Bible Text: Ephesians 1:1-14 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: Benefits That Are Out of This World, Ephesians

1.  Paul addresses the believers at Ephesus as “saints.”  The usage of the word “saint” in the New Testament is quite different from the contemporary religious usage of the word.  Contrary to popular usage, in Biblical usage a saint is: not an especially pious believer; nor is a saint an eminent dead Christian responsible for at least two miracles; rather a saint is a believer (both living and dead)).  “Saint” is the usual name for believers in the New Testament.  The Greek word is hagios which means to be set apart, to be different.

2.  The believers are said to be “in Christ Jesus.”  This is an important phrase in Paul’s thinking. 

-“No matter what the geographical location of the saints, their real position in God’s sight is in Christ Jesus.  They have been put into a vital union with Him so that they are identified with Him.” Dr. Alfred Martin.

-“Christians live in two realities at the same time:  their physical world and in the heavenlies in Christ.”  Klyne Snodgrass.

-even as our values, the way we talk, the way we dress, the way we think is influenced by our physical address, so should they be influenced by our divine address.