Ephesians Plus Three

[HKHaugan]

Ephesians Plus Three---Colossians, Philippians and Philemon

As an aside it is interesting to see the similarity in Paul’s approach to the different congregations. I’d suggest a look at the message in each. We won’t do a comparison at this time. It is only to say the Gospel is not presented differently from one group to the other. There is one mind in Christ and the same Gospel goes to all believers. One size fits all. One cannot fail to see they are written with an eye to bringing the heart of God into the individual mind. Dated about 60-61 AD their similarity in emphasis and content gives us the sense of Paul having written them during his imprisonment in Rome. There he had time to ponder his years of struggle in and for Jesus. To him his chains were symbols of his servanthood in Christ and his freedom from the world. The revelations of how to think about the Lord’s work, he had been given in the Spirit, provide profound insights into the nature of who Jesus is and what He has done to restore humanity. That’s why these particular passages are so important for us. They expand our intellect so that when we are asked to give a reason for the hope that is in us our faith kicks in and we can.

In two Paul sends his greetings as an apostle and in the other two as a servant and a prisoner of Christ. He addresses them as saints, holy ones and faithful which is what they are in Christ. In all of his epistles he comes in grace and peace, the external cover and the internal stability found only in Christ, both giving the mind, heart and spirit their balance by the Holy Spirit. He notes here and in Colossian and Philippians their faith in Jesus and their love for the saints. Paul thinks the Cross, its vertical and horizontal effect.

But returning to Ephesians it’s important to see how constant and persistent Paul is in emphasizing the importance of prayer for these congregations. Vs.16 “I have not stopped giving thanks” “remembering you in my prayers” and in vs.17 “I keep asking’ and vs.18 “I pray also.”

Several things about prayer can be seen here, thanksgiving, continuing, faithful and specificity.

First, thanksgiving. Being thankful is a much a part of prayer as is praise. It might good for us to distinguish the difference between them. We praise God for who He is as God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and Jesus as Lord, Savior and Redeemer. We thank Him for the specifics with which He has blessed us, the answers to prayer and the way He has acted personally in our lives.

Second, prayer is continuing as mentioned in vs.16,17 and 18. Some ask “Since God knows everything isn’t a one-time request sufficient?” Jesus tells the parable of the unjust judge who gets tired of hearing the same request from a woman but finally gives in just to get her out of his hair (Lk.18:2). “Will God not hear those who cry out to Him day and night?”

Third, prayer has to be faithful. It is the end question Jesus asks that counts, “When the Son of Man comes will He find faith on the earth?” It is faithful prayer from the heart not the rote prayers of the pharisaic mindset.

Fourth, prayer needs to be specific. Vs.17-19 Paul prays that the Ephesians may be given the Spirit of Wisdom and revelation to know the Lord better, that the eyes of their hearts may be enlightened, to know the hope of their calling, to be aware of their inheritance and the power available to believers.

The thing to note in this section is Paul’s concept of the power of God upon which we have already elaborated. The end of vs.19 on to v.23 he calls it “incomparably great.” He refers to the power that raised Jesus from the dead, seated Him at His right hand far above all rule and authority, power, dominion and every title that can be given in this age and the one to come. God placed everything under Him and to head of the church, His Body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way. Nothing is left out. Both the physical and spiritual dimensions are under His command, His supervision and His grace.

Now again the following theme is absolutely central to everything Paul has had revealed to him. The power of God is spiritual power, the same power that created the universe, the same power that sustains it and the same power that God administers according to His will. The fact that sickness, disease, war, famine, and all forms of brokenness takes place in the human arena is not God’s doing. They are the result of the spiritual upset called sin and its product, evil. The real struggle in existence is the spiritual war behind the scenes. While we are frustrated by what seems like the enormity of human suffering in the midst of all this, it is the eternal overview in Jesus Christ that gives us hope, assurance and certainty that God’s plan is working His purposes out for everyone who believes. For the final quality of His nature that pulls everything out of the fire is faith. And faith is secured in the one great event that makes finality real, the Resurrection of Jesus.

Because the biggest object to completion in God is death, it is the Resurrection through Jesus’ faith that signals the ultimate control of the universe and the spiritual dimension is in His hands. Faith is the vehicle bringing God into man’s heart. Faith drives out the fear of death and death itself. This is why the work of the Cross was faith, perfect faith, completed faith, the faith of Jesus. It was faith that carried Jesus from Heaven to earth to live in the physical dimension. It was faith that carried Him home. It was faith that motivated Him all through His life on earth. It was faith in His Father in the power of the Spirit, the Spirit of faith, that brought Him out of the tomb. This is the same power through which the greater love of God breaks into the world. Faith is what changes the world. This is the power that gives us the knowledge of grace, forgiveness and truth, the elements of the Kingdom of God. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).”