Foundations (Year Two)

“Encountering the New Testament”

Session #5. Encountering EPHESIANS, COLOSSIANS, PHILEMON & PHILIPPIANS

The NT Writings

Letters of Paul:Galatians (48/49 CE)1 & 2 Thessalonians (51-

52)1 & 2 Corinthians (53-57)Romans (56-57)Prison letters (61-62):

(Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon & Philippians)

Pastoral letters (64-66): (1, 2 Timothy & Titus)

Written earlier:Letter of James

(40’s/50’s)

Written later:Letters of Peter (64-66)Mark (68-70 )Matthew (70-80)Luke-Acts (70-80)Hebrews (50’s/60’s?)Letter of Jude (50’s ?)Writings of John:

Gospel, Letters & Revelation (90-96)

The second missionary journeyPaul & Silas GREECE 49-52 CE

The third missionary journeyPaul GREECE & ASIA 53-58 CE

The latter days of Paul:The journey to Rome 58-63 CE

Paul – imprisonment & martyrdom (ACTS 21-28)

Time period = approx 12 years.

Arrest in Jerusalem 58 CETwo year confinement at Caesarea 58-60 CESea voyage to Rome (several months) 60-

61CETwo year imprisonment at Rome 61-63

CEPeriod of release & ministry 63-66 CESecond Roman imprisonment 66-67 CEMartyrdom under Nero 67 CE

The Prison Letters

Ephesians Union with ChristOur source

Colossians Supremacy of ChristOur head

Philemon Neither slave nor freeChrist our liberator

Philippians Appeal to humilityChrist our example

Founding of the church in Ephesus

2nd Missionary Journey (49-52 CE)Paul attempts to go into Asia (16:6)Stops in Ephesus (on return journey)Leaves Priscilla & Aquila there (18:19-21)

3rd Missionary Journey (53-58 CE)Arrival of Apollos (18:24ff.)Paul in Ephesus – for 3 years (19:10; 20:31)Tour of Macedonia & Greece (20:1-6)Farewell to Ephesian elders (20:17ff.)

Ephesians

Ephesians

“I owe my very life to this book…for in it I saw a new world…I received a new outlook, a new experience of God, new attitudes to other people. Everything was new. I loved the God I saw there & Jesus Christ became the centre of everything…I was really alive at last…

Ephesians is surely the greatest, maturest & most relevant of all Paul’s works. We find here the distilled essence of Christianity as it relates to God & our fellow man…This letter is pure music. When we read it, it is as if truth sings and doctrine is set to music.” (John Mackay, Princeton Seminary)

“To the Ephesians”?

A circular letterSimilarities to Colossians (theology & practice)

“Prisoner for the Lord”Eph. 3:1; 4:1; 6:20 (“ambassador in chains”)Col. 4:18 (“remember my chains”)Philemon: 1, 9Phil. 1:7, 13-14 (“in chains”)

About to be released? (Phile:22; Phil.1:19,25; 2:24)

Ephesians – an outline

Blessings of God’s new people (1:1-14)Resources of God’s new people (1:15-23)Formation of God’s new people (2:1-22)

Interlude: Paul’s prayer for them (3:1-21)

Walk of God’s new people (4:1-6:9)Warfare of God’s new people (6:10-24)

““God’s new God’s new society”society”

…or to put it another way!

Theology/ who we are in Christ

(Chs. 1-3)

Practice/ how we should live in Christ

(Chs. 4-6)

Blessings & Resources

“You have been blessed with every spiritual blessing” vv.3-14

Chosen (to be holy)

Adopted Forgiven Purpose-driven life Present guarantee Future inheritance

“I pray that God would open your eyes to see” vv.15-23

Him His hope

His riches His powerHis victory

Christian - know who you are!

Blessings of God’s new people

Chosen & adopted into his familyForgiven & living by his graceSealed with his Spirit (now and forever)

Resources of God’s new people

I pray He may give you…

The Spirit…to know his presenceThe enlightenment… to know his power

Formation of God’s new people

You were… Dead Dominated Disobedient Doomed

“But God…”(2:1-10)

Made alive in Christ

You were…SeparatedExcludedWithout hopeWithout God

“But now…”(2:11-22)

Made one in Christ

Christian – don’t forget who you were or Christian – don’t forget who you were or could be!could be!

Walk & warfare of God’s new people

Daily walk:

Spiritual obligations (4:1-16)

Moral obligations (4:17-5:21)

Social obligations (5:22-6:9)

Daily warfare:

Put on the armour…belt of truthbreastplate of

righteousnessshoes (of good news)shield of faithhelmet of salvationsword of the Spirit

(6:10-20)

How should we then live?

Live as one people (under one head) – 4:1-16

Live as children of light (by one Spirit) – 4:17-5:20

“Do not grieve the Spirit…Be filled with the Spirit”

…let it be seen in your relationships (5:21-6:9),at home (love your wives/ husbands)

in society (train your children)in the workplace (respect your employer/ serve

wholeheartedly)

““As a prisoner for the LORD…I urge you to live a life As a prisoner for the LORD…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received…” (4:1, 17; worthy of the calling you have received…” (4:1, 17;

5:2, 8, 15)5:2, 8, 15)

Get ready for war!

“Take your stand” (in his mighty power)

Put on…. the belt (of truth)the breastplate (of righteousness)the shoes (of peace)

Take up…the shield (of faith)the helmet (of salvation)the sword (the spoken word of

God)

Pray… in the Spirit… for your brothers & sisters

… for your leaders

Paul writes to the Corinthians(from Ephesus)

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:18)

“Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way…in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left.” (2 Cor. 6:4, 7)

“Some people think that we live by the standards of this world. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:2-5)

“…in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”(2 Corinthians 2:11)

Levels of Spiritual Warfare

Ephesus (Acts 19)

1. Ground level (vv. 11-12 & vv. 13-16)

Healing & deliverance

2. Occult level (vv.17-19)

Destruction of scrolls/ “the name of

Jesus”

3. Territorial level (vv.27ff.)

“Artemis of the Ephesians”

Philippians

Founding of the church in Philippi

2nd Missionary Journey:Paul attempts to go to Asia (16:6-10)Vision of “man of Macedonia”Philippi = capital of Macedonia

Philippian Conversions:1.Conversion of a rich woman (16:11-15)2.Conversion of a poor girl (16:16-21)3.Conversion of a middle-class man (16:22-

36)

Conversions at Philippi

The occasion

The miracle

The conversion

The response/ reaction

The pattern:

Philippians – an outline

Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving for them (1:3-11)

Paul’s reassurance to them (1:12-26) His 1st appeal to them (1:27-30)

Paul’s example to them (2:1-11) His 2nd appeal to them (2:12-30)

Paul’s warning to them (3:1-4:1) His 3rd appeal to them (4:2-9)

Paul’s thanksgiving for them (4:10-20)

Famous verses (from Philippians)

1:6 “He who began a good work in you, will carry it on to completion”

1:21 “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain”

3:10 “I want to know Christ…”4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always…”4:8 “Whatever is true…think on

these things”4:13 “I can do all things through

Christ who strengthens me”

Well-knownsections:

2:5-11

2:12-13

3:4-6

3:7-14

4:6-7

Key = humility & unity

“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God's saints (holy people) in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons.” (1:1)

“I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” (1:4-5)

“Whatever happens, as citizens of heaven live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together with one accord for the faith of the gospel.” (1:27)

“Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (2:2-4)

“I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.” (4:2-3)

Prayer of thanksgiving (1:3-11)

“I thank my God every time I remember you”

Partnership in the gospel (joy)

I have you in my heart (grace)

That your love may abound (righteous)

Reassurance & appeal (1:12-30)

“Paul’s chains = a motivation”

For others to witness (vv.12-14) For Christ to be known (vv.15-18) For believers to be encouraged (vv.19-

26)

Appeal:Contend (as one) for the faithBe ready to suffer for Christ

An early Christian hymn? (2:5-11)

1. Jesus = God2. Relinquished

equality3. Emptied himself4. Took the position

of a servant5. Born as a human6. Lived in humble

obedience to God7. Died on a cross

1. Glory of God2. Jesus Christ is Lord3. Every tongue will

confess4. Every knee shall bow5. Given the highest

name6. Exalted to highest

place7. Raised from the dead

The application

“Your attitude should be the same (let this mind be in you) as the messiah, Jesus” v.5

“Continue to work out your salvation… for God works in you to will and to do…” vv.12-13

The warnings (3:1-4:1)

Watch out for the legalists vv.2ff.“I consider it all loss”“I consider it all $*#Җ”“I want to know him”Watch out for the perfectionists vv.12ff.“I still haven’t found what I’m looking for”“I’ll never stop striving for it”Watch out for the greedy vv.17ff.Enemies of the CrossMinds set on earthly thingsDestined for destruction

Final encouragements

Always learn to agree“I plead with & to be of the same mind in the Lord…whose names are in the book of life.”

Don’t ever lose your joy“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be evident to all. The Lord is near.”

Stop worrying/ start praying

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Think on the positive

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice.

And the God of peace will be with you.”

Colossianscentre

of it all

Jesus

Christ, Christianity & Culture

• Where is Christ in relation to culture?

• How are Christians to live as followers of Christ within culture?

The Message of Colossians

Christ & Culture

Theology – how knowing Christ should guard our convictions (Col. 1:3-2:5)

Lifestyle – how knowing Christ should govern our conduct (Col. 2:6-3:17)

Relationships – how knowing Christ should guide our contacts (Col. 3:18-4:17)

Understanding culture/ understanding scripture

The culture in which the book was written

The context of the author & readers

How to read the Bible for all it’s worth:1.Learning to read slowly

(get the big picture first & then look at the details)

2.Learning to read in paragraphs3.Learning to read sentences4.Learning to read words

What does it say?

A letter!

WhoWhat Where When Why

Who?

Paul, the author (1:1,23; 4:18)

Colossian Christians, the recipients (1:1,21,27)

Epaphras, the minister/ pastor (1:7-8; 4:12)

Tychicus, the letter carrier (4:7-8)

Where?

Laodicea, Hierapolis & Colossae. Cosmopolitan trade route/ PluralismEarthquake of 61 CE/ Living in former glory

Paul under house arrest in Rome?

Writes Ephesians, Colossians/ Philemon & Philippians(60-63 CE)

Epaphras to Paul

Paul sends Tychicus

When?

From imprisonment in Rome, 60-63 CE

(Acts 28:30-31; Col. 1:24; 4:3,18)

From imprisonment in Caesarea, c. 59 CE(Acts 23:23-24:27)

While in Ephesus for 3 years (52-55 CE)(Acts 19)

“Eusebius Church History” (11.22.1)

Context: Missionary Journey #3

“After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.” (18:23)

“Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus.” (19:1)

“Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way…This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them... In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. After all this had happened, Paul...stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.” (19:8-12, 20-22)

Why?

Epaphras’ report (1:7-8; 4:12; 2:1-4; 4:16)

To warn them of impending danger (false teaching. Gnostics: 2nd major Christian heresy)

To encourage them to remain true to ChristTo instruct them how to live out their faithTo inform them of his circumstances & his

prayers for them

What?

The Colossian Problem

(Heresy = an alternative choice)

Attempt to mix… Greek philosophy (knowledge) gnosis Pagan practices (deceptive) Jewish legalism (externals) “Christian” (appearance)

Introductions (1:1-14)

Paul & Timothy

Thanksgiving (“faith, love & hope”)

Prayer: filled with knowledge

live a life worthy of the LORDyou have been rescued & reclaimed

by God

Theme: The supremacy of Jesus Christ.

What’s the point of theology?

“Filled with…growing in…strengthened by the knowledge of God” (1:9-11)

“We proclaim him…that we may present everyone perfect in Christ” (1:28-29)

“To know the mystery of God in Christ” (2:2)

“That no one may deceive you by: fine-sounding arguments…hollow philosophy…human tradition… worldly principles” (2:4, 8)

Biblical inspiration

& authority

Hermeneutics

(the principles of interpreting

the Bible)

Exegesis

(the process of studying, & understanding

a text or section)

Theology (what we believe)

Lifestyle(how we live)

Scripture – Theology - Faith

Holy Spirit

Human disciplines

Theology: Who Jesus Christ is& what he has done for us

You are…

Complete

Set apart

Raised up & alive

Redeemed

Delivered 2:9-15

He is…He is…

““the image of the the image of the invisible God”invisible God”

““ruler over all ruler over all creation”creation”

““the head of the the head of the Church”Church”

““the beginning & end”the beginning & end” ““fully God…fully man”fully God…fully man” ““our saviour” our saviour” 1:15-221:15-22

How does this apply to us today?

The scandal of the evangelical mind (Mark Noll)

1.The heart has replaced the mind!2.The Spirit has replace spiritual disciplines!3.How we live has replaced who we are!

A passion for understanding truthA passion for a mature faithA passion for knowing Christ

Lifestyle: How should we then live?

The basis for real living:

“Since you died with Christ…” (2:20)We died (our old self, mortally wounded)

“Since you have been raised with Christ…” (3:1)

We have risen (our new self, new nature)

(** Romans 6:1-14; Galatians 2:20; 2 Cor. 5:17)

Application (What is God’s part?)

“For he has rescued us from the dominion (authority) of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves… in whom we have redemption (freedom/ new life) and we have the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:13-14)

1.Die to the basic principles of this world2.Live by the basic principles of another

world

Dying to the principles of this world

You don’t become good… by trying to keep the rules!

1.Because they are human2.Because they are an illusion3.Because they are worthless

Living by the principles of another world

“Set your hearts on things above”(desire these things)

“Set your minds on things above”(think on these things)

Your true life …is now hidden with God…will one day appear, perfect with God

Application (what is our part?)

Put to death ( 7 vices):

1.Sexual immorality2.Impurity3.Lust4.Greed (Idolatry)5.Anger & rage6.Malice & slander7.Swearing & lying“you have taken off

the old self”

Put on ( 7 virtues):

1.Compassion

2.Kindness

3.Humility

4.Meekness

5.Patience

6.Forgiveness

7.Love“you have put on

the new self”

Relationships 101

Foundation for how we relate to one another:

1.We are part of one common body(“the body of Christ”)

2.We live under one common head(the person of Christ)

3.We share one common blood(salvation in Christ)

The 3 great sins of North America!

The sin of individualism(“It’s all about me”)

The sin of independence(“I did it my way”)

The sin of freedom(“I can do whatever I want”)

The source of good relationships

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” (3:15)

Whatever you do… “do it all in the name of Jesus”

“Let the word of Christ dwell in your minds” (3:16)

Whatever the circumstances “give thanks to God the Father”

“Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect

unity.” (3:14)

Wives & husbands

“Submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”

“Love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.”

** Ephesians 5:22-33

Children & parents

“Obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”

“Do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”

** Ephesians 6:1-4

Workers & employers

With integrity

With industry

Because you are really working for God!

Pay them what they are due

Treat them with respect

Because one day you will stand before your Employer!** Ephesians 6:5-

9

Brothers & sisters

1. Tychicus2. Onesimus3. Aristarchus4. Mark5. Justus6. Epaphras7. Luke8. Demas9. Nympha10.Archippus

Know their names

Pray for them

Encourage them

Bless them

Philemon

Structure

“In Christ…there is neither slave nor free” (Col. 3:11; Gal. 3:28)

Introduction & greetingsThanksgiving: for his faith in Christ

for his love for othersAppeal: ”Forgive him, and accept him back”

Because he is now usefulBecause he is your brotherBecause I vouch for him

Concluding remarks