1 Route 66 Understanding Ephesians Dr. Stephen

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1 Route 66 Understanding Ephesians Dr. Stephen Rummage, Senior Pastor Bell Shoals Baptist Church June 7, 2017 Ephesians 1:3 (ESV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, Structure of Ephesians 1. Doctrine: The Believer’s Blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1-2) 2. Duty: The Believer’s Behavior in Christ (Ephesians 4-6) Our Spiritual Warfare Ephesians 6:10-20 Ephesians 6:10 (ESV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Ephesians 6:11 (ESV) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:13 (ESV) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:14 (ESV) Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, Ephesians 6:15 (ESV) and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:16 (ESV) In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; Ephesians 6:17 (ESV) and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Ephesians 6:18 (ESV) praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

2 Ephesians 6:19 (ESV) and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, Ephesians 6:20 (ESV) for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. 1. We Must Be Conscious of Our Adversary Ephesians 6:11 (ESV) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 2. We Must Be Clothed in Our Armor Ephesians 6:13 (ESV) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:14 (ESV) Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, Ephesians 6:15 (ESV) and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:16 (ESV) In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; Ephesians 6:17 (ESV) and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 3. We Must Be Constant in Our Activity Ephesians 6:11 (ESV) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:13 (ESV) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:14 (ESV) Stand therefore …

3 Ephesians 6:18 (ESV) praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Ephesians 6:19 (ESV) and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, Ephesians 6:20 (ESV) for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Understanding Ephesians Meaning: Named for the recipient of the letter Author: Paul Audience: The Church at Ephesus Date of Writing: 61 AD Theme: Christ and the church; doctrine and duty. Key Verses: Ephesians 6:10-20 Structure of Ephesians I. Doctrine: The Believer’s Blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1-3) a. Our Possessions in Christ (1) b. Our Position in Christ (2-3) II. Duty: The Believer’s Behavior in Christ (Ephesians 4-6) a. Walk in Unity (4:1-16) b. Walk in Purity (4:17-32) c. Walk in Love (5:1-6) d. Walk in the Light (5:7-14) e. Walk Carefully (5:15-17) f. Walk in Harmony (5:18-6:9) g. Walk in Victory (6:10-24) The Believer’s Blessing in Christ Jesus. In Him, we have been blessed, chosen, predestined, adopted, accepted, redeemed, forgiven, enlightened, inherited, sealed, guaranteed. The Blessings and the Responsibilities of Believers Paul's letter to the Ephesian church divides neatly into two sections. The first describes the spiritual blessings all believers possess; the second outlines what God expects of believers in light of all He has done for them. The Blessings Christians Enjoy

The Responsibilities Christians Have

Chosen by God; election (1:4) Adoption into God’s family (1:5; 2:19) Acceptance before God (1:6) Forgiveness of sins (1:7) Insight into God’s will (1:9) An eternal inheritance (1:11) The seal of the Spirit (1:13; 2:18) God’s mercy and love (2:4, 3:17-19) Wisdom and knowledge (1:17) Divine power (1:19, 20; 3:16, 20) Spiritual life (2:1, 5) The promise of eternal kindness (2:7) The knowledge that God’s plan for us is good (2:10) Unity and peace with all believers (2:11-18; 3:6) Heavenly citizenship (2:19) Access to God through Christ (3:12)

To keep the unity of the Spirit (4:3-6) To use our abilities for the church’s benefit (4:7-13) To keep growing and maturing (4:14, 15) To put away old, sinful ways (4:17-24; 5:2-14) To speak honestly and purely (4:25, 29) To do what the Spirit leads us to do (4:30) To imitate God (5:1) To walk in love (5:2) To find out what is acceptable to the Lord (5:10) To make the most of our time (5:16) To be filled with the Spirit (5:18) To submit to one another (5:21) To have marriages that honor God (5:22-33) To honor God in our families (6:1-4) To demonstrate integrity in the workplace (6:5-9) To stand strong against the forces of evil (6:10-18)

Source: The Nelson Study Bible : New King James Version, Nashville : T. Nelson Publishers, 1997

Route 66: The Highway of Redemption from Genesis to Revelation Bell Shoals Baptist Church - Dr. Stephen Rummage, Senior Pastor