Introduction: When you receive a letter what is the first thing you do?

Well, the New Testament is made up of twenty-seven letters…

I. The ________ – 1:11 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.”

Book do not _______ themselves.

What do we learn about the author?

A. We learn his name - ________ – 1:1 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God

Those of you who have been believers for a while know that Paul had another name that he went by prior to his conversion. He was known as _______.

Acts 8:54-60 - Acts 9:1-2 -

Saul was a religious Pharisee who hated “the ______”

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I called Acts 9, _________ on the Damascus Road.

Key passages from the Book of Acts:

Acts 9:21 Acts 9:26 Acts 9:27-30 Acts 11:25-26 Acts 11:27-30 Acts 12:25 Acts 13:2 Acts 13:3 Acts 13:9

B. We learn that he was an “apostle” of Jesus Christ – 1:1

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ…”

The term “disciple” means “_______ or follower.” The term “apostle” means “_____ one.”

Matthew 10:2-4 - Who did Jesus Christ choose?

The Apostle Peter provides for us the qualifications of an Apostle in Acts 1:15-26. What were three unique qualifications?

Acts 1:26 - “And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”

What I find interesting in the Scripture is that _________ is never mentioned again. He was chosen by the eleven, but 2

then the Biblical record goes quiet. There is no record of anything that Matthias ever did.

Now, as we turn our attention back to Ephesians 1:1, we come to Paul, and here in our text he calls himself an “apostle of Jesus Christ. “Did Paul proclaim ________ an apostle? Or did Jesus Christ actually give him that title?

C. We learn that he was “an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God – 1:1

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.”

Underline the words, “will of God.” This word is not speaking of God’s ________, but an expression or inclination of pleasure towards that which is liked, that which ________ and creates joy. (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament, Spiros Zodhiates)

Listen to the way Paul presents himself in his other writings in the New Testament:

II. The _________ – 1:1 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

A. To the ________ – 1:1 To the saints who are in Ephesus,

The word “saints” comes from the word “__________” which means “set apart.” To be a “saint” then means that you have been set apart. But there is more, it also means “to be made holy.” 3

Remember the phrase that pays?

B. Who are in _________ – 1:1

What do we know about the city of Ephesus?

“The Ephesians were geographically _______ in Ephesus, but they were spiritually _________ in Christ.”

C. And _______ in Christ Jesus – 1:1

III. The ________ – 1:2 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Max Anders - “I hope that the grace and peace of God may be yours.”

A. grace to you – 1:2 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

B. peace from God-1:2 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

C. Our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ – 1:2 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Conclusion: As I thought about how to wrap up this…

A spiritual challenge - here it is:

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