"Chosen By Grace"

Ephesians 1:1-14

It is so good to be back in your ears and in your presence. I’ve been looking forward to this book Ephesians is known among theologians as the very mountain peaks of scripture. Not only that, you have heard several sermons on from this letter, but I pray that you open your heart to what the Lord has to say to this church and where its going to take us. Last Sunday, Bro. Sharpe opened up with this letter as we begin our next series which is Knowing Christ Part II. You know they say that it's hard to top an original movie to make a sequel, but I’m here to tell you the book of Ephesians and Philemon will help us expound on our identity in Christ Jesus.

The most successful tourist attraction to appear in London in recent years is the ‘London Eye’. From a distance, it looks like a giant Ferris wheel, but this is no fun-fair ride. For a start, it’s far, far bigger: it rises to 450 feet above the River Thames. The River Themes is the longest river entirely in England and the second-longest in the United Kingdom, stretching about 215 miles long. 32 capsules can each hold 20 people, and it takes them half an hour to rotate the full circle. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy the panoramic views of London’s skyline, including landmarks like Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. With its historic buildings and palaces, its cathedrals and abbeys, its parks and gardens. The London Eye is, in fact, not only a wonderful sight in itself but visible from many points in the capital. It is the place from which you can get the best possible view of London. To do any better, you’d have to go up in an aeroplane, and indeed it is operated and run by one of the airline companies. The letter to the Ephesians stands in relation to the rest of Paul’s letters rather like the London Eye. It isn’t the longest or fullest of Paul’s writings, but it offers a breathtaking view of the entire landscape. From here, as the wheel turns, you get a bird’s-eye view of one theme after another within early Christian reflection: God, the world, Jesus, the church, the means of salvation, Christian behavior, marriage and the family, and spiritual warfare. Walking around London and now suddenly able to see familiar places from unfamiliar angles – and to see more easily how they relate to each other within the city as a whole – As we study the writings of Paul, the book of Ephesians will provide a new angle on the way in which his thinking holds together.

Ephesians is a letter from Paul to the church in Ephesus and in Ephesians we learn who we are and how we walk. NOw what does that Mean? There are two main themes that I will share with you throughout this book. First we develop and nurture humility through grace. Chapter 1-3, And once we have that it helps us solidify our purpose is to unify all in Christ Jesus. Chapters 4-6

Let's start with verse 1 as the Apostle Paul provides us to the two theme of this letter. Ephesians 1:1-3

Ephesians 1:1–3 (NLT)

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.

I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

BEWARE: DO not allow our plans to interfere with our purpose;

We have plans and aspirations in life, but we must understand our true mission and purpose here on earth. It's great to dream and acquire things in life, but as under grace and are shown how humility shapes our thoughts, beliefs, and actions. Our plans should shift and focus more towards what can bring unification in all things under Christ Jesus. let’s take a look.

Paul begins with a greeting and then moves into a profound celebration of God's spiritual blessings to us in Christ. The word that stands out and demands our attention is "chosen." What does it mean to be chosen by God? Why would He choose us? And what does that choice mean for our lives?

It’s a call to what we were meant to do. Have you ever gotten that feeling like you were meant for something? Have you ever been part of something that was just meant to be just seemed so right so fit together and planned the perfect little accident? Have you tried so hard to make something happen that just didn’t and all you can say is it wasn’t meant to be. well, lots of people say that, but what you mean by it changes significantly, depending on who you believe gives meaning to the meant.

what does that mean? it means You know this person means to do you good and they love you. Ephesians teaches us who we are what we were meant for and how to live it out. But most of all Ephesians draws us close to the one who meant it. It is not just who we are, it’s who we are in Christ Jesus. The phrase “in Christ or in Him” shows up 10 times in the first eight verses. Who we are and what we were meant for is found in Jesus. So that brings us to our topic today how we have been “Chosen By Grace”

1. Chosen by God’s Grace (Ephesians 1:4

4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son

Paul writes that we were chosen "before the foundation of the world." Think about that for a moment. Before God spoke light into existence, before the earth was formed, God chose you. This choice is not because of anything we did or would do. It is rooted in God's grace and love. And what did He chose us to be? He chose us to be "holy and blameless in His sight."

The idea of being chosen by God confronts our human pride. It's not based on our merit, our achievements, or our inherent goodness. Rather, it's an act of grace. God, in His sovereignty, selected us to be His own, to be set apart for a holy purpose. This should fill us with a sense of wonder and humility. We are recipients of an incredible gift we could never earn or deserve. The apostle Paul wants us to understand how awesome humility is and that breeds thankfulness, glory, and praise.

2. Chosen for Redemption and Forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7-8)**

7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding

Growing up once I had done something bad I knew the consequences, I agonized over what my mother or father was going to do. I would even try and brush it off as if no big deal, but the fear and pass experiences kept me in a state of anxiety wanting to just hurry up and get it over with. especially when they say I will deal with you later. What? One later comes you act all nice as though you understand and hoping for grace. Well, thats what’s revealed to us here. Grace came, it arrived on time not a minute late.

Verse 7 reveals that "In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." Our chosenness includes being redeemed and forgiven. God’s plan was to rescue us from sin and death, to bring us into a new life through Jesus Christ.

Being chosen means that we are not left to face the consequences of our sins alone. We have been bought with a price, the precious blood of Christ. We are forgiven and freed. This truth should fill us with gratitude and drive us to live lives worthy of our calling.

3. Chosen to Know His Will (Ephesians 1:9-10)**

9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth

Paul also speaks of God making known to us "the mystery of His will." Part of being chosen is that we are invited into God’s grand plan for the world. He has a purpose and plan for history, a plan to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

4. Chosen for a Purpose (Ephesians 1:12-14

Ephesians 1:12–14 (NLT)

God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.

Paul continues, saying that in love, God "predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ." Being chosen by God is not just a status; it comes with a purpose. God chose us to be His sons and daughters, fully embraced and accepted in His family. This divine adoption brings with it the rights and privileges of being children of God.

So, what does it mean to be chosen? It means we are recipients of God's unmerited favor, chosen for His divine purposes, redeemed and forgiven, and given the privilege to know and participate in His will. As we leave today, let us remember that being chosen is both an incredible gift and a profound responsibility. We are chosen to be holy, to be a light in the darkness, to show the world the transformative power of God's love.

Our calling is to live as children of light in a world that desperately needs to see the light of Christ.

It will be hard for people to see the light of Jesus, if there is no light in us. Here is the thing about growing our humilty Charles Spurgeaon said it best

There will be no doubt about his having chosen you, when you have chosen him.

Charles Spurgeon

Conclusion:

1. A Sense of Belonging: Being chosen brings a sense of belonging. It means that you are not alone, that someone has looked at you and declared, “You matter to me.” It creates a feeling of connection, like you have a place and a purpose, a role to play that no one else can fill.

2. Affirmation and Worth: When you are chosen, you feel affirmed. It speaks to your worth and value, not because of what you’ve done, but simply because of who you are. This kind of choosing isn’t based on performance or qualifications; it’s based on love and grace. It feels like a deep, inner validation that transcends the opinions of others.

Your Potential is Huge So Reach For It. Becuase you where chosen for greatness

Let’s pray and ask God to help us live out this calling, to embrace our identity as His chosen ones, and to walk in a manner worthy of that calling. Amen.