God Without a Filter

Filters we put on God

1. Desires

2. Agendas

The Message of Ephesians 2. The Recipients

Many of our spiritual troubles arise from our failure to remember that we are citizens of two kingdoms. We tend either to pursue Christ and withdraw from the world, or to become preoccupied with the world and forget that we are also in Christ.

3. Traumas

Truth 1 - God Has a Plan

English Standard Version Chapter 1

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, 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, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved

Who - God (v. 3)

When - Before Creation (You are not plan B) (v. 4a)

What - He chose us to be Holy (Not to be comfortable, not to be savior) (v. 4b)

How - through adoption Through Christ (Not to be savior, but to be saved) (v. 5)

Why - For His Glory (not for you but for Him) (v. 5c)

God Has a Gift (v. 7-23)

Gifts listed

Redemption

English Standard Version Chapter 1

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

An inheritance

A Guarantee

How do we experience this gift? - Knowing God for who he is (v. 17-18)

God Has Mercy and Love (2:1-10)

We have nothing to offer (2:1-3)

All I contribute is the sin that made it necessary

God’s Mercy gives us

New Life

A Hope

A Purpose