Series: The Book of Ephesians
Sermon: Identity #1
Bible Passage: Ephesians 1:1-2
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, that is, the believers in Christ Jesus. 1:2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
I. Introduction to the city and book
1. By first century AD, Ephesus—located on the Aegean Sea, was referred to as “the first greatest metropolis of Asia”
2. Ephesus was “the temple keeper” of the goddess Artemis (cf. Acts 19:35)
3. The city had an impressive theatre which can accommodate 25000 viewers even today
4. Ephesus housed the second largest library in the world which was dedicated to/for four virtues: wisdom (Eph 1:8, 17, 3:10), moral excellence, insight, and understanding
5. Ephesus had a healthy number of Jews and Synagogues
6. Apostle Paul first came to Ephesus briefly on his way from Corinth during the end of his second missionary journey and then came for a longer duration on his third missionary journey
7. Paul lived in Ephesus for about three years (2+1) and had a powerful ministry
8. The city was known for magic—Jewish sorcerers (cf. Acts 19:19)—many new Christians had been involved in sorcery
9. When Paul brought Gospel clarity, Christians renounced sorcery by burning their magic scrolls and other magic items
10. Paul maintained a longstanding relationship with the Ephesian church(es) until his death, well beyond Acts 28!
11. Apostle Paul and Christians had a missional impact on the city—the Ephesian Christians impacted the cities’ culture, economy, and life-style
12. Apostle John, Onesimus, Justin Martyr, etc., lived and ministered in Ephesus
13. The Gospel of John, 1, 2, 3 John, the book of Revelation, the book of Ephesians, 1 & 2 Timothy are connected to this city
14. It is believed that Luke, Paul’s companion, Mary Mother of Jesus, Apostle John, Timothy, etc., died in Ephesus
15. Finally, this letter is one of the last letters of Paul. Traditionally, it is listed as a prison epistle along with Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon
16. Between the founding of the church and the writing of the letter, the church had lost its focus and was plagued with issues like racism
II. Verse 1
1. “Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus”
a. An apostle is not a title of honor, but it is a descriptive title
i. The etymological meaning of the term “apostle” is “the sent one”
ii. Jesus chose 12 Apostles during His earthly ministry and trained them
iii. From Acts 9, we see that Paul was also chosen as an Apostle
b. Choosing of an apostle is purely the Chooser’s decision—it is not meritorious or self-acclaimed or appointed by any human institution
c. They were to advance the interest of the Chooser, teach authoritatively not their thoughts but that of the Chooser’s
2. To the saints [in Ephesus]—
a. It refers to both Jewish and non-Jewish Christians
b. The term was generally used for the nation Israel
i. Lev 20:26 You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine
ii. Deut 7: 6 For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth
iii. The term “saint” signifies a special status to those who responded to the Gospel through the Holy Spirit regeneration
iv. It signifies separation and difference—to be set apart unto God
v. It signifies a special relationship with God
vi. Though they had many flaws in their lives, still they still have the title “saints”
c. To the saints “in Ephesus,” to believers “in Christ Jesus”
i. The expressions “in Ephesus” and “in Christ” are placed side by side to make a statement, i.e.,
ii. The believers have two national identity—”in Ephesus” and “in Christ”
iii. Previously, they belonged to Ephesus, but now they belonged to God, residing in Ephesus
iv. The believers “in Christ” live by the teachings of Jesus
v. While they were governed by the laws of the city of Ephesus, they live by the teachings of Jesus
vi. The implication is that they have two homes: in Ephesus and in Christ
d. Verse 2 “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!”
i. From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
ii. For Ephesian Christians’ God is the Father—the essence of the Gospel
– Undeserved favor and relationship
– True grace and peace come from God through Jesus
III. Lessons from Eph 1:1-2
1. Christians are God’s agents of change and transformation of a society—”in Ephesus” “in Christ”
2. A church in a locality that does not transform the culture, lifestyle, and outlook is not, in essence, a church; it needs to rethink its existence and purpose
a. (The following statement is from John Stott)
b. Many of our spiritual troubles arise from our failure to remember that we are citizens of two kingdoms
c. We tend either to pursue Christ and withdraw from the world, or to become preoccupied with the world and forget that we are also in Christ
3. City transformation happens through intentional discipleship
4. Christians are governed by the local laws, but they have a missional mandate from God (in Ephesus vs in Christ)
5. While Christians live in a culture, they need to live above the culture
6. Christians need to take their identity seriously because there is a close connection between their identity and actions
7. When a local church is plagued with internal problems, it is the indication that it has lost its external focus—cf. Rev 2:4 departing from first love
8. The title “saints” is both a status and function
9. Most Christians love the status as “saints” but they are unwilling to function as saints
Take Away:
Function in conformity to your new status/identity which is two dimensional