We would call this 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.700 Paul's doxology 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.960 his expression 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:26.620 of prayer 00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:27.600 and praise 00:21:27.600 --> 00:21:28.840 and we'll see it 00:21:28.840 --> 00:21:29.960 in a much fuller sense 00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:30.380 when we get 00:21:30.380 --> 00:21:31.220 to chapter 3. 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.700 Paul will then conclude 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:35.140 with two very compelling 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:35.700 chapters 00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:37.000 in his book 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:38.180 about what it means 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:39.039 for us to respond 00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:39.700 to the gospel 00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:40.740 what the gospel 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:41.319 looks like 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:42.019 in our lives. 00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:43.080 He'll explain 00:21:43.080 --> 00:21:43.860 how we are connected 00:21:43.860 --> 00:21:45.180 together as a body 00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:45.720 of Christ. 00:21:45.840 --> 00:21:46.860 Look at chapter 5 00:21:46.860 --> 00:21:48.220 verses 1 and 2. 00:21:49.360 --> 00:21:50.120 They say this, 00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:51.319 therefore be imitators 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:51.860 of God 00:21:51.860 --> 00:21:53.340 as beloved children 00:21:53.340 --> 00:21:54.900 and walk in love 00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:56.200 as Christ loved us 00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:57.500 and gave himself up 00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:58.019 for us 00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:59.360 a fragrant offering 00:21:59.360 --> 00:22:00.100 and sacrifice 00:22:00.100 --> 00:22:00.779 to God. 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:02.680 Paul's calling 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:03.160 is this 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:03.980 that because 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:05.440 of the gospel truths 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.640 and because 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.539 those gospel truths 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:08.380 lead us to 00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:09.600 praise and worship 00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:10.679 they ought to 00:22:10.679 --> 00:22:11.579 also lead us 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:12.279 to respond 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:12.919 with our hearts 00:22:12.919 --> 00:22:13.599 and our lives 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:15.279 that our lives 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:15.879 should reflect 00:22:15.879 --> 00:22:16.419 the grace 00:22:16.419 --> 00:22:16.959 and the peace 00:22:16.959 --> 00:22:17.480 of the gospel 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:17.819 that's been 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:18.599 offered to us. 00:22:19.139 --> 00:22:20.379 This is Paul's 00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:21.259 orthopraxy 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:21.959 that is his 00:22:21.959 --> 00:22:23.099 right practice 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:23.519 in living 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:23.959 that he will 00:22:23.959 --> 00:22:24.919 explain to us. 00:22:25.679 --> 00:22:26.339 He desires 00:22:26.339 --> 00:22:27.059 for there to be 00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:28.019 change in the lives 00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:28.659 of Ephesians. 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:29.679 He desires 00:22:29.679 --> 00:22:30.119 for there to be 00:22:30.119 --> 00:22:31.339 change in our 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:32.319 own lives as well. 00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:33.939 There will be 00:22:33.939 --> 00:22:34.459 application 00:22:34.459 --> 00:22:35.279 to our marriages, 00:22:35.719 --> 00:22:36.879 to our relationship 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:37.620 with our children, 00:22:38.060 --> 00:22:39.000 to our children's 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:40.560 relationship to parents. 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:42.360 We will seek unity 00:22:42.360 --> 00:22:43.400 together as a church 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:44.620 as we consider 00:22:44.620 --> 00:22:46.540 what love looks like, 00:22:46.680 --> 00:22:47.900 how it unifies us, 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:48.640 what it means to be 00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:49.620 bonded and united 00:22:49.620 --> 00:22:50.260 to Christ, 00:22:50.820 --> 00:22:51.840 and we'll also 00:22:51.840 --> 00:22:52.940 consider what it means 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:53.940 to put on what Paul 00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:54.800 will call the armor 00:22:54.800 --> 00:22:55.360 of God. 00:22:57.820 --> 00:22:58.740 This change 00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.640 in Paul's heart 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.780 is rooted in the 00:23:00.780 --> 00:23:01.720 same place that 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:02.740 our hearts should be 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.140 rooted in, 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:04.200 the grace and the 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:05.040 peace caused by 00:23:05.040 --> 00:23:05.960 the mercy of God. 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:08.080 The response 00:23:08.080 --> 00:23:09.080 of these new 00:23:09.080 --> 00:23:10.200 realities is lived 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:10.600 out. 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:12.240 It's fleshed out 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:12.940 according to Paul 00:23:12.940 --> 00:23:14.660 because of the love 00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:15.420 and the unmerited 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:16.360 favor of God. 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:18.080 As we begin our 00:23:18.080 --> 00:23:18.920 study of Ephesians, 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.900 we've got to start 00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:20.240 here. 00:23:20.800 --> 00:23:21.560 We've got to start 00:23:21.560 --> 00:23:22.180 with our need 00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:22.840 for the gospel, 00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:24.300 our need for God 00:23:24.300 --> 00:23:25.460 to reveal His grace 00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.020 to us. 00:23:26.540 --> 00:23:27.660 For just as God 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:28.840 overcame the sinful 00:23:28.840 --> 00:23:29.680 heart of Paul, 00:23:30.260 --> 00:23:31.140 all of his anger, 00:23:31.780 --> 00:23:32.840 all his frustration, 00:23:33.040 --> 00:23:33.620 his malice, 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:34.160 his hatred, 00:23:34.800 --> 00:23:35.580 his murdering, 00:23:35.660 --> 00:23:36.180 his slandering, 00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:37.019 his ridicule, 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.380 his evilness, 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:38.920 and lying, 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.500 so too did He 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.539 overcome sinful 00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:42.940 hearts like mine 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:44.080 and like yours. 00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:45.920 This is the hope 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:46.580 that we have, 00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:48.299 that God comes to us 00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:49.860 surrounded by a 00:23:49.860 --> 00:23:50.720 pagan culture, 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:52.220 plagued by the 00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:53.019 sinfulness of our 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:53.420 flesh, 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.640 to deliver us 00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:55.420 from the enemy 00:23:55.420 --> 00:23:56.240 and to deliver us 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:56.920 from ourselves. 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:58.820 Paul's message is 00:23:58.820 --> 00:23:59.160 this, 00:23:59.600 --> 00:24:00.460 God has overcome 00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:00.880 me, 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:02.140 and He has come 00:24:02.140 --> 00:24:03.520 to also conquer 00:24:03.520 --> 00:24:04.100 you. 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:05.980 That's the grace 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.440 and peace 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:07.180 that we rest in. 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:08.000 It's where we start. 00:24:08.320 --> 00:24:09.020 And if we don't 00:24:09.020 --> 00:24:09.700 understand it, 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:10.420 if we don't start 00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:10.740 there, 00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.540 then we'll miss 00:24:11.540 --> 00:24:12.740 the power of Ephesians. 00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:14.600 Because Paul wants 00:24:14.600 --> 00:24:15.300 us to see the 00:24:15.300 --> 00:24:15.980 sinfulness of our 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:17.040 own hearts first. 00:24:18.300 --> 00:24:19.259 And when we face 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:19.960 our sin and our 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:20.360 inability, 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:21.120 it's then that we 00:24:21.120 --> 00:24:21.820 see the gospel 00:24:21.820 --> 00:24:23.240 sharply and clearly. 00:24:24.780 --> 00:24:25.640 Paul tells us 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:26.360 that we need not 00:24:26.360 --> 00:24:27.080 despair. 00:24:27.079 --> 00:24:28.799 for when we 00:24:28.799 --> 00:24:29.679 understand this 00:24:29.679 --> 00:24:30.099 peace, 00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:31.179 then we can 00:24:31.179 --> 00:24:32.179 reflect gospel 00:24:32.179 --> 00:24:32.679 power. 00:24:33.179 --> 00:24:33.980 Then we can go 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.759 and be God's 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.039 people. 00:24:35.139 --> 00:24:36.119 If we don't get 00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:37.059 our hearts right, 00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.159 if we don't have 00:24:38.159 --> 00:24:39.179 the well of grace 00:24:39.179 --> 00:24:39.980 to return to as 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:40.879 we face our sin, 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:42.679 we lose power as 00:24:42.679 --> 00:24:43.419 God's people in 00:24:43.419 --> 00:24:43.799 the world. 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:45.279 Listen to what 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:46.319 Brian Chappell says 00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:47.079 about Paul's 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:47.799 introduction to the 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:48.119 gospel. 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:48.559 He says, 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:49.679 human weakness, 00:24:49.839 --> 00:24:50.480 our weakness, 00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:51.259 is not the end 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:51.879 of the story. 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:53.379 God is at work 00:24:53.379 --> 00:24:54.359 so believers can 00:24:54.359 --> 00:24:55.519 be at peace and 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.539 keep going in 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.000 his mission. 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:58.599 The personal 00:24:58.599 --> 00:24:59.419 peace that grace 00:24:59.419 --> 00:25:00.359 provides is the 00:25:00.359 --> 00:25:01.439 hidden power source 00:25:01.439 --> 00:25:02.699 of unvanquished 00:25:02.699 --> 00:25:03.220 ministry. 00:25:04.439 --> 00:25:05.480 What Chappell is 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.379 reminding us of 00:25:06.379 --> 00:25:07.399 is that you and 00:25:07.399 --> 00:25:08.519 I have a God 00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:09.659 who comes not 00:25:09.659 --> 00:25:10.279 from this world 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:11.139 but who came 00:25:11.139 --> 00:25:11.659 from heaven, 00:25:11.939 --> 00:25:12.699 from the heavenly 00:25:12.699 --> 00:25:13.199 realms, 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:14.359 who enters into 00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:15.099 our brokenness 00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:15.720 and our mess. 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:17.220 He redeems us 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:18.220 and he empowers 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:19.500 us now with 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.879 unvanquished sources 00:25:20.879 --> 00:25:22.000 of power to go 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:23.059 and carry his 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.939 gospel forth. 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:26.460 We can hope in 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:27.440 the power of God 00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:28.640 because he first 00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:29.559 performed a miracle 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.500 in saving people 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:31.840 like me and people 00:25:31.840 --> 00:25:32.319 like you. 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.600 So three brief 00:25:34.600 --> 00:25:35.920 questions then as 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:36.799 we conclude and as 00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:37.920 we look towards 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.440 this book of 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:38.840 Ephesians. 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:39.779 The first is this, 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.920 are you ready to 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:42.240 trust the apostle 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:44.640 and the work of the 00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:45.380 Holy Spirit in your 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:46.140 life as we consider 00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:46.640 this book? 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:47.880 Are you ready to 00:25:47.880 --> 00:25:48.980 trust in God's 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:50.660 will, trust in God's 00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:51.440 power as it's 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:52.420 promised by Paul? 00:25:53.360 --> 00:25:54.400 Don't let these 00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:56.000 pages just be 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:58.620 words, just words 00:25:58.620 --> 00:25:59.380 on a page. 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:00.259 Are you willing to 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:01.340 let these words 00:26:01.340 --> 00:26:02.539 transform your 00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:03.759 heart to change 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:04.480 and shape who you 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.140 are in the coming 00:26:05.140 --> 00:26:05.560 months? 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:07.880 Are you open to 00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:08.740 seeing the gospel 00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:09.560 in new and 00:26:09.560 --> 00:26:10.519 beautiful ways in 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:10.880 the book of 00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:11.340 Ephesians? 00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:13.019 Now of course 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:13.900 you'd say you're 00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:14.940 open and willing to 00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:16.360 seeing the gospel 00:26:16.360 --> 00:26:17.160 in beautiful ways, 00:26:17.220 --> 00:26:17.380 right? 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:17.900 Well what that 00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:19.200 means is that 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:19.860 before you can see 00:26:19.860 --> 00:26:20.620 a beautiful picture 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.319 you've got to see 00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:21.959 the bad news of 00:26:21.959 --> 00:26:22.399 the gospel. 00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:23.559 You've got to see 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:24.979 the ugly picture of 00:26:24.979 --> 00:26:26.500 who you are and 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:26.919 you may have to 00:26:26.919 --> 00:26:28.059 return to it day 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:29.059 after day, week 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:30.859 after week, but are 00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:31.639 you desirous of 00:26:31.639 --> 00:26:31.879 that? 00:26:32.399 --> 00:26:33.419 Are you hungry to 00:26:33.419 --> 00:26:34.099 grow in your 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:35.239 understanding of 00:26:35.239 --> 00:26:36.039 the Father as you 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.619 grow in your 00:26:36.619 --> 00:26:37.719 understanding of 00:26:37.719 --> 00:26:38.159 your sin? 00:26:39.639 --> 00:26:40.419 You'll see a 00:26:40.419 --> 00:26:41.379 beautiful picture of 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:42.799 Jesus once you 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:43.559 first see ugly 00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:44.119 pictures of 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:44.539 yourself. 00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:45.819 Paul's going to 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.519 remind us of it 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:47.339 again and again. 00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:49.379 It took one to 00:26:49.379 --> 00:26:49.919 know some. 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:52.239 The third and 00:26:52.239 --> 00:26:53.099 final question is 00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:53.500 this. 00:26:54.379 --> 00:26:55.079 Are you willing to 00:26:55.079 --> 00:26:56.199 lock arms together? 00:26:56.719 --> 00:26:57.819 To lock arms together 00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:58.839 as a church and to 00:26:58.839 --> 00:27:00.359 respond in a variety 00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:01.599 of ways that Paul is 00:27:01.599 --> 00:27:02.439 going to challenge us 00:27:02.439 --> 00:27:02.679 with. 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:04.659 He tells us that we're 00:27:04.659 --> 00:27:05.519 living in a foreign 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:06.979 land, that we live in 00:27:06.979 --> 00:27:07.959 a foreign place 00:27:07.959 --> 00:27:08.879 surrounded by a 00:27:08.879 --> 00:27:10.559 variety of new ideas 00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:11.699 and it's there that 00:27:11.699 --> 00:27:12.619 the gospel needs to 00:27:12.619 --> 00:27:13.399 be lived out. 00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:14.939 It's out there that 00:27:14.939 --> 00:27:15.939 the gospel needs to 00:27:15.939 --> 00:27:16.379 be taken. 00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:19.400 This connection, 00:27:19.560 --> 00:27:22.520 this unity is vital 00:27:22.520 --> 00:27:23.120 to the book of 00:27:23.120 --> 00:27:23.580 Ephesians. 00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:25.500 It's vital to us 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:26.380 understanding what it 00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:27.200 looks like to be the 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:28.140 church together. 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.920 We don't live on an 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:30.180 island. 00:27:30.340 --> 00:27:31.860 We carry God's mission 00:27:31.860 --> 00:27:33.180 and his love forth 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:34.180 together as a church 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:34.980 and that's what Paul is 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:35.860 going to advocate for. 00:27:36.840 --> 00:27:37.580 So are you ready? 00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:39.460 Are you committed to 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:40.040 doing this? 00:27:41.060 --> 00:27:42.700 Paul was and he's 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:43.920 encouraging us to do 00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:44.600 the same thing. 00:27:45.560 --> 00:27:46.580 This is the hope that 00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:47.539 we have as we enter 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.140 into the book of 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:48.640 Ephesians. 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:51.019 As we consider how 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:52.460 our hearts, how our 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:54.019 minds, how our hands 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:55.539 should be engaged 00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:56.300 with the gospel. 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.360 How it should be 00:27:57.360 --> 00:27:58.300 impacted and changed 00:27:58.300 --> 00:27:58.940 by the gospel. 00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.340 It all starts here 00:28:00.340 --> 00:28:01.860 with the hope and the 00:28:01.860 --> 00:28:02.200 peace. 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:03.779 The hope and the 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:05.160 peace of the gospel. 00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:07.240 Paul's introduction 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:08.500 to the Ephesians is 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:10.100 his introduction to 00:28:10.100 --> 00:28:10.880 you here. 00:28:11.600 --> 00:28:12.720 Grace and peace to 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.640 you, Southwood. 00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:15.160 to the saints in 00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:16.820 Huntsville, faithful in 00:28:16.820 --> 00:28:17.620 Jesus Christ. 00:28:18.080 --> 00:28:19.940 Come and hear and 00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:21.360 respond to the hope 00:28:21.360 --> 00:28:23.000 that we have in the 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:23.279 Father. 00:28:23.800 --> 00:28:24.779 Amen and amen. 00:28:24.900 --> 00:28:25.279 Let's pray. 00:28:27.880 --> 00:28:28.860 Gracious Father, 00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:34.519 we are overwhelmed by 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.740 this good news. 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:37.759 This good news that you 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:39.680 would choose to save 00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:41.720 and redeem broken, 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.840 messed up people like 00:28:42.839 --> 00:28:43.199 us. 00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:44.659 We thank you for the 00:28:44.659 --> 00:28:46.000 Apostle Paul who has 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:48.779 introduced himself as 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:50.240 one who has truly 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:51.339 experienced what it's 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.980 like to be an enemy of 00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:55.119 God, who is proactive in 00:28:55.119 --> 00:28:57.720 that, and who longed to 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:58.720 see the kingdom of God 00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.139 fail. 00:28:59.619 --> 00:29:01.019 That is our hearts, too. 00:29:02.139 --> 00:29:04.359 Before you changed us, 00:29:04.419 --> 00:29:05.459 before you intervened in 00:29:05.459 --> 00:29:06.459 our lives, that was us, 00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:06.759 too. 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:09.359 So, Father, will you work 00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:10.460 this good news of the 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:11.799 gospel, that the story 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:13.000 doesn't stop there at our 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:14.619 own weakness, but would 00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:15.700 you work this story into 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.299 our lives? 00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:18.160 Help us to see ways in 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:19.960 which we need to change 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:22.379 our heart, ways that our 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.819 mind needs to be changed, 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:26.140 and how our lives might 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:27.460 reflect your grace more 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:28.299 through the work of our 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:28.660 hands. 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.920 Will you be with us, 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:32.079 bless us as we consider 00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:33.480 this book in the coming 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:33.879 months? 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:35.180 Father, thank you for 00:29:35.180 --> 00:29:35.960 your presence and for 00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:36.360 your word. 00:29:36.820 --> 00:29:37.460 Pray these things in your 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:38.160 heavenly son's name. 00:29:38.320 --> 00:29:38.520 Amen. 00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:43.520 For more information, 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:45.240 visit us online at 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:46.120 southwood.org.