9/8/24 - Count Your Blessings - Ephesians 1:1-14 - Pastor Jason Fritz

This Sunday, I’m very excited to begin a new study in the book of Ephesians! There is one overarching theme: sound docrtine is important and should lead us to a life of holiness. The letter emphasizes the goal of living in harmony as one body with Christ as the head and provides guidance on how to navigate spiritual warfare. It is amazing!   Ephesians was written by the apostle Paul during his house arrest in Rome, around the early 60s AD, to the church in Ephesus. Despite his imprisonment, Paul remained active in writing and teaching, using his confinement to reflect deeply on spiritual matters within the church. Ephesus, a major cultural and economic center of the time, was home to the Temple of Artemis and known for its blend of religious, financial, and criminal activities. This made one’s application of faith challenging. However, the church there was well-established with strong leadership from figures like Priscilla, Aquila, Paul, and Timothy.   The book of Ephesians is structured into two parts: doctrinal and practical. The first three chapters focus on doctrinal teachings, including the believer's position in Christ and the spiritual blessings they receive. Paul highlights that believers have been chosen by God before the foundation of the world, redeemed through Christ’s blood, and given an inheritance sealed by the Holy Spirit. The latter chapters (4-6) transition to practical instructions on living out one's faith, emphasizing holiness and alignment with God's will.   You can see Paul’s heart for all people in the opening lines. His introduction combines Eastern and Western greetings, symbolizing unity between Jews and Gentiles through Christ. He celebrates the spiritual blessings in Christ, asserting that they are secured in the heavenly realm. Paul explains that God's choice of believers is based on grace and love, not human merit. The letter underscores the role of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our future inheritance and encourages believers to live in light of these spiritual truths, praising God for His transformative work and the future glory that awaits.   My prayer is for this book to bring us closer together as a church family and move us toward discipleship.