Sermon Notes 1/8 – Ephesians

Verse One

       The Author – The Apostle Paul

Saul – his Jewsih name meaning to ask or party

Paul – his gentile name meaning little or small

Apostle – one sent out on a special mission – Paul’s mission was to tell the gentiles about Jesus

Written To: Saints – means holy and set apart ones

Key Word in Ephesians – IN (In Christ)

***THE OUTLINE OF EPHESIANS

SIT – Chapters 1-3

WALK – Chapters 4-5

STAND – Chapter 6

SIT – Ephesians 2:6 – 3 Chapters – Chapters 1-3

-Christianity starts off with sitting – knowing our position in Christ

-sitting is emphasized for 3 chapters

-Christianity does not start with a DO, but with a DONE – what Jesus has done for us

-sitting is resting in Jesus and discovering who we are in Him

WALK – Ephesians 4:1 & 5:2 – this is our daily life with Jesus – 2 Chapters – Chapters 4 and 5

-our conduct and behavior

-this is doing and effort

-sin and issues decrease

STAND – Ephesians 6:11,13,14 – One Chapter – Chapter 6

-this is our place of victory over the enemy

SIT

1. The first step is receiving salvation

-we receive the Holy Spirit

2. The 2nd step is receiving every spiritual blessing in Christ – Eph 1:3

-spiritual blessings are the richest of God’s grace – Eph 1:6…2:7 & 3:8

-the riches are who we are in Christ – we are holy, victorious and an overcomer

We have nothing to do with either step.  The Lord gives them to every believer because of His love and Kindness

Jesus only deserves praise for what He has done – Eph 1:6…1:12…1:14

FEELINGS BASED – who we are in Christ is not based on our feelings

BEHAVIOR BASED – who we are in Christ is not based on our behavior

PERFORMANCE BASED – our identity and who we are in Christ is not based on our performance in any way

***THE WORD OF GOD DECLARES WHO WE ARE – Eph 1:3-7

v4 – chosen

v7 – redeemed

v7 – forgiven

-Identity Theft (the enemy) is all around us – but the Word of God declares our true indentity