1. Fully Purposed

This week, we begin a new book – Ephesians – with an overview and introduction. It is a deep book, perhaps the deepest spiritual book in the New Testament as it relates to the body of Christ. It covers the vastness of time – from eternity past (1:4) to eternity future (2:7). Ephesus was a powerful commercial center and was also a capital city of the Roman Empire. It was the center of worship of the goddess Diana (Acts 19:34-35). The temple constructed for her worship was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world (a.k.a. Temple of Artemis). The lost and idolatrous Ephesians jealously protected her worship (Acts 19:23). Because of this darkness and the unprecedented opportunity for the gospel, Paul resided there for 3 years (Acts 20:31). What a dark place Ephesus must have been; however, a light shines brightest in the darkness! God proves this point by showing us that the gospel spread from this place into all of Asia (Acts 19:10)! Is it any wonder that God would choose to reveal the mysterious “building” of the church, the chaste bride of Jesus Christ, and the unsearchable riches of His grace and forgiveness in such a place as this? And what about America today?