Defending Our Identity: The Challenge in Ephesus and Today

4 5 1 3 6 2 week 7 Ephesians H HOME OME Q QUESTIONS Our Identity in Christ Living Our Identity UESTIONS sit walk STAND FOR FOR W WEEK EEK 6 6 Defending Our Identity 1. The Apostle Paul is working with both Jews and Gentiles in the Hall of Tyrannus through whom all the Jews and Greeks in the Province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. Ephesus was a city ruled by the sensual worship of the goddess Diana and filled with witchcraft. Families were broken, marriages were broken, genders were compromised, sexual preferences were compromised. Write down a few similarities between the status of Ephesus during Paul s time and the world we live in now KINGDOM ADVANCERS: As you walk out into this world with the mystery of Christ, don t wear your grave clothes! Put on the new clothes of Jesus Christ! WALKINA MANNER WORTHYOFYOUR CALLING I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, Ephesians 4:1-2 ESV 2. In 5:21, what does it mean when a husband and wife, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ ? C COMPLETELY OMPLETELY H HUMBLE UMBLE 3. In 6:4, what are some ways fathers are capable of exasperate their children. How is this word different than training and instruction in the Lord ? ATTRIBUTES OF NEWNESS [4:2] 4. Read 6:5-9,. Human slavery is horrible and unbiblical and ungodly in our world today and it was not much better in Paul s world. However, the way Paul challenges slaves and masters was to walk worthy of their calling within their current circumstance. Write down some ways godly people can shatter the power of slavery in our world? G GENTLE ENTLE P PATIENT ATIENT B BEARING EARINGONE ANOTHER ANOTHERIN ONE INLOVE LOVE 16.

Notes: IMITATORSOF GOD [4:17 5:2] No longer live as imitators of darkness [4:17-19] - - - - - Futility of thinking Darkened in understanding Separated from the life of God Given over to sensuality Continual lust for more In order to no longer live as imitators of darkness, we need a Divine Human Interaction 20That, however, is not the way of life you learned21when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;23to be made new in the attitude of your minds;24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Philippians 4:20-24 PUT OFF OLD (grave clothes) PUT ON NEW (Christ clothes) Falsehood Sin in anger (live with the footholds) Stealing Unwholesome talk Grieve the Holy Spirit Truth [4:25] Righteousness and freedom in anger [4:26-27] Do something useful [4:28] Build others up [4:29] Engage with the seal of the Holy Spirit [4:30] Kindness, compassion, forgiveness imitating what God has done for you. [4:30 32] BEING MADE NEW Footholds, destructive emotions Imitate Christ s Walk of Love [5:1-2] In Ephesus, where love was confused with: sensual worship of the goddess Diana, or engagement in the activity of control in witchcraft, or , Christians represented the truth of the mystery of Christ not in dysfunction, but in sacrificial love: a fragrant offering and sacrificial living. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV 15. 2.

BREAK AWAY GROUP BREAK AWAY GROUP INTERACTION WEEK 5b INTERACTION WEEK 5b KINGDOM ADVANCERS: KINGDOM ADVANCERS: Do you realize that whereever you may walk in the name of Jesus Christ, you bear the light of Christ? You are a Light Bearer for the Kingdom of Heaven! Bearer for the Kingdom of Heaven! Do you realize that wherever you may walk in the name of Jesus Christ, you bear the light of Christ? You are a Light 1. Have you ever felt alone in the church? Why or why not? 2. Look at each of the cords of unity in Ephesians 4:3-6. Share with each other some ways that human sin keeps us from being unified through each of these cords. A LIGHT BEARERISONEOF GOD S HOLY PEOPLE. [5:3-4] 3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God s holy people.4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 3. As Kingdom Advancers, share with each other the different ways that the Lord has called and gifted each of you for being part of building up the body. - - We are set apart ones. We have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light. [1 Peter 2:9] Be warned not to let the following darkness have power in your life ( there must not even be a hint of ) - 4. What are some of the ways that we find ourselves tossed back and forth by the waves and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming? [Ephesians 4:14]. Sexual sins (immorality, impurity). This was a tall order for people who lived in the city that was claimed by the temple of Diana the goddess of fertility. Sexual sins were a part of the worship of this goddess. Today, the battle is just as intense Greed. An uncontrolled appetite. Paul was telling the Ephesians that Christ was their all greed was unnecessary. Sins of the tongue (obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking). A life style of sexual sins and greed also leads to the tongue being taken captive. The tongue expresses what is going on inside the heart. If the heart is taken captive it will be expressed through the tongue. Obscenity belittling life making people objects of lust. foolish talk senseless conversation that cheapens the speaker and does not build anyone up Coarse joking translated means able to turn easily. This speech is able to turn even well meaning dialogue into polluted talk. 14. 3.

The Bible identifies truth as a quality intrinsic to the very nature of God. - Jesus called Himself the truth (John 14:6); - Jesus was full of . . . truth (John 1:14; Ephesians 4:21); - Jesus told the truth (Mark 12:32; John 8:40, :45-46,16:7) and whose words are true (Revelation 21:5, 22:6); - Jesus taught the way of God in truth (Matthew 22:16=Mark 12:14=Luke 20:21); - Jesus taught about the truth (John 8:31-32; 17:17, and so on); - Jesus came into the world to bear witness to the truth (John 18:37). A LIGHT BEARERISA FAITHFUL CITIZENOF GOD S KINGDOM [5:5-7] 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person such a person is an idolater has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.7Therefore do not be partners with them. Ephesians 5:5-7 NIV Fight against the temptation to live two lives [5:5] - What is in the heart can be seen in our actions. The people of Ephesus could not be Christian, and still follow Diana. They could not engage in her worship which was immoral, impure and greedy. This would be idolatry and display that the heart is divided. - Our battle to live one life today is the same. Who is the Lord of your heart? The Bible has a high standard of truth. It defines truth as being utterly reliable and enduring. The reason is simple: authentic, biblical truth is inextricably linked to the dependable, unchanging character of God. You can trust everything He says; He never lies; He always keeps His Word; He s faithful to all His promises. When the heart is wavering, people will be able to be easily swayed. [5:6] - Paul is encouraging the Ephesians to be careful about all relationships. - Maybe even breaking off those that would mean dangerous spiritual ties to one s soul. - The words of Diana become empty, and actions taken from them disobedient after one becomes a Christian. - The people of God must look different than the world around us. Our words must be full of Christ and our actions bearing His light. The Ephesians were dealing with a society that used witchcraft to gain power (Acts 19:19-20), and politics to control and manipulate (Acts 19:35- 40), and economic industry for control and power (Acts 19:24-25). They were confused about truth as displayed by their rioting when Paul spoke truth If you deny their truth, they had to riot in order to prove their truth their truth had to be accepted by people in order for it to be truth. The truth of the Bible, however, is true regardless of how many people accept it. So, Paul wisely tells the Ephesians and us, that we are to speak truth (confidently without any insecurity because of it is absolute and eternal), But, speak truth in love - because the people of Ephesus will respond to the power of the love of Christ mixed with truth. The love is an example of the truth. We must beware of partnerships with darkness. [5:7] A LIGHT BEARER BEARSTHE FRUITOF LIGHT [5:8-13] 8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)10and find out what pleases the Lord.11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.12It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. Ephesians 5:8-13 You Are Light in the Lord. [5:8] - You were darkness. This was your unfruitful identity. Now you are light. - Live as children of the Light. The Fruit consists of: [5:9]; (see also Gal 5:22) - Goodness Love in Action. - Righteousness Rightness of Character before God. - Truth Submission to the Word and Spirit. These all go with us, and when we touch others, these pieces of light fruit nourish and build up. Growing up into the Head - The Body held together. - Every part of the body is necessary. God is in charge of His body and brings all the necessary parts of it together. - The Body grows together. - With Christ as the Head, the body grows as Christ causes it to grow by the Holy Spirit. - The body of Christ is filled with what Christ is filled with: LOVE. Agape is a necessary part of growing together, for when we are filled with agape, we offer ourselves as servants and sacrifices. 4. 13.

Find out how and where to let the light shine. - Find out what pleases the Lord. [5:10] - Stay far away from living to please others. - Even if you stand alone, stand to please only the Lord. - Stay completely away from fruitless deeds of darkness. [5:11] - This means to not even play games with darkness. - What does this say about learn to discern? - Expose the fruitless deeds of darkness. [5:11] - Even though the deeds are despicable [5:12] - God will let them have power, but expose their secret power and bring them under the authority of Christ. [5:13-14] WEHAVETHEUNITYOFTHE SPIRITBECAUSEWEAREALLBEINGBUILT UPASTHESAMEBODY [4:14-16] 14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:14-16 - No longer infants deceived by deceitful scheming - Tossed back and forth by the waves - Blown here and there A LIGHT BEARER WALKSIN SPIRIT FILLED POWER [5:14-21] 14This is why it is said: Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. 15Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise,16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord s will is.18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:14-18 Rage What is Deceitful Scheming? Threats Slander Intimidation Flattery Be Wise The Greek here means, See that you walk carefully, with exactness. - Don t sleep. [5:14] Wake up! [5:15] Let the light show what is really happening. - As you advance God s Kingdom, do not try to see with eyes that only capture the physical, but see with eyes given by the Spirit of God. Don t have your eyes closed in a sleep of death, but have them opened to what is going on in God s kingdom. Manipulation Favor Control What is Speaking the Truth in Love? - Children are growing up in a very uncertain world. Their questions are met with confusing or vague replies: - Is there a God? Probably not. - Where did everything come from? The Big Bang triggered everything before that we can t say for sure. - How do I know what s right and what s wrong? There s no absolute morality, so just do what feels good to you. - What happens when I die? Probably that s the end, but no one knows for sure. - The Bible however is not confused or corrupted when it presents us with the reality of truth: Do not be Foolish. [5:17-18] - Understand the Lord s will. [5:17] - Not from the dark world around, but through your relationship with the Holy Spirit showing the Will of the Father. - Not from the books of men, but from the Word of God. - Don t try to enter into powerful living with counterfeit tools. [5:18] - Drunkenness lies to you and makes you feel bolder, wiser, on top of it all. But, it s a total lie. - Being filled with the Holy Spirit gives the truth. With the Holy Spirit s filling comes the power to walk in your calling. - All God s children have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. [1:3] - Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a repeatable event. [5:18] - Not all people are obedient to the filling of the Holy Spirit. 37Then Pilate said to him, So you are a king? Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice. 38Pilate said to him, What is truth? John 18:37-38a 5. 12.

Relate to each other on Spiritual terms. [5:19-21] 19speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Instructions for Christian Households 21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:19-21 Ministry Gifts Ephesians 4:11-14 These gifts are given to Christ s church and recognized by his body for the purpose of growing disciples. - didomai to give a mantle of ministry to bestow a gift; 1 Cor 12:28 tithami to appoint, put on: apostles, prophets, teachers Context in Ephesians - God has blessed us with every Spiritual blessing. 1:3 - God has given us resurrection power through the Holy Spirit. 1:19 - God s body is a holy temple in which God lives by his Spirit. 2:21 - God s Spirit is poured out on believing Jews and Gentiles alike for the purpose of expanding his kingdom. 3:6, 10-11 - The gifts flow out of Christ s body operating in unity in the Spirit. 4:1-6 Characteristics of Ministry Gifts - Often Called the five fold office as they seem to make up necessary components of the church. - As God pours out his gifting on individuals, his body recognizes this and identifies these people as gifted in this certain way. This is the concept of a mantel of anointing for specific ministry in the body for instance one may say, I am appointed by the Holy Spirit as a prophet here in this church. - The gift of apostle is passed on to the church after those that Christ called his Apostles. - Speak to one another: [5:19] - With Psalms God inspired words. (probably referring to the book of Psalms) - With Hymns God directed worship. - With spiritual songs Songs that come from being filled with the Spirit that give glory to the Lord and build up the body. - Make music in your heart to the Lord. [5:20] - Be a continual worshiper in your inner being... [3:16] - no matter what happens to your outer being. [2 Corinthians 4:16; Romans 7:21-23] - Always give thanks to the Lord. - For everything. There is always reason to give thanks. - In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The source of the Light. - Submit to one another. [5:21] - Love Jesus more than each other. - Let the Lord use other Christians to minister to you. - Listen to how the Lord speaks through others. - Revere Christ more than yourself. - Let the Lord confirm what he says to your heart when you worship him, through the hearts of others in the body. - Worship as a body, don t worship your body. WEHAVETHEUNITYOFTHE SPIRITBECAUSEOFUNITYOFPURPOSE [4:12-13] 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:12-13 Our Purpose: - To Serve Spiritually empowered, humble ministry To Build Up - Not based on our own agenda, but in the will of the Father, the Love of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit so that the body may be built up For Unity in the faith and Knowledge of the Son of God - Ultimately when Christ comes. Knowledge is experiential To become Mature - A process that all of us go through with the Spirit working in us the whole measure of Christ is not yet, but already can be shared in. - - - - 11. 6.

One Baptism: - As far as the body of Christ is concerned, (and this is the context in which this statement comes) there is only one baptism of the Spirit. The local church baptizes with water baptism, but the Father baptizes Christ s body with the Spirit in His declaration of justification and the Spirit s work of regeneration. - For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. [1 Corinthians 12:13] The Father places the Spirit of Christ in His children by baptizing us with the Spirit. - Yet, even though all God s children are baptized by the Spirit, we are commanded to be filled with the Spirit. [5:18] This is a repeatable event. Its interesting that we are never commanded to be baptized by the Spirit again. One God and Father of all overall, through all, and in all: - Paul likes to emphasize God as Father. [1:3, 1:17, 2:18, 3:14, 5:20] - We as Christ s body have unity because God is over all, working through all, and in all. We have the same Father. BREAK AWAY GROUP BREAK AWAY GROUP INTERACTION WEEK 5a INTERACTION WEEK 5a 1. Talk about the idea of being a light bearer, perhaps using the idea of a flashlight penetrating a dark room. 2. Look at the list of darkness in vv. 3-7. These were a problem in Ephesus. How are these things an issue for us and our children today? WEHAVETHEUNITYOFTHE SPIRIT, YETWEAREDIVERSE [4:7-11] 7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.8This is why itsays: When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people. 9(What does he ascended mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)11So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers Ephesians 4:7-11 3. Encourage each other with the fruit of the Light. What happens when you touch others with goodness, righteousness, and truth. Speak from your own experience. 4. What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Are all people filled with the Spirit? What does it mean that being filled with the Spirit is a repeatable event.? To Each one of us, grace has been given: - Unity in Diversity. All people have been given Spiritual gifts [1 Corinthians 12:7] Each one of us. There is no one who has not received the grace of Christ seen in His gifts. - Christ is in charge of these gifts (diversities). If we were in charge, they would lead us to division. Christ gives these gifts out of His victory - When a victor came back into the city with his captives following behind, he would throw the booty of the conquest to the crowds of people cheering them on. Christ in his ascension of victory, leaves the church with all the gifts we need as His body to do His work. Some of the gifts are: - Apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, teachers. - These are mantels or gifts placed on some for certain tasks in Christ s body. 10. 7.

Notes: KINGDOM ADVANCERS: Today, you will hear the most awesome news. As you go out into the world advancing God s Kingdom, you do not go alone, but as part of Christ s body. WEHAVETHEUNITYOFTHE SPIRIT [4:3-6] 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;5one Lord, one faith, one baptism;6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:3-6 Wrapped around us are the cords of unity with Jesus Christ the bond of peace wrapped around us by the present Holy Spirit: One body: - The Body of Christ in which we are all a necessary and integral part. (imagine a body without a finger, etc.) - In Ephesians 1, we see that the body of Christ shares in: - the Riches of Christ [1:18], - Resurrection Power [1:19], - Christ s Ascended Authority [1:20-21], where all things even the devil are under his feet (and since we are His Body, under our feet as well) [1:22] - Fullness of Him [1:23] One Spirit: - Christ s Spirit [1:17; Romans 8:9] - The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation [1:17] - The Spirit who enlightens us [1:18] One Hope of Your calling: - The return of Christ to take His church to heaven - The Holy Spirit within is the assurance of this great promise [1:13-14] One Lord: - Question: How can we claim the same Lord and not walk together in unity? - Answer: We haven t let Him be Lord. One Faith: - There is only one body of truth deposited by Christ in His church, and this is the faith. - Christians may differ in some matters of interpretation and church practice; but all Christians must agree on the faith. 9. 8.