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. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 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, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:3-14
PREVIOUS
1. The Trinity at work in Creation: Genesis 1:1-2, Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3:22-24, Genesis 11:1-9
2. The Trinity at work in Re-Creation: Ephesians 1:3-14
3. The Trinity at work in the Gospel: Acts 4:23-31
4. The Trinity at work in Fellowship – (2 Corinthians 13:14)
a. The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
1. Communing with Him in our obedience
2. Communing with Him in the painful process of purging
3. Communing with Him in His soul-satisfying joy
b. The Love of God, The Father: His Work of Adoption
1. What happens in our adoption?
a. Old family relationship are cut -2 Cor. 6:14-18, 1 Peter 4:1-4
b. Old family traits are removed – Eph. 2:1-5, 1 John 3:4-10
c. New family relationships are established – 2 Cor. 6:17-18
d. New family traits implanted – Rom. 5:15, Jer. 32:39-41
THIS WEEK
2. Why were we adopted?
a. To proclaim the wonders of His grace: Ephesians 1:3-7, 1 Peter 2:9-10
b. Out of His own good pleasure: Eph.1:7-11, John 1:12-13, Deuteronomy 6:7-8
c. To worship Him as the God of glory: Eph. 1:11-14, Philippians 1:8-11