Biblical Foundations

The Life & Teaching of Paul

The Life Worth Living (Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, Part 2)

Ephesians 4

Christopher W. Martin © 2020

I. Textual Context

Our Position in Christ

What Christ has done FOR us. (Ch. 1)

What Christ has done IN us. (Ch. 2)

What Christ has done BETWEEN us (Ch. 3)

 Paul’s Teaching Method and Our Application

II. The Life Worth Living

A. The Christian’s Personal Walk (4:1-6)

The Call

The Characteristics

The Cause

B. The Christian’s Personal Gifts (4:7-11)

The Reality of our Spiritual Gifts

 The Significance of our Spiritual Gifts

The Nature of our Spiritual Gifts

C. The Christian’s Personal Maturity (4:12-16)

The Traps of Immaturity

The Triumphs of Maturity

D. The Christian’s Personal Renewal (4:17-24)

The Problem

The Prescription

E. The Christian’s Personal Standards of Conduct (4:25-32)

Speak Truth

 Righteous Anger

The Reason for our Work

Edifying Words

Altruistic

III. Application

The Life & Times of Paul

Our Position in Christ 

Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, Part 1 Ephesians 1-3

Christopher W. Martin © 2020

I. Background

Paul under House Arrest in Rome

The Church at Ephesus

Paul’s Themes in this letter

Key Words

Christ

Grace

Riches

Fullness/Filled

The Mystery of the Church

The Church as Christ’s Body

II. Our Position in Christ 

A. What Christ has done FOR Us. (Chapter 1) 

• Chosen (1:3-6a) 

• Redeemed (1:6b-10)

• Obtained an Inheritance (1:11-14)

• Given Power and Resources in Christ (1:15-23)

B. What Christ has done IN Us. (Chapter 2:1-10)

• Saved from Sin (v.1-3)

• Saved by Love (v.4)

• Saved for a Purpose (v. 5-7)

• Saved Through Faith (v. 8-9)

• Saved to do good things for others (v. 10) 

C. What Christ has done BETWEEN Us. (Chapter 2:11 – 3:21) 

1. Being Unified in Christ (2:11-22)

2. A Mystery Revealed (3:1-13)

3. The Fullness of God (3:14-21)

III. Application

The Life & Teaching of Paul

Paul’s Letter to Philemon

Philemon

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

Introduction

The Setting

The Recipient: Philemon – a wealthy Greek Christian landowner from Colossae.

The Subject: Onesimus – Philemon’s runaway slave, who was also a Christian, and a thief. 

The Historical Background of Slavery in Rome in 61-62 A.D. 

The Character of Philemon (v. 1-7) (Paul’s Praise – Looking Back)

His Family (v.1-3)

His Praise (v. 4-7)

A Note on the Historical Attack on Paul:

The Conversion of Onesimus (v.8-17) (Paul’s Plea – Looking Within) 

v. 11: “Onesimus” means “useful.” 

The “Advocacy Clause” in Roman Law

The Confidence of Paul (v. 18-21) (Paul’s Promise: Looking Beyond) 

Life Lessons

Everyone is, or has been, a ___________. 

Our guilt was great, our penalty severe, but __________ brought us a ____________. 

A life in Christ changes _______  _____________. 

Social evils, like slavery, can be changed by ________________ lives through _________. 

The “Rest of the Story”

Colossians 4:9

The Letter of Ignatius to the Church at Ephesus

The First Century project by the Church of Ephesus

The Life & Times of Paul

Our Position in Christ 

Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, Part 1 Ephesians 1-3

Christopher W. Martin © 2020

I. Background

Paul under House Arrest in Rome

The Church at Ephesus

Paul’s Themes in this letter

Key Words

Christ

Grace

Riches

Fullness/Filled

The Mystery of the Church

The Church as Christ’s Body

II. Our Position in Christ 

A. What Christ has done FOR Us. (Chapter 1) 

• Chosen (1:3-6a) 

• Redeemed (1:6b-10)

• Obtained an Inheritance (1:11-14)

• Given Power and Resources in Christ (1:15-23)

B. What Christ has done IN Us. (Chapter 2:1-10)

• Saved from Sin (v.1-3)

• Saved by Love (v.4)

• Saved for a Purpose (v. 5-7)

• Saved Through Faith (v. 8-9)

• Saved to do good things for others (v. 10) 

C. What Christ has done BETWEEN Us. (Chapter 2:11 – 3:21) 

1. Being Unified in Christ (2:11-22)

2. A Mystery Revealed (3:1-13)

3. The Fullness of God (3:14-21)

III. Application

The Life & Teaching of Paul

Paul’s Letter to the Philippians

Philippians 1 & 2

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

I. Introduction

• An Epistle of Joy

Joy vs. Happiness

• A Prison Epistle 

• A Christological Epistle 

• Outline:

o Christ My Life: Christ is within me and is my life. (Chap. 1) 

o Christ My Example: Christ is behind me and is my guide. (Chap. 2) 

o Christ My Goal: Christ is ahead of me and is my prize. (Chap. 3)

o Christ My Strength: Christ is beneath me and is my strength. (Chap. 4) 

II. Encouragement for Living the Effective Christian Life (Chap. 1) (Christ My Life) 

A. Paul’s Praise for the saints at Philippi (1:1-8)

• They were evangelical.

• They were giving 

B. Paul’s Prayer for the saints at Philippi (1:9-11)

• Abounding Love

• Sincere (pure)

C. Paul’s Presentation of Himself to the saints at Philippi (1:12-30)

• Paul’s View of the Palace Guard 

• Paul’s View of Death 

• Paul’s View of the Circumstances of Life

• Paul’s View of Suffering 

III. Examples for Living the Humble Christian Life (Chap. 2) (Christ is my Example)

A. The Command of Humility (2:1-4)

B. The Example of Humility – Christ (2:5-11)

The Kenosis (v.7)

C. The Exercise of Humility (2:12-30) 

IV. Application

The Life & Teaching of Paul

God’s Incomprehensible Paradox

Acts 28

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

The Life & Teaching of Paul

Pictures of Certainty in an Uncertain World Acts 27

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

I. The Setting

• Paul’s Imprisonment 

• Paul’s Voyage (v.1-8)

• Paul’s Warning (v.9-12)

A Picture of Our Witnessing 

II. The Storm (v.13-26)

• An Unexpected Storm (v.13-17a)

A Picture of Life

• A Ubiquitous Desperation (v.17b-18)

A Picture of Fear

A Picture of Disheartenment  

• An Understandable Despondency (v.19-20)

A Picture of Humanistic Surrender

• An Uplifting Promise (v.21-24)

• An Ultimate Faith (v.25)

III. The Shipwreck (v.27-44)

• Confusing Delay (v.27-28)

A Picture of Unwelcome Patience 

• Capricious Prayer (v.29)

A Picture of a Pagan Talisman

• Cowardly Abandonment (v.30-32)

A Picture of Self-Centered Survival 

• Courageous Communion (v.33-37)

A Picture of Saving Faith 

• Committed Sacrifice (v.38-40)

A Picture of Christian Altruism

• Cherished Rescue (v.41-44)

A Picture of Our “Bow”

IV. Application: Reliable Anchors for Your Storm-tossed Soul

• The Anchor of Stabilizing _________.

• The Anchor of Sacrificial __________. 

• The Anchor of Salvific ____________.

• The Anchor of a Steadfast _________.

The Life & Teaching of Paul

Psychology 101: Understanding How People Deal with Your Faith

Acts 25 – 26

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

Context

Understanding How People Deal with Your Faith

They Ignore You (24:27)

They Try to Hurt You (25:1-3)

They Lie About You (25:7)

They Try to Get Rid of You (25:9)

A Note on Paul’s Appeal to Caesar (25:11-12)

They are Perplexed by You (25:23-27)

They Think You are Crazy (26:24)

How Paul Dealt with Opposition 

He Waited on God 

He Did Not Allow Himself to Be Abused

He Didn’t Quit 

He Decided He Was Happy (26:2) 

He Looked for the Good in Others (26:3)

He Remembered What God had Done for Him and to Him Previously (26:4-5)

He Remembered His Sinful Life Before Christ (26:9-11)

He Remembered He was Saved AND Called to Serve (26:12-18)

He Remembered God’s Prior Protection (26:19-23)

He Spoke Truth and Reason (26:25)

Conclusion (26:28-32)

The Life & Teaching of Paul

Dealing with the Life You Don’t Want

Acts 22:24 – 24:27

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

Context

Dealing with the Life You Don’t Want

Looked Down Upon (22:24-29)

Assaulted (22:30-23:2)

The Cause of Great Dissension (23:3-11)

Wanted Dead (23:12-35)

Lied About (24:1-9)

Not Listened To (24:10-23)

Manipulated (24:24-26)

Waiting on God (24:27)

Conclusion

Acts 21:37-22:22

Christopher W. Martin © 2019

The Setting in Jerusalem 

The Jews (21:27-36)

The Romans (21:37-40)

The Most Important Unsuccessful Sermon in History (Chap. 22)

How to Witness

Relate (21:40)

Tender (22:1)

Your Past Life (22:3-5)

Your Conversion (22:6-10)

God’s Calling of You

The Two Most Important Questions of Life 

A Note on Those Not Called

A Picture of Conversion (22:11-16)

Surrendered

Discipled 

Called to Use Your Gifts

Baptized 

Your Changed Life after Conversion (22:17-21)

Prepare for Unexpected Results (22:22)

Application