Introduction

2. Introduction • How to live as a Christian • Information | Understanding • Implementation | Transformation • Practical daily advice and helpful guidance • It’s here • Salvation • Who we are in Christ • God’s plans and purposes • Facing and dealing with temptation and spiritual attack • Relationships • Prayer • “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” – James 1:22 (NIVUK)

3. How Ephesians came to be written • A letter to God’s people in Ephesus • Read aloud • Considered | Analysed | Discussed • Checked for authenticity • Hand delivered • Ensure intended recipients received it • Assure readers/listeners it was from Paul • Holy Spirit inspired

4. The location of Ephesus

5. Ephesus in the Bible • Acts 18 • Paul + Priscilla & Aquila • Apollos • Acts 19 • Issue over baptism • 2 year + stay: new believers | miracles | evil spirits • Riot – quick escape • Acts 20 • Ephesians elders called to Miletus • Other references • 1Corinthians 15 & 16 – Paul wrote the letter there • 1Timothy & 2Timothy – Paul sends Timothy, Tychicus, Onesiphorus • Revelation 2 & 3 – one of the seven churches

6. The location of Ephesus

7. Themes • The Christian’s wealth in Christ • The Christian’s walk with Christ • The Christian’s warfare through Christ • Chapter by Chapter • “Get with the programme” • “Fresh Perspectives” • “Riches and Rewards” • “Practical Principles” • “Right Relationships” • “Protective Covering”

8. Ephesians 1:3-14 (Phillips) • Praise be to God for giving us through Christ every possible spiritual benefit as citizens of Heaven! For consider what he has done – before the foundation of the world he chose us to become, in Christ, his holy and blameless children living within his constant care. He planned, in his purpose of love, that we should be adopted as his own children through Jesus Christ – that we might learn to praise that glorious generosity of his which has made us welcome in the everlasting love he bears towards the Son.

9. Ephesians 1:3-14 (Phillips) • It is through the Son, at the cost of his own blood, that we are redeemed, freely forgiven through that full and generous grace which has overflowed into our lives and opened our eyes to the truth. For God had allowed us to know the secret of his plan, and it is this: he purposes in his sovereign will that all human history shall be consummated in Christ, that everything that exists in Heaven or earth shall find its perfection and fulfilment in him.

10. Ephesians 1:3-14 (Phillips) • And here is the staggering thing – that in all which will one day belong to him we have been promised a share (since we were long ago destined for this by the one who achieves his purposes by his sovereign will), so that we, as the first to put our confidence in Christ, may bring praise to his glory! And you too trusted him, when you heard the message of truth, the Gospel of your salvation. And after you gave your confidence to him you were, so to speak, stamped with the promised Holy Spirit as a guarantee of purchase, until the day when God completes the redemption of what he has paid for as his own; and that will again be to the praise of his glory.

11. Salvation in a nutshell • A new identity – a citizen of heaven • A new family – adopted as a child of God • A new energy – power to live by the Spirit • A new destiny – living for Him