Ephesians 1:3-6 He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world

 


   I.  The blessings of Ephesians One reveal God’s personal care in our salvation.
       A.  Blessings of grace and peace.
       B.  The blessing of God: thanksgiving and praise.
           Psalm 66:8, Psalm 145:1, Psalm 106:48

           1.  The blessing of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
               John 20:1

       C.  God’s richest blessings for us are spiritual.
       D.  God’s blessings for us are in the heavenlies.
           1.  The heavenlies, Eph 1:20, 2:6, 3:10, 6:12
           2.  The heavens, Eph 3:15, 6:9.
          

  II.  Ephesians One: the blessings of salvation and sonship “to the praise of his glory”.
       A.  Election: vv. 4-6
       B.  Redemption, vv. 7-12
       C.  Assurance, vv. 13-14
       D.  The added blessing of the revelation of God’s plan of redemption.
    

  III. The blessing of God’s electing love.
       John 15:16
 

       A.  We are chosen before the foundation of the world.
      	   1Corinthians 1:27-29, John 17:24, 1 Peter 1:20, Revelation 13:8.
 

       B.  We are chosen in Christ.
      	   John 8:58
 

       C.  God’s good pleasure, v.5.
    	   Romans 8:29-30, Acts 4:27-28, 1Corinthians 2:7

       D.  The Father’s love.
           The Father has “blessed us... v. 3, chosen us... v. 4, 
	   predestined us... v. 5, adopted us... v. 5, has be-graced us in the Beloved, 
	   v. 6. What manner of love? 1 John 3:1

       E.  In Christ, the Beloved Son.
           Sonship: Rom 9:4, Rom 8:15, 23; Gal 4:5, Eph 1:5.
           Galatians 3:7, 26, Romans 8:14.

  IV. Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.
      A.  Holiness is the immediate goal of election.
          John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me,
	  he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will 
	  come to him and make Our home with him.
  

      B.  Sonship implies family life before God.
          Ephesians 4:2, 4:25, 4:32, 5:19, 5:21.

      C.  You must live your life, whatever your circumstances, to the praise of the glory of God’s grace.