Ephesians Overview

This is not a typical Paul letter, it will not have your typical greeting, nor does it deal with a particular problem inside or outside the church.  It reads more like a sermon than a letter, focussing on the character of the church.  Yesterday we read about Jesus as the Head of the Church (Colossians), well in Ephesians we will read about the Body of the Church (Believers).

Paul will state that there is a oneness between all believers, even Jews and Gentiles.  By no means does Jesus intend there to be a separate church for Judaism or Christianity.  We are fully intended to be one Church.  The word Church in Greek is Ecclesia, meaning the assembly of the called out ones.  In other words, the body of believers.

The city of Ephesus was a rich port to the Mediterranean Sea.  This huge city contained an enormous theater (holding 25,000 at a time), a town square, a marketplace, public baths, libraries and a number of enormous temples (mostly to the fertility goddess, Diana).

Many of you know Ephesians for the “Spiritual Armor” sequence in the last chapter but I challenge you to carve out an hour of your day today, that’s right I said an hour (uhhhh turn off the TV or the computer??) and read it and really think about this book.  You will hear cool verses like “learn what pleases the Lord” and you will read action words that we are to do as Christians like “put off…and put on”.  Not things that we ask the Lord to change in us, but things we are to do ourselves FOR the Lord.   Anyway, this might just be your new favorite book!

Here are some pictures of Ephesus.  Enjoy.

Colossians and Philemon

Colossians: Seriously, was not the one of the best reads ever.  This book is 4 incredible chapters that describes

1. What Christ has done
2. What Christians should do

I am not going to pull apart scripture because honestly I think it is one of the clearest letters Paul writes. The only thing I do want to point out is the word Mystery was used 4 times in Colossians.  It makes be think about the difference between a Christian and the rest of the world and why the rest of the world does not “get” the Christian.  It’s a mystery isn’t it.  The one thing that is different in our world vs theirs (besides eternity) is the Holy Spirit.  The fact that God actually lives inside each and every one of us to help guide, comfort,  and lead us.

the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. (Col 1:26)

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col 1:17)

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, (Col 2:2)
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. (Col 4:3)

Philemon (by the way this week in front of Lovingood I said Phil uh mon….it is Phil eeee men).   When you think about the purpose of the letter don’t think of the people but think of God’s charater  What is the purpose of this book?

• Respect
• Love
• Forgiveness
• Care
• Protection

Philemon Overview

Find Hebrews and it is one chapter to the left of it. This one little book in the Bible may be only 25 verses but it completely encompasses the change Christ can have on us.  Have you ever read it.  (I have not, I am not even sure I know how to promounce it)

What would I say this book is about: Love and Forgiveness.  So if you struggle with either/both of those,  dig in.  Paul is in prison and comes to meet a man by the name of Onesimus.  Onesimus is a runaway slave to Paul’s friend Philemon in Colosse (a leader in the Church).  So, Onesimus,  who before meeting Paul was considered useless has come to be a CHrist Follower (Christian), thus his name Onesimus actually means “uselfull” in Greek.

Paul writes a letter from the Love in his heart to Philemon to accept and forgive Onesimus for running away and the crimes he has committed.  (anyone feeling like Onesimus??).  Paul not only asks for forgiveness but also for his protection.

Enjoy this wonderful personal letter that Paul writes from Prison.

Colossians Overview

Paul established a church in Colosse on his third mission journey.  Today this area is in Turkey.  There were two prominent men in Colosse, Philimon and Epaphras,  that became Christians and were spreading the message while Paul was in Prison.   Paul wrote them this letter to be read in the Church.   The trouble in Colosse was other ideas and philosophies from other religions were being introduced and put on the same level as Christianity.  (Is this book not pertinent to today or what!).  This idea of “there are many ways to God” has been since the beginning of the Church, it is called syncretism.

We have been reading since October 1 the New Testament so I think we have a pretty good idea of what it means to live a Christian life.  Well, in Colosse, they were melding Jewish circumcision, food laws, and now was introducing worshipping angels and mysticism.  Click on the word to see the definition, ever watch late night Christian Tv?  or like astrology or Tarot Cards but the person says the revelation comes from God: mysticism.

The idea of angel worship as an intermediaries (some faiths do this with past people) denies the supremacy of Christ.   Angel worship was the newest philosophy being introduced as part of Christendom.   There are few hills I am willing to die on for but this is one of them.  Jesus is your intermediary to God.  No one or nothing else.  Don’t worship, pray to or believe in any Supremacy other than the Christ Head.

This book rebukes the “Hodge Podge” belief system. The church may have lots of body parts, all acting different, but Christ is the head.

Acts 27-28

Did you read that and wonder, is that the last we hear of Paul? Does he get out of Prison? Does he make it to Spain?  The book of Acts stops here for a reason, the book is not about Paul, it never was.    Acts is about God, and His plans, and the spreading of the Gospel and the fulfilling of scripture.

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” Acts 23:11

Well, If God plans it..it will happen, maybe not how we assume or plan but be assured it will.  God’s word was fulfilled and the Gospel was spread.  We can hear scriptures in our past reads just being fulfilled with ever step Paul and the others made

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Paul remained in Prison and this where God had him write what some call the  ”Prison Letters”: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon.  His ministry was over 30 years and he is an example of a life worth living.

Acts 24-26

Paul may be in prison but good golly God uses that.  Think about how large the crowds are each and every time he tells his testimony as well as sharing the Gospel.  It is amazing isn’t it.  Well, I think the read is pretty self-explanatory so I will just point out a few facts behind the scenes that might interest you. (Before I do that take the beginning of 24 to heart, Paul looks and sounds like the Jesus Freak that he is.  Vs 14 says The Way (christianity is a sect). Ummm I was told it was Jonestown.  I should now understand it was biblical to be mocked.  Anyway:

• Felix came with his wife Drusilla (24:24)  Drusilla is the sister of King Agrippa/  Felix had taken another man’s wife, so it explains why when Paul talks about righteousness, self-control and judgement Felix says “Ohhh look at the time…gotta go”.
• King Agrippa II, isn’t is amazing that EVERY generation of the Herod family free is somehow personally presented with the Gospel face to face.  Here is the family tree on them. Herod Family Click on that you will also see how Drucilla dn Bernice fit in
• Bernice was King Agrippa’s sister and wife. 
• Apippas’ father was the one who killed James, his great-uncle was the one who beheaded John the Baptist and his great grandfather was Herod the Great who ordered the children dead in Bethlehem.

What was your favorite part of this read?  Mine was a Scripture reaffirming the great commission,  the way to salvation and the purpose of deeds all rolled up in one.

First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. (Acts 26:20)

But another good one is

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” (Acts26:28-29)

Acts 20:4-23:35

OK, we have been away from Acts a little so let’s recap.  Paul left Ephesus, spent time in Corinth and then returned through Macedonia and now is sailing away again.  This is the end of Paul’s three Mission trips wich covered about 12 years.  Paul visited or planted  churches in major cities throughout Asia Minor (Turkey) and Greece.  Truly the Epi-center of the world at the time.

Paul is determined to take this great offering to Jerusalem no matter the cost.  The offering was collected out of brotherly love and kindness between both Jews and Gentiles.  Paul arrives in Jerusalem in June 58 , making this his 5th recorded visit to Jerusalem since his Road to Damascus experience.  Rumors are hot regarding Paul about his “purpose”.   Some in Jerusalem accuse him of turning people away from the Law of Moses.  Just like when Jesus came, Paul never did that.  Paul came to preach that the Law was to point to the Christ, Paul is still respectful of Jewish Law but as an Act of Jesus not to replace Jesus.

Paul does many things here in Jerusalem to prove his Jewish heritage like paying the expense of the vow for 4 men, spoke in Aramaic (ch 22) and even name dropped that he had been mentored by the great rabbi Gamiel.  I want you to picture Paul, possible standing in the very place Jesus stood before Pilate, being unfairly tried, just as Paul is.  Paul continues with his testimony and the crowd was fine UNTIL the word Gentile came up.  The Jews in Jerusalem were exclusive and prideful and would not lump themselves in with the dirty Gentiles.

Paul is then on the flogging block (ummm have you seen The Passion), when he plays the card that God had dealt him and that is Roman status!  The man about to flog him was actually inferior to Paul himself.   The next day Paul stands in front of the very Council he was once a member of.  He Admitted it in his testimony, he admitted that he would hold the clothes of the men that were stoning Stephen,  (go back to Acts 8) so they wouldn’t get dirty or blood splattered if their rock hit a major artery (it can squirt 30 ft from the body I heard).  Think of the transformation truly made in Paul!!

Anyway, the read ends today with a Roman Army rescuing Paul (can you imagine the look on the conspiring Jews face when 200 soldiers, 70 horses,  and 200 spearmen came in for Paul) And is taken to Governor Felix (the position Pilate use to have and is in Prison but in the Palace. (God is s Good)

Romans 14-16

Yeah! You made it through Romans! 

I am praying right now that this is a WORD to all of us today.  The Word of God will never be different but Churches will.  Paul clearly states that some churches will regard certain days “holier” than others.  Certain foods, customs, traditions….etc.   These differences SHOULD NOT cause division among the Body of Believers  (Ohhh but they do).  I will insert that we are not talking about DOCTRINE but on practices of worship and traditions.  Each of us will sit on the seat of judgement and the standard will be the Bible.   Not only should we not judge the differences but we should respect them  (AS LONG AS they are not contrary to the Bible) .  For example, if you go to a church that practices a “no alcohol” policy then that should be respected when guests are with you, just like if another church says a certain Creed or Prayer before communion, that too should be respected and done. My mother is Catholic and I am not.  We have learned so much and we have both changed our hearts to the others denominations.  For example, I do not celebrate Ash Wednesday and she does.  What we did together that day was research the reason behind that tradition in her church and it was right out of Leviticus (which was where we were reading …God is so cool)  My opinion is sometimes the unlegalist have more legalism than the legalist.  Know what I am sayin’.

Paul restates the purpose of the Letter and takes no comment for his effort since it was written truly from God himself through Paul through he power fo the Holy Spirit.  This book may have been tough but you must spend some time next year digging it because as you see it is written TO THE GENTILE, so we need to read it again.

Question: if God is writing a Bible and we are the people in it now (I often think that) where would you be? The ones that are divisive? The ones that are preaching? Serving? Lazy?…ok ok ok let’s do it like the end of Romans….

Romans 16:10 Greet Insert your name, who……

What would be written?

Romans 12-13

All of a sudden the reading changes completely.  There is no point in reading all the theology in the past 11 CHapters if we are not willing to now see how that should look.  We read about the indwelling Spirit living in us to help us to live less sinfully and more according to what God wants for us.   OK, let me put this another way, I hear people all the time say “I am not sure what God wants for me…I mean like what should I be doing? Serve? Teach? Preach? Cook? Mentor?”  What God wants is for us to live personally responsible AND to use the gift God has given you for His purposes. (I will attach a Spiritual Gift Test at the bottom).  However, many of us know what we are good at,  such as praying, singing, counseling, art…whatever our talent we should use it to Glorify Him (not us).

Chapter 12, I am not going to list them but maybe you want to take out a piece of paper and write down the ones you need to pray about.  Ummmmm my list was pretty long.  But that is ok,  because I am going to seriously dig into the Spirit and work on these to please the Lord.

Chapter 13, ok Submission to the authority.  I am not going to rehash the whole story but over a year ago I wrote a blog about how God will put in the President seat who He needs in the President seat to fulfill His plan (Always keep in mind the End Times are near…what is near? Nearer than yesterday for sure).  So the title was “Does it really matter” meaning God is in control regardless of who is in the seat.  I also encouraged people to love and pray for either President Cain or Obama whoever won.  Let me tell you the slack I got was INCREDIBLE.  People had so much to say that I got e-mail after e-mail and then voicemail after voicemail.  Seriously (I almost closed up the blogging world…and look what would have happened I wouldn’t know half of you).  I was even told by a woman at my church that I was not fit to lead a study to represent our church.  (Never let one apple be the whole church…all churches have a few…and they seem to always find me)

Submission to Authority.  God through Paul NEVER says to ever disobey God, However, God established the authorities that exist and although we don’t always see the Big Picture we should respect and submit under that authority. 

Last, Love for the Day is Near.  I KNOW you all reread verse 9-10.    But notice that Paul grouped “acts” with “attitudes”.  What is in the Well, comes up in the Bucket.  So let’s get the inside right so we can get the outside right because Jesus just might return tomorrow. :)

Romans 11

I wish Chapter 11 was a stand alone read so we can really get this.  I have said in the past, move on if you are stuck but not this time.  God needs you to understand Chapter 11 because it is the true History of your Church.  And not just that,  but what is your feelings, heart,  or Judgment on the Jewish people today that do not believe in Christ?  Ok Ok. let me put it bluntly would you say “I don’t get it!!! How can they possibly NOT see that Jesus is the Messiah?”  In our arrogance,  we may think that.  This chapter is written directly to the Gentiles.  God wants us to know not only that we were a plan from the beginning but THROUGH the Jewish nation we were brought to Salvation.  God was able to use the foreknowledge of the hearts of some to be hardened to allow us to be grafted into the Plan from the very beginning. 

What does that mean? I want to remind the ones that have read the Old Testament to recall the geneology of the 12 Tribes.  Two of the Tribes were from Joseph right? Joseph married an Egyptian princess. Soooo 2 of the Tribes were the sons that were half Jew half Gentile.  If I take that one step forward, Joshua was from this tribe line.  Joshua, in Hebrew means “Saves” and the Hebrew word for Joshua is “Jesus”.  See we have always been a larger part of the Plan than people think about.  Now what is Chapter 11 about? (I tell that better than I write it so call me if that was muddled)

Paul is talking to the Gentiles, explaining to them that there was always a remnant of Jews that were kept to the Lord by Grace. (this goes back to the exile).  These are called the elect.  Now the others that were following Baal (false god) and trying to please the Lord through deed,  well God closed their eyes and shut their ears to the coming Messiah.

Go to verse 17.  Some of the branches were broken off (they were dead, the hardened hearts of the Jews), a wild olive shoot (Gentiles) have been grafted in to share in the same nourishing sap (Jesus) from the ROOT (God).  WHy were they broken off? Read the whole paragraph again:

If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. (Romans 11:17-21)

Jewish people are the natural branches, his Chosen people.  We should never be so arrogant in our Faith to forget that.  Why don’t many of them believe in the Messiah? because their forefathers were blinded to seeing it SO THAT the branch could be cut off and we, the gentiles could be grafted in to the plan.  Paul also warns us that if He is willing to cut a branch off of His CHildren, what will he do to us Gentiles that do not believe.  Let me put it this way: every hear someone say “Ohhh God wouldn’t do that, He is a God of Love”.  Well first, God LOVES us so much he was willing to blind a few to allow us access to Him HOWEVER, if He can take his hand off His own children clearly He will do that to a Gentile.  So be careful.

(I am not a good writer, but a better “tawker”.   Please call me if you want to talk that out)