As Paul starts his amazing letter to the Ephesian Church from his prison cell in Rome we find a fascinating opening paragraph. Although Paul is in a difficult situation, what we find is a huge statement of praise to God, with Paul recounting a number of Spiritual Blessings. What a way to start this letter!
On the face of it, Paul is in his prison cell, desperate, alone, probably in pain and certainly looking at a period of uncertainty in his life. What Paul makes clear is that our blessings are not dependent on our circumstances but are much deeper - we are blessed because of our identity in Christ. What a way to start this letter!
As we come to the end of Ephesians, we're told that the Christian life is a battle and we're to stand firm. But what does that mean and what do we do?
In Ephesians chapter 6, the Apostle Paul has something to say to slaves and masters. Raj speaks on how Christianity and the gospel message creates a world in which slavery becomes unimaginable.
When we look at the culture that Paul was writing into, we realise that Paul's teaching on marriage in Ephesians was radical. Is it still radical in our Western culture today and can it help us to develop strong and healthy marriages?