Ephesians Part 1: New Life

Ephesians 1:1-3 (NIV) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 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.

The Blessings We Have in Christ

• We are by God.

Ephesians 1:4-5 (NIV) For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us…

Ephesians 1:11 (NLT) …for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

John 15:16 (NIV) You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit…

God’s Sovereign Will OR Human Free Will?

Eternal Security or Conditional Security?

Once saved always saved?

Or, can someone lose their salvation?

Romans 8:29 (NIV) For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV) Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NIV) This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

John 3:16 (NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Acts 13:48 (NIV) When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV) This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live

• We are as God’s .

Ephesians 1:5 (CEB) God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love. This was according to his goodwill and plan.

Romans 8:15 (NIV) The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

• We are and .

Ephesians 1:7 (NIV) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

Psalm 103:12 (NIV) As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

• We have an in Christ.

Ephesians 1:11 (CEB) We have also received an inheritance in Christ. We were destined by the plan of God, who accomplishes everything according to his design.

1. Know God .

Ephesians 1:17 (NIV) I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Jeremiah 9:24 (NIV) But let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord…

2. Know your .

Ephesians 1:18 (NIV) I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.

2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV) He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.

3. Know God’s .

Ephesians 1:18 (NV) …the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.

Philippians 4:19 (NIV) And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

4. Know God’s .

Ephesians 1:19-20 (NIV) And his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.