Untitled Sermon (6)

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The Unexpected Inheritance Imagine a young woman named Alana who was struggling to make ends meet. Life had been tough; she was burdened with student loans, working multiple jobs, and living in a cramped apartment. She felt unseen, unimportant, and utterly worn out. One day, she received a letter that seemed almost too good to be true. It was from a lawyer representing her late great-uncle, whom she barely knew existed. The letter stated that Alana had been named the sole heir to her great-uncle’s estate. In disbelief, she contacted the lawyer for confirmation and learned that her great-uncle had been following her progress from afar and had admired her perseverance and character. Suddenly, Alana found herself blessed with a beautiful house, financial security, and a newfound sense of belonging to a family she never knew she had. Her great-uncle had chosen her, planned for her future, and made her an heir to his legacy out of sheer love and grace. This story reflects the essence of Ephesians 1:1-6. Paul speaks of believers being chosen, predestined, and adopted into God's family through Jesus Christ. Just as Alana received an unexpected and unearned inheritance, believers are granted spiritual blessings, a new identity, and a secure place in God’s family. It’s about the overwhelming grace and intentionality of God’s love, transforming lives and providing blessings beyond our wildest dreams.

Greetings

1. v1 - Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

a. Paul, former Pharisee and persecutor of the Early Church (Ac 7:58, Ac 9:1–22), miraculously converted to Christianity (Acts 9:3–16),

b. His authority - Apostleship Gk (Apostolos) – Word denotes One sent out; in the nt, especially those sent out by Jesus to preach the gospel. He underscores his appointed position as one granted by the Will of God.

c. Will of God or Purpose – Common theme in this Chapter, God the father is portrayed as the one who ordains and determine what is to happen but His will is accomplished in Jesus (v3, v 5, v6).

d. location: Ephesus, Mordern Day Turkey, key province in Asia Minor, 2rd largest city Roman empire, population 250,000, Key passages: Ac 18:18–21, Ac 19, 1 Co 15:32, Re 2:1–7

e. To the Saints: hagios, holy, holy one. Holiness implies set-apartness; therefore a saint is one set apart by and for the Lord.

2. V2 - Grace to you and peace:

a. Grace: Unmerited favor, a gift; used as a expression of well-being used 12 times thru out the book

b. Peace: A sense of unbroken well-being and contentment

3. V3 – 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

a. Blessed be… A praiseworthy salute to God for His gracious blessing towards us unworthy sinners

b. God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…: Paul’s acknowledgment of God being our’s and Jesus’ Father but also Jesus’ God.

c. Our Lord Jesus – A title that signifies Jesus Christ’s absolute authority and the basis on which people may know him. (Ro 10:13, See also Joel 2:32, Ac 11:16; 20:35; 1Co 7:10)

d. Christ: “Christ” means “Messiah” or “anointed one” (Mt 16:16 pp Mk 8:29 pp Lk 9:20 See also Lk 2:26-32; 4:41; Jn1:41-42; 11:27)

e. who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places – (2 Co 1:3 , Eph 2:6, Eph 1:20, Eph 3:10, Eph 6:12, 1 Pe 1:3)

4. v4 - even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

a. Doctrine of Election (God’s calling/ Electing): Ro 8:28–30, 1 Co 2:6–8, Ga 4:1–5, 2 Th 2:13–14

b. Calling: Ro 10:19–21, Col 1:26–28, Jas 2:5, 1 Th 4:7

c. that we should be holy and blameless before him. ( De 14:2, Eph 5:27, Col 1:22, Jn 17:24, 1 Th 3:13)’

d. In love. I agree with John Calvin and JFB Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, that the Love should be joined to ending of verse 4 the word qualifying the whole clause, “That we should be Holy before Him.” Love, lost to man by the fall, but restored by redemption. (Eph 5:2, 1 Th 3:12, 13)

5. v5 - he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will

a. Three causes of our salvation are here mentioned, and a fourth is shortly afterwards added: (1.) The efficient cause is the good pleasure of the will of God (2.) he material cause is, Jesus Christ,(3) the final cause is, the praise of the glory of his grace.

b. predestined gk proorizō, means to determine something ahead of time or before its occurrence. God sovereignly has determined that trusting in His son Gospel would be the means of Salvation but also that those who believe in His son would be made into the likeness of His beloved – made in the image of Jesus Christ( Eph. 1:5, Romans 8:29, Eph. 1:11)

c. for adoption: placed in a position and rights as one’s own child, sonship (Ro 8:15, 23, 9:4, Gal 4:5)

d. according to the purpose of his will, Eph. 1:9, The ultimate goal of God’s election is that believers will be

6. to the praise of His glorious grace