Ephesus

A Prayer to Pray

June 4, 2012 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. (NIV) Ephesians 1:15-16

Whether he was in Troas or Philippi or Corinth or Ephesus, Paul seized every opportunity to share share God’s Word. He invested deeply in people. And as a result, many came to know Jesus Christ and grew in their relationship with Him.

When was the last time you shared God’s Word with someone? Who around you is seeking God? How are you investing in them? When was the last time you prayed that someone’s heart and mind would be open to God’s message? Ask God to bring someone to mind right now. Then take the time to pray for him or her.

Fill in the blanks with names of people that you pray for:

I continually thank You, God for _________ and I will never give up praying for _________.

I will keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give _________ spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that (he\she) may know God better. And that _________ might grow in (his\her) knowledge of God making (him\her) intelligent and discerning in knowing God personally.

I pray also that the eyes of (his\her) heart may be enlightened in order that (he\she) may know how great is the hope to which He is calling _________. That _________ will understand the wonderful future He has promised to those He called. And that _________ may know the riches of His glorious inheritance – the magnificence and splendour of the inheritance promised to Christians.

And so that _________ can know and understand what is the immeasurable, unlimited and surpassing greatness of God’s power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength. That power is the same divine power which was demonstrated in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and gave Him the place of supreme honour in Heaven – far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Amen

(Compiled from Ephesians 1:16-21)

Imitators of God

June 3, 2012 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

Be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1)

Ephesus was 1 of the top cultural cities. Architecturally, the city was magnificent. Its main thoroughfare has been called “the most splendid street of the Roman Empire.” It was the home of an open-air theater seating 24,000. Ephesus was also the center for the worship of Artemis, also known as Diana, the goddess of fertility. The city housed the temple of Artemis which drew multitudes of worshipers. It also provided income for those who made the idols. The temple of Artemis, constructed of marble, was the largest building in the Greek world measuring 377 feet by 235 feet (about the size of a football field) and was 1 of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. But, interest in Artemis was not only for religious purposes. The temple fueled the economy of Ephesus through the “tourists” who visited the temple.Â People from all parts of the world deposited money in the bank of her temple.

Paul’s words to the Christians living in this wealthy pagan city ring true for us today. He challenges them to “be imitators of God” (Ephesians 5:1). They were to be Christ’s hands and feet and mouths. They were to live different lives than their neighbors. As they imitated God, others would see a life that reflected Christ.

How are you being Christ’s hands and feet in your world serving others? When do you use your mouth to speak God’s Words? How does your life look different than the life of your neighbor? How do you reflect Christ to those around you? Would others say that your lifestyle imitates Christ? How can you change your life to better imitate God? It’s never too late to become an imitator of God. Why not start today?

Coming Alongside

June 2, 2012 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

Paul is received in Ephesus and is asked to spend more time there but, he declines at this time. “But as he left, he promised, ‘I will come back if it is God’s will.’ Then he set sail from Ephesus” (Acts 18:19).

“Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. 27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ” (Acts 18:24-28).

There are now a number of Christians in Ephesus. People like Priscilla and Aquila who understood the gospel clearly and nurtured the faith and understanding of others like Apollos, whose understanding was growing. They not only explained the “way of God more” clearly to him, they also encouraged him and sent a letter of commendation with him as he traveled to Achaia. They were sensitive to God working in him and came alongside to help him in his faith journey.

How sensitive are you to God’s working in others’ lives? How do you come alongside younger Christian? When was the last time you explained the Word of God to someone with a lesser understanding? How are you investing in others and investing in God’s Kingdom? Ask God to make you more sensitive to the individuals that He is actively at work in their lives. Then take the Word of God which transforms hearts and minds and wills and invest it into their lives. How will you become an Aquila and Priscilla in your community?

Ephesus

September 28, 2006 By Marji "Mike" Kruger

Ephesus (population of around 200,000) was located on the River Cayster in Asia Minor only a few miles from the coast of the Aegean Sea. Its location made it a major trade center connecting the sea routes to the west with the land routes to the east. Ephesus was the chief communication and commercial link between Rome and the East. As a melting pot of nations and ethnic groups, it also became the major commercial center and capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor.Â Ephesus was 1 of the top cultural cities. Architecturally, the city was magnificent. Its main thoroughfare has been called “the most splendid street of the Roman Empire.” It was the home of an open-air theater seating 24,000. Ephesus was also the center for the worship of Artemis, also known as Diana, the goddess of fertility. The city housed the temple of Artemis which drew multitudes of worshipers. It also provided income for those who made the idols. The temple of Artemis, constructed of marble, was the largest building in the Greek world measuring 377 feet by 235 feet (about the size of a football field) and was 1 of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. But, interest in Artemis was not only for religious purposes. The temple fueled the economy of Ephesus through the “tourists” who visited the temple.Â People from all parts of the world deposited money in the bank of her temple.The Odeion, a covered theater, held about 1500 people. It was used for concerts and for meetings of the advisory council
Ephesus Odeion

Street that runs between the Odeion and the state agora:

Ephesus street

The Prytaneion, or Town Hall, had a large central square was surrounded by a protico of columns. The executive council of Ephesus met there as well as received diginitaries there. A holy fire burned in the middle of the building which housed statues of Artemis.

Ephesus town hall