We have already observed that Paul emphasizes God’s glory in his letter to the Ephesians. I believe this was an intentional contrast/comparison to the praise often lavished on Artemis and her temple by her worshipers. Her temple was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The riches stored within her chambers were probably unmatched anywhere else in their world. And the legend of her ancient visitation to Ephesus in the form of a powerful meteor led many to seek her help and favor even into the 1st Century.
But Paul had taught the believers in Ephesus that Artemis was not a real god, and in fact was not real at all (Acts 19:23-27)! Likely he is now also reminding them of what he had previous taught them in person: that at the power, riches and glory really resided in the One True God in which they now believed.
As we have listened to Paul speak of the surpassing power of God for us who believe, and of His lavishing of His riches upon us, we must ask what is His motivation in doing such things for those who are merely His creatures? In Ephesians 1:6, we read that this is all “to the praise of His glory and grace.” Today we are going to examine what the “glory” of God is.
The Apostle uses the Greek word for “glory” 7 times in his letter to the Ephesians. Six of those instances are in reference to God’s glory. They are in 1:6, 12, 14, 17, 18; 3:16, and 21. So what does “glory” (Gk. doxa) mean? The term itself means “splendor, brightness, excellence, honor, majesty, pre-eminence.” However, the definition alone does not seem sufficient to explain what Paul (and the Biblical writers in general) had in mind when they use it in reference to God. Here are a couple of fairly brief articles where the authors try to give a sense of the Biblical use of this term “glory of God.”
The question in our title is not asking whether someone is a citizen of Armenia. Rather it is framing a question from theology which dates back 400 years, but is still relevant today.
John Calvin was part of the Reformation of the early 1500s in Europe which gave rise to Protestantism and modern denominations in contrast to Roman Catholicism. In his Institutes of the Christian Religion, Calvin attempted to present a comprehensive view of Christian theology based on Scripture alone. This was in contrast to Roman Catholic theology which was a combination of Scripture, tradition, and papal and church council decrees. Calvin’s theological views are often referred to as “Calvinism,” probably a term Calvin himself would have found offensive.
We saw in Lesson #5 that Paul wanted the believers in Ephesus to know God’s power at work for and in them. In that same passage (Ephesians 1:17-19), he also prayed that they would know “the riches of His glorious inheritance.” Today’s message reflects the core theme of this study series – “Riches Beyond Measure!” As we listen to Paul tell of the many ways God has made his treasure and wealth available to us, we should recognize how rich we truly are in Christ.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved– and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. – (Ephesians 2:4-7, ESV)
Last lesson we saw how God’s power was demonstrated in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Not only was God’s power demonstrated in His creation and in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, it is also displayed in what He has and is doing for all those who believe. In Ephesians 1:17-19 Paul prayed that the Christians would know (Greek: oida) “His incomparably great power for us who believe.” Oida meant “to perceive, know about, realize, recognize.” Today’s message looks at the five ways Paul says God’s power is at work for us.
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.” – Ephesians 3:20-21
When I’ve taught my course on “Christian History,” one of the many doctrines and practices we look at over almost 2,000 years of historic “mainstream” Christianity is the doctrine of the Lord’s Supper (also called at times the Eucharist or Holy Communion). Most of my students are surprised or even shocked when they learn that there are other “views” about what the Supper is about.
As I continue listening to back episodes of the Simply Put Podcast (which I have already praised on several occasions), I am reminded of many examples from Christianity’s history of such diversity in views. I am reproducing below the Simply Put Podcast episode on “Four Views of the Lord’s Supper” so you might understand these different views of the Supper better. I think Barry Cooper does an excellent job concisely describing the four major views. Would you rather listen to the podcast than read it? Then click here.
(This message was delivered on “Easter Sunday, 2013.) As detailed in Lesson Two, “Ephesus – The Great City,” riches, glory and power were proudly on display in Ephesus. Much of the success and splendor of the city was credited by the residents to the goddess Artemis. However, the Apostle Paul wanted the Ephesian believers to know that the power at work in the gospel and in their lives was vastly superior to that claimed for Artemis. Today we want to see that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead was the power at work in their (and now our) lives!
Acts 19:34 – “…they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
The Apostle Paul’s work in Ephesus was the last extended work of his we have recorded. It consumed most of what we call his Third Missionary Journey, and covered some three years – the longest period he spent working in any city during his journeys. It seems as if all he did before was in preparation for this time. And what a time it was! These three years were marked by large numbers of conversions, numerous miracles, and riots. Join us today as we review the work of Paul in Ephesus.
“To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 3:8-10)
With these words Paul speaks in his letter of the goal of his work in Ephesus… and indeed summarizes what this epistle itself is about.
In the First Century, Ephesus was the second largest city in the Roman Empire, and by many estimations, the second most important and influential as well. In addition to being the world center for the worship of Artemis, it was also a great commercial and governmental center, a great educational center, and a melting pot of many cultures, languages, races, religions and philosophies. If the Gospel of Christ was going to truly reach the world, it had to be effective in large cities like Ephesus! Today’s lesson introduces us to a city not very different than many great cities in our world today.
It is a great benefit to check some good Bible dictionary articles on Ephesus to learn more about the city. For example, we can read this in the Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary:
This is the first of 26 sermons I delivered on the Epistle to the Ephesians. They were presented at the Tanglewood Church of Christ in Odessa, Texas in 2013.
Of Paul’s 13 Epistles in the New Testament, two are commonly called “masterpieces” by biblical scholars. All recognize Romans as a masterful presentation of salvation by faith. In Ephesians by contrast, the Apostle provides a magnificent description of the riches God has provided by His mighty power for His people by grace through faith, and to His own glory and honor.
Recently I was addressing a group of young men who wanted to learn the Scriptures in greater depth. I was about to speak to them about the value of having and using great Bible resources. By resources I mean books and other physical and digital materials beyond the Bible itself which help illuminate and explain aspects of the Biblical text.
I asked the group of about 18 how many of them owned a Bible dictionary: one. How many owned a Bible commentary: two. How many owned or used Bible software: zero!
While I firmly believe the Bible alone is sufficient to teach us all we need to know in order to be saved and pleasing to God, that is not the same as saying we do not need anything else to understand (and teach) it better!
Last Fall I had the opportunity to teach a series entitled, “The Wonder Worker” at the Sunset Church of Christ. At the center of this study was a look at Jesus and His miracles. At that time I also posted an article on this website about the topic of miracles.
The question in our title is not asking whether someone is a citizen of Armenia. Rather it is framing a question from theology which dates back 400 years, but is still relevant today.
