"Husbands, love your wives, just as also Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her "(Eph. Introduction. SermonAudio.com - Ephesians 3 Sermons. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), p. 228, Firwood Church,300 Middleton Road,Westwood,Oldham, OL9 6JH At one time we were separated from God, the people of God and the things of God. What is important is Paul’s concern for the churches and that believers are not led to despair on account of his circumstances. CSB Holy Land Illustrated Bible (Hardcover), Discover the Hope You're Looking for In God's Word, by Lloyd Stilley on Wednesday, January 01, 2014 at 7:00 AM. In Christ, you are like a building that has its pilings driven deep down into the bedrock below. Moreover, Paul understood that his suffering and imprisonment was immensely purposeful. Edgar . ii. Perhaps we are facing rejection from neighbours, friends and family or perhaps we have been overlooked for that promotion because we have turned to Christ. We cannot be certain, but the most convincing arguments point towards Paul’s first Roman imprisonment.[3]. I want to shine a light on the amazing love of God for us. BLESSED BE THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. The apostle often refers to his prison-life, and here presents himself to the Churches as "an ambassador in bonds" (Ephesians 6:20). EXEGESIS: THE CONTEXT: The recipients of this letter were mostly Gentile Christians. In Romans 9:23 The riches of His glory, on His vessels of mercy. Luke describes Paul’s return to Jerusalem and the subsequent imprisonment which would lead, firstly to Caesarea and then, eventually, Rome. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household…”. remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. The enthusiasm with which the Apostle speaks of preaching the Gospel to the heathen is contagious. 3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. You are also "firmly established in love," says Paul, and this time he uses a word from architecture. What exactly is this that we are rooted and grounded in? Victor P. Furnish helpfully summarises the alternative positions, Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, p. 541. The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Paul wants us, Firwood Church, to see one another with absolute clarity, to see ourselves with all our dissimilarities, and glory in the truth that he has made us to be one people, one body, one family and one church. Paul stood with an unshakable confidence that he was precisely where the Lord of the Universe had called him to be. But this first verse also points forward. Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for Ephesians 3:16 ← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources. Instead, we live, connected to our source of life and strength that lies beneath the surface. It is a pure gift, given to the undeserving and the unlovable. [Even though Pandy was more rag than doll, Barbie loved her with a love that made Pandy beautiful.] 7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 3. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. "THE RICHES OF HIS GLORY." The flash-point is Paul’s association with the Gentiles and the belief that Paul’s proclamation of the gospel in places like Ephesus to men and women like you and I (i.e. In the first century there was a necessary concern with creating a continuity of tradition and authority for the fledgling Christian church. We ran downstairs and found the laundry room - Pandy was there, wrapped up in the sheets about to be washed to death. But thats not enough, He is able to do far more abundantly beyond what we ask. Verse 19 takes us to the edge when it speaks of knowing (lit., knowing through experience) "the Messiah's love that surpasses knowledge." Ephesians 3:1-2 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you Paul understands that not only is his imprisonment a consequence of his devotion to and the purposes of Christ Jesus, but also that his present circumstances directly relate to his ministry to the Gentiles. Ephesians 3:8 Spurgeon, C. H. Morning and evening The apostle Paul felt it a great privilege to be allowed to preach the gospel. Paul understands that not only is his imprisonment a consequence of his devotion to and the purposes of Christ Jesus, but also that his present circumstances directly relate to his ministry to the Gentiles. But for reasons that no one could ever quite figure out, in the way that kids sometimes do, my sister Barbie loved that little rag doll still. That you being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge. A woman once approached the famous preacher, G. Campbell Morgan, after he spoke and asked, Do you think we should pray for even the little things in our lives, or just for the big things? The term walk is found in Ephesians 4:1. Paul’s suffering was very real. We, like Paul, are stewards of the glorious grace of God made know through the gospel of Jesus Christ for the glory of God. 3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. What Paul says next is an attempt to gather into words something profoundly personal. (Adapted from C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves, p. 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