Renewed Praise of the Ephesians
The Ephesian Church is complete in Christ Jesus and lives in accordance with God's will by being devoted to God and living without evil desires.
Ignatius of Antioch emphasizes the importance of being wholly devoted to God and living in accordance with His will, free from evil desires that defile and torment. He urges the Ephesians to cast out anything that defiles them, as members of the holy Church of Ephesus. Ignatius explains the contrast between the carnal and the spiritual, highlighting that those filled with the Holy Spirit operate in alignment with the Spirit, not the flesh, and are complete in Christ Jesus, the Savior of all, especially those who believe.
Text
Let not then any one deceive you, as indeed ye are not deceived; for ye are wholly devoted to God. For when there is no evil desire within you, which might defile and torment you, then do ye live in accordance with the will of God, and are [the servants] of Christ. Cast ye out that which defiles you, who are of the most holy Church of the Ephesians, which is so famous and celebrated throughout the world.
They that are carnal cannot do those things which are spiritual, nor they that are spiritual the things which are carnal; even as faith cannot do the works of unbelief, nor unbelief the works of faith. But ye, being full of the Holy Spirit, do nothing according to the flesh, but all things according to the Spirit.
Ye are complete in Christ Jesus, "who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe."
Sermon Outline
- Living in Accordance with God's Will
- Being devoted to God
- Living without evil desires
- Serving Christ
Key Quotes
“Ye are complete in Christ Jesus, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe.” — Ignatius of Antioch
Application Points
- Make a conscious effort to live without evil desires and be devoted to God.
- Recognize the difference between living spiritually and living carnally, and strive to live according to the Spirit.
- Seek to be complete in Christ Jesus by being full of the Holy Spirit.