Ephesians 3:1

 

Ephesians 3:1

Suffering For a Cause

 

Eph 3:1  For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 

          1.      The Apostle Paul is Suffering for the Church

a.       Paul begins his prayer with some rather upsetting news, so he interrupts his prayer to give the people comfort. He does not get back to the prayer until verse 13 in which we gain some more understanding of what he was beginning to say

                                                              i.      Ephesians 3:13-14 

b.      What Paul is saying is the Church is an honor to suffer for

                                                              i.      Our suffering is inescapable

1.      2 Timothy 3:12 

                                                            ii.      Our suffering advances the gospel

1.      Philippians 1:12 

                                                          iii.      Our suffering enables us to be partakers of Christ’s glory

1.      1 Peter 4:12-14 

          2.      The Apostle Paul is Suffering Because He is a Prisoner of Christ

a.       Suffering for Christ draws us closer to Him

                                                              i.      Philippians 3:10-11 

b.      Suffering for Christ reveals our hidden motives

                                                              i.      1 Peter 2:19-23 

c.       Suffering for Christ will become a joy

                                                              i.      Colossians 1:24 

          3.      The Apostle Paul is Suffering for the Sake of the Gentiles in the Faith

a.       2 Timothy 1:7-12

Ephesians 2:22

 

Ephesians 2:22

You are the Habitation of the Living God

 

Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 

          1.      You Are the Building Blocks of the Temple of God

a.       Because we are all individuals, who each have a part to play in the Kingdom of God, there is a particular way that we should behave in the Church

                                                              i.      We are to yield our will to others

1.      Philippians 2:1-5 

                                                            ii.      We are to follow the example of the godly men and woman who have come before us

1.      1 Timothy 3:15 

                                                          iii.      We are all to contend for the faith

1.      Philippians 1:7 

2.      Jude 1:3 

                                                          iv.      We are the representation of God on earth

1.      Ephesians 3:10 

                                                            v.      We are each unique and precious to God

1.      1 Peter 2:4-5 

           2.      You Are to be Indwelled by the Living God

a.       Our unity in Christ demonstrates the love of God to the world

                                                              i.      John 17:21-23 

            3.      You Are to Yield to the Work of the Holy Spirit in Your Life

a.       Those that have Holy Spirit within them are victorious over sin

                                                              i.      Romans 8:9-11 

b.      Those that have the Holy Spirit within them can rightly obey the law of God

                                                              i.      1 John 3:24 

c.       Those that have the Holy Spirit within them are filled with love

                                          i.    1 John 4:16 

The Ancient Biblical Manuscript That Polarized Scholars | Tares Among Th...

An interesting perspective. I am not sure that you can prove conclusively that the Sinaiticus was a forgery but it is certainly something to take note of. The weakness of the Westcott-Hort only position is their absolute faith in only two main Greek texts. I still tend to favor the Byzantine tradition over the western text family. Lets keep the conversation going! Truth is only discovered by those who are willing to examine all the evidence. 

John Piper Celebrates a Milestone in ‘Look at the Book’

This has been a very helpful resource....

Ephesians 2:21

 

Ephesians 2:21

God is Masterfully Building His Church

 

Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 

            1.      Each and Every Believer has a Special Place in God’s Church

a.       Each of us were chosen by God before time began

                                                              i.      Ephesians 1:4 

b.      Each of us were carefully selected for a special place in the Kingdom

                                                              i.      Matthew 13:47-50 

c.       Each of us will be faithfully worked on until God has accomplished His work in us

                                                              i.      Hebrews 12:7-11 

d.      Each of us have a special work to accomplish

                                                              i.      2 Corinthians 3:2-4 

e.       Each of us have a unique gifting

                                                              i.      1 Corinthians 12:4-7

             2.      The Purpose of the Church is to Grow

a.       To Grow Numerically

                                                              i.      The church that refuses to reach out will die

1.      Acts 2:38-42 

b.      To Grow Spiritually

                                                              i.      The church that does not work on maturing believers will die

1.      Ephesians 4:11-16 

             3.      The Purpose of the Church is to be an Habitation for God

a.       God dwells in the believer individually

                                                              i.      1 Corinthians 6:19-20 

b.      God dwells in the believers corporately

                                                              i.      Revelation 21:3 

Ephesians 2:20

 

Ephesians 2:20

The Church’s One Foundation

 

Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 

           1.      The Foundation of the Church is the Word of God

a.       The Word is revealed to us through His revelation the word of God

                                                              i.      Hebrews 1:1-3 

           2.      The Scriptures Rightly Reveal the Truth of Who Christ is

a.       There are two cornerstones to our faith

                                                              i.      The New Testament Scriptures (the Apostles)

1.      Who were the Apostles?

a.       There are only 12 of them

                                                                                                                                      i.      Revelation 21:14 

b.      They had to have seen the risen Lord in person

                                                                                                                                      i.      1 Corinthians 9:1-2 

c.       They had to be specially commissioned by Christ Himself

                                                                                                                                      i.      1 Timothy 1:12 

d.      They were to establish the teaching of Jesus on earth

                                                                                                                                      i.      Matthew 16:13-19 

e.       They are the foundation upon which we are still building today

                                                                                                                                      i.      1 Corinthians 3:8-11 

f.        Their teaching is the source of our true unity

                                                                                                                                      i.      Acts 2:42 

g.      No one is allowed to add to their foundation

                                                                                                                                      i.      Galatians 1:8-9 

                                                            ii.      The Old Testament Scriptures (the Prophets)

1.      Peter shows that it is not only the New Testament Scriptures that are authoritative over the church but also the Old Testament as well

a.       1 Peter 2:5-9 

             3.      Jesus is the Cornerstone of the Church

a.       Jesus is the only foundation for the Church. He is Her sole Head

                                                              i.      1 Corinthians 3:11 

                                                            ii.      Psalm 118:21-23