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Prayer and BenedictionPerhaps you have seen some of these in an email or Readers-Digest. Church bulletin bloopers.
The first century church in Ephesus was already established when the Apostle Paul arrived there around the year 51 Ad. He found believers in Jesus Christ who needed to be grounded. So Paul stayed in Ephesus longer then any other place, about three years. Ephesus was located in Asia Minor on the western shore of modern day Turkey just across the Aegean Sea from Athens. Ephesus was a thriving port city of great commerce. A cosmopolitan city with a very diverse population. Within the heart of the city a great Roman temple to the goddess Diana, (Greek) or Artemus (Asian) - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The book of Ephesians was written by Paul while under house arrest around the year 60 AD. Over the past several months we have considered this wonderful book and we have seen some important doctrines of our faith along with important applications for our lives. Today as we conclude our studies in this Epistle, I would like to do a little review and then consider Paul's closing remarks. Paul opened his letter by calling believers, “living saints.” He told us - who Christ is what he has done and how he did it. Eph 1:7-8 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding The conclusion of chapter one is challenging, “you are ether a saint or you are an ain't.” Which are you? Oh, you might not feel like much of a saint, but God's word declares that if you are in Christ you are a child of God saved not by what you have done, but by Gods grace. That makes you a saint. But the bible says, whoever rejects the son of God, will not see eternal life. In chapter two we saw how Christians are the workmanship of God once dead to the things of God, but now they are made alive by Grace alone, through faith alone. Eph 2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins. Come on Paul how politically incorrect is that? Telling people they were sinners, and the saints that they had absolutely nothing to do with their salvation. You might hurt our self esteem! But that's exactly what Paul does – he point out that it is all by God's grace, and all by faith in Jesus Christ that any man/ any woman is made right with God. Eph 2:4-5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. Saved by God's grace, for God's pleasure, to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:14-15 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations... Next Paul gives us the doctrine of atonement. The “vicarious substitutionary atonement for sin.” That Jesus took our place, he fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law, he destroyed the barrier of separation that sin brought. Jesus is the last sacrifice for he was the only sacrifice that could abolish the law with its condemnation. Eph 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household... In chapter three, we saw Paul's attitude about his ministry. Although Paul is under house arrest he is not sniveling about his situation -- no he recognizes that it is for the good of others, and for the furtherance of the Gospel that he is in prison. Eph 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— Not Paul a prisoner of Rome. Not Paul unjustly imprisoned because the political climate of our day. He not wining about his situation, he looking for how God is using it. Eph 3:13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. Paul's attitude is that God had him where he was so others could grow in their faith. Here we are almost two thousand years later and we understand that if Paul had not been arrested we might not have most of our bible today. I personally don't think Paul would have ever got around to writing. Paul was way too busy evangelizing, too busy traveling, preaching, and planting churches. So he is a prisoner for Jesus, and his suffering were truly for others – even our sakes. As he thinks about his situation and how God has him right where he needs to be, Paul breaks out into spontaneous praise. Eph 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Do believe that God can accomplish more then you can hope for? When your situation is overwhelming, when your hope is fading, when you are in prison to whatever – in faith you can look to God and understand that he can do more then you can imagine? Then praise him because perhaps your current situation is for a reason? Does your faith look like that? Maybe you can't understand it right now, but you can trust that God is good and his desire is not to harm his children but to grow them. Then in chapter four Paul takes us from doctrinal truths – to the practical application of faith. The church in Ephesus had no model before them, they had no bible to read, no “Daily Bread” devotionals, no Christian radio. So Paul takes these former pagans, and former religious zealots and gives them pictures of what faith in Christ looks like. Look at how Paul begins this practical section. Eph 4:1-2 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. “I urge you”, thats the strongest language, guys, get it together, live a life that reflects what God has done for you. Follow the Holy Spirit who leads into humility, gentleness, patience, and love. He tell us to “grow up” in our faith, to “speak the truth in love” to one another and always keep focused on Jesus Christ. Friends if there is any one thing I feel we as believers should do in our practical daily walk with the Lord it is to keep your focus. Heb 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Get rid of what is holding you back. Toss off the things that are weighing you down, and run your race. You stay on course – by always looking to Jesus. Focused on Jesus, who he is, what he has done, and the examples he gave. When situations have you overwhelmed, when troubles have you discouraged, when sin is creeping in, or people are letting you down. Look to Jesus, filter your life, your words, your heart through the person of Jesus Christ. Keep him in focus, see how he endured injustice and sat down because he was finished. And the promise is great you will not grow weary and loose heart. Chapter five set the high bar for living for Christ. Eph 5:1-2 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Imitate God, love like Jesus, and be a sacrifice like Jesus. Wow, who could do that? That's exactly the point, you can't, I can't -- but Christ living in us, with the Holy Spirit guiding us, we will. So Paul tells how imitating God plays out in our daily lives. He says there must not be even a hint of immorality, impurity, or greed. That the believers language should be pure, and full of thanksgiving. Why? Because you were once in darkness but now you are children of the light. See Paul is not giving law and instructions but pictures of the Spirit filled life. Eph 5:15-17 Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Wake up from your sleep, and let the Holy Spirit guide you as you make the most of every opportunity God gives. From that Paul launches into everyday life. He takes this “faith thing” to practical application. First he addresses all believes to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Then he speaks to the wives, the husband, the parents, and children. He has practical application of God's grace for the employees or slaves, and even for the employer or master. Finally what we considered over the past few weeks, Paul takes these Christians to what they need for the future. He tells them about the fiery darts that will come as he writes about Spiritual warfare. Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Paul says, this is what I want to leave you with. “Be strong in the Lord.” Be strong in his power. Friends it is not by my power that I can walk with God. Its not by your own power that you can minister for the Lord. It is not our own strength that we can live a holy life. And this is exactly what the church in Ephesus would need. For not too many years later they will receive a second letter, not from Paul, but from Jesus himself, through the Apostle John. There will be some praise for them, in Revelation chapter two, but there will be a sharp rebuke as well. “You have left your first love!” They had taken their focus off of Jesus and allowed the fiery darts of error to creep into the church. They were trying to live for God in their own strength. Like Peter as he tried to stand in his own strength. He had just confessed Jesus as the Messiah, and he was on cloud nine. Feeling really good about himself the next thing we see is Peter trying to serve God in his own strength. When Jesus told his men what awaited him, sufferings, the cross and the resurrection. Matt 16:22-23 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me , Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Can you picture Peter in his arrogant pride? “After all I have spiritual insight.” Its his moment of glory - now that “I'm so spiritual, I'll tell Jesus where he is wrong.” So Jesus just nails Peter, “what you are saying is –from the flesh.” In fact you are hearing from Satan, God's plans may not make sense but they are his plans and our flesh can be a stumbling block to what God wants to do. Later just hours before Jesus is arrested, we again find our spiritual giant Peter trying to walk in his own strength. Jesus told his disciples that many would fall away. Matt 26:33-35 Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." ... Peter could not walk with God in the flesh, you and I can not live for Christ in this flesh so God empowers believers with the Holy Spirit. We are given the Spirit at the moment we receive Christ, but we daily need to crucify the old nature and walk in the Spirit to live as imitators of God. Paul simplifies it. Eph 6:10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” God's mighty power. So that brings us to Paul's closing remarks how he finishes this wonderful letter is a picture of his priorities and a picture of his reliance on God. READ THE TEXT EPHESIANS 6:18-23 “PRAYERS AND GRACE”
We touched on this last week, but just what does it mean to “pray in the Spirit.” When I was in a pentecostal church I was taught that meant that you “pray in tongues.” But that is not the context nor the application here nor in Jude the only other place we find that phrase. No -- to pray in the Spirit means to allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide your prayers. To pray in the Spirit means that you are listening as much as speaking, it means that these are not prepackaged prayers, this is not “now I lay me down to sleep – I pray the Lord my soul to keep.” During the Revolutionary War, a soldier who had crawled into the brush was caught and accused of meeting with the enemy, but he pleaded that he had only gone into the woods to pray. His gruff commanding officer said: "Have you been in the habit, sir, of spending hours in private prayer?" "Yes sir," the soldier replied. "Then down on your knees and pray now," thundered the officer. "You never before had so much need of it!" The soldier prayed a simple, yet inspired prayer, whereupon, the gruff officer said: "You may go. I believe your story. If you had not been often at drill -- you could not have got on so well at review!" To pray in the Spirit with all kinds of prayers is to consider what God has going on around you. Here in the fellowship, on the job, in your home and with your family. To consider those things and then led by the Spirit you pray. You give petitions for those who are in need, you bring your request for provision to God and you bring thanksgiving for what God is doing. Then you wait for God to prompt your heart to pray some more – that is to pray in the Spirit. Phil 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God , which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. The result of praying in the Spirit is guarding peace. First Paul says, pray in the Spirit with all kinds of prays. And Pray for the saints. Are you praying for the church? Are you praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world? Then he says be alert that means stay awake, be ready, be watchful. Like when Nehemiah as he was leading the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, his enemy's were trying to stop the work. Nehemiah defeated those enemy's by watching and praying. Neh 4: 9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. He prayed and kept watch. Later he had each of the builders carry their sword as they worked. Being ready for battle prayerful at all times, yet doing the work that needed done. That's what Jesus told his men when this darkest hour was coming. Matt 26:41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Friends not all your battles are against demons, not all your struggles are spiritual -- but all the answers are found when we pray. Praying for ourselves our situations and for others.
Paul's says “pray for me also.” Paul was facing spiritual warfare -- he wanted boldness when he spoke, he wanted power in his ministry, he believed what he just told the Ephesians. Eph 6:12 ...Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Friends when you having troubles, when you are going into the battlefield, your ministry, your workplace wherever it might be, don't be too proud to ask for prayer, take Paul's model here who said: “Pray for me!” First pray in the Spirit, then pray for the leaders.
Tychicus, was a man that God put in partnerships with Paul, he would deliver this letter to the church in Ephesus. There are several other bible references to him – he is always seen as a partner and servant to Paul, going where Paul needs him to go, doing what Paul needs done. Notice a few things we learn about him. 1. CALLED A DEAR BROTHER. We don't know a lot about Tychicus, but what we know speaks volumes. Tychicus is endeared to Paul, and a partner with him. He is someone who beyond all shadow of a doubt is a brother in the Lord. What do people see in your life? How do people view me? Are we seen as “dear brothers or sisters in the Lord”? Is your reputation that of a follower of Jesus? Or just a person who goes to church? Tychicus is called a dear brother. 2. CALLED A FAITHFUL SERVANT. When Jesus closest men were arguing about their own status in the kingdom of God. When they were fighting among themselves about who was the greatest, Jesus said. Matt 23:11-12 The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. God's kingdom is upside down, greatness is found in faithfully serving others. Tychicus is a faithful servant - willing to leave everything he knew and go from Rome to Ephesus. By faith he would take on the dangers of travel in the ancient world to serve some people he may have never met. 3. HE IS A MESSENGER. The church in Ephesus had a heart felt connection with the Apostle Paul. They couldn't just email him to find out how he was doing. There was no phone calls to get an update. So part of Tychicus going is to tell them how Paul was doing. To inform them what was happening with the ministry and what God was doing in Rome. Could you imagine how he was received? News traveled slowly back then and it would be like you hearing from a long lost friend today. Joy and excitement would be part of his message as he brought them this letter and told of what what happening in the life of Paul and the kingdom of God. 4. HE WAS SENT TO ENCOURAGE KJV says: “that he might comfort your hearts.” Encouragement is something that builds the church. In his exhortation on the return of our Lord. Paul writes these words. 1 Thess 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. The greeting of the early church was an encouragement of Christ's return. “Maranatha!” The Lord is coming! Friends, are we encourager's of one another? Part of Tychicus ministry to the Ephesians was to encourage. Heb 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Do you need encouraged? Encourage others, and you will be encouraged. The KJV often uses the word “Exhort” when the more modern translations say encourage. Part of exhortation is to build one another up. But encouragement may evolve speaking hard truths. Telling someone they are in sin. Speaking by the Holy Spirit you may need to get in someone's face, but even that is encouragement if your goal is like Tychicus, to build them up. Paul closes his letter with an encouragement to pray in the Spirit, pray for the leadership, encourage one another and finally he end with.
Paul closes his letter with a benediction. Peace. “Shalom”, Love, “Agape” from God the father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Did you know that is the heart of God that you might have peace, that his love might be real in your life? And knowing that --you might share it with others. John 16:33 (Jesus said) ... "In me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Friends there is peace in the middle of storms that is the peace that passes all understanding, that is the peace that comes from being in Christ. John 15:9-10 (Jesus said) "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. Paul ends with the blessings of peace and love. Jesus promised love, Agape will abound in your life as you live in obedience to his commands. And Agape Love is the response to following of the Holy Spirit – for the fruit of the Spirit is love. Paul close with a benediction -- which means blessing. So I say with him. Eph 6:24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. PRAY, INVITE, BENEDICTION, SING Series: Ephesians -Through the Bible |
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