Topics: God, Ephesians
I. The background of Ephesians!
A. City of Ephesus! - 4th largest city in the Roman Empire, Huge library, Port city of commerce, and on a main highway!
B. Culture of Ephesus! - Affluent, immoral, hedonistic, sorcery & religious idolatry with temple to Artemis (Diana)
C. Church of Ephesus! - Established by Paul, Priscilla & Aquilla, Apollos, Timothy & John = legacy of godly leaders!
D. Chart of Ephesians (one of 4 so called "Prison Epistles: )!
Chapters 1-3 Chapters 4-6
Worship of Christ Walk with Christ
Doctrine (Adoration) Duty (Application)
Indicative (Facts of what God has done) Imperative (Commands we are to follow)
Changes from an old way of life Choices regarding our new way of life
II. The calling of God on your life!
A. Paul's calling by God!
- 1. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God (Ephesians 1:1a).
- 2. And I said, "Who are You, Lord"? And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness?" (Acts 26:15, 16a).
B. Your calling by God!
- To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:1b).
- Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:2).
III. The blessing of God in your life!
- A. God is the source of all blessings! Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3a).
- B. God offers the supremacy of His blessings! Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ?(Ephesians 1:3b).
Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, April 27th, 2025.
Life Group Flow and Discussion Questions
God's Calling & Blessing on Your Life!
An important Guideline of Life Groups:
A key question to ask is, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" (Acts 19:2). The object of our faith (Jesus Christ) is who brings God's blessing and is the focus of His calling! Has everyone in your Life Group truly received the Holy Spirit? (Romans 8:9)?
Getting Started:
- Do you recognize the importance of God's gracious calling and blessing in your life? What is God's unique calling in your life?
- How would you describe and explain the radical conversion from Saul the oppressor to Paul the apostle?
Discussing Truths:
- What aspects of the city of Ephesians resemble the culture of the USA?
- Paul operated under "delegated authority" as an apostle of Christ Jesus; do you accept God's chain of command with authority structures in your life in regards to creation, marriage, parenting, government, employment, and spiritual authority?
- Why is it important to establish what you believe before you launch into how you behave? How does Paul move from principle to practice or from doctrine to duty?
- How does it impact you to be called a "saint", one set apart for God's purpose (Eph 2:19)?
- What are some of the "spiritual blessings" that you have received in Christ?
- How do you bless our God and Father and our Lord Jesus Christ (Psalm 103:1, 2)?
- Hetty Green is an illustration of too many Christians living in spiritual poverty when we have been given "every spiritual blessing"! How will you depend on the Holy Spirit to live in God's fullness of blessing?
Now What? Application:
- How can you extend grace and peace to others in your OIKOS? Take time to brainstorm about practical ways you can impact people with God's grace and peace!
- Do a deep biblical study on the meaning of being "in Christ Jesus" often expressed as being "in Him"!