Rob's Expository Sermon Preparation | Ephesians 1:1–14

Introduction:

· Ephesus: A Library (a center of learning & intellect); a theatre (entertainment); temple (religion)

· How do “saints” live in an entertainment-saturated world? Allure of money? Competing ideas?

PAUL IS WORSHIPING; HE WANTS TO DIRECT OUR HEARTS AND MIDNS TO THE GLORY OF GOD. IF YOU LOOK AT VV. 6, 12, & 14; PAUL BREAKS THIS INTO THREE PARTS.

I) Praise God That We Are Chosen for Adoption (vv. 3-6)

A. God Chose us for Holiness (vv. 5, 4)

i. Saints are “chosen” according to God’s Good Pleasure

1. God’s “desire, decision, and delight:” select a people for himself (vs. 5)

2. We hear this as a “draft pick” -- God choosing the best…but God chooses according to His pleasure

3. Even before you took your first breath, before time…(vs. 4)!

ii. Saints are “chosen” for Holiness

1. BUT: God has chosen you for HOLINESS (vs. 4b)

2. APPLICATION: In your school; in your career; in our community…

B. God Chose us for Adoption Before We Play A Part

i. God chooses us for adoption into His Family (vv. 5-6)

1. “sonship” = status than relationship: adopted children had the same rights

2. Adoption: an act of grace, claiming a child & giving new status!

ii. God’s adoption assures us of His Eternal Love

1. Because God chose before we took our first breath, before creation, we KNOW that it had nothing to do with how you live

2. APPLICATION: Deep assurance for anyone who may question

GOD ADOPTED US INOT HIS FAMILY BEFORE WE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. BUT THAT’S NOT ALL.

II) Praise God that He Has Revealed the Mystery of His Will (vv. 7-12)

A. God’s Grace Redeems & Forgives Us (vv. 7-8)

i. God grants Redemption & Remission

1. We owe a debt to justice that we can’t pay – but God pays it on our behalf

2. God erases our record, and replaces it with the record of Jesus ‘life

ii. God grants this in all wisdom & insight (into what we are really like!) (vs. 8)

1. God knew what you’d be like – mess, selfish etc.

2. SHAME says: “I’m not good enough”, and the gospel says, “You are what God says you are!”

B. God’s Mystery Revealed: Uniting All Things Under Jesus (vv. 9-12)

i. God is bringing All Things Under Jesus (vv. 9-10)

1. Salvation: Not just individual, but cosmic, as all things will submit

2. APPLICATION: Exercising God’s authority wherever he’s placed you

ii. God is bringing together His People In Jesus (vv. 11-12)

1. All people – Jew & Gentile – are being brought together in Christ

2. APPLICATION: Reconciling people together in Christ

A FINAL CHAPTER, AND THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

III) Praise God That We Are Sealed with the Holy Spirit (vv. 13-14)

A. God Gives the Guarantee of his Spirit

i. The Spirit is A Seal of God’s Promise

1. A seal would be used to guarantee the authenticity of a document

2. The Holy Spirit, given to us is God’s guarantee that the Gospel is true

ii. The Spirit is a Downpayment of God’s Finished Work

1. A “downpayment” is the earnest money that the rest would yet come

2. The Holy Spirit also guarantees that God has only begun his work – but there is much yet to go, and it WILL Be finished!

B. In His Spirit, God Joins us to Christ

i. The Holy Spirit is the presence of Christ Dwelling In Us

1. The Holy Spirit isn’t a force, but it is the presence of Christ

ii. The Holy Spirit is the One who Joins us to Jesus

1. Everything in this text is pointing us to Jesus!

2. APPLICATION: in a weary world, LOOK TO JESUS!

Transition:

Conclusion

The Lord’s Supper confirms God’s presence to Us