How should we receive unfaithful messengers?
(Efesians 6:21-24; Acts 4:29; 20:27-38) Blog 24-30 Sep. 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: The church of Christ has been given every spiritual blessing in Christ and all power in the gift of his Spirit. She faces formidable enemies, but the weapons of her warfare are plainly revealed.
Communication
1. Considering the extreme importance of communication when involved in war, what has the church been given in this area for her spiritual warfare? The church has been given prayer as an instant & unblockable means of communication with her Commander, who in turn has legions of angel ready to communicate with every battlefield (Eph. 6:10; Matt. 26:53).
2. For whom does Paul say we should pray? Paul says we are to pray for all saints & for him (pastors, teachers, evangelists, prophets, & apostles) (Eph. 6:18-19).
3. For what does Paul say we should pray? Paul says we are to pray that our fellow soldiers & officers have boldness in speaking the right words for the advance of the Gospel (Eph. 6:19; Acts 4:29; Jam. 5:15).
4. What also is implied in Paul’s request for prayer? We are also to pray for our prisoners of war that they might gain victories where they are and be freed (Eph. 6:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:26; Heb. 13:3).
Faithful Messengers
5. Besides prayer, what other means of communication has the church been given? The church also has faithful human messengers who can travel between battlefronts (Eph. 6:21; 3 John 1:3-4).
6. What are some of the interchurch needs that faithful messengers can communicate? Faithful messengers can communicate the state of the troops or need of replacements on other fronts. They can report & carry ammunition, food, & supplies to other fronts & they can encourage the troops with messages from their leaders or fellow soldiers (Eph. 6:21-22; Tim. 4:11-13).
7. Because of their love for Paul, what additional information did his faithful messenger need to bring to the Ephesian believers? Tychicus needed to faithfully inform the brethren how their beloved evangelist, Paul was doing in prison (Eph. 6:21-22; Acts 20:36-38).
8. What should be our attitude when messengers come from other churches not having the qualifications that Tychicus had? We are not to be deceived by glowing reports or discouraging details brought by unfaithful messengers for only faithful communication warns of impending danger, enables the troops to increase their strength, or encourages them (Eph. 6:21; Acts 20:27-30; 2 Thes. 2:2-3).
9. What does Paul desire the Ephesian believers to have from God? Paul desires the believers to have peace, love, & faith (gossip & criticism don’t bring these) (Eph. 6:23).
10. What can we learn from Paul’s desire that grace be with “all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity”? That tells us that those who sincerely love Jesus still fall short of internal perfection so continually need God to graciously consider them better than they are (Eph. 6:24; Rom. 3:23; Jam. 3:2).
Looking Back
11. What important truth is embedded in Ephesians 1? The order of salvation (hear, believe, receive) is clearly taught in Ephesians 1 (Eph. 1:12-14).
12. Although verse 8 is the highlight of Ephesians 2 what dispensational truth is also taught there? Ephesians 2 teaches that at the cross the Law of Moses was made obsolete (Eph. 2:14-16).
13. What is the highlight of Ephesians 3? In Ephesians 3 Paul shows that the promise of the Spirit is for all believers & not Jews only (Eph. 3:6, 16).
14. What is the highlight of Ephesians 4? God’s gifts to the church not only promise believers that they will arrive at perfect unity & perfect characters but also enable them to live Christlike lives while advancing toward that day (Eph. 4:11-13, 22-24).
15. What is the highlight of Ephesians 5? Walking in love involves submission to those in leadership roles (Eph. 5:1-2, 21).
16. What is the highlight of Ephesians 6? In Ephesians 6 God reminds us of our strength before describing our enemy and the armor we must wear in order to be victorious (Eph. 6:10-20).
17. How should we summarize the book of Ephesians as a whole? The book of Ephesians sets the parameters for faith and Christian living (Eph. 2:8-10).