The Word of His Grace
A. PAUL’S LAST MEETING WITH THE EPHESIAN ELDERS (vs. 25).
B. EPHESUS FIRST VISITED BY PAUL IN Acts 18:18-21.
1. He left Priscilla and Aquila there.
2. It was there they taught Apollos the baptism of Jesus.
3. Paul returned on his last journey to find 12 disciples of John’s baptism.
4. He was there over 2 years teaching in the school of Tyrannus. Many believed.
5. There ensued a riot – Demetrius vs. Paul – which was ended by the Town Clerk.
C. THE VISIT OF OUR TEXT – PAUL’S RETURN ON HIS LAST VOLUNTARY TOUR.
D. TENDER AND IMPORTANT THINGS SAID IN vs. 32. LET’S LOOK.
A. A SPECIAL RELATION BETWEEN A TEACHER AND HIS STUDENTS.
1. John’s expression – “my little children” (1 John 2:1, 12, 28; 3:7, 18; 4:4; 5:21).
2. Analogy used by Paul (1 Cor. 4:14-15; 1 Tim. 1:2; Titus 1:4).
3. Special feelings, great anxiety (3 John 4; Gal. 4:19).
B. THE OBJECT OF ANY GOOD TEACHER OR PARENT (Gal. 4:19; Eph. 4:13-15).
C. A DEPENDENCY ON OUR PARENTS IS DEVELOPED.
1. As with Paul, our parent, earthly or spiritual, is not always going to be there.
2. We must learn to stand up like men (1 Cor. 16:13). “in the Lord”
A. COMMEND, "to place with someone, entrust, commit.", (Luke 23:46; Acts 14:23;
Acts 20:32) (Vine).
B. WE ARE HIS CHOSEN WORKERS (Eph. 2:10; Phil. 2:12-13).
1. He enables and empowers (Phil. 4:13; Eph. 6:10).
2. He protects and delivers (Rom. 8:31; 2 Tim. 4:16-18).
3. He is aware (Heb. 13:5-6). Are we? (Phil. 4:4-5).
A. AN OBVIOUS REFERENCE TO THE GOSPEL MESSAGE
(vs. 24; Acts 18:27; Rom. 10:17; Titus 2:11-12).
B. WHICH IS ABLE TO BUILD YOU UP.
1. oikodomeo, (b) is used metaphorically, in the sense of "edifying," promoting the
spiritual growth and development of character of believers, by teaching or by example,
suggesting such spintual progress as the result of patient labor. It is said (1) of the effect
of this upon local churches, Acts 9:31; 1 Cor 14:4; (2) of the individual action of believers
towards each other, 1 Cor 8:1; 10:23; 14:17; 1 Thess 5:11; (Vine).
2. Eph. 4:12. oikodome denotes (a) "the act of building" …
this is used only figuratively in the NT, in the sense of edification, the promotion of
spiritual growth (lit., "the things of building up"), Rom 14:19; 15:2; (Vine).
3. The object of building up?
a. Answer the gainsayer (Eph. 4:12-16; 1 Pet. 3:15; Col. 4:6; Titus 1:9).
b. We will know how to live (Titus 2:11-12; Heb. 5:14).
c. That we may be encouraged to do the right thing (1 Thess. 5:11)
d. Not to build self-esteem (Luke 18:13-14; 1 Cor. 10:12).
4. The means of building up.
a. The word of his grace (Acts 10:32; Jude 20; Rom. 10:17).
b. Exhortation (1 Thess. 5:11èEph. 4:11). Who is given to edify? What’s their job?
c. Set a good example (Eph. 4:29; 1 Tim. 4:12).
d. 1 Thess. 5:14. Encourage those who need it.
e. We must distinguish between encouragement and flattery (1 Thess. 2:5).
C. AND TO GIVE YOU THE INHERITANCE
1. Inherit with Jesus (Rom. 8:16-17).
2. Eternal life (Matt. 19:29).
3. Salvation (Heb. 1:14).
4. 1 Pet. 1:3-5.
D. AMONG THEM THAT ARE SANCTIFED.
1. Sanctification is necessary (Heb. 12:14).
2. Sanctification is separation (Rom. 12:2)
3. Sanctification is our responsibility (2 Cor. 7:1).
4. Starts with our learning the gospel (2 Thess. 2:13-14; Eph. 5:26; John 17:17-19).
A. IN HIS LAST VISIT WITH THESE MEN, PAUL URGES AND ENCOURAGES THEM.
B. WE MUST LEARN TO TRUST IN GOD’S CARE.
C. WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF THE WORD OF HIS GRACE IN OUR SALVATION.
