THE WEALTH AND WALK OF THE CHRISTIAN
This
great epistle of Paul easily divides into two parts.
In chapters 1-3 the believer is taught what he has because
he is in Christ. There are no commands as to what he
should do. In chapters 4-6 Paul exhorts the believer
to live in a way that will glorify his Lord. Since the
believer possesses all spiritual blessings he should
live accordingly. In chapters 4-6 there are thirty-five
commands.
In
Ephesians there is a philosophy of Christian ministry.
First believers are taught about their spiritual wealth,
and then they are exhorted to walk the talk.
[Prologue
(1:1-2)]
I. THE SPIRITUAL WEALTH OF
THE CHRISTIAN (chs. 1-3).
A.
Possessions of believers (ch. 1).
blessed
with every spiritual blessing (1:3).
1.
The plan of the Father (1:3-6)
2.
The purchase of the Son (1:7-12)
3.
The promise of the Spirit (1:13-14)
4.
The prayer of the believer (1:15-23)
B.
Position of believers (ch. 2).
seated
with Christ in heavenly realms (2:6).
1.
The past of the sinner (2:1-3)
2.
The privilege of the Christian (2:4-10)
3.
The progress of the Gentile (2:11-22)
a.
From alienation (2:11-12)
b.
To unification (2:13-18)
c.
To destination (2:19-22)
C.
Participation of Gentile believers (ch. 3).
Gentiles
are fellow heirs (3:6).
1.
The plan of God (3:1-6)
2.
The pre-incarnate revelation (3:7-13)
3.
The petition of Paul (3:14-21)
II.
THE SPIRITUAL WALK OF THE CHRISTIAN (chs. 4-6).
A.
Possessions of believers (ch. 1).
to
grow up . . . into Him (4:15).
1.
The prisoner's exhortation (4:1-6)
2.
The perception of spiritual gifts(4:7-13)
3.
The philosophy of ministry (4:14-16)
4.
The putting on of the new man (4:17-24
5.
The putting off of the old conduct (4:25-31)
6.
The perfect example (4:32)
B.
Practice of believers (ch. 5).
be
filled with the Spirit (5:18).
1.
The performance "as beloved children"(5:1-2)
2.
The parade of wickedness (5:3-7)
3.The
proper conduct as saints (5:8-14)
4.
The power of the Spirit (5:15-21)
5.
The picture of Christ and the church (5:22-33)
C.
Protection of believers (ch. 6).
put
on the full armor of God (6:11, 13).
1.
The parent-child relationship (6:1-4)
2.
The place of Christ in the work place (6:5-9)
3.
The panoply of God (6:10-16)
a.
The strength of the Lord (6:10)
b.
The schemes of the devil (6:11)
c.
The struggles of the Christian (6:12)
d.
The spiritual forces of evil (6:12b)
e.
The strong armor of God (6:13)
4.
The petition of the victorious Christian (6:17-20)
[Personal words (6:21-24)]
