Let Us Learn About the Church from Ephesians (Ephesians 1:1-2)
Introduction:
1. Many passages in the New Testament relate to the church in Ephesus. a. We read about the establishment of this congregation in Acts 18-19. b. The apostle Paul wrote a letter [Ephesians] to this congregation. c. The Lord also sent a message to this congregation (Revelation 2:1-7). 2. In our lesson we are examining information revealed in Ephesians concerning the church. 3. As we do so, "let us learn about the church from Ephesians." Discussion: I. FROM EPHESIANS WE LEARN ABOUT THE IDENTITY OF THE CHURCH
A. The church is the Lord's body (1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). 1. "There is one body" (4:4). 2. Since the church is the Lord's body, and there is one body, He only has one church. B. Christ made it possible for Jews and Gentiles to be reconciled to God in His body (2:14-16). II. FROM EPHESIANS WE LEARN ABOUT THE CHURCH'S RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST
A. Christ is "the head over all things to the church" (1:22). B. In addition to being the head of the church, Christ is "the Savior of the body" (5:23). C. Christ "loved the church, and gave Himself for it" (5:25; Acts 20:28; John 15:13). D. Christ nourishes and cherishes the church (5:29). III. FROM EPHESIANS WE LEARN ABOUT THE CHURCH'S RESPONSIBILITIES TO CHRIST
A. God is glorified in the church (3:21). B. The church is subject to Christ (5:24; Colossians 3:17). C. The church is to "be holy and without blemish" (5:27). IV. FROM EPHESIANS WE LEARN THAT THE CHURCH MAKES KNOWN "THE MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD" (3:1-12) Conclusion:
1. (Matthew 16:18) Jesus promised to build His church, and He built it just as He said He would. 2. To be the Lord's church today we must follow His plan. 3. We learn about the Lord's plan for His church from a careful study of passages that relate to the church. 4. A number of important fundamentals are revealed in Ephesians.
