Arkansas State press., 1944-06-02
PAUL IN EPHEsUs

1AUL IN EftiEouS
LxSSoN TExT-Aets 10 $40: Ephe.
SLAMS a:%-io; s:i4.l9.
GOLDEN TEXT-We are his workman.
chip. created In Christ Jesus for good
works, which God afore prepared that we
GAould walk In them ,-Ephesians 2:l0.
Not peace--but a swordi With
such graphic words Jesus indicated
that His coming into the world
would set men apart. either for or
against Him tsee Matt. 10: 34-42l.
The gospel is the good news OF re-
demption for all mankind. but the
attitude Of men toward the gospel
divides them sharply. into the saved
and the lost. Which r you?
Our lesson. telling Of Paul's min
istry at Ephesus and giving part OF
his letter to the Ephesians. shows
that the gospel does divide. but that
Il also gives q%uickening grace and
strength for Christian living.
I. Dividing tActs l9:8-i0).
Paul had a long ministry at Ephe-
sus and a very successful one. but
at the same time II was a stormy.
trying experience. After all, do not
those elements often 60 together?
Paul began in the synagogue. That
was the proper way. and his GUS
tom. He ran into opposition. and
after three months he had to seek
another place to meet the people,
But notice, he did not give up and
leave town.
The teaching Of any truth results
In division. and especially is that
true Of the gospel. It was found
before long wv. 23-4l) that winning
people to Christ interfered with the
heather business interests. and then
things began to stir.
One wonders why modern bust
ness set for the destruction Of mems
souls BY rotten plays. movies, books.
amusements. and by the saloon Is so
content to let the church alone. Is
Il because our testimony does not
harm their business? II so. we are
certainly not walking In the foot
stsps Of Paul o. Of Christ.
Christ 10 . divider Of men. Yes,
but those who stand on the right
hide q that divide also receive
n. ouickenins tEph. 2:4-l0).
Dead men, spiritually, come to life
when they meet Christ and believe
- HIM. VI were all dead In tres
pasooo and sins, entirely unable to
help ourselves. when God In mercy
and grace Quickcned Is.
H did this for Us. but also for
His own glory. That really Is the
most adequate explanation Of grace.
II was and ID for His glory. a show
ing forth ". u Of the exceeding
riches Of His grace, through all the
ages 10 come.
Being saved. then, Is not las some
describe it) a foolish thing Of little
import that takes place in some mis-
slon Of little crossroads Sunday
school II does happen there, thank
God for that. but it reaches clear
up TO the highest heavens. and on
into al eternity, This business of
bringing men and women. boys and
girls to Christ is the greatest OF all
occupations. Let's be busy about it!
Be sure to note in verses $40 that
1t Is all of grace, No works can
enter into salvation. We are his
workmanship" not the result Of a
cooperative enterprise or creation.
But at the same time do not fail
10 stress that we are created unto
good works" ". l0). The professed
Christian who talks about being
saved by grace. but who does not
live 1t out in the good works which
God has ordained as the proper ex-
preston Of salvation by grace,
should not be surprised il the testi.
mony Of his lips Is not believed.
II We are quickened to newness
Of Life In Christ. we ought to bring
forth fruit. That Is not possible in
our own puny strength. But wait.
the gospel which divides and quick
ems In ALSO -
m. Strengthening (Eph. S:14-l9).
Paul prayed for the Ephesians.
but somehow one feels that he
prayed for the Christians Of all time.
for every member Of "the whole
family In heaven and earth ". 49,
Who bear the name Of Christ. The
writer u rejoicing today that be be.
longs to that family. but he wonders
how Il II with you who read these
lines. Do you belong?
Paul prayed in the Spirit, that ID
evident ~ one reads these sublime
words. II Is . comforting and en-,
eoura ging thought, too, for Paul here
asks for . Christian experience foi
his readers. which seems quite i'm.
Feasible Of attainment. except fol
one thing. II Is the power Of God
which u to bring II about. Prayer
h he Spirit is prayer that God an
swsrs, always and fully.
30 We read with confidence these
magnificent, enriching petitions, and
~ say: 20 God. make me that kind
At Q Christian, q real Christian"
Observe that there Is to BE-
strengthening Of the inward man b
The Holy Spirit. This is not some
thing put on or acquired. u Y
Gods gift.
Note also thtt It has a norma
development, a growth In the knowt