God's Eternal Plan of Grace

Title: God’s Eternal Plan of Grace

In a Sentence: God has always had a plan for you.

I. Introduction

a. My name is Zach Whitmore, and I became a Christian at a young age and continued to grow in my faith a great deal in Junior High and High School. Junior High Director at RiverLakes Community Church. Homeschooled. Born and raised in Bakersfield. Graduated with a Bachelor of Christian Ministries, getting my Master of Divinity at Liberty University.

b. Sometimes you might have questions! Sometimes I use big words! If I do, and you don’t know them or if you have a question, don’t be afraid to raise your hand and ask for clarification or answers. I want you to ask questions!

II. Body

a. Background

i. A very general letter, not many personal notes like Paul has in his other letters.

ii. Written probably most generally to Gentile Christians.

iii.

b. The eternal redemptive plan of God in Christ Jesus.

i. God Chose You Before Creation

1. Sword Drill: Read Eph 1:3-4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight” (NIV).

2. [God Saved You in Christ Jesus]

3. Read Eph 2:4-6: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (NIV).

4. Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church celebrates the salvation that God planned and effected, but Paul doesn’t assume that everyone reading his letters is saved. Just the same, not everyone here, even at a Christian school, is saved.

ii. God Has a Plan for You Today

1. Read Eph 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (NIV).

2. One of Paul’s main points is that, when nonbelievers look at the Church, they should see Christ! Every part of your life should reflect God’s eternal plan of redemption and reconciliation.

3. You are purpose-builtby God to do what He has made you for. Think back to my story. I had another plan in mind. I totally could have gone that way (if God allowed it) to another degree, and I would have made a lot of money and done well for myself. However, I would never be fulfilled in that work because it isn’t what God made me to do. Thank God that He pulled me away from my own plan and toward His Plan.

4. Story: God grabbed my heart when I was starting as a student at Liberty University. I didn’t realize it until much later, but God had been preparing me for this calling—ministry—for a long time.

5. You are created to work (Gen 2:15; cf. Col 3:23-24; 2 Thess 3:10-12). When God formed Adam and placed Him in the Garden, why did He place him there? Well, let’s go read!

a. Sword Drill: Genesis 2:15: “The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (NIV).

iii. God Is Going to Bring You Home

1. Paul has great hope for the future redemption that we, as Christians, are waiting for (Ephesians 1:10, 14; 2:7, 22; 5:26-27)

a. Eph 1:10: “to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ” (NIV).

b. Eph 1:14: “who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it” (NIV).

III. Conclusion: Live as God has Called You

a. Read Ephesians 5:15-16: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

b. Read Ephesians 4:1-3: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (NIV).

c. Live as God has called you!

d. Pray and end.