OVERVIEW OF EPHESIANS

A VIEW FROM THE HEAVENLY PLACES

If we look at the world and events from a human standpoint it is not encouraging. Men of insight but not faith are generally pessimistic men.

In the epistle of Ephesians, God, through Paul, allows us to see circumstances from a heavenly viewpoint -- to scan the world's history, to see ourselves, and to see the pre-determined End.

In this lesson we will briefly skim the six chapters of Ephesians, seeing in each chapter a different spectacle -- all as seen from the "heavenly places."

Body

I. VIEWING TIME (Chapter 1).

   A. Without faith, human history is a sad story of sorry circumstances. At best man is in a bad situation. At best there is no purpose to life, no end-goal to existence, no guarantee of a better tomorrow. Ecclesiastes sums up the whole story, as seen by mortal man -- "All is vanity," life is an endless circle with no final design.

   B. The Key: Verse 10. "That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him . . ."

        1. The Fullness of times. There is a point in history at which God acts as never before. In the fullness of times, when human events and Divine actions were exactly at the proper point, God acted -- in a decisive move for the salvation of mankind.

        2. Sum up all things in Christ. "Sum up" has three senses, as the original word was used (anakephalaioo).

            a. The sum of a column of figures; the total. When we "add up" all God's actions in the cause of salvation, the "total" is Christ.

            b. A summary, or bringing together. All things have been disjointed by sin; the clear pattern of God's purpose is not evident to unaided man. In Christ, God brought it all together. His saving acts can be summarized in a word: Christ.

            c. This is the word which the Greeks used to mean a chapter heading. If we want to put a title over the story of divine redemption, that chapter heading will be "Christ."

   C. Viewed from heaven's standpoint, history has a purpose. Jesus Christ is the key to the understanding of history. "History" is actually (through faith) "His story."

II. VIEWING THE INDIVIDUAL SINNER (Chapter 2).

   A. From the human point of view, man is a hopeless case. Wars continue, crime increases, and supposedly good men fall. There seemingly is no sense to the behavior of man. He appears to be no more than an educated animal who too frequently forgets or ignores even that definite advantage.

   B. The Key: Verse 10. "For we are his workmanship, created In Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

        1. God intended in advance that man should serve His purpose, and planned and provided for him to that end.

            a. His workmanship (handiwork).

            b. Created (designed, specially made).

            c. Unto good works (a high aim for fallen man, achieved in Christ).

            d. He before prepared (God planned in advance that man should be more than an animal).

        2. Man's fallen state described (2:1-3).

        3. God's grace and mercy (2:4-6).

        4. Man Redeemed (2:6,8, 10).

        5. Man's future, in Christ (2:7).

   C. From heaven's view, man is "salvageable." God saves him graciously in Christ, elevating him to a plane of dignity and service, and promising more in the eternal future.

III. VIEWING GOD'S PLAN (Chapter 3).

   A. Unless God reveals His purpose to man, he can never know it. For many centuries man did not know what God was planning. In this age of the world, God has revealed what formerly was hidden (mystery).

   B. The Key: Verse 10. "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God."

        1. Formerly was unknown -- to man or angel (3:5; see 1 Pet. 1:11, 12).

        2. Now has been revealed (3:3, 5).

            a. Hence is a revelation from God. Christianity cannot be reasoned out by man through human wisdom.

            b. Is revealed in the Gospel, or Good News (3:5-8).

            c. As men learn it, they are transformed (see 2:1-10).

            d. As heavenly beings see transformed man (the church), they too understand God's purpose and praise His wisdom (3:10).

   C. From Heaven's view, all God's actions lead to something definite -- the redemption of man, as announced in the gospel and demonstrated by the church on earth -- that transformed body of sinners who have been saved by grace through faith.

IV. VIEWING THE CHURCH (Chapter 4).

   A. God has not saved man only to leave him on his own. He first unites men in Christ, and then supplies them to grow up in Him.

   B. God unites men in Christ.

        1. God has given every Christian a number of blessings in common. Even if they formerly shared nothing, now they share all that matters. Even if they formerly were at odds, now they are one in Christ (4:4-6).

            a. One body - the spiritual body of Christ, the church. All the saved are in it.

            b. One Spirit - the Holy Spirit. He brings men into the body (1 Cor. 12:13) and then animates that body.

            c. One hope - the future reward. Every Christian shares this hope.

            d. One Lord - Jesus Christ. Every Christian begins with a knowledge of Him through the gospel.

            e. One faith - Every Christian has this faith in common. It is the principle of the new life.

            f. One Baptism - Every child of God has been baptized, born again, by water and the Spirit (Jno. 3:5; Acts 2:38; 1 Cor. 12:13).

            g. One God - God has made it all possible. Christians are gathered together into one new man in Christ. Alf these things they share in common.

        2. They must guard ("keep") this unity in peace (4:2, 3).

   C. God provided functions in the church for the growth of the saints (4:11).

        1. Apostles - to witness to Christ's resurrection.

        2. Prophets - to reveal God's will as needed (until Scripture was completed).

        3. Evangelists - to preach the gospel.

        4. Pastors - to shepherd the saints; feed and lead the flock.

        5. Teachers - to instruct in the new life.

   D. From heaven's viewpoint, God has planned the church so that every part of it can grow into the fullness of Christ. We are not a man-made society or an earthly organization. We are the body of Christ -- the handiwork of God.

V. VIEWING THE NEW LIFE (Chapter 5).

   A. The Christian is not left to create his own righteousness, or to invent his own standard of good works. God has planned this for him. He is to learn it and apply it.

   B. Paul describes this life in Ephesians 5 (as in other places).

        1. Putting off some things (5:3-8).

        2. Putting on other things (5:9, 15-21).

        3. To sum it up, imitating God (5:1).

VI. VIEWING THE CONFLICT WITH SATAN (Chapter 6).

   A. Satan does not cooperate with God as He works out His purpose of redemption. Rather the devil seeks to thwart it throughout. He turns on the believer and seeks to destroy him. Viewed from heaven's viewpoint, there is encouragement even here for the child of God.

   B. God gives strength (6:10, 18-20).

   C. God gives armor and weapons (6:11, 13-17).

   D. God gives the victory (6:11, 13).

   E. From heaven's view, the outcome is certain. We must simply be faithful to God and we cannot possibly lose.

Conclusion

From earth's view there is no solution to the human problem -- sin and its effects. From heaven's view we see a grand purpose, a saving God, a planned life, an ordered church and a final victory.

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