Ephesians 1:1-2 "Grace and Peace"

   I.  God sends ministers to bless his people.

 
   Acts 19. 
      
       A.  Paul, an apostle by the will of God.
         
          
Romans 1:5, Eph 3:7, Eph 6:20, Eph 3:8, 1Sam 16:11
           
      
       B.  With authority to invoke the blessings of God upon the Church.
           1.  Common apostolic blessing, Heb, Peter’s letter, 2John, Rev 1:4; 22:21.
           2.  A priestly function. Num 6:27, Lk 24:50.
          
          

      
       C.  To the saints, faithful in Christ Jesus.
           1.  God’s people in the Old and New Testament church. Cf. Exodus 19:6 and 1Peter 2:9.
           2.  Those who are in Christ Jesus.
           3.  God the Father has given us rebirth and adoption.
           4.  Jesus Christ is our supreme Lord.
            
Colossians 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. 
           5.  God is the source of all blessings, every good and all of life, verse 2.
          
          

 
  II.  The blessings of Ephesians: grace and peace.
 
 

      
       A.  Grace: describes the gift and the manner of giving.
           1.  Hebrew: Genesis 6:8 Noah, ex 33:12 Moses,  Zechariah 12:10...the Spirit of grace and supplication
           2.  Greek: Romans 11:6,  Augustine: “ grace, if it is not free, is not grace.”
           3.  In Ephesians
          *     God’s saving grace [1:2, 6, 7; 2:5, 7, 8 ,]
          *     God’s gift of apostleship to Paul [3:2, 7, 8]
          *     God’s gift for ministry to believers  [chapter 4:7] and the consequent obligations [4:29].
          *     Paul’s benediction at the end [6:24].
           4.  Grace is multiplied in the church
          
          

      
       B.  Peace: at the heart of Christ’s kingdom.
           1.  Peace understood in the light of the OT
           2.  In Ephesians
          *     The blessing of God to his church, start and finish [1:2 & 6:23].
          *     The consequence of our union with Christ [2:14, 15]
          *     The gospel as it comes to us and as we are to carry it into the world [2:17 & 6:15].
          *     What the Holy Spirit binds us in [4:3]
       C.  Blessings that lead to praise, thanksgiving, and devotion.
      
      

 
  III.  Making the blessings of Ephesians yours.
 
 

      
       A.  This is a rich book. It requires thoughtful reading.
      
      

      
       B.  This is a book for our time; we need to learn about the church.
      
      

      
       C.  You entered into peace provided through grace when you believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.
      
      

      
       D.  Grace and peace must be guarded by watchfulness and the weapons of righteousness.