Friday, September 30, 2022

Ephesians 1:8-9

 

Ephesians 1:8-9

The Fifth Blessing: God Has Revealed to Us the Mystery of His Will

 

Eph 1:8  Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 

Eph 1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 

         1.      God Has Made Known to Us the Mystery of His Will

a.       God is truly glorious and mysterious

                                                              i.      Ezekiel 1:24-28 

b.      While God is glorious and mysterious, He is not unknowable. God reveals His plan to us clearly

                                                              i.      God’s mysterious will is to reveal the person of Christ

1.      1 Timothy 3:16 

                                                            ii.      God’s mysterious will is to have the Gospel of Jesus preached to the world

1.      Romans 16:25-26 

                                                          iii.      God’s mysterious will has nothing to do with the wisdom of this world

1.      1 Corinthians 2:6-7 

                                                          iv.      God’s mysterious will is about bringing together a people from all the peoples of the earth

1.      Ephesians 3:3-6 

         2.      In the Will of God, We are Given Abundant Wisdom

a.       Wisdom is found in the beautiful creation of God

                                                              i.      Psalm 104:24 

b.      Wisdom is found in the many creative inventions of the past

                                                              i.      Proverbs 8:12 

c.       Wisdom is found in the ebb and flow of history

                                                              i.      Daniel 2:20-21 

d.      Wisdom is ultimately found in Christ

                                                              i.      Isaiah 52:13-15 

         3.      In the Will of God, We are Given Abundant Prudence

a.       God does not only change the mind of man but also his affections

                                                              i.      Colossians 3:2-4 

         4.      The Will of God Reveals the Wonderful Intentions He Has for You

a.    Jeremiah 29:11

Saturday, September 24, 2022

Ephesians 1:7

 

Ephesians 1:7

The Fourth Blessing: We Have Redemption

Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 

         1.      You have Redemption

a.       Sin produces death

                                                              i.      Romans 5:12 

b.      Sin produces guilt

                                                              i.      Psalm 51:14 

c.       Therefore, we are in need of redemption

                                                              i.      Titus 2:14 

d.      Only blood can truly redeem us

                                                              i.      Hebrews 9:12-14 

                                                            ii.      1 John 1:7 

                                                          iii.      Revelation 1:5 

        2.      You have Forgiveness

a.       We were under the wrath of God

                                                              i.      Ephesians 2:1-3 

b.      Therefore, Christ took our punishment so that He could blot out our sin with His blood

                                                              i.      Colossians 2:13-14 

        3.      You have Riches

a.       Be cautious that you do not learn to despise God’s grace

                                                              i.      Romans 2:3-4 

b.      The riches of the love of God poured out on His Son become ours in Christ

                                                              i.      2 Corinthians 8:9 

Friday, September 16, 2022

Ephesians 1:6

 

Ephesians 1:6

The Third Blessing: God Made Us Highly Favored in Christ

 

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

          1.       We Have Been Made Highly Favored in Christ

a.       Christ is God’s Beloved

                                                              i.      Only Jesus is eternally begotten

1.       1 John 4:9-10 

                                                            ii.      God declared His love for His Son from Heaven at His Baptism

1.        Matthew 3:16-17 

                                                          iii.      God declared His love for His Son at the Transfiguration

1.       Matthew 17:5 

                                                           iv.      Even Jesus Himself talks of this special love of the Father

1.       Luke 20:13 

b.       You are God’s Beloved

                                                              i.      Yet God would not hold back His Son to save you

1.       Romans 8:32 

                                                            ii.      This is how we know that in Christ we are also God’s Beloved

1.       Paul Says it

a.       Colossians 3:12 

2.       Jesus Himself says it

a.       John 17:23

       2.       So that His Grace Would be Glorified

a.       All the praise and glory belongs to God

                                                              i.      God’s glory is the theme of both the Old and New Testament

1.       Old Testament

a.       Isaiah 40:1-2 

2.       New Testament

a.       Luke 2:14 

b.       God’s merciful grace is absolutely, wonderous

                                                              i.      God’s gospel is glorious because it saves men

1.       1 Timothy 1:11 

2.       2 Corinthians 4:4 

                                                            ii.      Saved men bring God glory by their changed lives

1.       Matthew 5:16 

Friday, September 9, 2022

Ephesians 1:5

 

Ephesians 1:5

The Second Blessing: You have Been Adopted by God

 

Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 

         1.      God Predestined Us to Become a Part of His Family

a.       God adopted us into His family, which now means that we enjoy the same rights and privileges that Jesus does

                                                              i.      This means we are no longer condemned by the law and are now a son or daughter of God

1.      Galatians 4:5-7

                                                            ii.      We are no longer under the spirit of bondage

1.      Romans 8:14-16 

         2.      We Were Predestined by the Work of Christ on the Cross

a.       We are no longer alienated from the Father because of sin but now reconciled back to him

                                                              i.      Colossians 1:19-20 

         3.      We Were Chosen by God for His Own Good Pleasure

a.       We are not a burden to God but truly His delight

                                                              i.      Philippians 2:13 

                                                            ii.      Luke 12:31-32 

         4.      We Were Chosen Entirely by the Will of God

a.       Did God choose me because I am somehow better than others?

                                                              i.      1 Corinthians 1:26-31