We continue our study of congregations in the New Testament.  Today we will look at Ephesus. 

1)  BACKGROUND

     A.  One of the three great cities of the Eastern Mediterranean along with Syrian Antioch and Egyptian Alexandria.
     B.  Visited by Paul in Acts 18:19 after a 250 mile voyage.  He would have walked the Arcadian Way, lit at night by torches that would lead to the Great Theater of Ephesus, a stadium that would seat 25,000 spectators.  He would scarcely have seen the spectacle of a riotous crowd screaming on behalf of the goddess Artemis (Diana), because of his preaching.
     C.  Paul wasn't there on vacation, he was there to preach the gospel. 
     D.  General discussion of Paul in Ephesus.  1.)  Extraordinary miracles - Acts 19:11 2.)  Public exposure of the phony soothsayers - Acts 19:17 3)  He did not shrink from preaching the "whole counsel" of God. -
Acts 20:7 4)  Discussion of Demetrius, the silversmith. - Acts 19

2)  EXAMPLE OF THE CHRISTIANS
   
    A.  Were willing to put their material goods where their confession was.  Acts 19:18-19.  They put aside their expensive magic books, gave up their idolatry and put on the "new man."
    B.  They listened and obeyed - Eph 1:13 - re-emphasizing that the gospel is a taught religion.
    C.  Came from being "children of wrath" - Eph 2:1-3 - no matter what your background is you can become a Christian and leave that former life.
    D.  Shows that the gospel is for all, no matter the background, race, previous religious beliefs, etc.-2:11-13
    E.  The elders showed their sincere love for Paul when he left them for the last time - Acts 20: 17-38

3)  PAUL'S ENCOURAGEMENT TO THEM

    A.  Remember! - 2:11 - As Paul told them, the same for us today.  Even though we leave the old life, don't forget where you came from to not go back to that "place."
    B.  Read! - 3:4 - How often do we overlook this simple word, but the profound importance of it.  We have to read, study, pay attention, learn 4:20!
    C.  Be rooted and grounded in love - 3:17 - when you read, study and pay close attention the word becomes implanted, or rooted and grounded.
    D.  Walk - 4:1,17; 5:2 in a manner worthy of your calling.  The word walk signifies the way we conduct our Christian lives in a number of passages in the New Testament. 
    E.  Be Imitators - 5:1 Christians, as imitators, have the perfect example to follow in Jesus Christ
    F.   Don't Be Deceived - 5:6 There are those who want to deceive you.
    G.  Don't participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness - 5:11
    H.  Don't be foolish, be careful - 5:15-17  
    I.   Don't get drunk - 5:18 - enough said
    J.   Speak to one another(in psalms, hymns,etc) - 5:19  How can you do that without worshiping with the saints?
    K.  Give thanks - 5:20 - the encouragement is to always do this.
    L.  Be subject - 5:21 - in the fear of Christ
    M.  Encouragement to families, employers and employees - 6