Today's Text: Ephesians 1:10-14

 

To make sure we finish this time, let's dive right in! J  God has purposed the church to:

1.      Unify_ all things in Christ!  (v10.  Taught last week.)

 

2.      Live for His plan and in His will for "the praise of His glory." (v11-12)

Paul begins to describe the mercy that both Jews and Gentiles who responded to Christ's call received.  He then gives the reason for this call: the glory of God.
You MUST understand that your daily response to Christ is your primary way of giving Him this glory.  THAT is why HOW you live and WHAT you think is SO critical!  THAT is why the "in Him" cannot be part of your life but must be your WHOLE life!
We have the ultimate inheritance in Christ!  We should live each day like we understand this!  The highest form of glorifying Him is how we choose to live rather than what we say.
He ensures everything conforms to the counsel of His will.  F.F. Bruce wrote: "His will may be disobeyed, but His ultimate purpose cannot be frustrated, for He overrules the disobedience of His creatures in such a way that it serves His purpose." (See also Ro 8:28-30)
 

3.      Courageously preach "the gospel of salvation." (v13-14)

So regardless of race, when people respond to the "Word of Truth" they demonstrate that they were also chosen.
All believers are "sealed" by the Holy Spirit.  It was critical that the world knew that both Jew and Gentile have received the same gift of Christ and the same spirit (Acts 19:1-6).  What does this mean for us?  It means that we are all the same in Christ.  Race or gender means nothing in a spiritual sense.
Amazingly, the Holy Spirit's presence guarantees us even more spiritual blessings (our inheritance) in the Resurrection! (v14)
And oh by the way, fear is conquered since we have been "sealed"!  (What is there to be afraid of now?) J
 

4.      Walk in His purpose until our death or until He comes! (v14)

And again, His purpose is the glory and headship of Christ.
We execute His purpose when we love Christ through our living, preach Christ, and worship Christ.
This passage says the Holy Spirit is our deposit until the redemption.  But aren't we already redeemed?  Yes and no.
Positionally (spiritually), we are righteous before God.  Practically, we still sin.  In the Resurrection, no trace of sin will remain in us?neither in our spirits (which are already saved) OR in our bodies (which certainly are not saved yet.)  Only in the Redemption (or Resurrection) will our sin nature be fully dealt with.
 

 

Our Prayers for you based on Ephesians Chapter 1:15-23:

1.      Increased faith in Christ and love for His people. (v15)

2.      That you may have the "spirit of wisdom" and revelation to know the true Christ and true Kingdom (v17)

3.      Enlightened eyes to know the real "hope" of Christ's inheritance: eternal life. (v18)

4.      To walk in the power that raised Christ from the dead, so that we too live a resurrected life, "to the praise of His glory" (v19-20).

5.      To walk under the headship and in the authority of Christ in your actions, thoughts, and heart. (v21-23)

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