A Place Of Grace
6-28-26
  • It was the first Sunday of this year when we first opened this powerful letter that God, through the apostle Paul, sent to the church at Ephesus. And now here we sit— twenty-five messages later—coming to the close of this incredible letter.
    For many of you, this letter has become familiar ground.
    Week after week we have read it, studied it, wrestled with it, and allowed it to speak into our lives.
    What once were simply words on a page have, Lord willing, become practical wisdom and divine direction for everyday life.
    You now grasp this letter in a fuller sense—not just isolated verses, but the flow, the depth, the implications of the whole counsel contained within it.
    You’ve heard it so often that some portions have likely settled into your memory.
    Some of you could quote sections of it from sheer repetition.
    But more importantly, my prayer is that it has moved beyond your memory into your heart… that it has permeated your thoughts, shaped your actions, and transformed your walk with Christ.
    But for others, if we are honest, this journey through Ephesians may feel distant.
    You may struggle to remember what we studied a few weeks ago—much less what we opened on January 4th.
    Some have settled for pre-chewed Bible—content to be spoon-fed spiritually once a week and never laboring in the text for themselves.
    Some may wonder, “What’s the big deal? It’s just another book of the Bible.”
    And some, perhaps, have not taken the time to sit down and read this letter through even once as it was originally intended to be read.
    So whether you have been deeply enriched by the immeasurable truths of this letter, or whether you have struggled to see its practical weight because of a lack of personal investment, I want us this morning to do three things:
    1- I want us to remember where we started…
    2- I want us to reflect on what we have learned…
    3- And I want us to conclude this powerful letter observing Paul’s personal tone & leave you with one final word of caution....
    Because how we leave Ephesians may very well determine what Ephesians leaves in us…

    How We Started

    As we go back to where this letter began, we are reminded immediately that this was not merely a theological document—it was deeply personal.
    Paul writes, (Ephesians 1:1 “… I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.” ).
    Ephesians 1:1 NLT
    This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
    To a people Paul knew, loved, labored alongside, suffered with, and ministered to.
    This was a church close to Paul’s heart. These were not strangers to him. These were brothers and sisters in Christ with whom he had spent years pouring his life into.
    And from the very beginning, what does Paul extend to them?
    Grace… and peace.
    (Ephesians 1:2 “May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.” ).
    Ephesians 1:2 NLT
    May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
    That is how this letter opens.
    Not with rebuke.… Not with cold instruction.
    But with grace and peace.
    And what is remarkable is that this theme does not fade as the letter progresses—it carries all the way through. In fact, as we will see in just a little while, it is how Paul closes this letter as well.
    He begins with grace… He ends with grace.
    He begins with peace… He ends with peace.
    Because everything in between—the doctrine, the commands, the warnings, the armor of God—is held together by those two great realities: the grace of God extended to us and the peace we have by knowing Him!
    Chapters 1–3: teaches the riches of His grace (position, calling and doctrine)… Meanwhile Chapters 4–6: demonstrate the walk of peace that is flowing from this grace producing (practice, conduct, through Directives)…

    What We’ve Learned

    As we read through this letter we saw “In Christ” as a key phrase. This is our position!!!
    We see this phrase “In Christ” or its equivalent 35 times in this letter.
    This is such a essential doctrine for the believer to understand
    You and I are as close to God as His Son Jesus Christ positionally!
    TWICE we saw Paul pray for the believers! Ch 1 & 3
    I want us to consider our standing in Christ… who we are according to the first three chapters of this letter...

    Overview… Our Belief

    We begin by seeing GOD’S REDEMPTION…

    Interestingly enough we discovered verses 3-14 are one complete sentence in the Greek. It is the longest sentence in the bible.
    We also learned that there were several long sentences in this letter. These really emphasized Paul’s points

    You and I are declared ADOPTED Children of God

    We are adopted into His family… We are Chosen on purpose for a purpose!
    John 3:16 God loved the world
    2 Peter 3:9 declares that God desires none perish

    Chapter 2 explains our need and God’s provision of His GRACE

    Paul clearly lays out that our redemption, our salvation is ONLY the work of God’s Grace to us…

    We discovered OUR ONENESS in Christ (Jew & Gentile)

    There is a house being built, the family of God
    The unity was a powerful thing for us as the church today to grasp
    This is the very essence of the key verse summarizing the letter beautifully Ephesians 2:8-10
    Ephesians 2:8–10 NLT
    God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
    What we Believe Creates Behavior…
    The closing of chapter 3 is Paul not able to contain himself as he ponders all God has done… truly God has given us “every spiritual blessing!”…
    THEREFORE!!!!
    As you read and study this letter it does not take much to realize that at its center is a very distinct shift… We read in Ephesians 4:1 the opening word… THEREFORE!!!
    Ephesians 4:1 NLT
    Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.
    This verse is the hinge, it is the catalyst that applies the first portion of the letter.
    It is a very distinct “IF”… “THEN” concept
    The first three chapters deal with Teaching / Theology / Doctrine
    The last three chapters apply this teaching, as we are given 35 Directives
    Our theology put into practice as we live out this Doctrine
    We learned and discovered our Position “IN CHRIST” in Chapters 1-3
    We then learned what the Practice or working out of that Position should be in Chapters 4-6
    The first half delt with the believer's Calling and the second half delt with our Conduct or walk

    OUR WALK

    This portion speaking to our BEHAVIOR delt with us:

    LIVING AS LIGHT

    As we “walk” and conduct ourselves there should be a contrast
    As light we are to REVEAL Christ to a dark world
    Our lives are called NOT TO BE the Light, but rather REFLECT the Light
    We saw this lived out in practical ways as we “Put on the new nature”

    RELATIONSHIPS Were delt with too…

    The family of God… Wives and Husbands… Children and parents… Slaves and masters
    Paul closes with a directive given in a militant tone… STAND FIRM and PRAY!
    Our lives “in Christ” exhibiting the armor of God… recognizing that it is proper BELIEF that guards us,
    We BEHAVE each and every day in that BELIEF and it guards our paths, our minds, and our hearts!
    Pray at all times... for alertness, perseverance, each other, and for boldness
    Paul even ask them to pray for him...
    As we went through this letter we saw God is working with purpose… in order that you and I live and walk with Purpose

    How We Conclude

    Paul closes this letter very real, in a powerful way while showing his vulnerability. Consider how real he get in Ephesians 6:18-24
    Ephesians 6:18–24 NLT
    Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should. To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord’s work. I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.
    To the Faithful followers… NOTICE: “Faithful”…
    Paul here has been faithful even to imprisonment
    Tychicus was called a faithful brother
    The church, those faithful in the cause and work of the Lord
    Ministry is PERSONAL, it takes PEOPLE…
    When combining Acts and Paul’s letters, we discover approximately one hundred individuals are associated with Paul’s ministry across various roles and titles.
    Of those hundred names, thirty-eight are identified as actual coworkers of the apostle
    To these faithful Paul once again expresses Grace and Peace… and he adds one other thing: LOVE…
    NLT says “eternal love”
    NASB says “with incorruptible love”
    Keep this in mind as we consider where we go from here as we wrap up our time in Ephesians…

    Where Do We Go?

    A letter FULL of solid church doctrine and practical living
    Ephesians emphasizes Christ love, their love for Him & their love for each other
    The church in Ephesus had everything going for them …
    Just 40 years after this letter another “note” in a larger letter came to this same church in Revelation… “Swindoll” states this as he reflects on the Ephesians...
    “The church with everything, but the greatest thing! “They lost thier first LOVE…” Revelation 2:1-7
    Revelation 2:1–7 NLT
    “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands: “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.
    Christ looks at this church and sees their DEEDS, TOIL and their PERSEVERANCE…
    “I know” what you are doing…
    “I know” how hard you are working…
    “I know” (Ephesus is a hard place to be a Christian)… yet you keep the faith
    Ephesus had taken what was written earlier and forgot RELATIONSHIP… exchanging it for RELIGION!
    What was done out of RESPONSE of LOVE was now ROBOTIC and LABORSOME
    They exchanged thier PASSION for the Lord and replaced it with a PUNCHCARD
    “The danger is not merely finishing Ephesians, but leaving unchanged by our study of Ephesians.”
    “It is possible to study truth deeply and yet leave unmoved by it.”
    “The question is not whether we have gone through Ephesians, but whether the Words of God in Ephesians has gone through us.”
    It is true that your BELIEF will CREATE BEHAVIOR… Let’s remember that our BEHAVIOR is based in SACRIFICIAL LOVE… His first for us and in response our LOVE for Him!

      • Ephesians 1:1NASB95

      • Ephesians 1:2NASB95

      • Ephesians 2:8–10NASB95

      • Ephesians 4:1NASB95

      • Ephesians 6:18–24NASB95

      • Revelation 2:1–7NASB95

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