Last week we went through chapter 4 which dealt with how we should walk as new creatures in Christ, the ground upon which Christian unity is built (the 7 ones), the gifting of offices for the maturing of the saints and to prepare them for ministry, then commands on putting off the old man and putting on Christ. This is done through renewing the mind.
Last week we went through chapter 3 where Paul reveals to the Ephesians that this dispensation of the grace of God has been revealed unto him. The mystery that was hid in God from the foundation of the world is that God would call out a bride for His son that is a joint-body of Jew and Gentile, that Gentiles would be fellow-heirs and on the same ground as the Jews by the gospel. He recorded another prayer that he was praying for them, the first was for enlightenment and the second for enablement. He prays for them to know the love of Christ and be filled with the fulness of God and finishes with God’s exceeding abundant ability to do more than we ask or think.
Last time we went through chapter 2 where our salvation was laid out beautifully. We were like the rest of the world; we were dominated by the flesh and were influenced by the powers of darkness. But God saved us by His grace and showed us mercy because of His great love for us. We’re saved by grace through faith and are now His workmanship unto good works. We are no longer less than the Jews or at enmity with them because Christ has made peace between us and the church is the dwelling now for the presence of God.
Last time we went through our first chapter of which Paul spoke about salvation in eternity before the world was. He told us that we were chosen in Christ and predestinated unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to God Himself. He spoke about the purpose of God which is, at the end of all dispensations of time, He will gather everything that is redeemed by Chirst and unite it all in glory to Him.
Ephesus was a large, prosperous, and bustling port city in the Roman province of Asia Minor. At that time, there were approximately 350,000 people living there. Ephesus rivaled Corinth for its depravity due to the worship of Artemis (Diana). The temple of Artemis was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Paul spent nearly three years there, the longest he stayed in any single city to establish a church. He encountered significant opposition as people were being saved and turning from idol worship because it affected the livelihood of the silversmiths. At one point, a riot broke out that caught the attention of the whole city.
Last time we went through the second chapter which was concerning the day of the Lord. These people were upset due to a forged letter allegedly from Paul that led them to believe they had missed the rapture and were amid the tribulation. Paul addresses this
by reminding them of the things he told them when he was there the first time. He points out that three things must occur before Christ is revealed to the world…1. A falling away must come first 2. The Antichrist must be revealed in his time 3. The Holy Spirit must stop
restraining iniquity and the spirit world altogether. He wrote of God sending strong delusion so that those that have heard the gospel and rejected it will believe a lie and be damned!
Last week we went through chapter 1 of 2 Thessalonians. We talked about the differences between the rapture of the church and the second coming of Christ. Paul encourages this church because of the persecution that they are going through and shares with them that the persecutors will suffer the Lord’s vengeance when he comes again.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Last week we finished up 1st Thessalonians, going through chapter 5. Paul spoke of the day of the Lord and said that it would come like a thief in the night. He told them that they were children of light and of the day meaning that spiritually they knew what was going on and to be looking for the appearing of Christ. He then warns them about going to sleep or being drunk so then that day catches them unaware. He finishes his letter with instructions to help them: rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all things, quench not the Spirit, despise not prophesyings, prove all things and hold fast to that which is good, and abstain from all appearance of evil.
Last time we went through chapters 3 and 4 which included instructions in sanctification. Sanctification is the about living in a manner that pleases God. Paul stated that these commands came from Jesus Christ himself. He touched on three main areas in a Christian’s life – purity, honesty, and charity and he reveals the rapture of the church and it’s order. When Christ appears, the dead in Christ rise first and the living saints are then translated, and we all meet the Lord in the air to never be separated again. We are instructed to comfort one another with this knowledge.
Last week we went through the first two chapters of this first epistle to the Thessalonians. This letter begins much more personally than Galatians or Colossians. Paul recalls his missionary journey there and how they received the gospel. That the preaching came in power, and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance. He wrote of his great love for them and how he had tried to come back to them but was hindered. He also wrote of their behavior among them…how that they went above and beyond to not be a burden to them and to be gentle and nurturing.