The Epistle to the Church

“The Epistle to the Church” Eph. 1:1-2

Shows us how God creates Christians and therefore the Church…….the consequences of sin severed the life cord of man from God……sin separated man from God and man from man……this epistle reveals how man is reconciled to God and to man……the Christi- an church has her calling and consummation in Christ……there is no way for man to be right with God, himself, or his fellow-man except thru Christ……here God is seen creating a saint out of a sinner,thus making him fit for divine and human society………2 main divisions:the call of the church (chs.1-3)-the welfare of the Christian……… the conduct of the church (chs.4-6)-the walk of the Christian…………

I-The Penman of the Epistle (v.1) A-the seal of his authority as penman (“Apostle”) 1-written from a prison cell 2-he was Christ’s possession and representat- ive 3-saved and sent! 4-became God’s minister to the Gentiles B-the sphere of his activities as penman (“will of God”) 1-his words and work were in the realm of the will of God 2-mentioned 4 times in this chapter(1,5,9,11) 3-reaches far back into eternity past,long before the foundations of the earth were laid 4-motivated by God’s will!!!****

II-The People of the Epistle (v.1) A-the local saints of God 1-their location at Ephesus a-a sea-coast city…………city of great sig- nifiance………one of Asia’s great religious political, commercial centers………center of the worship of Diana,the goddess of ferti- lity………heard the gospel 2-their position in Christ a-“saints” are those who are set apart B-the larger saints of God(“in Christ C-the loyal saints of God (“faithful”) 1-true to their faith because of their believe in Christ 2-our vital union and fellowship with Christ

III-The Promise of the Epistle (v.2) A-a purifying promise (“grace be to you”) 1-sanctifying grace B-a unifying grace (“peace”) C-an edifying promise (6:21-22) Close:give inspiration and instruction Encourage others in the Lord Freedom:4-17-02 w.n.