In Christ - Know It, Live It: 1 (Jesus Rules!)

The Apostle Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus was written from Rome while Paul was under the house arrest recorded by Luke in Acts 28. It was probably a circular letter, written perhaps to Ephesus primarily but also to the other churches in that area of Asia. Paul had spent as much as 3 years in Ephesus, more than any other local church. You will remember that Paul and his companions encountered severe trouble in Ephesus (Acts 19) as the silver smiths' trade was losing business in the most lucrative area of crafting idols of the goddess Artemis.

The temple of Artemis in Ephesus was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, along with the Colossus of Rhodes, the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Mausoleum of Maussollos, and the Light House of Alexandria. It was 2x the size of the Parthenon in Athens.

Artemis (or Diana) was considered Queen over the heavenly powers as well as the gods of the underworld. It might well be proper to say that in Ephesus, "Artemis ruled." Perhaps a large portion of life for the citizen of Ephesus was determined by his relationship to Artemis.

Perhaps this also is a major reason that in this letter the Apostle Paul focuses on the ULTIMATE power and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.

For example:

• God "raised him (Christ) from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things under his feet..." 1:20-22

For the believer, being IN CHRIST means to be vitally and really and spiritually connected to the ONE who RULES over all powers in all places at all times..."Jesus Rules!" Christianity is indeed a POWER RELIGION. The One who has "all authority in heaven and on earth" Matthew 28:18, has commissioned us to partner with Him in His eternal work of making disciples, and He has promised to be with us in personal authority and POWER to accomplish it.

Of whom, then, shall we be afraid? Shall we not get on with it? JESUS RULES!