The Book of Ephesians – About the Church 5:32 – speak concerning Christ & church 5:32 – speak concerning Christ & church Called “a glorious church” (5:27) Called “a glorious church” (5:27) Outline of the book: Outline of the book: I. The Church: God’s eternal purpose (1-3) II. The Church: Life therein (4-6) I. The Church: God’s eternal purpose (1-3) II. The Church: Life therein (4-6)

Parallel Expressions “In Christ” (1:3; 2:13) “In Christ” (1:3; 2:13) “In him” (1:4) “In him” (1:4) “In one body” (2:16) “In one body” (2:16) In “the church” (1:22-23) In “the church” (1:22-23)

“Glorious” Same word found four times: Same word found four times: Luke 7:25 – “which are gorgeously apparelled” Luke 7:25 – “which are gorgeously apparelled” Luke 13:17 – “glorious things” Luke 13:17 – “glorious things” l Cor. 4:10 – “ honourable” l Cor. 4:10 – “ honourable” Eph. 5:27 – “glorious” Eph. 5:27 – “glorious” Thayer: “in good or in great esteem, of high repute” Thayer: “in good or in great esteem, of high repute” Alludes to clothing: Alludes to clothing: No spot No spot No Wrinkle No Wrinkle Without blemish Without blemish

What Makes The Church A Glorious One? Gather select points from the book of Ephesians – see Paul’s picture of a glorious church When it cease to be what the text says – it is no longer glorious

AGloriousChurch

A Glorious Church I. All Spiritual Blessings Are in it (1:3-18) A. The Blessings (1:3-14) B. Appreciate the blessings (1:15-18)

A Glorious Church I. All Spiritual Blessings Are in it (1:3-18) II. Christ is the Head (1:22-23; 5:23-24) A. He has authority over it B. Church is to submit in everything C. He is the bride’s support / protection

A Glorious Church I. All Spiritual Blessings Are in it (1:3-18) II. Christ is the Head (1:22-23; 5:23-24) III. It is the Fullness of Christ (1:23) A. Fullness = completeness B. The church complements him – without the church, his dominion is incomplete

The exact idea here, however, is not very clear, and interpreters have been by no means united in their opinions of the meaning. It seems probable that the sense is, that the church is the "completion or filling up" of his power and glory. It is that without which his dominion would not be complete. He has control over the angels and over distant worlds, but; his dominion would not be complete without the control over his church, and that is so glorious, that it "fills up" the honor of the universal dominion, and makes his empire complete. (Albert Barnes)

A Glorious Church I. All Spiritual Blessings Are in it (1:3-18) II. Christ is the Head (1:22-23; 5:23-24) III. It is the Fullness of Christ (1:23) IV. It is the Saved (2)

Ephesians 2 “The Objective of God’s Eternal Plan” I. From Death To Life (vv. 1-10) II. From Aliens To Fellow Citizens (vv ) (The Church Is The Saved)

I. From Death To Life (vv. 1-10) A. Dead (vv. 1-3) 1. In trespasses and sin (v. 1) 2. Walked (v. 2) 3. Fulfilled lust - desires of the flesh (v. 3) 4. By nature - children of wrath (v. 3) B. Alive in Christ (vv. 4-10) 1. How: 2. Descriptions: (The Church Is The Saved) Ephesians 2 “The Objective of God’s Eternal Plan”

I. From Death To Life (vv. 1-10) II. From Aliens To Fellow Citizens (vv ) A. Aliens (vv ) B. Made Nigh (vv ) C. Are temple of God (vv ) (The Church Is The Saved) Ephesians 2 “The Objective of God’s Eternal Plan”

Made Nigh Reconciled In Christ In One Body By Blood By Cross WhatWhereHow Baptized Into

A Glorious Church I. All Spiritual Blessings Are in it (1:3-18) II. Christ is the Head (1:22-23; 5:23-24) III. It is the Fullness of Christ (1:23) IV. It is the Saved (2) V. It’s Foundation (2:19-22)

1 Cor. 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Eph. 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets Contradiction? Foundation: Jesus Christ, The Son of God Foundation: Jesus Christ, The Son of God

Harmonizing The Passages Matt. 16:18 – Built upon fact that Jesus is the Son of God 1 Cor. 3:11 – Built upon Christ Eph. 2:20 – Not built upon the men themselves - Built upon the truth that they preached! The foundation is Jesus Christ the Son of God!

Apostles & Prophets Apostles – The twelve Prophets – N.T. Prophets  Apostles are mentioned first  A foundation for Jew & Gentile fits N.T. Prophets better  Eph. 3:5; 4:8-11 – prophets refer to N.T. Prophets

A Glorious Church VI. It is God’s Eternal Purpose (3:10-11) A. Planned from all eternity (1:4) B. Not an after thought! C. Not “part of” but “is God’s eternal purpose”

A Glorious Church VI. It is God’s Eternal Purpose (3:10-11) VII. Its Ultimate Goal is to Glorify God (3:20-21) A. Planned, designed, & built – for the purpose to bring honor /glory to God B. Church makes known the wisdom of God (3:10-11)

A Glorious Church VI. It is God’s Eternal Purpose (3:10-11) VII. Its Ultimate Goal is to Glorify God (3:20-21) VIII. There is Just One Church (4:4) One Body Body = Church Thus, One Church One Body Body = Church Thus, One Church

A Glorious Church VI. It is God’s Eternal Purpose (3:10-11) VII. Its Ultimate Goal is to Glorify God (3:20-21) VIII. There is Just One Church (4:4) IX. It Has Been Cleansed (5:26-27) When each person entering is forgiven

A Glorious Church VI. It is God’s Eternal Purpose (3:10-11) VII. Its Ultimate Goal is to Glorify God (3:20-21) VIII. There is Just One Church (4:4) IX. It Has Been Cleansed (5:26-27) X. When Members Live as Should (4-6)

A.Walk in unity (4:1-16) B.Don’t walk like world (4:17-32) C.Walk in love (5:1-2) D.Walk in light (5:3-14) E.Walk in wisdom (5:15-21) F.Families are what should be (5:22 – 6:4) G.Put on whole armor of God (6:10-20)

A Glorious Church I. All Spiritual Blessings Are in it (1:3-18) II. Christ is the Head (1:22-23; 5:23-24) III. It is the Fullness of Christ (1:23) IV. It is the Saved (2) V. It’s Foundation (2:19-22)

A Glorious Church VI. It is God’s Eternal Purpose (3:10-11) VII. Its Ultimate Goal is to Glorify God (3:20-21) VIII. There is Just One Church (4:4) IX. It Has Been Cleansed (5:26-27) X. When Members Live as Should (4-6)