In Christ EPHESIANS 1:1-2

Who wants to be ‘In Christ’?•Everyone wants to be ‘in’…•Even though all people seem contradictory, if they were completely honest, would admit this•Remember My Space from 2003?•Know why/how Facebook won?•Today we’ll learn a tiny portion of God’s love thru His Grace and Peace in Christ from the Apostle Paul’s teaching in Ephesians

“1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

2To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 1:1-2, NASB

Paul was an interesting dude…•Acts 9 says born in Tarsus, a metropolitan City in SE Asia Minor, at peace under Rome•Father a rich tentmaker and one sister, nothing known about his mother•Strong religious conviction, studied under Gamaliel, grew to become Sadducee in Jewish rule, giving us other info

Paul was an interesting dude…•Brilliant mind, strong in character, solid in leadership, Gamaliel was train- ing him for a seat on the Sanhedrin

“…circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.”

Philippians 3:5-6

Paul was an interesting dude…•Brilliant mind, strong in character, solid in leadership, Gamaliel was train- ing him for a seat on the Sanhedrin•But while on the way to Damascus to persecute more Christians, He had a surprise encounter with Jesus Christ Himself

“As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

Acts 9:3-5

Paul was an interesting dude…•Brilliant mind, strong in character, solid in leadership, Gamaliel was train- ing him for a seat on the Sanhedrin•But while on the way to Damascus to persecute more Christians, He had a surprise encounter with Jesus Christ Himself•Chief Persecutor transformed into Chief Apostle, Saul to Paul, Missionary of Christ

An Apostle, By the Will of God…•V 1a, Establishes Paul’s credentials•The Greek “apostalos”= ‘sent one•Sent of whom is the ?•Modern day ‘apostles’•Not Possible…

What qualifies one as an Apostle?•Personal physical witness of Christ Jesus

“And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Mefrom the beginning.” John 15:27

What qualifies one as an Apostle?•1.) Personal physical witness of Christ Jesus•The Apostles were a special group who physically knew Him while He was here•Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus•2.) Chosen by Jesus Himself

“And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Mefrom the beginning.” John 15:27

“And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:…”

Luke 6:13

What qualifies one as an Apostle?•1.) Personal physical witness of Christ Jesus•The Apostles were a special group who physically knew Him while He was here•Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus•2.) Chosen by Jesus Himself• All of Christ’s apostles were personally called and chosen by Christ Himself. No man had the right or authority to take it upon himself to become an apostle of Christ.

What qualifies one as an Apostle?•3.) Able to perform miracles

“Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.” Acts 2:43

What qualifies one as an Apostle?•3.) Able to perform miracles•While these miracles confirmed the truth of the apostles’ message, they also proved that a man was qualified to serve as an apostle•As far as I know, No one today meets those qualifications. Therefore, let’s guard against those whom Paul warns…

“Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.” Acts 2:43

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ…”

2 Corinthians 11:13

To the Saints…•V 1b, If you grew up Catholic, this may freak you out•No, Paul is NOT talking to a bunch of dead godly folks in Ephesus– So Sad that doctrine has become more important than Scripture!•9 times Paul calls them saints—no miracles, not dead, just reborn!•Greek “hagios” means “most holy thing”

Faithful in Christ Jesus…•V 1:b.b, The word ‘Faithful,’ in the N.T., can mean “exercising faith” or “to continue in faith”– here probably both•Notice that Paul focuses on their faithfulness “in Christ” (in Him)•One of the most important phrases in the whole book, 15 times in the 1st 14 verses!•Over 50x in all Paul’s writings– important?

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone doesnot abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”

John 15:5-7

Faithful in Christ Jesus…•Paul would never have been an apostle, unless he was in Christ•None of born-again Christian would have been a saint, unless he or she is in Christ•We cannot be faithful to God, unless we are in Christ first•So, to be in Christ means to be joined not only to our Lord but also to our brothers and sisters in the faith

Greeting to the Ephesians•V 2- Grace– even the lost use this word, mostly without understanding the meaning•They think it’s a hymn or prayer pre-food•Grace means “God’s undeserved favor”•Peace is a Grace by-product•Paul included grace and peace in all of his greetings. He wanted all of his readers toexperience God’s unmerited love and rest in their daily living. And the Lord wants that for us too

Take Home!•Do not be deceived by those who call them- selves apostles of Jesus Christ of the 21st Century. The office of the apostles of Jesus Christ has been closed with Paul•Do not be confused by some religious concepts of ‘saint.’ If you are born-again, you are a saint, not by good behavior, but by Christ’s holiness•Do not think that we can chart our own spiritual journey without Jesus. Unless we are in Christ, we are utterly lost, and will be damned in hell eternally•Do not seek peace anywhere else other than Jesus Christ. You won’t find it