Series: Flowers in the Desert
Acts 18:19-21 (Paul’s First visit to Ephesus)
Acts 19:1 to 2:1 (Paul’s 2nd visit)
*Ephesians 3:16-19 ESV
I Timothy 1:3-4 ESV
I’ve been asked a few times in my life as part of a game, if I could talk to anyone in history, who would I choose? When I was younger I would say my da, but upon further reflection as I get older I’m not so sure I would want to see him and lose him again. Once was quite enough. My second choice was always the Apostle Paul.
I would love to interview him to find out what it was like to live in the first century.
I would love to know more about what the early church was like and how he chose to go to the towns where churches were established. I’m sure God directed him, but why?
Why was one of the towns Ephesus?
Ephesus was located in what is now modern day Turkey. It was a port city and was a major trade center.
Ephesus had great roads connecting the port city to other cities.
They had the largest amphitheater at the time and it had the capacity to seat 50,000 spectators.
Ephesus was known for being a religious center and the Temple of Artemis or Diana was one of the a seven Wonders of the World. (https://www.gotquestions.org/Ephesus-in-the-Bible.html)
So maybe the question isn’t why did Paul go there as much as who wouldn’t go there to share the message of Jesus?
Paul was born and raised in Tarsus, an affluent community that valued education. He was a highly educated Pharisee.
Tarsus was located on the eastern coast of what is Turkey today.
Paul was a Roman Citizen which afforded him specific rights.
On Paul’s Third Missionary Journey in 52 A.D. he went to Ephesus and he stayed there for 2 or 3 years. He was there long enough to make strong connections and help the new church grow stronger. (https://www.dwellcc.org/essays/chronological-study-pauls-ministry#:~:text=The Third Missionary Journey—After,the summer of AD 54)
Looking at a modern day map gives us some context of Paul’s location. Turkey is approximately 550 miles north of Jerusalem in Israel. On foot a rough estimate is that it would take 22 days if you could walk 25 miles a day. I share that because it’s important to note that was part of their culture. It also speaks to their level of commitment. We do not have clear evidence from scripture that tells us if Paul rode a horse.
It is believed that Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians around 62 A.D. when he was in prison. We know from Acts 18:19-21 that Paul first visited Ephesus during his 2nd Missionary Journey. Acts 19:1 to 20:1 tells us that Paul’s second time to visit to Ephesus was during his 3rd Missionary Journey ten years prior to writing to them from prison.
In Ephesians 3:16-19 he told the church, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Paul’s prayer for the church in Ephesus included the hope that they would be deeply rooted and established in love.
Deep roots like the Mesquite Tree in the desert. It survives and thrives in the desert because of its deep roots.
Paul knew the church in Ephesus could survive and thrive in a very difficult environment of sin. However, we know from I Timothy 1:3-4, “As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.”
When Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus around 62 A.D. he knew he would not see them again on earth.
Paul spent more time personally with the church in a Ephesus than any other church.
That was no accident.
Paul knew who they could become. They were blessed.
But he also knew the challenges they faced because of the culture in Ephesus.
He knew God would be there for them but they would need to turn from the culture of sin that surrounded them and accept what God had for them.
Sound familiar?
Open your hands to God and pray for your country asking that God will make deep roots to form.
Spiritual Practice: Turn to God
Pray specifically that God will bless your country.
In God, Deborah
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