Figtreewatchers Podcast Episode 134: Ephesians – Victory In Christ Jesus – Introduction Part 2

In this episode we will learn 11 principles for living out the gospel in a hostile pagan world. Discover the unwavering love and victory that Jesus offers us. Let Christ raise us up above the challenges and through the Holy Spirit, guide us to all truth and transform us through His word. Listen to this inspiring podcast episode and be empowered today! For a downloadable version of the show notes, click download below.

The Question of Ephesians:

So the question to ask yourself is this: Can you as a Saint, made Holy by the blood of Jesus, live sufficiently under the blessings of God; while boldly proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus with incorruptible love, in a hostile pagan world?

24Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. (Acts 18:24-28)

After Paul left Ephesus Aquila and Priscilla stayed behind to tend to the small flock of Christians residing in Ephesus. In this time, according to Acts, God guides Apollos to come to Ephesus. God is leading and preparing the city of Ephesus to receive the Gospel. He is tilling the soil adding the nutrients, not only for Ephesus but for the whole region. For the disciple who fully puts his trust in Jesus, God is always ahead of them preparing the way. The Christian should never live in fear; but in the victory of what God has already, futuristically, accomplished. Examine a few of these scriptures that articulate our Victorious life in Christ Jesus.

5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil;My cup runs over. (Psalm 23:5)

14Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. (2 Corinthians 2:14)

10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

Scripture is clear, and this scriptures articulate what God was doing in Ephesus. God was preparing a table of fellowship in the presence of the enemies of God. The anointing of the Holy Spirit would produce an overwhelming harvest. The Godly are always lead in the triumphant victory of Jesus to do the works that God has already prepared for us to walk in.

Apollos was an individual just like us, who submitted to the Authority of scripture and to God. having been born in Alexandria, Apollos, was highly educated especially in the Scriptures and in philosophy. He may have even been a school fellow of Philo, another Jew. The gift prepared for him, he used to persuade others towards the grace of God.¹

We learn from this passage and Apollos some incredible principles about how to live a victorious life in Jesus while engaging a pagan world:

1. A Christian must be Mighty in scripture

(1John 2:5)

2 A Christian must avoid traditions of men and interpret the things of God by Scripture

(Colossians 2:8-10)

3. A Christian should be instructed in the way of the Lord

(Deuteronomy 11:18-20)

4. A Christian needs to be fervent in spirit

The word fervent is defined as, one having passionate intensity. For the believer, one must be passionate in their love for others, prayer, and knowledge of God.

LOVE: 1Peter 4:8-9

PRAYER: James 5:16-18

KNOWLEDGE of GOD: Colossians 1:9-10

5. A Christian needs to speak and teach accurately, the things of the lord

(Zachariah 8:16-17)

Ephesians 4:25 virtually says the exact same thing.

6. A Christian speaks boldly

(Ephesians 6:19-20)

It also causes others to speak boldy as understood by Philippians 1:4.

7. A Christian must be teachable

(Proverbs 12:1-2)

8. A Christian must have a heart of a servant

We must imitate the Servant Christ in all aspects of our life. Paul instructs his disciple Timothy in this manner: (2Timothy 2:22-25)

9. A Christian believes through grace

(2Timothy 1:8-9)

10. A Christian refutes false doctrine

(2Timothy 4:1-5)

11. A christian must be able to articulate from scripture why Jesus is the Christ

(1Corinthians 9:14)

Paul Instructs Timothy that faithful men of God must be able to teach others the Gospel (2Timothy 2:1-3).

Notice the endless strategy of discipleship it flows generational. The victorious life of Christ spreads generationally to the faithful.

Sources

1. (https://www.worldhistory.org/ephesos/)
2. Durant, Our Oriental Heritage, 235,236
3. https://israelmyglory.org/article/the-queen-of-heaven/ (Israel My Glory)
4. Durant, The Life of Greece, 178.
5. https://plymouthbrethren.org/article/10330 By Fredrick Tatford
6. Easter by Herbert Thurston, Catholic Encyclopedia 1913 Ed. Vol 5.
7. Simrock, Mythologie, 551
8. The Book of Ephesians Expositional Commentary Compiled by Dr. Chuck Missler © 2009 Koinonia House Inc.

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The Gospel Presentation

Revelation 19:10 tells us that the essence of bible prophecy is Jesus Christ. These things were revealed to us so that we ultimately believe in Christ (John 13:19). We’ve all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:23). Because God is Holy he must judge sin. The penalty of this sin is death and ultimately the Lake of fire (Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:11-15). There’s nothing we can do to save ourselves (Isaiah 64:6).

But God, in his love has provided a way to escape his wrath through Christ (John 3:16-18, John 14:6). Jesus paid for our sin penalty by taking God’s wrath in our stead on the cross (Romans 5:8). He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again 3 days later (1 Corinthians 15:1-5).

You can accept this free gift of salvation by believing in Christ (Acts 16:30-31, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9). Make sure you’ve made the right decision about Jesus today (2 Corinthians 6:2)! It will be the most important decision of your life, for eternal life.

1. Bible Characters, Alexander Whyte. 1974 Pgs 286-292 [↩]