Ephesians 1:22 The power of the resurrection extends itself to the embodiment of Christ.
Psalm 8:6 “You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet.”
Ephesians 1:23 The sequence of thought seems to be: by his resurrection and ascension, Christ is exalted to be Lord of all, he is head of all things for the church, the church is his body, intended to express him in the world. More than that, Christ being the head fills the body with power of movement and perception, and therefore inspires the whole body with life and direction.
Colossians 1:18-20 This designation of the function of the church is amplified yet further; it is not only his body, which is intended to be the fullness of him who fills all in all, but it is God’s purpose for all the fullness to dwell in him.
Colossians 2:10 We have come to fullness of life in him! Our maturity is described by the development and growth we have in Christ.
Ephesians 4:12 The ministry of the church is given to it to “the bringing of the saints to a condition of fitness for the discharge of their functions in the body”
Ephesians 4:13 Verse 12 describes the process going on in the life of the church. But Paul could never think of a process without fixing his eyes on the goal. The goal must be unity in the faith. Unity of faith is based on the knowledge of the Son of God.
Ephesians 4:14 Maturity brings with it the capacity to emulate various forms of teaching, to accept what is true, and reject what is fake.
Ephesians 4:15 That growth is into Christ, the development of the life so that it is found more and more “in kind” all things, and every part of life finding its center, object, and goal in relation to Christ.
Ephesians 4:16 From Christ alone, as head, the body derives its full capacity for growth, activity, and direction. In this co-ordinate, directed entity, Christ arranges the interrelation of the members as well.
PAUL’S EXHORTATION TO THE CHURCH OF GOD AT EPHESUS
Acts 20:17-27 Paul’s concern was with the leaders of the church. Paul describes his work as serving the Lord and the church. Paul holds nothing back which is profitable even though it might be unwelcome. He proclaimed to the Jews the need for faith (specifically faith in our Lord Jesus Christ) and to the Greeks the need for repentance. Paul’s greatest passion was not to regard his own life as a precious possession but faithfully performing the service laid on him by the Lord, namely to preach the gospel of the grace of God. His task of preaching the Kingdom among them was complete. He boldly claimed the spiritual responsibility for faithful presentation of the message that brings life.
Acts 20:28 Paul now turns to direct exhortation. He deals with how they are to act when he is no longer with them. They are to pay attention to their own spiritual conditions well as to that of the church. The cost of redemption was the blood of Christ.
Acts 20:29 Paul’s concern was that fierce wolves would enter the church and cause destruction, also from heretical teachers coming in from outside and leading people astray.
Acts 20:30 Along with such outsiders, Paul also mentions the possibility of people from within the church adopting perverse teachings and seducing the people.
Acts 20:31 We must be constantly on the alert!
Acts 20:32 Paul’s final step is to command the leaders to the care of God.
Acts 20:33-34 We’re to follow Paul’s example of selfless serving.
Acts 20:35 Paul sought to be an example of helping those in need and live in accordance with the saying “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Acts 20:36-38 Prayer was the appropriate conclusion to this exhortation. The last impression left by Paul is that he would not be able to see them again. Sadness surrounded his departure.
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