North Anderson Baptist Church
Ephesians 1:3-14 NIV
We all make choices. Each one of us have made choices just this
morning.
Today, I want to look at a choice that was made, not by you and I,
but by God.
Today’s passage is clear that it is God who chooses His children,
not ourselves.
I am reminded of a passage in Matthew 3: John the Baptist speaks
to the Pharisees about Who the Children of God are, and Who
chooses them.
Matthew 3:7-9 NIV
The words of John the Baptist, as well as the inspired words of the
Apostle Paul concerning God’s bringing together of His family (children)
should echo in our hearts this morning. I pray God is glorified today by
the division of His word.
Ephesians 1:3 NIV
Paul begins this passage by doing the very thing we come to do
this morning. Give praise and Adoration to God the Father for what He has
done for us through His Son!
God deserves our praise for the blessings which He has freely
bestowed upon us.
The Biblical canon is a SYMPHONY of praise to God- the founder,
creator, and sustainer of the UNIVERSE!
1 Chronicles 29:11 NIV
2 Samuel 7:22 NIV
Romans 11:36 NIV
John 4:24 NIV
My prayer today is that the truth proclaimed by the inspired
apostle will cause you and I to worship the God who creates, chooses,
sustains, and redeems His children.
Ephesians 1:4-5 NIV
I want you to notice this morning if you would, the pronouns that Paul is using:
HE chose us
To be holy and blameless before HIM
HE predestined us
For adoption to HIMSELF through CHRIST
According to the purpose of HIS will
Question… Who is HE?
YHWH- The Eternal God
Who is WE/US?
You and I
It is clear what message Paul is presenting to the church in Ephesus
as well as us this morning.
It is GOD- The eternal creator and sustainer, ruler of all things,
who Chooses US, not the other way around.
It is GOD who is the worker in this passage!
What are we chosen to for?
“That we should be Holy and blameless before Him.”
QUESTION: How many of you would say that you have been Holy
and Blameless this morning?
HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?
Isaiah 46:13 NIV
Isaiah 56:1 NIV
Isaiah 53:5-11 NIV
All of these passages were written 100’s of years before Jesus
walked to earth.
How Righteousness/Holiness is achieved?
Romans 3:21-22 NIV
Romans 4:13-16 NIV
God’s Salvation/Holiness/Righteousness ONLY comes through
FAITH IN THE MESSIAH THAT WAS PROMISED
God chooses His Children (Matthew 3) to come to faith in the
Messiah.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
Ephesians 3:6-10 NIV
Paul has laid out for us as readers in the 1st 5 verses of this passage
the truth of God’s choice in bringing His Children to repentance and
Faith. Now Paul unpacks WHY this is the case.
A five Letter word… GRACE (Verses 6-7)
To the PRAISE of His Glorious Grace
According to the RICHES of His Grace!
Ephesians 2:8 NIV
It is God’s grace ALONE that takes a rebel sinner and counts
Him Righteous!
Isaiah 53:11 NIV
To make HIS will known (Verse 9)
Set forth in Christ!
According to HIS PURPOSE
His Purpose? (Verse 10)
To unite All things to Him- Things in Heaven and on Earth
John 17:23 NIV
Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV
Verse 11- 12: Nothing Purposeless
Ephesians 1:11-12 NIV
Verse 13-14: Our ETERNAL Inheritance
Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV