INTRODUCTION
Unfortunately, it is not entirely clear from Scripture why Paul wrote to the Ephesian Church back in 62 A.D. from behind the bars of a Roman prison. However, Acts 20:31 (READ THE TEXT) reveals Paul spent three years in Ephesus so he knew the Ephesians well, so one theory as to why Paul wrote Ephesians can be found in (TEXT) Eph. 6:21 in which Paul says, “so that you may also know how I am and what I am doing.” From the text, it can be concluded that Paul was simply letting the Ephesian Church know of his welfare. Scholars, however, believe that Ephesians was mostly doxological. Doxological, taking from the Greek word doxa means to give praise and glory. Examining the entire content of Ephesians, it becomes fairly obvious that …show more content…
This new life is unmerited and allows the believer to seek the things of God instead of darkness. Application: To receive the benefit of a new spiritual life and a new way of thinking, the believer must renew their mind (Illustration – Rom:12:2)
BENEFIT 4: POSITIONING IN HEAVEN, BEFORE DEATH (v. 6-7)
In verses 6 and 7, Paul expands upon the concept of being raised up into a new spiritual life by revealing that we have positioning in heaven and partial authority with Christ even before death.
BENEFIT 5: GRACE, FAITH, AND SALVATION, (v. 8-9)
Paul emphasizes that believers are saved by grace through faith and not works. Grace, unlike mercy, is God’s unmerited favor upon sinners and is also a gift. Faith in these verses is also seen as a benefit because it is God who enables and gives the gift of faith to the believer. Finally, salvation, also a free gift, means to be spared from God’s wrath. Application: To receive the benefits of positioning, grace, faith, salvation, and the ability to do good works, the believer must trust and depend on Christ
Unfortunately, it is not entirely clear from Scripture why Paul wrote to the Ephesian Church back in 62 A.D. from behind the bars of a Roman prison. However, Acts 20:31 (READ THE TEXT) reveals Paul spent three years in Ephesus so he knew the Ephesians well, so one theory as to why Paul wrote Ephesians can be found in (TEXT) Eph. 6:21 in which Paul says, “so that you may also know how I am and what I am doing.” From the text, it can be concluded that Paul was simply letting the Ephesian Church know of his welfare. Scholars, however, believe that Ephesians was mostly doxological. Doxological, taking from the Greek word doxa means to give praise and glory. Examining the entire content of Ephesians, it becomes fairly obvious that …show more content…
This new life is unmerited and allows the believer to seek the things of God instead of darkness. Application: To receive the benefit of a new spiritual life and a new way of thinking, the believer must renew their mind (Illustration – Rom:12:2)
BENEFIT 4: POSITIONING IN HEAVEN, BEFORE DEATH (v. 6-7)
In verses 6 and 7, Paul expands upon the concept of being raised up into a new spiritual life by revealing that we have positioning in heaven and partial authority with Christ even before death.
BENEFIT 5: GRACE, FAITH, AND SALVATION, (v. 8-9)
Paul emphasizes that believers are saved by grace through faith and not works. Grace, unlike mercy, is God’s unmerited favor upon sinners and is also a gift. Faith in these verses is also seen as a benefit because it is God who enables and gives the gift of faith to the believer. Finally, salvation, also a free gift, means to be spared from God’s wrath. Application: To receive the benefits of positioning, grace, faith, salvation, and the ability to do good works, the believer must trust and depend on Christ