Ephesians 1:1-14

PASSAGES: Ephesians 1:1-21

Paul is Crazy - Verses 1-2

Ephesians 1:1–2 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Explain the origin of Paul - A highly religious and astute jew changed by the mercy of God.

God used Paul to solidify what Christians Believe (Doctrine).

Paul writes for more than half of the new testament.

He wrote letters to several different people and churches.

This is a letter to the Church of Ephesus where Paul spent a lot of time. He also taught there at the School of Tyranus and started a church there.

Think of this like a long email, or for you all, several text messages.

Some people state that this letter though was not meant for any one church but for every person and church in that time.

Some believe that this letter was never meant for just one church but meant to be passed from church to church as a way of solidifying the truth. Many scholars still find a prominent connection to Ephesus as this was an important and memorable place for Paul.

Christians Bless God and Jesus Through the Holy Spirit - Verses 3

Ephesians 1:3 ESV

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,

The Trinity is mentioned on how God should be blessed and that Jesus should also be blessed (Verses 3-4).

The Holy Spirit wants this and that is His role and purpose is that Jesus will be glorified. The Holy Spirit is mentioned at the end of this section (Verse 13-14). Same being but different roles. Where can you find the mention of the Holy Spirit in this chapter?

Christians are also Spiritually Blessed - Verse 3-14

1. He Chose Us to be Adopted (Verses 4-5)

Ephesians 1:4–5 ESV

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,

Predestined means he destined us to exist and to know Him before the world was created. He does this because He loves us.

This is not the same thing as random chance where if the die is rolled correctly, we are picked by God. God crafted and formed us and loves us so much that we would be chosen by Him. This does not contradict freewill.

2. You Have a Purpose (Verse 5)

Ephesians 1:5 ESV

5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

We are called to be like Jesus, to be Pure in Heart

3. Redemption and Forgiveness (Verses 7-8)

Ephesians 3:7–8 ESV

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

Redemption is a fancy word for made right. We are not saved from our sin, and made right with God. No longer does our sin send us to hell, but Jesus saves us and we get to go to heaven!

4. An Inheritance in Heaven (Verse 11) Ephesians 1:11

Ephesians 1:11 ESV

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,

There is joy here on this earth as we are spiritually blessed, but God also has you living for a different reason now. You get to have joy and an excitement living for heaven. There is an inheritance waiting for you. God doesn’t just have mercy on you, which means witholding punishment, He gives you grace. Gifts you don’t deserve.

5. Sealed by Jesus (Verses 13-14)

If you are saved, truly saved you are sealed through the Holy Spirit. I also love the word seal since it means you are marked by Jesus, you should look and be different than the world.

Once you truly believe that Jesus is Lord, you are sealed. You cannot lose your salvation. You can wander and be far from God and maybe your heavenly reward is affected, but your seal can not be taken away. A seal also stands out though and should look different. (Verses 13-14)

The Holy Spirit will give us wisdom, we do not have to know all the answers. We must have faith for what we have now.

GOSPEL CONNECTION

Ephesians 1:7 is the Gospel.

Ephesians 1:7 ESV

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

We cannot be blessed without the grace and blood of Jesus Christ.

STAND OUT

Have confidence and Joy that God chose you. That He loves you so much, He would choose you to be saved through what Jesus has done on the cross and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Start to be different though. This isn't just something you acknowledge, this is something that changes your entire mindset and heart. Bless God and worship Him! Strive to be more like Jesus.