…for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
– Ephesians 5:8-9 (ESV)
A Panoramic View of Ephesus and the Ephesian Church:
Paul stops by Ephesus (Acts 18:18-22)
(Paul) promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” – Acts 18:21 (NIV)
Paul ministers in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-20)
Paul comes back by Ephesus (Acts 20:18-38)
Writes Ephesians from prison in Rome
Jesus writes to the Ephesian Church in (Revelation 2:1-7)
(vv.1-7)
Two Years after Paul leaves Ephesus he meets with the Ephesian Church Elders:
(In 58 AD to the Ephesian Elders) I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! – Acts 20:29-31 (NIV)
Decades later Jesus will write to the Ephesian Church:
(Jesus in 96 AD) To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false…Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. – Revelation 2:1-5 (NIV)
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions – Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
…but be filled with the Spirit; – Ephesians 5:18 (NASB)
(vv.17-20)
Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. – Acts 19:18 (NASB)
Don’t practice divination, sorcery, fortunetelling, witchery, casting spells, holding séances, or channeling with the dead. People who do these things are an abomination to God…Be completely loyal to God, your God
– Deuteronomy 18:10-13 (Message)
Yoga: A Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation (MW)
…do not give the devil a foothold – Ephesians 4:27 (NIV)
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood… spiritual forces – Ephesians 6:11-12 (NIV)
Removing Spiritual Bondage (vv.18-19)
1. They it (v.18)
2. They it (v.18)
3. They it (v.19)
The Result:
In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. – Acts 19:20 (NIV)