January 28, 2024
Series: Ephesians
Teacher: Daniel Broyles
Ephesians 1:3–14
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, [4] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, [8] which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight [9] making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
[11] In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, [12] so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. [13] In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
BIG TRUTH:
Jesus Followers are Called According to His Purpose
“… In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will…” (Ephesians 1:4-5)
Big Ideas:
Jesus Followers are Blessed In Christ. Jesus is Lord. (1:3)
Jesus Followers are Chosen In Christ. Jesus is Holy. (1:4)
Jesus Followers are Adopted In Christ. Jesus is Family. (1:5)
Jesus Followers are Redeemed In Christ. Jesus is Savior. (1:7)
Jesus Followers are In Christ By Grace. Jesus is Love. (1:5-7)
Jesus Followers are Enlightened In Christ. Jesus is Truth. (1:8-9)
Jesus Followers are In Christ According to His Purpose. Jesus is Sovereign. (1:5-6, 9-11)
Jesus Followers are United In Christ. Jesus is Preeminent. (1:10)
Jesus Followers are Sealed with the Holy Spirit In Christ. Jesus is Present. (1:13)
Jesus Followers are Secure In Christ. Jesus is Trustworthy. (1:14)
Who is Jesus?
Our Lord (3) who works all things according to the counsel of his will (11).
What has He done?
In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself (5) redeeming us through His blood (6) according to the riches of His grace (7).
How do the called respond?
We receive the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, and believe in Him (13). We hope in Christ to the praise of His glory (12) until we acquire possession of our inheritance in Him (14).
What is the result?
Salvation (13) according to the purpose of his will (5) to unite all things in Him (10), to the praise of his glorious grace (6, 14).
Additional References
John 3:35–36
[35] The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. [36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Ephesians 2:4–9
[4] But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—[6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Galatians 3:26–28
[26] for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. [27] For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 6:19–20
[19] Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, [20] for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Colossians 1:15–20
[15] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. [16] For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. [17] And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. [19] For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, [20] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
In Christ, you are called according to His purpose. You exist for Him and “the praise of his glory” (1:11-14).
In Christ, your calling is sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. Walk according to His calling. Memorize Galatians 5:22-26.
God is sovereign, and so His promises are ensured. Feel secure, not in your own power, but in Him who has adopted you into His family, giving you every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
Long for the realities of life in Jesus to saturate every aspect of your life. Prayerfully seek the wisdom to grasp more deeply the implications of being called according to His purpose and the Spirit-fueled faithfulness to walk according to His calling.