Hello Friends, welcome to
3ABN Sabbath School Panel.
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I'm John Lomacang
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and we want to
thank you for joining us
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for this Third
Quarter Lesson Study
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entitled simply: Ephesians.
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It's a six-chapter book
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but it's so much
deeper than just six chapters
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and this first week is
entitled: Paul and the Ephesians
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and if you'd like to follow us,
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go to:
3abnsabbathschoolpanel. com
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download a copy or better yet,
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go to the local
Seventh-day Adventist church
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and tell them... 3ABN sent you.
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But whatever you do, stay tuned
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for this beginning walk-through
the book of Ephesians.
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We pray that you'll find
Christ in the beginning...
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center and the end.
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Join us now for 3ABN
Sabbath School Panel.
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Music...
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Lomacang: Hello Friends, welcome
to 3ABN Sabbath School Panel.
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I'm John Lomacang,
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thank you for
taking the time to join us
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and if you've
joined us each month,
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we want to thank you for
being dedicated to following us
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and praying for us
as we pray ourselves
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whenever we get a
Sabbath School Lesson to tackle
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and this Quarter is
the book of Ephesians.
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Dr. John McVay is the author
and the central contributor
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to this Lesson
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and it's phenomenal how a book
that's only six chapters long
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could have so much depth to it
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which is the focal point
of the inspiration behind it.
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"All Scripture is given
by inspiration of God. "
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Before we go into
the Lesson any further,
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I want to
introduce you to our panel,
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which you may know
most of our panelists
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maybe as family members...
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you may have
rubbed shoulders with them
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or they may have
come to your church
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but right to my
immediate left is Ryan Day.
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I call him the Singer in
Israel Evangelist Ryan Day,
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good to have you here, Ryan.
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Ryan: Always a blessing to
be on 3ABN Sabbath School Panel.
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I'm excited to study
the book of Ephesians
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and I have Monday's Lesson
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entitled: A Riot
in the Amphitheater.
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Lomacang: A riot?
wow! Ryan: Hmmm... hmmm...
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Lomacang: Shelley
Quinn... the lady from Texas
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who has so many hats,
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always good to have
you on the Panel, Shelley.
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Shelley: It's
always a joy to be here
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and mine will be: Hearing
the Letter to the Ephesians.
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Lomacang: Okay, and John
Dinzey, Head of 3ABN Latino.
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Good to have you here today.
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Dinzey: It's a
blessing to be here as well
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and I believe this is going to
be a life-changing study for us
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and hopefully for everyone
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and I have Wednesday and
it's Ephesians in Its Time.
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Lomacang: Okay and Jill Morikone
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our Vice President of 3ABN.
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Always good to have you...
good to have you at the helm,
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God is working through
you in a wonderful way.
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Do you have any
list for us today?
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Jill: We have a list.
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We're going to
hopefully get through 16 points.
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I don't know if
that will happen.
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I have Thursday, A
Christ-saturated Letter.
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Lomacang: Wow!
wow, well, Johnny,
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would you begin by having
a prayer for us this morning?
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Dinzey: Sure. "Our
loving heavenly Father,
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we come before
Your throne of grace
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with great need
of your Holy Spirit.
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We pray, Lord, that as we
have emptied ourselves of self,
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that Your Holy
Spirit will fill us
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and we ask You Lord to
bless us with the words
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and the message
that Your children need.
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We pray, Lord, for
a blessing upon all
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and we thank You for the
3ABN Sabbath School Panel.
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We pray that it will continue to
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be a blessing to Your
children all around the world.
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We ask in Jesus'
holy and blessed name,
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amen. "
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Panel: Amen.
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Lomacang: Yes, I want
to just extend a thank you
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to Dr. John McVay.
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I was...
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we were in the Northern
California Conference together.
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He was at the
Pacific Union College
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and a Pastor there in the
Northern California Conference.
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Now, the President
and Professor of Religion
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at Walla Walla University
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and I see his style
weaved through the lesson
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but much of it
is about God's Word
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and we thank him for that.
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And, we're going to
start on week number one,
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Paul and the Ephesians.
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Want to share some foundation,
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you know, the focus
of the book of this study
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or the book of
Ephesians particularly,
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is how to follow
Jesus in trying times
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and we are definitely
living in trying times.
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Can I get an
"Amen" from my choir?
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Panel: Amen,
amen... hmmm... hmmm.
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Lomacang: We're
living in trying times,
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I mean, that's an understatement
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to say that the times
we're living are trying times.
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And there are five
particular insights
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that Dr. McVay brings out in
the very beginning of Ephesians
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before we actually get to Lesson
Number one which is Sunday
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and we'll talk
about that in a moment.
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First of all, the condition.
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He says, "Ephesians...
the book of Ephesians,
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was written primarily
to the church at Ephesus
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to reveal their condition...
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to reveal how their condition
relates to their strength
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when they face challenges
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and in every generation...
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you know, the people
of that generation...
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they had their last days.
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You know, even the very first
church... the church of Ephesus,
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they had their last days
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and even Peter when...
on the day of Pentecost,
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when the Holy Spirit
was poured out, he said,
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"This is what the
Prophet Joel spoke...
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what happened
in the last days. "
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So, we're living in...
as I would refer to it...
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our last days,
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hopefully... the
last... last days.
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Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
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Lomacang: But Paul talked
about how he was concerned
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about the condition
of the church of Ephesus
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and it's amazing, this
was the very first church.
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Also, the location of
the church of Ephesus.
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The Apostle Paul
was writing from prison
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and his focus was to encourage
the church and the members
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not to lose heart
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and then he did four
metaphoric comparisons.
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Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
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Lomacang: He talked about the
Christian church in four ways:
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One: it is the body of Christ,
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secondly, it is
the bride of Christ,
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thirdly, it is the living temple
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and fourthly, it
is the army of Christ.
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And that's even true today
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when we read
about Revelation 12:17,
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the dragon is at war with those
who keep the commandments of
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God. So, we are,
in fact, an army.
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Panel: Right.
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Lomacang: Never go into
battle without your sword.
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Panel: That's right.
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Lomacang: We are an army.
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Then, fourthly, the
purpose of the message.
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He speaks
especially to the people
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in a generation
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where the church of Ephesus
was in a city that was huge
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and there were a
lot of allurements
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in this very
popular Roman province.
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Actually, in an area
now we know as Asia Minor.
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But it had a lot of allurements.
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Not too long ago, I
was in New York City,
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and Ephesus was probably
like a small New York City
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where the church was
distracted by the society
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in which it exists.
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Now, those of us
here in Thompsonville...
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you know, we only get
distracted by the gas station
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or by Dollar General.
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But it's quite a different story
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when you try to be at
church in New York City
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or Los Angeles or Detroit
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or Miami or any major metropolis
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or Singapore.
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Any large city around the world,
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the allurements are great.
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You leave church and on
the way to church and back,
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you hear the sound of
music... the traffic...
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you pass the
malls... the theaters...
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it's all around us
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and the church of Ephesus
was challenged by its society.
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But he pointed
out the central figure
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for the church of
Ephesus is Christ.
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Panel: That's right.
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Lomacang: And that
central figure... Jesus Christ
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remains the central figure
to the church in every age.
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Panel: That's right.
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Lomacang: And he
encouraged the church members
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to not only become significant
in their acceptance of Him,
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but to stay
relevant in the last days
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to engage in the
mission of the church...
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become active members.
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And also, as they prepared
for the return of Jesus Christ,
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to live out their hope.
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You know, we sing that
song: We have this hope.
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Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
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Lomacang: But what is the
hope if you don't live it out?
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To live out the meaning of
your... of your religion...
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to live out the
meaning of your Christianity,
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to allow Christ to enter
every... every area of your
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life, so that you can
find in Him the meaningful
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relationship... so
that when He comes,
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that's not the
first time you meet Him.
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You meet Him on your
daily Bible studies...
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your knees when you
pray. Panel: That's good.
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Lomacang: You meet Him in
the miracle moments of your life
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when things happen
that you just think about,
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you know, God
was in that moment.
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The introduction to Sunday is:
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Paul,
Evangelists to the Ephesians.
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Ryan: That's right.
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Lomacang: Evangelist to
Ephesus and this is Sunday
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if you want to
turn there with us
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if you have your
Sabbath School Lesson
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and I'll read the
intro very briefly,
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"In the Epistle
to the Ephesians,
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Paul tells us
about the Ephesians...
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first of all... themselves.
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Years after the exciting
events of the early days
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of the Christian
mission to Ephesus,
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the Ephesians struggled
with their significance
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of their Christian faith. "
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And the first caution...
and I think this is true today,
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don't base your
faith on excitement.
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Panel: Hmmm... yes.
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Lomacang: Because a
lot of churches today
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and this is
something that is a caution
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to those of us who
embrace the remnant message...
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the everlasting gospel.
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So many churches
are building their...
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their church
services around excitements.
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Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
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Lomacang: And it's becoming
more like icing on the cake
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rather than a good solid
meal. Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
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Lomacang: And so
many churches are now
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going after the
excitement of religion
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rather than the
dedication of religion.
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Why was that so significant?
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Ephesus was a large city...
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a population of about 250 people
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and in this particular setting,
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one of the richest cities also,
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it's one of the richest cities
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and it was a city that
had a lot of god worship...
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not heavenly God...
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but many, many gods.
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Panel: Hmmm... hmmm.
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Lomacang: Artemis, also
known as Diana to the Romans
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was the supreme object
of worship in that city
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and, you know, when you
think about your Christian walk,
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what is the supreme
object of worship in your life?
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Is it your religion?
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You know, religion
could become a form of worship
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and we could miss Jesus.
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Is it the fabric of your church?
00:09:45.91\00:09:47.45
Is it the music in your church?
00:09:47.48\00:09:48.92
Is that the form and
focus of your worship?
00:09:48.98\00:09:51.15
Is it your significance
of prophetic understanding?
00:09:51.19\00:09:53.96
If any of your
focuses are not Jesus Himself,
00:09:53.99\00:09:57.26
it is a distraction.
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And in that city,
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her worship was the
focus of civil ceremonies,
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it was also the
focus of the athletic games
00:10:03.30\00:10:05.80
they gave for the
praise in the athletic games.
00:10:05.83\00:10:08.30
And most of the
annual celebrations,
00:10:08.34\00:10:10.81
were focused around Diana
or Artemis as I mentioned.
00:10:10.84\00:10:13.61
And so, let's go
to Acts chapter 18...
00:10:13.68\00:10:15.68
let's lay some foundation.
00:10:15.71\00:10:17.05
Acts chapter 18 verses 18 to 21,
00:10:17.08\00:10:19.91
and the question that Dr.
McVay poses in this Lesson:
00:10:19.95\00:10:23.62
"What does Paul do on
his first visit to Ephesus
00:10:23.69\00:10:26.76
at the end of his
second missionary journey?"
00:10:26.79\00:10:29.26
Let's look at Acts
chapter 18 verses 18 to 21,
00:10:29.29\00:10:31.73
it says, "So Paul
still remained a good while.
00:10:31.76\00:10:35.76
Then he took leave of the
brethren and sailed to Syria,
00:10:35.80\00:10:40.34
and Priscilla and
Aquila were with him.
00:10:40.37\00:10:44.14
He had his hair
cut off at Cenchrea,
00:10:44.17\00:10:47.94
for he had taken a vow.
00:10:47.98\00:10:49.94
And he came to
Ephesus, and left them there;
00:10:50.01\00:10:53.28
but he himself
entered the synagogue
00:10:53.31\00:10:55.12
and reasoned with the Jews.
00:10:55.15\00:10:56.79
When they asked him to
stay a longer time with them,
00:10:56.82\00:11:00.29
he did not consent, but
took leave of them, saying,
00:11:00.36\00:11:03.76
'I must by all means keep
this coming feast in Jerusalem;
00:11:03.79\00:11:08.23
but I will return
again to you, God willing. '
00:11:08.26\00:11:11.60
And he sailed from Ephesus. "
00:11:11.63\00:11:13.90
Now, some things that he
did here, you might think,
00:11:13.94\00:11:16.74
"Wow did...
00:11:16.77\00:11:18.11
did they have to record
the forensic parts of his life
00:11:18.14\00:11:19.84
by getting his hair cut?
00:11:19.87\00:11:21.21
Or this is something significant
00:11:21.24\00:11:22.64
because it was a
part of his dedication...
00:11:22.68\00:11:24.65
part of his vow he
made with the Lord?"
00:11:24.68\00:11:26.98
He cut his hair as
an act of re-dedication
00:11:27.02\00:11:29.28
and also as a point of
seeking guidance from God,
00:11:29.32\00:11:33.39
he was about to go to a people
that had flat-out denied Jesus,
00:11:33.42\00:11:37.46
His
Messiahship... His divinity...
00:11:37.49\00:11:39.26
and Paul was going to
Jerusalem to the feast
00:11:39.29\00:11:42.83
not because of...
00:11:42.86\00:11:44.20
of the significance of continued
feast and their relevance,
00:11:44.23\00:11:46.80
but he knew that a
large contingency of Jews
00:11:46.84\00:11:50.77
would be there
00:11:50.81\00:11:52.14
and how can you go to the lost
sheep of the house of Israel
00:11:52.17\00:11:54.28
without going to their feast?
00:11:54.31\00:11:55.64
So, he went
there to still hope...
00:11:55.68\00:11:57.28
to present to them
Christ and Him crucified.
00:11:57.31\00:12:00.62
Also, when you think about
it, let's go to Acts chapter 19,
00:12:00.65\00:12:04.69
what happened after Paul
returned from that missionary
00:12:04.75\00:12:08.76
journey? It says, "And it
happened, while Apollos was at
00:12:08.79\00:12:12.59
Corinth, that Paul,
having passed through the upper
00:12:12.63\00:12:16.40
regions, came to Ephesus.
00:12:16.43\00:12:18.33
And finding some disciples... "
00:12:18.37\00:12:21.00
You also find out
in Acts chapter 20,
00:12:21.04\00:12:23.51
how long he stayed there.
00:12:23.54\00:12:24.87
Let's go to Acts
chapter 20 and verse 31,
00:12:24.91\00:12:27.28
it says, "Therefore watch,
00:12:27.31\00:12:30.48
and remember that
for... " how many years?
00:12:30.51\00:12:32.55
Panel: Three...
00:12:32.58\00:12:33.92
Lomacang: "three years I
did not cease to warn everyone
00:12:33.95\00:12:36.38
night and day with tears. "
00:12:36.42\00:12:38.45
Now, Dr. McVay brings
out this point, it says,
00:12:38.49\00:12:41.12
"The apostle makes a significant
time commitment to Ephesus,
00:12:41.16\00:12:44.83
with the intention of firmly
founding Christianity there.
00:12:44.86\00:12:48.50
Luke shares the strange story
00:12:48.53\00:12:51.93
of seven itinerant,
Jewish exorcists in the city.
00:12:51.97\00:12:55.50
mingling the names
of both Jesus and Paul
00:12:55.54\00:12:58.61
in their incantations
00:12:58.64\00:13:00.04
proves to be a misguided
venture for these exorcists. "
00:13:00.08\00:13:03.95
And this is a long story,
00:13:03.98\00:13:05.31
I may not be able to do
all of it before we go to Ryan
00:13:05.35\00:13:08.25
but let's go to Acts
chapter 19 verses 13 to 20,
00:13:08.28\00:13:11.32
and I read verses
18... well, let me just go...
00:13:11.35\00:13:14.36
Acts chapter 19 verses 13 to 20
00:13:14.42\00:13:15.96
and I'll switch after this one.
00:13:15.99\00:13:17.93
"The some of the
itinerant Jewish exorcists
00:13:17.96\00:13:20.66
took it upon themselves to
call the name of the Lord Jesus
00:13:20.70\00:13:24.00
over those who had
evil spirits, saying,
00:13:24.03\00:13:26.33
'We exorcise you by the
Jesus whom Paul preaches. '
00:13:26.37\00:13:29.30
Also, there were
seven sons of Sceva,
00:13:29.34\00:13:31.67
a Jewish chief
priest, who did so.
00:13:31.71\00:13:34.01
And the evil spirit
answered and said... "
00:13:34.04\00:13:36.51
this is amazing...
00:13:36.54\00:13:37.88
"Jesus I know and Paul
I know; but who are you?"
00:13:37.91\00:13:41.08
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:13:41.12\00:13:42.45
Lomacang: Which means,
if you don't have a personal
00:13:42.48\00:13:44.05
relationship, I cannot witness
to you in Ryan's experience
00:13:44.09\00:13:47.89
or anybody else's.
00:13:47.92\00:13:49.26
I got to know Christ for myself.
00:13:49.29\00:13:51.09
After that... "overpowering them
00:13:51.13\00:13:53.09
and prevailing against them,
00:13:53.13\00:13:55.06
so that they fled out of
that house naked and wounded.
00:13:55.10\00:13:57.97
This became known both
to all the Jews and Greeks
00:13:58.00\00:14:00.84
dwelling in Ephesus;
and fear fell on them all,
00:14:00.87\00:14:03.54
and the name of the
Lord Jesus was magnified.
00:14:03.57\00:14:06.11
And many who had
believed came confessing
00:14:06.14\00:14:08.64
and telling their deeds.
00:14:08.68\00:14:10.01
Also, many of those
who had practiced magic
00:14:10.05\00:14:12.61
brought their books together
00:14:12.65\00:14:13.98
and burned them
in the sight of all.
00:14:14.02\00:14:15.35
And they counted up
the value of them all,
00:14:15.38\00:14:18.22
and it totaled fifty
thousand pieces of silver.
00:14:18.25\00:14:21.16
So the word of the Lord
grew mightily and prevailed. "
00:14:21.22\00:14:25.03
On that note, I
give to you, Ryan.
00:14:25.06\00:14:26.96
Ryan: All right,
thank you so much, Pastor
00:14:27.00\00:14:28.40
for that great foundation.
00:14:28.43\00:14:29.76
I'm Ryan Day, I
have Monday's lesson,
00:14:29.80\00:14:32.13
entitled: A Riot
in the Amphitheater
00:14:32.20\00:14:34.64
and, of course, this is
diving into Acts chapter 19
00:14:34.70\00:14:38.07
and the first part
of Acts chapter 20,
00:14:38.14\00:14:39.87
and I like how the
lesson actually provides a...
00:14:39.91\00:14:43.81
a timeline of... of
Paul's connection to Ephesus
00:14:43.85\00:14:47.68
and I just want to read that...
00:14:47.72\00:14:49.05
it's highlighted there
in the... in the lesson
00:14:49.08\00:14:51.65
but you can see there
that in A.D. 52 approximately
00:14:51.69\00:14:54.16
Paul's initial brief visit,
00:14:54.19\00:14:56.02
he goes to
Ephesus for the first time
00:14:56.06\00:14:57.79
and you read about
this in Acts chapter 18
00:14:57.83\00:14:59.93
verses 18 to 21.
00:14:59.96\00:15:01.30
But then, by the time
you get to A.D. 53 to 56,
00:15:01.33\00:15:04.53
this was actually Paul's
three years spent in Ephesus
00:15:04.57\00:15:07.87
in his missionary time there
00:15:07.90\00:15:09.70
ministering and preaching
00:15:09.74\00:15:11.47
and sharing the
gospel there in Ephesus,
00:15:11.51\00:15:13.38
and then, of course, A.D.
57, while at... is it Miletus?
00:15:13.41\00:15:17.38
how do you say it?
Miletus? Lomacang: Miletus.
00:15:17.41\00:15:18.75
Ryan: Miletus... okay...
00:15:18.78\00:15:20.12
while at Miletus, Paul meets
with the elders from Ephesus
00:15:20.15\00:15:23.39
and that is recorded in
Acts chapter 20 verses 17 to 38
00:15:23.45\00:15:26.82
and, of course,
by A.D. 62, we see
00:15:26.86\00:15:29.26
some ten years later after he
had that encounter in Ephesus,
00:15:29.29\00:15:32.69
Paul composes a
letter to the Ephesians
00:15:32.73\00:15:34.93
probably from the
confinement of Rome.
00:15:34.96\00:15:37.10
And so, our lesson actually
opens up with this story
00:15:37.13\00:15:40.50
in Acts chapter 19,
00:15:40.54\00:15:41.87
of this great riot that took
place in the Amphitheater there
00:15:41.90\00:15:46.37
in Ephesus
00:15:46.41\00:15:47.74
because Paul was
preparing to leave...
00:15:47.78\00:15:49.24
he was planning
to go on and move on
00:15:49.28\00:15:51.51
into Macedonia
and on to Jerusalem
00:15:51.55\00:15:53.72
and, of course, he would
eventually end up in Rome.
00:15:53.75\00:15:55.58
But after... while Paul is there
and he's preparing to leave,
00:15:55.62\00:15:59.12
one of the Townsmen was a
silversmith by the name...
00:15:59.15\00:16:02.16
by the name of Demetrius...
he stirs up the folk
00:16:02.19\00:16:05.23
and he begins to... you can
read the story for yourself,
00:16:05.26\00:16:08.30
I'm not going to read all of it,
00:16:08.33\00:16:09.66
I mean, we can
read some pieces here,
00:16:09.70\00:16:11.03
but it's quite
interesting, we read the story
00:16:11.07\00:16:13.13
and he stirs up the people,
he says, "Look, Folks... "
00:16:13.17\00:16:14.94
he says, "we've
got this incredible
00:16:14.97\00:16:17.27
economic way of living
00:16:17.31\00:16:19.91
and we're making money and... "
00:16:19.94\00:16:21.38
a part of this, of course,
is creating these little gods...
00:16:21.41\00:16:24.61
he was a
silversmith so what he would do
00:16:24.65\00:16:26.21
as... as kind of an honor
00:16:26.25\00:16:28.05
or a... a praise
to the goddess Diana,
00:16:28.08\00:16:30.99
a silversmith, he would
make these little relics
00:16:31.02\00:16:33.25
and these
little statues of Diana
00:16:33.29\00:16:35.52
that people would purchase
00:16:35.56\00:16:36.89
and they would
put it in their home
00:16:36.93\00:16:38.26
and they would create
little home shrines and...
00:16:38.29\00:16:39.83
this was a very big
business for the goldsmiths
00:16:39.86\00:16:41.56
and the silversmiths
00:16:41.60\00:16:42.93
and the blacksmiths and
all these different people
00:16:42.96\00:16:44.53
and so it's... it's
actually highlighted in verse 27
00:16:44.60\00:16:46.57
as he is speaking and
stirring up the crowd,
00:16:46.60\00:16:48.50
speaking of
Paul... he highlights Paul.
00:16:48.54\00:16:50.17
He says, "This guy
has stirred up trouble,
00:16:50.21\00:16:51.94
he's causing a
problem to our business.
00:16:51.97\00:16:53.68
It says, "So, not only
is this trade of ours... "
00:16:53.71\00:16:56.01
this is verse 27,
in Acts chapter 19,
00:16:56.04\00:16:58.31
"So not only is
this trade of ours
00:16:58.35\00:17:00.42
in danger of
falling into disrepute... "
00:17:00.45\00:17:02.18
disrepute... it says,
00:17:02.22\00:17:03.82
"but also the temple of
the great goddess Diana... "
00:17:03.85\00:17:06.12
which is also Artemis
00:17:06.15\00:17:07.92
"may be despised... "
yeah, "may be despised
00:17:07.96\00:17:11.43
and her magnificence destroyed,
00:17:11.46\00:17:13.86
whom all Asia and
the world worship. "
00:17:13.90\00:17:15.56
They have to understand
00:17:15.60\00:17:16.93
this was their
greatest god among many gods.
00:17:16.97\00:17:19.13
They had many, many gods...
00:17:19.20\00:17:20.67
this was like
polytheistic culture
00:17:20.70\00:17:24.11
but Diana, of course,
was a goddess of fertility,
00:17:24.14\00:17:27.54
she was a goddess
of sexual immorality
00:17:27.58\00:17:29.94
and this often led the people
to practice in such things
00:17:30.01\00:17:33.21
so, Paul had to deal with
this while he was at Ephesus.
00:17:33.25\00:17:35.92
He preached against it,
00:17:35.95\00:17:37.29
he evidently
discouraged the people
00:17:37.32\00:17:40.06
from worshipping these gods...
00:17:40.09\00:17:41.42
and worshipping the one true God
00:17:41.46\00:17:42.82
and here Demetrius... he's...
00:17:42.86\00:17:44.19
he's bringing it
to their attention
00:17:44.23\00:17:45.56
and he stirs up the people.
00:17:45.59\00:17:46.93
They basically
rush the amphitheater
00:17:46.96\00:17:49.43
and they're
inside this amphitheater
00:17:49.46\00:17:51.97
just... you know... again...
causing a ruckus, you know,
00:17:52.00\00:17:54.80
and crying out, "Great
is Diana of the Ephesians!"
00:17:54.87\00:17:57.27
And eventually, the whole city
00:17:57.31\00:17:59.04
just turns into
this rioting scene
00:17:59.07\00:18:00.98
of which eventually
00:18:01.01\00:18:02.34
one of the local city clerks
had to quiet the crowds and say,
00:18:02.38\00:18:05.91
"Look, Guys, you Guys
are getting out of control,
00:18:05.98\00:18:07.88
while Paul may have
done some of these things,
00:18:07.92\00:18:09.28
you know what?
00:18:09.32\00:18:10.65
We still worship
this goddess Diana...
00:18:10.69\00:18:12.25
everything's going to be okay,
00:18:12.29\00:18:13.62
if you have a problem with Paul,
00:18:13.66\00:18:14.99
take him to court
and deal with him there,
00:18:15.02\00:18:16.52
but stop
stirring up the people. "
00:18:16.56\00:18:18.43
So, it caused a great issue.
00:18:18.46\00:18:20.03
This story reflects
of the struggles and the
00:18:20.06\00:18:22.50
the trials that
Paul had to endure
00:18:22.53\00:18:25.27
while he was there.
00:18:25.33\00:18:26.67
Again, not to say that he...
00:18:26.70\00:18:28.04
that his work there
00:18:28.07\00:18:29.40
and his gospel
preaching was in vain,
00:18:29.44\00:18:31.04
but these were
some of the challenges
00:18:31.07\00:18:32.81
that he had to deal with...
00:18:32.84\00:18:34.18
a culture that was
so steeped in polytheism
00:18:34.21\00:18:36.14
and false idol worship so much
00:18:36.18\00:18:38.61
that by the time you get
to Ephesians chapters 1 and 2,
00:18:38.65\00:18:42.98
and onward,
00:18:43.02\00:18:44.35
he's writing this
letter to the Ephesians
00:18:44.39\00:18:45.72
and he's expressing his concerns
00:18:45.75\00:18:47.66
even as he's
leaving... he's left Ephesus,
00:18:47.69\00:18:49.96
he's writing this letter
to the leaders at Ephesus,
00:18:49.99\00:18:53.36
and he's sharing
his heart with them.
00:18:53.40\00:18:54.93
For instance, if you go to...
00:18:54.96\00:18:56.40
it's actually in Acts
chapter 20, my apologies,
00:18:56.43\00:18:59.13
so, Acts chapter 20 and we're
actually in verse 25 and onward,
00:18:59.17\00:19:02.60
notice what the Bible says here,
00:19:02.67\00:19:04.01
this is in the aftermath...
after he's left Ephesus
00:19:04.04\00:19:06.07
and he's now sharing
his heart with the people
00:19:06.11\00:19:08.41
and his concerns
about what he has
00:19:08.44\00:19:10.75
in concern for the
people once he leaves...
00:19:10.78\00:19:13.28
because Paul has worked
hard to establish order...
00:19:13.31\00:19:15.65
to establish a church there
00:19:15.68\00:19:17.25
that's going to
reach this culture...
00:19:17.29\00:19:18.79
this backwards culture
00:19:18.82\00:19:20.16
that's so steeped
and drowning in...
00:19:20.19\00:19:22.62
in polytheistic
false idol worship,
00:19:22.66\00:19:25.09
so, there in verse
25 of Acts chapter 20,
00:19:25.13\00:19:27.60
he's writing and speaking
to the church at Ephesus,
00:19:27.63\00:19:30.13
he says, "And indeed,
now I know that you all,
00:19:30.17\00:19:32.63
among whom I have gone
preaching the kingdom of God,
00:19:32.67\00:19:34.94
will see my face no more. "
00:19:34.97\00:19:36.57
So, he's preparing to leave.
00:19:36.60\00:19:38.14
"Therefore I
testify to you this day
00:19:38.17\00:19:40.04
that I am innocent
of the blood of all men.
00:19:40.08\00:19:41.91
For I have not
shunned to declare
00:19:41.94\00:19:44.05
to you the whole
counsel of God. "
00:19:44.11\00:19:46.15
But then, he really
opens up with his concerns.
00:19:46.18\00:19:48.62
He says, "Therefore
take heed to yourselves
00:19:48.65\00:19:50.95
and to all the flock,
00:19:50.99\00:19:52.32
among which the Holy
Spirit has made you overseers,
00:19:52.35\00:19:54.69
to shepherd the church of God
00:19:54.72\00:19:56.59
which he purchased
with His own blood.
00:19:56.62\00:19:58.69
For I know this,
that after my departure
00:19:58.73\00:20:00.96
savage wolves
will come in among you,
00:20:01.00\00:20:03.16
not sparing the flock.
00:20:03.23\00:20:04.60
Also from among
yourselves men will rise up,
00:20:04.63\00:20:07.90
speaking perverse things,
00:20:07.94\00:20:09.27
to draw away the
disciples after themselves.
00:20:09.30\00:20:11.84
Therefore watch,
and remember... "
00:20:11.87\00:20:13.71
as Pastor read earlier...
00:20:13.74\00:20:15.08
"watch and remember
00:20:15.11\00:20:16.44
for three years I did
not cease to warn everyone
00:20:16.48\00:20:18.21
night and day with tears. "
00:20:18.25\00:20:19.81
This was Paul's concern.
00:20:19.85\00:20:21.28
"Look, I'm going to leave,
we've started a good work here,
00:20:21.35\00:20:23.69
but don't think for one
second that after I leave
00:20:23.72\00:20:26.32
that the devil's not
going to send in his tares
00:20:26.35\00:20:28.86
and they're going to
begin trying to divide the flock
00:20:28.89\00:20:31.19
and to cause trouble and to,
you know, divide the church. "
00:20:31.23\00:20:34.16
And I have to just stop
here and just make the point
00:20:34.20\00:20:35.86
that... I don't think
that there is a pastor
00:20:35.90\00:20:38.83
that has ever existed
00:20:38.87\00:20:40.20
that... that had a
church district or a church
00:20:40.24\00:20:42.47
that has not experienced
this very thing over the years.
00:20:42.50\00:20:46.04
There has never been
a church that has went
00:20:46.07\00:20:48.68
untouched by the devil's plans
00:20:48.74\00:20:50.55
to divide and to
conquer that congregation.
00:20:50.58\00:20:52.95
And so, these are issues that
we also have to pay attention to
00:20:52.98\00:20:56.02
very much.
00:20:56.05\00:20:57.39
Now, it's interesting
that the Monday's lesson
00:20:57.42\00:20:59.89
ends up with this question.
00:20:59.92\00:21:01.26
It says, "What do
you think Paul would warn
00:21:01.29\00:21:02.96
our church
about today, and why?"
00:21:02.99\00:21:04.99
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:21:05.03\00:21:06.36
Ryan: And as I got
thinking through...
00:21:06.39\00:21:07.73
there's many things
I'm sure Paul would see
00:21:07.76\00:21:09.83
going on in the church today
00:21:09.86\00:21:11.37
that he would
probably warn of...
00:21:11.40\00:21:12.73
I just wrote down a
few here that kind of...
00:21:12.77\00:21:14.60
got me... got me
reflecting and thinking
00:21:14.64\00:21:16.30
of some of the
challenges that we may deal with
00:21:16.34\00:21:18.77
in the culture that we're living
00:21:18.81\00:21:20.14
and in the society
that we're living in
00:21:20.18\00:21:21.54
and how the devil is
trying to divide our church
00:21:21.58\00:21:24.08
and the mission of our church
00:21:24.11\00:21:25.45
and to keep it
from being accomplished.
00:21:25.48\00:21:27.42
For one thing, it
would probably warn us
00:21:27.45\00:21:29.55
from falling into
the pit of legalism.
00:21:29.58\00:21:31.65
That seems to
be a very strong...
00:21:31.69\00:21:33.69
I mean, there's many
minds within the church
00:21:33.76\00:21:35.09
that have this
idea that they feel like
00:21:35.12\00:21:36.73
they can work
their way to heaven,
00:21:36.76\00:21:38.09
that.. that... while the law of
God does plays an important role
00:21:38.13\00:21:41.23
in the overall
plan of salvation,
00:21:41.26\00:21:42.63
they believe that
it's about what you do
00:21:42.66\00:21:44.67
rather than who you know
00:21:44.70\00:21:46.03
and who you know
changing what you do
00:21:46.07\00:21:47.40
and so, Paul would
probably warn of that,
00:21:47.44\00:21:48.84
"Don't fall into
that pit of legalism...
00:21:48.87\00:21:50.41
yes, the
commandments are important...
00:21:50.44\00:21:51.91
yes, the law is important
00:21:51.94\00:21:53.27
but don't come to the point
00:21:53.31\00:21:54.64
where you think you can
add to what Jesus has done"
00:21:54.68\00:21:56.14
and we're going to see
this actually, come back up
00:21:56.18\00:21:58.18
in the book of
Ephesians as we study through.
00:21:58.21\00:22:00.12
He would probably warn of
00:22:00.18\00:22:01.65
drifting into
the sea of compromise
00:22:01.68\00:22:03.32
and perversion of the
freedom God has given us.
00:22:03.35\00:22:05.99
In other words, this... this
do what thou wilt mentality.
00:22:06.02\00:22:08.36
It's the extreme opposite
of the legalistic approach
00:22:08.39\00:22:11.09
where people tend to fall into
00:22:11.13\00:22:12.96
and slip into this
mindful thinking of...
00:22:12.99\00:22:14.86
"You know what?
00:22:14.90\00:22:16.23
God loves me, you
know, love... love... love...
00:22:16.26\00:22:17.90
grace... grace... grace...
00:22:17.93\00:22:19.27
you know, as much as I sin...
00:22:19.30\00:22:20.64
they manipulate Paul's words...
00:22:20.67\00:22:22.00
as much as I sin, God is
just pouring grace on my life,
00:22:22.04\00:22:24.31
and there's
nothing that I can do
00:22:24.34\00:22:25.67
that can separate me
from the love of God. "
00:22:25.71\00:22:27.04
That's true if there's
nothing that can separate us
00:22:27.08\00:22:29.24
from the love of God
00:22:29.28\00:22:30.61
but there are things such as sin
that can separate us from God
00:22:30.65\00:22:33.88
and we certainly want to
make sure that doesn't happen.
00:22:33.92\00:22:35.58
I believe Paul would also warn
00:22:35.62\00:22:37.02
not to allow
spiritual tunnel vision
00:22:37.05\00:22:39.05
on one minor issue
00:22:39.09\00:22:40.42
clouding out of vision
from the weightier matters
00:22:40.46\00:22:42.49
such as the
three angels' messages
00:22:42.52\00:22:44.63
we are called to
preach but some people
00:22:44.69\00:22:46.26
get caught up in
these other things
00:22:46.29\00:22:47.63
and they cause division
in all these other areas...
00:22:47.66\00:22:49.66
the divisions in
the church in general,
00:22:49.70\00:22:51.73
I believe that this is a
time in which we are living
00:22:51.80\00:22:53.74
in which the church is
divided more than ever.
00:22:53.80\00:22:55.80
And, of course, this
is because the devil is...
00:22:55.84\00:22:58.41
he's... he's got wrath
00:22:58.44\00:22:59.97
and he knows he
has but a short time
00:23:00.01\00:23:01.54
as the book of
Revelation tells us
00:23:01.58\00:23:03.01
and so, he is launching
an all out total onslaught
00:23:03.04\00:23:05.91
on the church to keep us divided
00:23:05.95\00:23:07.78
and keep us segmented and
fragmented and not together.
00:23:07.82\00:23:10.82
He would also probably say,
00:23:10.85\00:23:12.35
"Check your
spiritual temperature,
00:23:12.39\00:23:13.82
don't fall into
that Laodicean mindset
00:23:13.86\00:23:16.96
that many people have,
00:23:17.03\00:23:18.36
you know, make sure that you
are fully grounded and rooted
00:23:18.39\00:23:20.50
in Jesus Christ... "
00:23:20.56\00:23:21.90
and probably...
last but not least,
00:23:21.93\00:23:23.30
he would probably
say, "You know what?
00:23:23.33\00:23:25.00
Do regular oil checks. "
00:23:25.03\00:23:27.00
Panel: Laughter.
00:23:27.04\00:23:28.37
Of course, I'm referencing
the oil of the Holy Spirit.
00:23:28.40\00:23:31.21
We are living in the last days
00:23:31.24\00:23:32.57
where we, more than
ever, need the Holy Spirit.
00:23:32.61\00:23:34.68
We are told and we are counseled
00:23:34.71\00:23:36.08
that in these last
days that we are living...
00:23:36.11\00:23:37.91
that the Spirit of God daily
00:23:37.95\00:23:39.55
is being
withdrawn from this planet
00:23:39.61\00:23:41.35
not because God
wants to leave us...
00:23:41.38\00:23:43.08
not because God wants
to leave us comfortless,
00:23:43.12\00:23:45.32
because He doesn't...
00:23:45.35\00:23:46.69
but because of our choices
00:23:46.72\00:23:48.06
and because of our quenching...
00:23:48.09\00:23:49.42
our resisting of the Holy
Spirit in our hearts and minds,
00:23:49.46\00:23:51.83
in our homes and
with our choices,
00:23:51.89\00:23:53.53
and in our daily lives,
00:23:53.56\00:23:54.90
God's spirit is being
withdrawn from this planet.
00:23:54.93\00:23:57.13
So, I believe Paul...
this great Evangelist...
00:23:57.17\00:23:59.47
this powerful
man of God, Pastor,
00:23:59.50\00:24:01.14
I believe he would
echo that message...
00:24:01.17\00:24:03.41
do regular oil checks...
00:24:03.47\00:24:05.31
make sure you have
the oil and the spirit
00:24:05.34\00:24:07.68
and much of it in
your vessels ready
00:24:07.71\00:24:10.21
to go out to meet Him
when the times of trouble come
00:24:10.25\00:24:13.42
and the end of this
world is fast approaching,
00:24:13.45\00:24:15.52
that you make sure
that you are in harmony
00:24:15.55\00:24:17.59
with the gospel of Jesus Christ,
00:24:17.65\00:24:18.99
that you are rooted and grounded
on the rock of Jesus Christ
00:24:19.02\00:24:21.96
and that you are
full of the Holy Spirit.
00:24:21.99\00:24:24.36
Panel: Amen, amen.
00:24:24.39\00:24:25.73
Lomacang: Thank
you so much, Ryan, wow!
00:24:25.76\00:24:27.10
What a start to our lesson,
00:24:27.13\00:24:28.46
first lesson... we
are getting started,
00:24:28.50\00:24:29.96
you know that we
have three more Presenters
00:24:30.00\00:24:31.63
but don't go away,
we'll be right back.
00:24:31.70\00:24:34.64
Music...
00:24:34.67\00:24:39.81
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Pause...
00:25:09.04\00:25:10.37
Lomacang: Now we're
going to go to Shelley Quinn
00:25:10.41\00:25:11.87
which has the lesson entitled:
00:25:11.91\00:25:13.24
Hearing the
Letter to the Ephesians.
00:25:13.27\00:25:15.58
Shelley: Amen, thank you
so much for that foundation.
00:25:15.61\00:25:19.11
We are going to spend a
whole Quarter on six chapters
00:25:19.15\00:25:22.62
but my lesson today is
to give you an overview
00:25:22.65\00:25:26.76
of those six
chapters in ten minutes.
00:25:26.79\00:25:29.32
Paul wrote the
letter to the Ephesians
00:25:29.36\00:25:31.89
while he was imprisoned.
00:25:31.93\00:25:33.29
He gave it to
his faithful minister
00:25:33.33\00:25:36.43
who was a beloved
brother named Tychicus.
00:25:36.46\00:25:40.50
So, Tychicus takes this
letter to the Ephesians.
00:25:40.54\00:25:44.64
This was a big event...
00:25:44.67\00:25:46.31
I mean to have Paul's
personal representative come
00:25:46.34\00:25:50.38
to give this letter.
00:25:50.41\00:25:52.71
As we have looked,
influential men in Ephesus
00:25:52.75\00:25:57.55
were
introducing false doctrines.
00:25:57.59\00:26:01.32
So, what Paul does... I
love the book of Ephesians,
00:26:01.36\00:26:05.56
the first three chapters
are theological in nature,
00:26:05.59\00:26:09.73
how Christ made them rich,
00:26:09.76\00:26:12.93
they... they were
ignorant of their riches.
00:26:12.97\00:26:15.10
But then, the
last three chapters
00:26:15.17\00:26:18.11
provide practical
advice for Christian behavior
00:26:18.17\00:26:22.54
and together these six
chapters go from eternity past
00:26:22.58\00:26:26.28
to eternity future.
00:26:26.31\00:26:27.65
So, the theology of
chapter one... he opens up
00:26:27.68\00:26:30.92
speaking of the
riches and the blessings
00:26:30.95\00:26:34.12
that Christians have in Christ.
00:26:34.16\00:26:35.99
Ephesians 1:3 is one
of my favorite verses.
00:26:36.02\00:26:38.66
It says, "Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
00:26:38.69\00:26:43.50
who has blessed us with
every spiritual blessing
00:26:43.57\00:26:48.60
in heavenly places in Christ. "
00:26:48.64\00:26:51.47
What are those
spiritual blessings?
00:26:51.54\00:26:54.34
Adoption...
00:26:54.38\00:26:55.71
Acceptance...
00:26:55.74\00:26:57.08
Redemption...
00:26:57.11\00:26:58.45
Forgiveness...
00:26:58.48\00:26:59.81
Wisdom...
00:26:59.85\00:27:01.18
Inheritance...
00:27:01.22\00:27:02.55
The Seal of the Holy Spirit...
00:27:02.58\00:27:03.92
Life...
grace... and citizenship.
00:27:03.95\00:27:05.29
It's amazing!
00:27:05.32\00:27:06.65
He says in Ephesians 1:7,
00:27:06.69\00:27:08.12
"In Him we have
redemption through His blood,
00:27:08.16\00:27:10.83
the forgiveness of sins,
00:27:10.86\00:27:12.19
according to the
riches of His grace. "
00:27:12.23\00:27:16.03
So, as children of God,
00:27:16.06\00:27:19.33
we become the chosen.
00:27:19.37\00:27:21.64
We are predestined
to become like Christ.
00:27:21.67\00:27:27.21
Redemption in Christ is
the inheritance that we have.
00:27:27.24\00:27:32.58
We have many resources in Christ
00:27:32.61\00:27:35.45
then Paul goes
on in Ephesians 1:17
00:27:35.48\00:27:38.29
to pray this prayer
for Christ-focused wisdom.
00:27:38.32\00:27:43.29
He's praying for them that
the God of our Lord Jesus Christ
00:27:43.32\00:27:46.93
the Father of glory,
00:27:47.00\00:27:48.33
may give you the spirit
of wisdom and revelation
00:27:48.36\00:27:51.30
and the knowledge of Him,
00:27:51.33\00:27:52.83
that the eyes of
your understanding
00:27:52.87\00:27:55.10
would be enlightened;
00:27:55.14\00:27:56.47
that you may know what
is the hope of your calling,
00:27:56.50\00:28:00.31
what are the riches of
the glory of His inheritance
00:28:00.34\00:28:04.18
in the saints,
00:28:04.25\00:28:05.58
and the exceeding greatness
00:28:05.61\00:28:08.52
of His power
toward us who believe,
00:28:08.55\00:28:11.19
according to the
working of His mighty power.
00:28:11.22\00:28:15.46
What is that mighty power?
00:28:15.49\00:28:16.96
It's the Holy
Spirit working in us.
00:28:17.03\00:28:19.89
The theology of chapter 2:
00:28:19.93\00:28:22.53
Paul speaks to
new life in Christ.
00:28:22.56\00:28:27.97
He's saying, "You
are one spiritually dead,
00:28:28.00\00:28:30.84
now you are
exalted with Christ. "
00:28:30.87\00:28:33.51
Ephesians 2:8 through 10,
00:28:33.54\00:28:35.38
"For by grace, you have
been saved through faith,
00:28:35.41\00:28:38.21
and that not of yourselves;
it is the gift of God,
00:28:38.25\00:28:40.98
not of works, lest
anyone should boast. "
00:28:41.02\00:28:43.39
Then he goes on, he says,
00:28:43.42\00:28:45.69
"We are Christ's workmanship.
00:28:45.72\00:28:47.92
We're God's work of
art created in Christ,
00:28:47.96\00:28:52.43
'for good works,
00:28:52.46\00:28:54.30
which God prepared beforehand
that we should walk in them. '"
00:28:54.33\00:28:59.00
So, the theology of chapter 2 is
talking about unity in Christ.
00:28:59.03\00:29:03.67
God's creation of the
church of Jews and Gentiles
00:29:03.71\00:29:08.28
who are brought together
00:29:08.31\00:29:10.41
by our being united with
Christ to ease our peace.
00:29:10.45\00:29:15.35
Now, theology of chapter 3
00:29:15.38\00:29:18.82
speaks of God's
fullness for the church
00:29:18.85\00:29:22.52
and the mystery of
God's plan is revealed
00:29:22.56\00:29:26.19
and I love this prayer,
00:29:26.23\00:29:27.76
probably my favorite... one of
my favorite Scripture passages,
00:29:27.80\00:29:31.17
that Paul is praying for
the Ephesians to experience
00:29:31.20\00:29:36.94
the love of God.
00:29:36.97\00:29:38.51
He says in
Ephesians 3:16 through 21,
00:29:38.57\00:29:41.31
"I'm praying that
He would grant you,
00:29:41.34\00:29:44.08
according to the
riches of His glory,
00:29:44.11\00:29:46.58
to be strengthened with might
00:29:46.61\00:29:49.35
through His
Spirit in the inner man,
00:29:49.38\00:29:52.69
that Christ may dwell in
your hearts through faith;
00:29:52.72\00:29:57.93
that you will be... "
00:29:57.96\00:30:00.10
and any time you see "that"
00:30:00.13\00:30:01.93
there is... that's
a purpose statement.
00:30:01.96\00:30:04.37
So, I want you
to be strengthened
00:30:04.43\00:30:06.77
with the Holy
Spirit in your heart...
00:30:06.80\00:30:08.80
what's the purpose?
00:30:08.87\00:30:10.97
So that Christ can dwell
in your heart through faith.
00:30:11.01\00:30:13.98
What's the purpose?
00:30:14.01\00:30:15.34
"that you may be able to
comprehend with all the saints
00:30:15.38\00:30:18.71
what is the width and
length and depth and height...
00:30:18.75\00:30:22.35
to know the love of
Christ which passes knowledge;
00:30:22.38\00:30:26.32
that you may be filled
with all the fullness of God. "
00:30:26.35\00:30:30.26
Oh! are we filled
with the fullness of God?
00:30:30.29\00:30:33.43
Ah... he says, "Now to Him
00:30:33.46\00:30:36.13
who is able to do
exceedingly abundantly
00:30:36.16\00:30:38.40
above all that we ask or think,
00:30:38.43\00:30:40.80
according to the power...
His power that works in us,
00:30:40.84\00:30:44.24
to him be glory in the church
00:30:44.31\00:30:46.74
by Christ Jesus
to all generations,
00:30:46.78\00:30:49.78
forever and ever. Amen. "
00:30:49.84\00:30:51.61
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:30:51.65\00:30:53.35
Shelley: Now, these are
these rich theological themes
00:30:53.38\00:30:57.75
saying, "Hey, you're
blessed with every blessing
00:30:57.79\00:31:02.06
in the heavenly
realms through Christ,
00:31:02.09\00:31:03.89
wake up...
recognize who you are.
00:31:03.93\00:31:06.70
Know your identity in Christ. "
00:31:06.73\00:31:09.06
Jill: That's right.
00:31:09.10\00:31:10.43
Shelley: And then, after
those first three chapters,
00:31:10.47\00:31:13.44
he switches to
practical Christianity.
00:31:13.47\00:31:18.07
In chapter 4, he begins
with God's plan for the church
00:31:18.14\00:31:22.34
that it includes
that faithful living
00:31:22.41\00:31:25.78
includes holding on to
00:31:25.81\00:31:28.28
and nurturing
Spirit-inspired unity
00:31:28.32\00:31:33.05
as Christ endows us
and builds His church.
00:31:33.09\00:31:38.09
You mentioned how divided
things are in our world today.
00:31:38.16\00:31:42.70
This is not God's way.
00:31:42.73\00:31:44.83
God wants unity...
00:31:44.87\00:31:46.57
he presents...
00:31:46.63\00:31:48.24
in fact, Paul presents the
church as a living organism...
00:31:48.27\00:31:52.14
as the body of Christ
00:31:52.17\00:31:53.84
and he says that all parts
are related and independent...
00:31:53.88\00:31:57.98
that Christ is the Head
00:31:58.01\00:32:00.62
and we are to follow
God's pattern and principles
00:32:00.68\00:32:05.29
as members of the church
00:32:05.32\00:32:07.62
not grieving the Holy Spirit.
00:32:07.66\00:32:09.59
When we are fighting
and dividing and backbiting,
00:32:09.62\00:32:13.13
we're grieving the
Holy Spirit of God.
00:32:13.16\00:32:16.83
The practical
Christianity of chapter 5
00:32:16.87\00:32:20.44
is God's standards for
faithfulness in the church.
00:32:20.47\00:32:24.91
He says, "Walk
worthy of your calling
00:32:24.97\00:32:28.74
in unity... in love...
00:32:28.78\00:32:31.71
living in the
light of God's Word. "
00:32:31.75\00:32:34.88
"Walk as children of
the light... " He says,
00:32:34.92\00:32:38.45
we... light represents the
truth... the character of God.
00:32:38.49\00:32:42.69
We are to avoid
darkness, Paul says.
00:32:42.72\00:32:47.00
Avoid those things
that are done in evil.
00:32:47.06\00:32:50.00
Walk in wisdom
filled with the Holy Spirit
00:32:50.03\00:32:52.97
and he starts to transition...
00:32:53.00\00:32:56.47
to tell us how to practice
00:32:56.50\00:32:59.91
Christ-shaped lives
in Christian households
00:32:59.94\00:33:03.65
and he talks about the covenant
relationship of marriage
00:33:03.71\00:33:08.42
and he compares the
church to the Bride of Christ
00:33:08.45\00:33:12.02
and gives God's standards
for authority and submission
00:33:12.05\00:33:16.02
for all members
00:33:16.06\00:33:17.99
and particularly husbands
and wives and households.
00:33:18.03\00:33:20.80
Now, real quickly.
00:33:20.83\00:33:22.73
Chapter 6:
Practical Christianity...
00:33:22.76\00:33:26.63
he's talking about submission
of children to their parents...
00:33:26.67\00:33:30.04
employees to employers...
00:33:30.07\00:33:31.47
and he transitions
to God's provisions.
00:33:31.51\00:33:35.48
Oh, we love chapter 6, don't we?
00:33:35.51\00:33:37.25
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:33:37.28\00:33:38.61
Shelley: For his
children's spiritual battles.
00:33:38.65\00:33:41.48
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:33:41.52\00:33:43.08
Shelley: God provides
efficient spiritual armor
00:33:43.12\00:33:45.29
through His Word
and by His Spirit
00:33:45.32\00:33:47.86
and we stand
together now, Paul says
00:33:47.89\00:33:50.36
as the army of God
00:33:50.39\00:33:52.29
and he explains that
the believer's warfare
00:33:52.33\00:33:57.33
what it is... and what
is the believer's armor.
00:33:57.37\00:34:02.30
He says, "Finally... "
00:34:02.37\00:34:03.71
this is
Ephesians 6:10 through 12,
00:34:03.74\00:34:05.71
"Finally, my brethren,
00:34:05.74\00:34:07.41
be strong in the
Lord and in His might.
00:34:07.44\00:34:09.81
Put on the whole armor of God
00:34:09.84\00:34:11.98
that you may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil.
00:34:12.01\00:34:14.88
" Our... we
know that... he says,
00:34:14.92\00:34:17.89
"we do not wrestle
against flesh and blood,
00:34:17.92\00:34:20.22
but against principalities,
00:34:20.26\00:34:22.22
against powers,
00:34:22.26\00:34:23.59
against the rulers of
the darkness of this age,
00:34:23.63\00:34:27.96
against spiritual
hosts of wickedness
00:34:28.00\00:34:32.13
in heavenly places. "
00:34:32.17\00:34:34.30
So, he is appealing
00:34:34.34\00:34:36.30
for vigilant
00:34:36.34\00:34:41.88
resistance to the devil
00:34:41.91\00:34:43.85
to put on the full armor,
00:34:43.88\00:34:45.71
then he appeals for
vigilant prayer in the church.
00:34:45.75\00:34:48.42
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:34:48.48\00:34:49.82
Shelley: It's interesting.
00:34:49.85\00:34:51.19
The word "riches" is
used five times in Ephesians.
00:34:51.22\00:34:53.99
The word "grace" is
used twelve times...
00:34:54.06\00:34:58.23
"glory... " nine times,
00:34:58.26\00:35:00.46
"fullness" or
"filled" six times.
00:35:00.50\00:35:03.60
And the key phrase, "in Christ"
00:35:03.63\00:35:06.67
is used eleven times.
00:35:06.74\00:35:09.00
Christ is the head...
00:35:09.04\00:35:11.27
the center and the
circumference of the church.
00:35:11.31\00:35:14.14
Panel: Hmmm... amen.
00:35:14.18\00:35:15.51
Dinzey: Amen, praise the Lord.
00:35:15.54\00:35:17.31
What a wonderful book
is the book of Ephesians!
00:35:17.35\00:35:20.05
The Holy Spirit has put together
a wonderful book for us to study
00:35:20.08\00:35:24.22
and so, I have
Wednesday's portion,
00:35:24.29\00:35:27.02
my name is John Dinzey.
00:35:27.06\00:35:28.39
The title is:
Ephesians in its Time.
00:35:28.42\00:35:31.39
This takes us already
into Ephesians chapter 1,
00:35:31.43\00:35:35.96
verse 1, let's begin there.
00:35:36.00\00:35:37.93
It says, "Paul, an
apostle of Jesus Christ
00:35:38.00\00:35:41.27
by the will of God,
00:35:41.30\00:35:43.61
to the saints
who are in Ephesus,
00:35:43.64\00:35:46.27
and faithful in Christ Jesus. "
00:35:46.31\00:35:48.91
Let's move to verse 2,
00:35:48.94\00:35:50.51
"Grace to you and
peace from God our Father
00:35:50.55\00:35:53.31
and the Lord Jesus Christ. "
00:35:53.35\00:35:56.02
So, we see here in the beginning
of Ephesians chapter 1 verse 1,
00:35:56.05\00:36:01.02
that Paul is
identifying himself.
00:36:01.06\00:36:04.66
He says he is an apostle
00:36:04.69\00:36:07.60
and normally
when you say "apostle"
00:36:07.63\00:36:09.66
people think of
the twelve disciples...
00:36:09.70\00:36:11.70
they are the apostles.
00:36:11.73\00:36:13.07
But here, Paul is recognizing
himself as an apostle.
00:36:13.10\00:36:16.37
He has divine credentials
00:36:16.40\00:36:18.34
and what is an apostle?
00:36:18.37\00:36:20.24
It comes from the
Greek word, "Apostolos"
00:36:20.28\00:36:23.01
which means a delegate
and ambassador of the gospel
00:36:23.04\00:36:26.85
and it says, officially
a commissioner of Christ,
00:36:26.92\00:36:30.59
but also, it's a
messenger... he that is sent.
00:36:30.62\00:36:34.26
So, you and I can
also be sent as Paul
00:36:34.29\00:36:38.19
but Paul is recognizing that
he has not claimed for himself
00:36:38.23\00:36:43.47
that he is an apostle.
00:36:43.53\00:36:44.90
He has been selected by God.
00:36:44.93\00:36:47.44
He has divine credentials.
00:36:47.47\00:36:48.97
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:36:49.00\00:36:50.94
Dinzey: I like to point you
to the book of 1st Corinthians
00:36:50.97\00:36:53.98
chapter 15
00:36:54.01\00:36:55.34
because it's very
interesting the way
00:36:55.38\00:36:58.05
that it introduces
to us what Paul says.
00:36:58.08\00:37:01.02
He says concerning himself
00:37:01.08\00:37:02.48
and he sets the background
there by talking about Jesus
00:37:02.52\00:37:06.32
how Jesus was
resurrected and He was seen
00:37:06.35\00:37:08.86
by 500 people as
it says in verse 6,
00:37:08.89\00:37:11.99
1st Corinthians 15:6,
00:37:12.03\00:37:13.36
let's read verse 7 and onward,
00:37:13.40\00:37:15.26
"Afterward He was seen by James,
00:37:15.33\00:37:17.30
and then by all the apostles.
00:37:17.33\00:37:19.40
And last of all, He
was seen by me also,
00:37:19.43\00:37:23.27
as one born out of time.
00:37:23.30\00:37:26.04
For I am the
least of the apostles,
00:37:26.07\00:37:28.74
and I am not sufficient
to be called an apostle
00:37:28.78\00:37:32.15
because I
persecuted the church of God.
00:37:32.18\00:37:34.42
But by the grace of God
00:37:34.45\00:37:38.39
I am what I am,
00:37:38.42\00:37:40.76
and His grace
which was toward me
00:37:40.79\00:37:43.66
has not been without fruit;
00:37:43.69\00:37:45.36
but I labored more abundantly
than all of them, yet...
00:37:45.39\00:37:48.33
yet, not I, but the
grace of God in me... "
00:37:48.36\00:37:52.57
Panel: Amen... amen.
00:37:52.60\00:37:53.94
Dinzey: "or with me. "
00:37:53.97\00:37:55.30
So, he's recognizing
that God has selected him...
00:37:55.34\00:37:57.11
he's recognizing that
he persecuted the church...
00:37:57.14\00:38:00.04
he's recognizing that he is...
00:38:00.08\00:38:01.94
he has these divine credentials.
00:38:01.98\00:38:03.78
So, because he has the
grace of God, he labored
00:38:03.81\00:38:07.75
and we should
consider this as well.
00:38:07.78\00:38:10.09
We have been selected.
00:38:10.12\00:38:11.55
Some people have been selected
from some horrible backgrounds
00:38:11.59\00:38:15.52
but the grace...
00:38:15.56\00:38:17.66
where sin abounds, the
grace of God more bounds
00:38:17.69\00:38:20.30
and this is a
wonderful thing to consider
00:38:20.33\00:38:22.56
and he says that he's
an apostle of Jesus Christ
00:38:22.63\00:38:25.83
by the will of God.
00:38:25.87\00:38:27.70
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:38:27.74\00:38:29.50
Dinzey: And that is
his... his credentials.
00:38:29.54\00:38:32.31
He is coming... sent by God.
00:38:32.34\00:38:34.48
Now he writes... it says,
00:38:34.51\00:38:36.64
"To the saints
who are at Ephesus. "
00:38:36.68\00:38:38.95
Wait a minute...
00:38:38.98\00:38:40.32
you know you... you
hear sometimes of a...
00:38:40.35\00:38:41.68
a very popular denomination,
00:38:41.72\00:38:43.49
that they have these
meetings and eventually, they...
00:38:43.55\00:38:45.95
they call... they...
they name somebody a "saint. "
00:38:45.99\00:38:47.99
But Paul is saying,
00:38:48.02\00:38:49.86
he's writing to
the saints in Ephesus.
00:38:49.89\00:38:51.66
Really a saint is one who is...
00:38:51.69\00:38:53.83
has dedicated
his life to the Lord.
00:38:53.86\00:38:56.00
He has accepted
the Lord Jesus Christ
00:38:56.03\00:38:58.63
and he is willing to follow Him.
00:38:58.67\00:39:00.80
So, Paul is recognizing,
"I'm writing to the saints. "
00:39:00.84\00:39:04.67
And then he says, "to the
faithful in Christ Jesus. "
00:39:04.71\00:39:08.51
Ah, my Brothers and
Sisters, you are saints...
00:39:08.54\00:39:11.21
you have been called
of the Lord to be faithful
00:39:11.25\00:39:13.88
by the grace of the
Lord in Christ Jesus.
00:39:13.92\00:39:17.05
"Saints" come from
the Greek word: "Hagios"
00:39:17.09\00:39:20.12
which means:
somebody that is pure morally,
00:39:20.16\00:39:23.12
we are only pure morally
as Jesus comes into our hearts
00:39:23.16\00:39:26.70
and we are... need to
recognize we are saints.
00:39:26.73\00:39:30.27
We have been
selected from the world...
00:39:30.30\00:39:31.83
we are supposed to be
lights in the world...
00:39:31.87\00:39:34.34
and this is our calling.
00:39:34.40\00:39:36.40
Ah... beautiful
things that are written here,
00:39:36.44\00:39:39.64
he says, "Grace and peace. "
00:39:39.67\00:39:41.64
We all need grace.
00:39:41.68\00:39:43.01
Panel: Amen.
00:39:43.04\00:39:44.38
Dinzey: We all need peace
00:39:44.41\00:39:45.75
and Paul is
saying to the Ephesians,
00:39:45.78\00:39:47.12
"grace and peace... "
00:39:47.15\00:39:48.48
and by the way, he's
writing to the Ephesians
00:39:48.52\00:39:49.85
but wait a minute...
00:39:49.88\00:39:51.22
He's writing to us as well.
00:39:51.25\00:39:52.99
Panel: Amen.
00:39:53.02\00:39:54.36
Dinzey: We need to
recognize that this letter
00:39:54.39\00:39:55.72
was for the Ephesians
but it's for the saints.
00:39:55.76\00:39:57.53
We are saints in Christ Jesus.
00:39:57.56\00:40:00.46
This letter is for us.
00:40:00.50\00:40:02.33
This letter is...
has so much beauty...
00:40:02.36\00:40:05.43
so much information for us
00:40:05.47\00:40:07.57
that if we study
with a prayerful attitude,
00:40:07.60\00:40:11.37
our lives are
going to be transformed.
00:40:11.41\00:40:14.11
We are to understand
that as you have heard,
00:40:14.18\00:40:16.85
"By grace, we are
saved through faith. "
00:40:16.88\00:40:20.28
A beautiful,
beautiful book in the Bible,
00:40:20.32\00:40:23.69
Ephesians.
00:40:23.72\00:40:25.05
So, we're going
back to the question
00:40:25.09\00:40:26.82
that is in the
beginning of the lesson,
00:40:26.86\00:40:28.26
"How does Paul begin
00:40:28.29\00:40:30.03
and end his letter to
the believers in Ephesus?"
00:40:30.06\00:40:33.06
And what do we learn about
his deepest desire for them?
00:40:33.09\00:40:36.70
Let's go ahead and
read in Ephesians chapter 6
00:40:36.73\00:40:40.14
verse 21... beginning there,
00:40:40.17\00:40:42.90
"But that you also may know
my affairs and how I am doing,
00:40:42.94\00:40:47.24
Tychichus, a beloved brother and
faithful minister in the Lord,
00:40:47.28\00:40:51.01
will make all
things known to you;
00:40:51.05\00:40:53.45
whom I have sent to
you for this very purpose,
00:40:53.48\00:40:56.38
that you may know our affairs,
00:40:56.42\00:40:57.89
and that he may
comfort your hearts. "
00:40:57.92\00:41:01.42
We'll come back to that.
00:41:01.46\00:41:02.79
And it says in verse 23,
"Peace to the brethren... "
00:41:02.82\00:41:05.69
again he brings out
peace to the brethren.
00:41:05.73\00:41:08.73
"And love with
faith, from God the Father
00:41:08.76\00:41:11.73
and the Lord Jesus Christ. "
00:41:11.77\00:41:13.10
You see similarities in
the beginning of the letter
00:41:13.13\00:41:15.24
and in the end of
the letter of Ephesians,
00:41:15.27\00:41:17.24
"Grace be with all those
who love our Lord Jesus Christ
00:41:17.27\00:41:21.81
in sincerity. Amen. "
00:41:21.84\00:41:24.05
So, here he says,
"Comfort your hearts. "
00:41:24.08\00:41:26.82
He has sent Tychichus
to comfort your hearts.
00:41:26.85\00:41:29.45
Do we need to be comforted?
00:41:29.48\00:41:31.35
Yes, we do.
00:41:31.39\00:41:32.72
And the Word of God
brings comfort to us.
00:41:32.75\00:41:35.82
God is the God of all comfort
00:41:35.86\00:41:37.99
and, you know, we
do ourselves much harm.
00:41:38.03\00:41:41.16
We kind of... I
say we punish ourselves
00:41:41.20\00:41:44.27
by not dedicating time
to the study of God's Word.
00:41:44.30\00:41:47.70
Stop punishing yourself.
00:41:47.74\00:41:49.14
Go to the Scriptures... study
00:41:49.17\00:41:52.04
because there the Lord
is going to lift you up
00:41:52.07\00:41:55.04
and He's going to give you hope.
00:41:55.11\00:41:57.81
Let's continue here,
00:41:57.85\00:41:59.21
and it says in Ephesians 6:23,
00:41:59.25\00:42:01.88
"Peace be to the brethren,
00:42:01.95\00:42:03.28
and love with faith. "
00:42:03.32\00:42:05.02
this is Paul's desire
that they have peace...
00:42:05.05\00:42:08.72
that they have
the grace of the Lord,
00:42:08.76\00:42:10.63
that the love of
God dwells in them
00:42:10.66\00:42:12.49
and it's beautiful,
you read that Scripture
00:42:12.53\00:42:14.43
that you may know what?
00:42:14.46\00:42:15.80
The love of God which is...
00:42:15.83\00:42:17.53
oh, it's... depths and heights,
00:42:17.57\00:42:19.77
this... we're going to look
into that later on in this...
00:42:19.83\00:42:23.30
in this study.
00:42:23.34\00:42:24.67
Here, we continue...
00:42:24.71\00:42:26.51
I need to read
something from the Lesson,
00:42:26.54\00:42:29.21
Dr. McVay wrote
something wonderful here
00:42:29.24\00:42:31.91
that I'd like to bring out.
00:42:31.95\00:42:33.28
It says, "At the outset of the
letter, Paul identifies himself
00:42:33.31\00:42:36.32
as the author.
Ephesians chapter 1 verse 1,
00:42:36.35\00:42:38.72
Near the middle of the letter,
00:42:38.75\00:42:40.26
Paul again identifies himself
by name, labeling himself
00:42:40.29\00:42:43.32
'the prisoner of Christ
Jesus for you Gentiles,'
00:42:43.36\00:42:48.13
that's Ephesians
chapter 3 verse 1,
00:42:48.16\00:42:50.27
which introduces a
personal reflection on his work
00:42:50.30\00:42:54.70
as an apostle.
00:42:54.74\00:42:56.07
Near the end of the letter,
00:42:56.10\00:42:57.44
he again refers
to his imprisonment
00:42:57.47\00:42:59.27
in Ephesians chapter 6 verse 20,
00:42:59.31\00:43:02.04
and concludes
with personal words. "
00:43:02.08\00:43:04.78
Now, he brings
out... Dr. McVay brings out
00:43:04.81\00:43:08.38
that some scholars deny that
the letter was written by Paul"
00:43:08.42\00:43:13.05
but... Paul wrote the letter,
00:43:13.09\00:43:15.12
it says so in the beginning.
00:43:15.19\00:43:17.33
He says here... Dr. McVay,
00:43:17.36\00:43:18.89
"It is important to note
00:43:18.93\00:43:20.40
that the epistle clearly lays
claim to Paul as its author.
00:43:20.43\00:43:24.50
Most Christians
accept, and rightly so,
00:43:24.53\00:43:27.04
Paul as the author. "
00:43:27.07\00:43:28.50
And Paul is the author.
00:43:28.54\00:43:29.94
Of course, backing up...
it's through the Holy Spirit
00:43:29.97\00:43:34.08
that Paul was able
to write this letter.
00:43:34.11\00:43:36.98
Now, something is
brought out in the lesson
00:43:37.01\00:43:39.85
which is very important as well
00:43:39.88\00:43:41.68
and it's...
have a question here,
00:43:41.72\00:43:43.42
"How does Paul worry about
the effect of his imprisonment
00:43:43.45\00:43:47.32
will have on
believers in Ephesus?"
00:43:47.36\00:43:49.92
Ephesians chapter 3
verse 13, notice this,
00:43:49.96\00:43:54.00
Therefore I ask that
you do not lose heart
00:43:54.03\00:43:58.03
at my tribulations for you,
00:43:58.07\00:44:00.57
which is your glory. "
00:44:00.60\00:44:02.80
You know, Paul was
a servant of the Lord.
00:44:02.84\00:44:06.44
Paul was an
apostle chosen by the Lord
00:44:06.47\00:44:09.64
but he also
counted it a privilege
00:44:09.68\00:44:12.78
to suffer for the Lord.
00:44:12.81\00:44:14.22
and sometimes as we
look at our fellow believers
00:44:14.25\00:44:18.32
and we see them
going through things,
00:44:18.35\00:44:20.26
some people may be discouraged
00:44:20.29\00:44:22.39
as they see things
happening to God's children.
00:44:22.42\00:44:25.43
But God is working out something
00:44:25.46\00:44:27.86
that we may not
see on the surface.
00:44:27.90\00:44:30.20
God is all wise...
God is all-knowing...
00:44:30.23\00:44:34.04
and He knows what is best
for each and every one of us
00:44:34.10\00:44:37.01
and we need to understand
that it says in Romans 8:28,
00:44:37.04\00:44:39.91
"All things work
together for good
00:44:39.94\00:44:42.51
to them that love God,
00:44:42.54\00:44:44.05
to them that are the called
according to His purpose. "
00:44:44.11\00:44:46.78
So, again from the lesson,
00:44:46.82\00:44:49.12
"Ephesians seems to
share the same general timing
00:44:49.15\00:44:51.49
and circumstances with other
letters Paul writes from prison,
00:44:51.55\00:44:55.52
like Colossians and Philemon.
00:44:55.56\00:44:57.86
Also, considerable
time seems to have passed
00:44:57.89\00:45:01.93
since Paul's
ministry in Ephesus. "
00:45:01.96\00:45:04.53
So, this letter of Ephesians...
00:45:04.57\00:45:07.07
this book of Ephesians
has a lot in store for us.
00:45:07.10\00:45:10.31
I encourage you
to study and take in,
00:45:10.34\00:45:13.84
you may want to
highlight some of these verses
00:45:13.88\00:45:15.54
and commit them to memory
00:45:15.58\00:45:16.91
and one of those you
should commit to memory is...
00:45:16.95\00:45:18.81
of course, is,
Ephesians chapter 2 verse 8,
00:45:18.85\00:45:21.35
"By grace, we are
saved through faith,
00:45:21.38\00:45:23.18
that not of ourselves;
it is the gift of God. "
00:45:23.22\00:45:26.22
Panel: Amen.
00:45:26.25\00:45:27.59
Jill: Amen, thank you
so much Pastor Johnny...
00:45:27.62\00:45:29.49
each one of you,
00:45:29.52\00:45:30.86
what an incredible start
to one of my favorite books.
00:45:30.89\00:45:34.00
I love Paul's writings...
00:45:34.03\00:45:36.67
I think Paul and John
are my two favorite authors
00:45:36.70\00:45:39.07
from the New Testament.
00:45:39.10\00:45:40.44
I love his writings and
Ephesians is an incredible book,
00:45:40.47\00:45:43.14
one of those prison epistles
00:45:43.17\00:45:45.71
written during Paul's first
imprisonment there in Rome.
00:45:45.74\00:45:49.34
My name is Jill Morikone.
00:45:49.38\00:45:51.21
I was so excited... I
forgot to give my name
00:45:51.25\00:45:53.38
and on Thursday, we
will look at Ephesians:
00:45:53.42\00:45:55.52
A Christ-saturated Letter.
00:45:55.55\00:45:57.42
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:45:57.45\00:45:59.32
Jill: Now, Shelley, you
referenced the phrase: in Christ
00:45:59.35\00:46:02.79
taking place eleven
times throughout the book of
00:46:02.82\00:46:06.19
Ephesians.
We're going to look at
00:46:06.26\00:46:08.33
sixteen times
00:46:08.36\00:46:10.63
where we see the
phrase either "in Christ"
00:46:10.67\00:46:13.20
or "in Him"
referring to "in Christ"
00:46:13.23\00:46:18.04
and there's more but
we're just going to...
00:46:18.07\00:46:20.18
we don't know if
we'll get to all of it
00:46:20.21\00:46:22.08
but we'll get to what we can.
00:46:22.11\00:46:23.45
To me the beautiful
thing about this book
00:46:23.48\00:46:26.61
is that it's all about Jesus.
00:46:26.65\00:46:27.98
Panel: Amen... that's right.
00:46:28.02\00:46:29.35
Jill: From the
start to the end...
00:46:29.38\00:46:30.72
the center and circumference
is the Lord Jesus Christ
00:46:30.75\00:46:34.12
and we'll discover
this as we go through
00:46:34.16\00:46:36.62
and unpack this "in
Christ" or "in Him" phrases.
00:46:36.69\00:46:40.06
So, we're starting
in Ephesians 1, verse 3,
00:46:40.10\00:46:43.47
read there with
me, Ephesians 1:3,
00:46:43.50\00:46:45.77
"Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
00:46:45.80\00:46:49.64
who has blessed us with
every spiritual blessing
00:46:49.67\00:46:51.97
in heavenly
places... " what's that word?
00:46:52.04\00:46:54.94
"in Christ. "
00:46:54.98\00:46:56.54
Takeaway Number 1:
00:46:56.58\00:46:58.55
Blessings... the spiritual
blessings that we discover
00:46:58.58\00:47:02.62
as we unpack the
book of Ephesians,
00:47:02.68\00:47:04.85
they come in Christ.
00:47:04.89\00:47:06.22
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:47:06.25\00:47:07.59
Jill: Sometimes we seek for
blessings apart from Christ.
00:47:07.62\00:47:09.02
We think, "Oh yeah,
I can get blessings...
00:47:09.06\00:47:10.99
I can get... "
00:47:11.03\00:47:12.36
No... only... they
only come through Christ...
00:47:12.39\00:47:15.36
in Christ.
00:47:15.40\00:47:16.73
Panel: That's right.
00:47:16.77\00:47:18.10
Jill: Let's look
at the next verse,
00:47:18.13\00:47:19.47
Ephesians 1 verse 4,
00:47:19.50\00:47:20.84
"just as He chose
us... " what's that word?
00:47:20.87\00:47:22.20
"in Him... " that's in Christ...
00:47:22.24\00:47:24.17
"before the
foundation of the world,
00:47:24.21\00:47:26.64
that we should be
holy and without blame
00:47:26.68\00:47:29.08
before Him in love. "
00:47:29.11\00:47:30.75
Takeaway Number 2:
00:47:30.78\00:47:32.31
Holiness comes from being in Him
00:47:32.35\00:47:35.55
or in Christ.
00:47:35.58\00:47:36.92
Ryan talked about the
legalism that we see prevalent
00:47:36.95\00:47:40.46
in certain denominations.
00:47:40.49\00:47:42.22
We think... we can
become holy in our own strength.
00:47:42.26\00:47:45.66
We can become
holy in our own works
00:47:45.69\00:47:47.96
no...
00:47:48.00\00:47:49.33
holiness comes
from being in Christ.
00:47:49.36\00:47:51.60
Let's read verse 7,
we're in Ephesians 1 verse 7,
00:47:51.63\00:47:54.47
"In Him... " that's in Christ...
00:47:54.50\00:47:57.01
"you and I have
redemption through His blood,
00:47:57.04\00:48:00.88
the forgiveness of sins. "
00:48:00.91\00:48:03.45
Takeaway Number 3:
00:48:03.48\00:48:04.81
Redemption and
forgiveness comes in Him.
00:48:04.85\00:48:08.58
There is no other
name given among men
00:48:08.62\00:48:12.32
whereby we might be saved
but the Lord Jesus Christ.
00:48:12.35\00:48:15.82
Panel: That's right, amen.
00:48:15.86\00:48:17.19
Jill: We can't be
saved through trying harder,
00:48:17.23\00:48:18.69
we can't be
saved through penance.
00:48:18.73\00:48:20.60
We can't be saved through
climbing the stairs on our knees
00:48:20.63\00:48:24.00
or through some
sort of physical torture.
00:48:24.03\00:48:26.50
We can't be saved through
Buddha or Hindu or any of that.
00:48:26.53\00:48:30.41
We are saved... redemption
comes through Jesus Christ.
00:48:30.44\00:48:34.28
Panel: Amen. Jill:
Let's read verse 10.
00:48:34.31\00:48:35.64
Ephesians 1:10,
00:48:35.68\00:48:37.58
"that in the dispensation
of the fullness of the times
00:48:37.61\00:48:41.42
He might gather together
in one all things in Christ,
00:48:41.45\00:48:45.22
both which are in heaven
00:48:45.25\00:48:46.82
and which are on
earth... in Him. "
00:48:46.86\00:48:49.42
Unity in the church...
00:48:49.46\00:48:51.06
unity in the family...
00:48:51.09\00:48:52.63
unity in society
only comes in Christ.
00:48:52.66\00:48:56.90
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:48:56.97\00:48:58.30
Jill: Takeaway 4:
Unity comes in Christ.
00:48:58.33\00:49:00.94
You know, 1st John 1:7 says,
00:49:00.97\00:49:02.70
"if we walk in the
light as He is in the light,
00:49:02.74\00:49:04.67
we have fellowship
with one another... "
00:49:04.71\00:49:06.74
koinonia... Pastor Johnny,
00:49:06.78\00:49:08.28
and the blood of
Jesus Christ His Son
00:49:08.31\00:49:10.48
cleanses us from all sin.
00:49:10.51\00:49:12.41
So many times, we seek
unity apart from Christ
00:49:12.45\00:49:15.58
and we say, "Why aren't we
getting along with people?"
00:49:15.62\00:49:17.75
"Why is there
friction in a relationship?"
00:49:17.79\00:49:20.42
"Why is there angst?"
00:49:20.46\00:49:21.79
We only have
spiritual fellowship
00:49:21.82\00:49:24.63
when we walk in the light
00:49:24.66\00:49:26.43
and the other person
walks in the light as well.
00:49:26.46\00:49:29.30
In other words,
if you are in Christ
00:49:29.36\00:49:31.60
and your spouse is in Christ,
00:49:31.63\00:49:33.77
you can have unity and harmony
00:49:33.84\00:49:35.90
in that relationship.
00:49:35.97\00:49:38.17
Unity in the church...
00:49:38.21\00:49:39.61
in the workplace...
00:49:39.64\00:49:41.01
in the home...
00:49:41.04\00:49:42.38
comes in Christ.
00:49:42.41\00:49:43.75
Panel: Hmmm...
00:49:43.78\00:49:45.11
Jill: Let's go down to verse 11,
00:49:45.15\00:49:47.08
Ephesians 1:11,
00:49:47.12\00:49:48.82
"In Him... " in Christ...
00:49:48.85\00:49:50.95
"also we have
obtained an inheritance. "
00:49:50.99\00:49:55.16
Takeaway Number 5:
00:49:55.19\00:49:56.52
Eternal life... that
inheritance to the saints...
00:49:56.56\00:49:59.69
it comes in Christ.
00:49:59.73\00:50:01.63
We're only saved...
00:50:01.66\00:50:03.57
we only have hope of
eternal life in Christ.
00:50:03.60\00:50:06.43
Go down to verse 12,
00:50:06.47\00:50:07.80
"that we who
first trusted in Christ
00:50:07.84\00:50:11.07
should be to the
praise of His glory. "
00:50:11.11\00:50:14.54
That reminds me
of 1st Peter 2:9,
00:50:14.58\00:50:16.98
what does that say?
00:50:17.01\00:50:18.35
"We are a chosen generation,
a royal priesthood... "
00:50:18.38\00:50:20.12
God's own special people
00:50:20.15\00:50:21.48
that we should
proclaim the praises of Him
00:50:21.52\00:50:24.42
who called us out of darkness
into His marvelous light.
00:50:24.45\00:50:29.59
What does that mean?
00:50:29.62\00:50:30.96
This means that you
and I can only witness...
00:50:30.99\00:50:34.43
we can only
share what God has done
00:50:34.46\00:50:38.07
when we are in Christ.
00:50:38.10\00:50:39.70
Takeaway Number 6:
00:50:39.73\00:50:41.24
Witnessing comes in Christ.
00:50:41.30\00:50:44.57
You ever wonder why
there's no more fruit
00:50:44.61\00:50:48.51
from your labors?
00:50:48.54\00:50:50.11
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:50:50.15\00:50:51.48
Jill: Maybe we're not in Christ.
00:50:51.51\00:50:53.52
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:50:53.55\00:50:54.88
Jill: You know,
I love that quote
00:50:54.92\00:50:56.25
and I can't
remember it exactly now,
00:50:56.28\00:50:57.62
but the church... the early
Christian church in Acts...
00:50:57.65\00:51:00.39
if the Holy Spirit was removed
00:51:00.46\00:51:02.69
what would have happened?
00:51:02.72\00:51:04.33
Their work would
have fallen apart.
00:51:04.36\00:51:05.76
The 95 percent of
the work would have...
00:51:05.79\00:51:07.66
would have dissipated.
00:51:07.70\00:51:09.03
But today, if the
Holy Spirit were removed,
00:51:09.06\00:51:12.23
almost everything we have...
our plans and our programs
00:51:12.27\00:51:14.64
and "church" as we look at it
00:51:14.67\00:51:16.34
would continue the same
00:51:16.37\00:51:18.01
because we are not
witnessing as we should
00:51:18.04\00:51:21.21
in Christ.
00:51:21.24\00:51:23.21
Let's look at verses 19 and 20,
00:51:23.24\00:51:25.95
I think Shelley read this
before, Ephesians 1:19 and 20,
00:51:25.98\00:51:28.85
"what is the exceeding
greatness of His power... "
00:51:28.88\00:51:31.15
that dunamis...
mighty working power...
00:51:31.19\00:51:33.49
"toward us who believe,
00:51:33.52\00:51:34.86
according to the
working of His mighty power
00:51:34.89\00:51:36.93
which He worked in Christ
00:51:36.96\00:51:39.73
when He raised Him from the dead
00:51:39.76\00:51:42.43
and seated Him at His right
hand in the heavenly places... "
00:51:42.46\00:51:46.37
the same Power that
raised Jesus from the dead...
00:51:46.40\00:51:49.07
the same Power that seated Him
00:51:49.10\00:51:50.54
at the right hand of the
Father in heavenly places,
00:51:50.57\00:51:53.07
that miracle-working
resurrection power
00:51:53.11\00:51:56.28
you and I can have in Christ.
00:51:56.31\00:51:58.38
Panel: Amen... hallelujah.
00:51:58.41\00:52:00.42
Jill: Takeaway 7: Resurrection
power comes in Christ.
00:52:00.45\00:52:04.19
Now, we're going over to
Ephesians 2 verses 5 and 6,
00:52:04.22\00:52:07.92
Ephesians 2:5 and 6,
00:52:07.96\00:52:09.52
"even when we were
dead in trespasses,
00:52:09.59\00:52:12.76
made us alive
together with Christ...
00:52:12.79\00:52:15.96
by grace, you have been saved,
00:52:16.00\00:52:17.47
and raised us up together,
00:52:17.53\00:52:18.93
and made us sit
together in the heavenly places
00:52:19.00\00:52:21.07
in Christ Jesus. "
00:52:21.10\00:52:23.67
Without Christ, you and
I would not be made alive,
00:52:23.71\00:52:26.47
we would not be raised
from our death in sins.
00:52:26.51\00:52:29.21
We would not sit
in heavenly places.
00:52:29.24\00:52:31.08
Takeaway Number 8:
00:52:31.11\00:52:32.55
Salvation and transformation
only comes in Christ.
00:52:32.58\00:52:38.22
Let's read the next verse,
00:52:38.25\00:52:39.69
Ephesians 2 verse 7,
00:52:39.72\00:52:41.72
"that in the ages to come
00:52:41.76\00:52:43.26
He might show the
exceeding riches of His grace
00:52:43.29\00:52:46.86
in His kindness
toward us in Christ Jesus. "
00:52:46.90\00:52:50.43
Takeaway Number 9:
00:52:50.47\00:52:51.80
Grace...
00:52:51.83\00:52:53.17
kindness comes in Christ Jesus.
00:52:53.20\00:52:56.91
Verse 10, Ephesians 2 verse 10,
00:52:56.94\00:53:00.88
"For we are His workmanship,
00:53:00.91\00:53:03.45
created in Christ
Jesus for good works,
00:53:03.51\00:53:07.45
which God prepared beforehand
that we should walk in them. "
00:53:07.48\00:53:11.75
Takeaway Number 10:
00:53:11.79\00:53:13.69
Sanctification...
what we call "good works"
00:53:13.72\00:53:17.26
only comes in Christ Jesus.
00:53:17.29\00:53:20.70
You know, so many
times as Christians,
00:53:20.73\00:53:22.50
we believe we are
justified by faith.
00:53:22.56\00:53:24.73
Jesus saves us by
grace through faith
00:53:24.77\00:53:26.74
and then,
everything else is up to us
00:53:26.77\00:53:28.67
and we somehow have to become
sanctified by our own works
00:53:28.70\00:53:33.14
but here it says, "Those works
are created in Christ Jesus. "
00:53:33.17\00:53:37.58
Sanctification... the good works
in the life of the Christian
00:53:37.61\00:53:42.35
come when you
are in Christ Jesus.
00:53:42.38\00:53:45.25
Let's jump down to
verse 13, Ephesians 2:13,
00:53:45.29\00:53:48.32
"But now in Christ Jesus
00:53:48.36\00:53:51.13
you who once were far off
00:53:51.16\00:53:53.86
have been brought
near... " or given access to God
00:53:53.90\00:53:57.00
"by the blood of Christ. "
00:53:57.03\00:53:59.20
Takeaway 11:
00:53:59.23\00:54:00.57
Reconciliation... restoration
comes in Christ Jesus.
00:54:00.60\00:54:05.31
I love that.
00:54:05.34\00:54:07.01
The first part of Ephesians 2
00:54:07.04\00:54:08.38
is all about
vertical reconciliation...
00:54:08.41\00:54:10.31
reconciling us and God.
00:54:10.35\00:54:11.71
The rest of it is
horizontal reconciliation...
00:54:11.75\00:54:15.18
us and other people.
00:54:15.25\00:54:17.55
Reconciliation...
restoration of relationships
00:54:17.59\00:54:20.46
comes in Christ Jesus.
00:54:20.52\00:54:22.12
Let's go to Ephesians 3 verse 6,
00:54:22.16\00:54:24.73
"that the Gentiles should be
fellow heirs, of the same body,
00:54:24.79\00:54:28.36
and partakers of
His promise in Christ
00:54:28.40\00:54:31.47
through the gospel. "
00:54:31.50\00:54:33.23
All... both Jews and Gentiles
00:54:33.27\00:54:35.17
now have access in Christ.
00:54:35.20\00:54:39.41
We're going to skip number
13 and we're jumping down to 14,
00:54:39.44\00:54:42.44
we're in Ephesians 4 verse 15,
00:54:42.48\00:54:44.75
"speaking the truth in love,
00:54:44.78\00:54:46.98
may grow up in
all things into Him
00:54:47.02\00:54:49.42
who is the head, even Christ. "
00:54:49.45\00:54:51.85
Growth comes in Christ.
00:54:51.89\00:54:55.12
We only grow
when we are in Christ.
00:54:55.16\00:54:58.13
You cannot grow
apart from Christ.
00:54:58.16\00:55:01.23
Verse 20, Ephesians 4:20 and 21,
00:55:01.26\00:55:03.87
"you have not so learned Christ,
00:55:03.90\00:55:05.93
if indeed you have heard Him
00:55:05.97\00:55:07.54
and have been taught by Him,
00:55:07.57\00:55:09.74
as the truth is in Jesus. "
00:55:09.77\00:55:11.87
Takeaway Number 15:
00:55:11.91\00:55:14.01
Truth comes in Jesus.
00:55:14.04\00:55:16.04
So many times, we
teach the doctrines.
00:55:16.08\00:55:18.65
We teach what we
believe is the truth
00:55:18.68\00:55:21.22
and we even push it
00:55:21.25\00:55:22.58
but we push it apart from Jesus.
00:55:22.62\00:55:24.79
Truth has to be
centered in Jesus.
00:55:24.82\00:55:27.56
You can only share
the truth in Jesus.
00:55:27.59\00:55:29.92
Panel: Amen...
amen... wow... amen.
00:55:29.96\00:55:32.26
Lomacang: Did you cover all 16?
00:55:32.29\00:55:33.63
Jill: No... 14...
00:55:33.66\00:55:35.00
Lomacang: Oh wow!
00:55:35.03\00:55:36.36
I'll give you the time
to cover those last two.
00:55:36.40\00:55:38.23
Ryan, what's your
final closing thought?
00:55:38.27\00:55:40.34
Ryan: You know, I just
want to remind everyone
00:55:40.40\00:55:42.87
check your oil...
check... do an oil check
00:55:42.90\00:55:45.37
John chapter 16
verse 13 reminds us that...
00:55:45.41\00:55:47.54
the Spirit of
truth when He has come...
00:55:47.58\00:55:49.64
He will lead and
guide us into all truth
00:55:49.68\00:55:51.71
and that's what He's going to do
00:55:51.75\00:55:53.08
through this powerful
study of the book of Ephesians,
00:55:53.11\00:55:55.02
so, check the oil and make sure
00:55:55.05\00:55:56.72
you're being led
by the Holy Spirit.
00:55:56.75\00:55:58.22
Panel: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:55:58.25\00:55:59.59
Shelley: You know, I believe
that Paul's practical advice
00:55:59.62\00:56:02.92
for walking in a
way worthy of the Lord
00:56:02.96\00:56:06.09
and is... and unity in
the church is only possible
00:56:06.13\00:56:10.13
when we understand
what we have in Christ...
00:56:10.17\00:56:13.07
the adoption...
the acceptance...
00:56:13.10\00:56:14.54
the redemption... forgiveness...
00:56:14.57\00:56:15.90
wisdom... inheritance...
00:56:15.94\00:56:17.64
the Seal of the Holy Spirit
00:56:17.67\00:56:19.37
life... grace and citizenship...
00:56:19.41\00:56:21.88
know who you are in Christ,
then you can walk with Him.
00:56:21.91\00:56:25.48
Dinzey: Amen... amen.
00:56:25.51\00:56:26.85
Well, Paul...
desire for the Ephesians...
00:56:26.88\00:56:29.48
I desire for you
and we desire for you
00:56:29.52\00:56:32.35
Ephesians chapter 1 verse 2,
00:56:32.39\00:56:34.02
"Grace to you and
peace from God our Father
00:56:34.06\00:56:37.03
and the Lord Jesus Christ. "
00:56:37.06\00:56:38.63
Lomacang: Jill,
give us the last two.
00:56:38.66\00:56:40.66
Jill: Last takeaway
is Ephesians 4 verse 32,
00:56:40.70\00:56:43.67
'Be kind to one another,
00:56:43.70\00:56:45.03
tenderhearted,
00:56:45.07\00:56:46.40
forgiving one another,
00:56:46.43\00:56:47.77
even as God in
Christ forgave you. "
00:56:47.80\00:56:50.67
The final takeaway is that
00:56:50.71\00:56:52.07
you and I can only
forgive other people
00:56:52.11\00:56:54.58
when we are in Christ.
00:56:54.61\00:56:57.21
Panel: Amen.
00:56:57.25\00:56:58.58
Lomacang: All 16,
right? Panel: Laughter.
00:56:58.61\00:56:59.98
Lomacang: Thank you so much.
00:57:00.02\00:57:01.72
Wow! we're just getting started
00:57:01.75\00:57:03.39
and we found that
the book of Ephesians
00:57:03.42\00:57:05.99
is a book that has
propped itself up...
00:57:06.02\00:57:08.46
open the doors
and said, "Come on in
00:57:08.49\00:57:10.83
and let us find out
who we are in Christ...
00:57:10.89\00:57:13.09
in Him... in Jesus. "
00:57:13.13\00:57:15.23
The beginning...
00:57:15.26\00:57:16.60
the middle...
00:57:16.63\00:57:17.97
the end.
00:57:18.00\00:57:19.33
The full
circumference of this book
00:57:19.37\00:57:20.74
is all about Christ.
00:57:20.77\00:57:22.10
This is the "grace" book.
00:57:22.14\00:57:23.47
This the book that enables us.
00:57:23.51\00:57:24.84
He can do more than we
can ever ask or think...
00:57:24.87\00:57:27.04
this is all in Ephesians
00:57:27.08\00:57:28.41
and we're going to continue
on our next lesson which is:
00:57:28.44\00:57:31.11
God's Grand,
Christ-Centered Plan
00:57:31.15\00:57:32.81
but here's a thought to remember
00:57:32.85\00:57:34.45
as we close out this one,
00:57:34.48\00:57:36.15
Dedication is not a matter of
chance but a matter of choice.
00:57:36.18\00:57:40.82
Panel: Hmmm...
00:57:40.86\00:57:42.19
Lomacang: What we become is
not the focus of our destiny
00:57:42.22\00:57:44.46
but the product of our journey.
00:57:44.49\00:57:46.86
We pray that you'll continue
pressing toward the mark
00:57:46.90\00:57:50.43
for the prize of the upward
call of God in Christ Jesus.
00:57:50.47\00:57:53.97
Join us next week
for Lesson Number 2
00:57:54.00\00:57:56.04
and another...
00:57:56.07\00:57:57.41
Dr. John McVay has a
lot more and so does Christ.
00:57:57.44\00:57:59.67
We'll see you then.
00:57:59.71\00:58:01.04