Ephesians 1:12

 

Ephesians 1:12

The Eighth Blessing: You Have Been Given Faith

 

Eph 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 

         1.      God’s People Have Been Given Faith

a.       We are all children of Abraham

                                                              i.      Old Testament Israel – ethnic Israel

1.      Christ did not come to abolish the law

a.       Matthew 5:17 

2.      The Apostle Paul made it clear that he was not trying to abolish the teaching of the OT

a.       Acts 24:14 

3.      Abraham was not saved by following the law but by faith like you and me

a.       Romans 4:1-3 

4.      All who have been given faith by God are Abraham’s children

a.       Galatians 3:24-29 

5.      God has not forgotten His promises to ethnic Israel

a.       Romans 11:26-27 

                                                            ii.      New Testament Israel – Gentiles grafted into God’s work with His people

1.      God plans to make a people that are a blend of ethic Israel and the peoples of the world

a.       1 Peter 2:9-10 

2.      God had always planned to give faith to the peoples of the world

a.       Genesis 22:15-18 

3.      Gentiles have been grafted into God’s work with Israel

a.       Romans 11:17-20 

         2.      The Faith Given to Them Brings Glory to God

a.       The story of faith throughout history brings God incredible glory

                                                              i.      Ephesians 2:11-22