BIble Class - That’s What You Said! No It’s Not! It Is! It’s Not!

Refreshment for the Fall Where the Rubber Meets the Road #2 That’s What You Said! No It’s Not! It Is! It’s Not! Why do we sometimes misunderstand one another? Ephesians 1: 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul sets a theme.__________________________________________________ Two antithetical ideas contained in the theme.____________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 3 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. “He has blessed us…” He has, but he hasn’t._____________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Another example of this “it is but it’s not” reality. See Eph. 4:4-6.____________ _________________________________________________________________ Pay close attention. Who is “us” and “we?”______________________________ Who is “you?”______________________________________________________ And who is “our?”___________________________________________________ 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as his sons and daughters through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Verses 4, 5 – Exclusive predestination.__________________________________ Inclusive predestination._____________________________________________ Verse 9 – God exercising his will._______________________________________ Verse 12, 13 – The believer exercises his/her will._________________________ _________________________________________________________________ A bit of clarity from The Message. Ephesians 1:3-6 How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. An important rule of thumb when interpreting challenging Biblical passages. The inspired Word of God does not contradict itself. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. From Psalm 119 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts. Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.