Church at EphesusBy

Robert C. Archer

In the book of Ephesians we see:

• That the church was planned by God from eternity – Ephesians 3:10-11 (NKJV)

10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,

• Not an afterthought!

In the book of Ephesians we see:

• That the church shows the wisdom of God– Ephesians 3:10

10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places

– The church is all-sufficient

In the book of Ephesians we see:

• That the church was created by God– Ephesians 3:9-11

9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ

In the book of Ephesians we see:

• The church pictured as a building – Ephesians 2:19-22

19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

• When you build a building, you need:– An Architect – God • Hebrews 3:4

4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.

• When you build a building, you need:• An Architect – God • Plans -- The Doctrine –1 Timothy 4:16

16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

• When you build a building, you need:• An Architect – God • Plans -- The Doctrine • A Builder – Christ –Matthew 16:18

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

In the book of Ephesians we see:

• That the church has only one head - Jesus– Ephesians 1:22-23

22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

In the book of Ephesians we see:

• That the church is to be unified– The right attitude is necessary• Ephesians 4:1-3

1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Attitude is necessary, but so is

• Truth– Ephesians 4:4-6

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

In the book of Ephesians we see:

• That the church has work – Ephesians 4:11-12

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ

Its work is threefold

“For the equipping of the saints” – Edification “For the work of ministry” – Benevolence “For the edifying of the body of Christ” - Evangelism

In the book of Ephesians we see:

• That the church brings blessings– It brings all spiritual blessings • Ephesians 1:3

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ

The church brings blessings

• It brings down barriers – Ephesians 2:14-16 (NKJV)

14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

Another blessing

• The church will be saved by Jesus – Ephesians 5:23

23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

• What is this one body?

• The body of Christ is the church of Christ– Ephesians 1:21-23

22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

So we see that the church

• Was planned by God• Created by God• Shows His wisdom• Has only ONE authority – Jesus• Is to be unified• Has a threefold work: evangelism, edification and

benevolence • Brings the blessing of reconciliation and salvation

Good news!

• You can be a member of the church we read about in the book of Ephesians by being saved!– Acts 2:47

47 …And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.