Sermon Notes

The first two verses of Ephesians 1 are not merely routine verses to open a letter. These
words set the stage for Paul's intended purpose of encouraging them to become "deep
disciples" of Christ. In quick fashion he identifies himself, states his calling "by the will
of God," calls them "saints" and "faithful," and greets them with God's grace and peace.
These are loaded words that should be read with much more care than opening sentences
usually receive!

Paul is a "deep disciple," and this lays the foundation for his instruction. In addition, he is
in prison for preaching the gospel (this is a "prison epistle"). Ephesus is a strategic city of
commercial and religious significance, infested with idolatrous paganism ("great is
Artemis/Diana," see Acts 19:23ff.). Consequently, this church is located very
strategically but has no easy task.

It is important to understand that Paul is writing these words as one dislocated person to
other dislocated people. To be dislocated means that something/someone seems to be in
the wrong place. Paul obviously feels dislocated because he is in prison instead of on his
missionary journeys. The saints in Ephesus are dislocated because they belong to Christ
but reside in a pagan and idolatrous city which worships Artemis. This is frequently the
case; think of the Israelites in Egypt, Jewish captives in Babylon, and Daniel and his
friends in a strange land, for instance. Peter addresses his readers as ".God's elect,
strangers in the world, scattered." (1 Peter 1:1). Heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 are
described as "aliens and strangers on earth" (Hebrews 11:13). This is true of all of God's
children in every age. Whatever land and culture we live in is not our true home. Our
calling is to receive our true identity through Jesus Christ, accept his calling to live where
we are, and aim to be deep disciples in this location.

Paul points to several truths that will help us live as deep disciples even when dislocated.

• We must know we are "saints" (Ephesians 1:1). This is Paul's favorite word to
describe the sacred identity of those redeemed in Christ. We come to the Lord's
Table today to see our identity as redeemed people.
• We are called to be "faithful" (Ephesians 1:1). Being saints and being found
faithful should always go together.
• Dislocated people live on a diet of grace and peace from God (Ephesians 1:2).
Paul offers it to them in the name of God, and they must accept it and appropriate
it. Today God is dispensing this grace and peace to his saints around the world as
they come to his table.

This is a precious picture: God's children from around the world journeying through life,
coming to his Table and waiting on God for his grace and peace to continue their
journey!