1. Wealth and Walk in Christ
Ephesians
Wealth and Walk
in Christ

2. Background Author: Paul (1:1; 3:1) Date: c. A.D. 60-63
Place of writing: Paul’s Roman prison house (3:1, 13; 4:1; 6:20; see Ac.28:16-31; there are 4 “prison epistles”: Eph., Phil., Col., & Phile.)

3. Background
Recipients: Ephesian saints (1:1; see Ac.18:19-28 [c. A.D. 53]; 19:1ff [c. A.D ]; 20:17-38); possibly circulated to other nearby brethren (see 1:15; 3:2)
The epistle was delivered to the Ephesians by Tychicus (6:21-22)

4. Background
Occasion of writing: Paul did not write this epistle to address a particular false doctrine or to correct a specific sin. He used his time in prison to remind the Ephesians of two important truths: the wealth and the walk of the Christian.

5. Background Theme: The wealth and the walk in Christ (2:10)
The Christian’s wealth: 1:7, 18; 2:4, 7; 3:8, 16 (“riches”)
The Christian’s walk: 4:1, 17; 5:2, 8, 15 (note the “therefore” in 4:1)

6. Outline Ephesians 1-3: Wealth
Opening salutation (1:1-2)
Wealth of redemption (1:3-14)
Wealth of resources (1:15-23)
Wealth of regeneration (2:1-10)
Wealth of reconciliation (2:11-22)
Wealth of revelation (3:1-13)
Wealth of revitalization (3:14-21)

7. Outline Ephesians 4-6: Walk
Walk in unity (4:1-16)
Walk in newness (4:17-32)
Walk in love (5:1-2)
Walk in light (5:3-14)
Walk in wisdom (5:15-17)
Walk in the Spirit (5:18-21)
Walk in the home (5:22-6:9)

8. Outline Ephesians 4-6: Walk
Walk in the workplace (6:5-9)
Walk in warfare (6:10-20)
Closing remarks (6:21-22)
Closing benediction (6:23-24)

9. Basic Lessons We are rich (2 Cor. 8:9; Col. 2:2; Jas. 2:5)!
Our wealth (spiritual blessings) in Christ humbles us, causes us to be grateful, and motivates us to faithfulness

10. Basic Lessons
The words “in Christ” are used about 30 times in Ephesians. We have a spiritual “bank account.” We are “rich”!
God is interested, first and foremost, in our spiritual well- being

11. Basic Lessons
Some Christians are ignorant of their spiritual wealth and are living like spiritual paupers or spiritual beggars
Unfaithful Christians have forgotten or don’t care about their wealth in Christ

12. Basic Lessons We have duties (Rom. 6:4)!
Ephesians begins in heaven (chap. 1-3) and ends in the home (chap. 4-6). Blessings demand behavior. The word “walk” is used several times in the Ephesians (4:1,17; 5:2,8,15).

13. Basic Lessons
You can’t have the wealth without the walk. You can’t have the riches without the responsibilities. You can have the blessings without the behavior. You can’t have the position without the practice.

14. Basic Lessons
Some Christians are “Christian” in name only; don’t practice what they preach; Sunday only Christians
Some brethren are divisive, act like the world, are unloving, walk in darkness, act unwisely, are unspiritual, have bad marriages…

15. Basic Lessons
… have disobedient children that are undisciplined, are bad employees and employers, and are not militant toward the Devil
These brethren want the wealth without the walk

16. Basic Lessons
Don’t forget your blessings (wealth) in Christ (Heb. 6:4-6; Pet. 1:9; 2:20-22)!
Don’t forget your duties (walk) in Christ (Rom. 13:13; Gal. 5:16, 25; Col. 1:10; 1 Jn. 1:7; 2 Jn. 4)!