1. BRIEF GREETING (Ephesians 1:1,2)

Ephesians 1:1,2 "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: ² Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."

1.1. "PAUL, AN APOSTLE OF JESUS CHRIST"

	He writes as one directly commissioned by Christ. "Apostle" sent forth by Christ.
	He writes as one related to Christ. One who is the servant of Christ, therefore on behalf of Jesus.
	He writes in recognition of Christ. As the only one from whom right and authority come.
	He writes as the messenger of Christ. Not to put across self-assumed authority or a self-originating message.
	He acts as Christ's true ambassador. Seeking only the Lord's glory - nothing for himself.

1.2. "BY THE WILL OF GOD"

The office extolled by Paul is God-appointed. He represented Christ by the will of God, not by the will of men, not even by his own will (Galatians 1:1; Acts 26:16; Galatians 1:11-12 ). Ministries by the will of God are our need today.

1.3. "TO THE SAINTS WHICH ARE AT EPHESUS"

The church 'ekklesia' is made up of saints 'hagios', ones holy, set apart, sanctified, consecrated. This is not referring to a condition lasting while performing spiritual duties, rather it is the state or position of believers who are in Christ Jesus. He is the source and element in which their life is lived, the sustenance of their devotion. Their life-style springs from Jesus the vine into which they have been grafted (John 15:1-9 ).

In this greeting Paul addressed the genuine, real church, the spiritual members, those through whom the life of God is manifest at Ephesus. There can be those who gather with the saints whose walk reveals they are not in Christ, so are not in His church (Philippians 3:18 ).

1.4. "AND TO THE FAITHFUL IN CHRIST JESUS"

Saints are those who have obeyed the gospel and are faithful to the gospel. Their fidelity flows from a living faith in Christ. They are in Christ and Christ's faithfulness is in them. The church is distinctively a people who are reliant upon, and whose faith is centred in Christ, a community manifesting the faithful works of Christ (Titus 2:14 ).

1.5. "ARE AT EPHESUS"

At that time a chief city in Asia Minor, a stronghold of paganism. There was the temple of Diana, a then world wonder. Ephesus was a place of great superstition, sensualism, and selfishness. It was also a place to which the salvation of God had come through the preaching of the gospel. Believers had become saints and faithful, saved, spiritual, self-sacrificing, a Saviour serving people, sold out to God. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation in every place.

1.6. "GRACE BE TO YOU, AND PEACE"

As members of His church there is an ongoing experience of God's unmerited favour and undisturbed peace. Paul wants for each church member grace in all its many forms and manifestation, including grace to live, and divine favour upon that living - the sufficient and aiding grace that both enables and enhances, blesses and beautifies.

Paul wished for each grace, peace - a peace that is birthed out of total grace acceptance - a peace that is confidence knowing that not only are we loved in Christ, but in Christ we cannot be unloved. What a sound, unshakeable basis for unrestricted service. Through God's love and Christ's giving of Himself for us we have the double source of freely given double gift of grace and peace - to every believing church member.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. How would you describe those ministries which are by the will of God? (Ephesians 1:1 ).
2. What does the term "saint" mean to you? (Ephesians 1:1 ).
3. Why is it possible to be faithful in a stronghold of paganism? (Ephesians 1:1-2 ).