MESSAGE TEXT
Ephesians 1:1-3
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INTRODUCTION
We are studying Paul’ letter to the Ephesian church in 62 AD. We must also consider Paul’s two letters to Pastor Timothy who was the pastor of the Ephesian church at the time Paul wrote. This gives us a little fuller picture of what was going on in Ephesus. Paul was always on the move, but then he got arrested and spent a fair amount of time incarcerated. He stayed busy.
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Paul wrote Ephesians along with Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians, the other "Prison Epistles," during his first Roman imprisonment, 60-62 A.D. (3:1; 4:1; 6:20; cf. Acts 28:16-31). Each of these letters refer to Paul’s imprisonment (Eph. 3:1, 4:1; Phil. 1:7, 13; Col. 4:3, 18; Philemon 10, 13). It was a “house-arrest” situation where, even though he was chained to a Roman-guard, he could have visitors. He lived in his own rented quarters under guard by Roman soldiers. He could minister without hindrance as far as his confinement permitted (Acts 28:16, 30-31).
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These “prison letters” have one big primary theme: Christ Jesus. He has rescued all of humanity. He has saved the world. You are now accepted by God through Jesus. So now, personally and subjectively, receive this forgiveness and grace. Be stamped with this new identity. Live every day of your life in light of what Christ has done for you. Turn away from all those things that keep you bound and feeling worthless (repentance). You are dead to those things and alive to the Lord.
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Heard a podcast this week and the kids are saying “I know my mom and dad have to love me; they’re my parents. But I wished they liked me.” Paul loved and liked the Ephesians and uses his words to validate them. They had his full attention. This relationship was important to Paul. He’s listened to the report about them from Pastor Timothy. He’s validating their insecurities. “You’re not alone in Ephesus. I’m with you.” And now, he’s going to use his words to speak value, worth, and identity over them.
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PROPOSITION
Bryan Chapell calls this a “U-Turn Letter”. It’s a “U-Turn Letter” with “Formerly…but now” Expressions (see slides). And in keeping with Paul’s “true identity” theme – it’s time to do a U-Turn and to see yourself as God sees and defines you. There are several U-Turns in this brief salutation and if you’re not careful, you’ll breeze right by them.
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The salutation has a doubling theme in it which prompts some Double-Takes. We see double authority (apostle of Christ Jesus… by the will of God), double designation of believers (holy people and the faithful), double address (in Ephesus and in Christ) double blessing (Grace and peace) and finally a double source for all the grace and peace, it comes from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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You see all this fullness double stuff in the first two verses. And you get the idea you’re going to get some tremendous riches coming your way out of Ephesians. So these few salutatory verses prompt some “Double-Takes.”
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MAJOR POINTS
Identity Shaping Salutation – with lots of “doubling” and full of…“Double Takes”
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Double Take: You are Saints rather than Sinners - To God’s holy people in Ephesus…
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Double Take: Your Creator is Father rather than Fuhrer - Grace and peace to you from God our Father
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Double Take: This letter is Positive rather than Negative - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
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Double Take: It’s “Paul” rather than “Saul” - Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus
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Double Take: You’re now in Christ rather than in Adam - the faithful in Christ Jesus
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Double Take: You are now Unified rather than Divided - Grace [Greek greeting word] and peace [Hebrew greeting word] to you…
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QUESTION
Why all the doubling? All of these “Double-Takes” are meant to give the Ephesians validation – because the Ephesian culture wouldn’t give it to them. All of these validate the Ephesians who were being invalidated by their culture. Paul is answering the core questions that we all need answered, whether we are a child in a family growing up or a new believer in Ephesus trying to establish identity.
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Security: “Who can I trust in my life?” Paul who is backed by a 3-personed God. 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
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Identity: “Who am I at my core?” To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
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Belonging: “Who wants me?” 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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When you’ve got these three things, it’s so much easier to know your calling in life. Without these things to validate you, we spend our lives seeking it.
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CONCLUSION
Paul validates who they are in Christ “saints, not sinners.” Paul validates their place in God’s family. They have a “loving Father, not a Fuhrer.” Paul validates their worth and value by writing them a letter of identity and encouragement. He validates their new standing with God “in Christ.” And Paul validates their move toward a unified church. In fact, I want you to see Paul as a kind of priest who is pronouncing a blessing over the Ephesians, a validation.
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So who is validating you? Who holds your mirror? Carnival culture or Three-Personed God who knows you in every dimension knowable.