IDENTITY
Week 1: Ephesians 1:1-2 1 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Commentary The beginning of this great book starts with the assumption that it is indeed the Apostle Paul wrote the book of Ephesians. Although there is much scholarly debate as to who wrote the book of Ephesians, I choose to take the position that it was written by Paul (for further explanation look to Study 1-Authorship). In addition, to deciding who wrote Ephesians, the book is addressed to the saints “in Ephesus.” None of the earliest manuscripts of Paul (third and fourth centuries), in our possession, contain the words “in Ephesus.” I take the position that the letter was circular and intended to reach many young churches in Asia Minor. The letter was most likely written while Paul was in prison and taken from city to city; one theologian suggests that the letters may have been left in Ephesus and later interpreters / readers simply assumed that the letter had always been intended for Ephesus.1 Regardless of these historical debates, the opening of this letter displays the Apostle Paul at his best confirming that it is only by the will of God that he is acting and working in the ministry. His address to the churches begins with Paul naming them “saints” and calling them “faithful.”2 Paul begins many of his letters in this way, because for Paul the person who has been saved by Christ is no longer one who exists as “sinner,” but as “saint.” He blesses the readers with grace and peace; the two components by which all of his ministry is focused. If you remember, Paul was knocked to the ground by the presence of the resurrected Jesus and asked why he hated Jesus’ church.3 Grace is all about God interrupting our own selfish intentions / lives and showing himself to us, regardless of where we are in life. Lastly, he blesses them with “peace,” echoing the words of Jesus—“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”4 Both grace and peace derive from God the Father and Jesus Christ.
1N.T Wright Paul For Everyone: The Prison Letters (pg. 4) 2 “Saints” in the Greek is άγιος, literally meaning “holy ones” – This is a term generally used for Old Testament covenant people. Paul believes that those who now believe in Jesus are God’s people. As saints, we are God’s people. 3 Acts 9 4 John 14:27
King Jesus - A Study In Ephesians Week 1 : Identity prayer
God I pray for your will in my life, that I would live and serve as a saint of King Jesus. Thank you God for your grace and peace in my own life, and may I exhibit that same love towards others.
Daily devotional
Day 1 (Tuesday): Daily Study Word: Paul 1. Who is the Apostle Paul? 2. Why does Paul start by giving his credentials? 3. How did God show Paul grace and peace?
Day 2 (Wednesday): Daily Study Word: Apostle 1. What is an Apostle? 2. Why is Paul’s authority as an Apostle important?
Day 3 (Thursday): Daily Study Word: Will 1. Compare Ephesians 1:1 and Galatians 1:1. What is the difference between being guided by man’s will or God’s? 2. How do you know when you are following God’s will or your own?
Day 4 (Friday): Daily Study Word: Saints 1. What does it mean to be a saint? 2. Do you view yourself as a saint? As a “holy one?”
Day 5 (Saturday): Daily Study Word: Faithful 1. Are you living a faithful lifestyle to Jesus? 2. How has God been faithful in your life?
Day 6 (Sunday): Daily Study Word: Grace 1. What is grace? 2. Do you give grace to others as God has given grace to you? 3. Do you experience the grace of God in your life daily? In what ways?
Day 7 (Monday): Daily Study Word: Peace 1. What areas of your life do you experience peace from God? Why? 2. What areas do you lack peace from God? Why? 3. Are you a person who takes peace everywhere you go? If not, why?
5 Acts 9 King Jesus - A Study In Ephesians Week 1 : Identity week 1: house party study
When Paul is finishing his opening greeting he exhorts that it is grace and peace that come from “God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.” For this study, we are going to focus on the term “Lord.” The Greek word is kyrios and is a word taken from the Old Testament to describe and denote God. Jesus, through God, has become the central figure for salvation, bringing both grace and peace to all who would follow him. In the time of Jesus, numerous people claimed to be “lord.” For example, the emperors of Jesus’ time claimed to be “lord,” and with their title they would seek to gain the approval of the common people. These emperors would supply bread and sustenance for the poor (majority of people), desiring the people to put their trust in the em- peror. Paul here is making a stark contrast between the “lord, giver of bread” and “the Lord Jesus Christ, the giver and ruler of life.” Jesus is to be king in our life!6 He is the one to provide for us sustenance and all the things we need for life.7 We are to trust in the promises and faithfulness of Jesus and not the world; he promises that he will never leave us or forsake us.8 In addition, calling Jesus “Lord” means that we surrender to him everything that we are, want, or do.
Group Questions
1. How do you see Jesus as Lord in your life?
2. Does your life reflect Jesus as Lord?
3. What are some ways you make Jesus Lord over you?
4. What areas do you fail to make Jesus Lord?
5. In what ways do you show the world that Jesus is Lord over you?
6. What are common mistakes that keep Jesus from being Lord in your life?
7. Do others affect you from making Jesus Lord?
8. Because you live in a world that depends and trusts in money, security, etc., what are some difficulties in making Jesus Lord?
6 Matthew 6:33 7 Matthew 6:26 King Jesus - A Study In Ephesians 8 Hebrews 13:5 Week 1 : Identity