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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 5

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus."

Text: Ephesians 1:1

RECEIVING A LETTER FROM A RENOWN APOSTLE

When you read the writings of the apostle Paul, are you usually moved in your heart? Probably not! Sometimes, when we become too familiar with Paul’s writings, we forget what it must have meant to the original recipients to receive a letter from the renowned servant of God. Did the Ephesian Church feel a great sense of thrill as the letter of the famed apostle was delivered to them? Presumably, yes!

APPRECIATING THE PAULINE LETTERS

The Pauline epistles were actual letters, written to historical churches! Each letter addressed to a church must see us attempting to appreciate in some depth, at least two important matters:-

1. The Relationship between Paul and the Recipients

2. The Reasons behind the writing of the apostolic letter

THE RECORD OF PAUL’S MINISTRY AT EPHESUS

The careful historian Luke recorded the ministry Paul had at Ephesus. The following are some of the highlights of his years of work in Ephesus.

1. Ministry to some of the disciples of John the baptizer (Acts 19:7)

2. Teaching ministry in the school of Tyrannus (Acts 19:8-10)

3. Mighty healing ministry (Acts 19:11-12)

4. Riot incited by the devotees of Diana marred the ministry (Acts 19:23-41)

The riot at Ephesus ended the highly successful ministry of Paul at Ephesus. Just how effectively Paul ministered in Ephesus was well recorded by Luke.

“He (Paul) was … reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus…
And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia
heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks…

So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.”
ACTS 19:9-10, 20

A LAST MEETING WITH THE EPHESIAN ELDERS

Paul went on to minister as fruitfully in other countries. His last personal contact with the Ephesian Church was when he called for a meeting of the Elders of the Church. The depth of affection between Paul and these leaders was beautifully captured. The years of ministry had brought about a deep bond of love between Paul and the Ephesian Church.

“Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,
sorrowing most of all… that they would see his face no more…”
Acts 20:37-38