Sermon Notes on Ephesians 1:1-14 - September 1st 2011

Sermon Notes on Ephesians 1:1-14 - September 1st 2011

Ephesians 1:1-14

Psalm 66

To The Praise Of His Glory!

A couple in love for over 60 years – we think that this is something wonderful – and we are right. The fact that they chose each other we believe is right and good. Yet people do stumble over those words “choose” and “predestined”. We stumble because we see our world only through our experience. We are limited to 5 dimensions. God outside time! God can be in every moment of time at the same time! Time does not constrain Him as us. 2 dim explanation of 3-dim object - PARADOX. We finite humans experience paradoxes in understanding our infinite God.

Our problem is that we humans often have a very small idea of who God is. The problem with those words “chosen” and ‘predestined” is with the limits we place upon God. God has often been charged with being unloving over these words. However, when it’s us, we don’t think it strange that A choses and marries B out of all others.

The great mystery – love; His love!

Know His love

PARADOX Know that He is good! Give our Father in heaven our love today as we remember our earthly fathers and grandfathers.

Our commendation – know God as our Father - our good FATHER.

    - know God as the Lord Jesus Christ – God become flesh like us. A unique person - wholly God and at the same time wholly human.

This God Is The Source Of Grace And Peace

·        Remember first He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

·        His glorious grace freely given to you and I in His beloved Son.

·        Spiritual blessings given to all and in full measure – different from temporal blessings – health, wealth – some no health, some no wealth.

·        Redemption is only through His blood! He broke through our great enemies of sin, the devil and death and made a way for us back to God. We were cut off from our Father in Heaven by these great enemies and unable to get back to Him. Jesus came and made a way at the cost of His own life – such was His love that He made the supreme sacrifice – His life for our lives.

·        A guaranteed inheritance – the gift of His promised Holy Spirit. How awesome His works in man’s behalf! Ps66:5

The Mystery Of His Choice For Redemption

·        Chosen in Christ before the creation to be holy and blameless.

·        Destined before time to be adopted as His children – loved with an everlasting love! In that good way that a good father loves his children!

·        The mystery of His will – see God calling us as something that He really wants to do (His good pleasure).

·        Chosen because of His love and mercy and grace - not because we are better or more spiritual or good.

·        We who hope in Him too are for the praise of His glory – We have a story to tell to the nations

The Joy Of Hearing And Believing The Gospel

·        Heard the word of truth, the Gospel of our salvation.

·        Believed and marked with a seal, an engagement ring as it were – the promised Holy Spirit.

·        He has shared with us what he is doing and will do – He purposed in Christ to be put into effect when the times have reached their fulfilment – the great coming together to our benefit and the benefit of heaven.  1 Corinthians 12:7 NIV “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” Literally the Apostle says: “the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the coming together.” People gather for our common good whether at a Saturday market or here in worship. Picture Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones!

·        God’s great coming together is for our common good!

·        In the evening there shall be light! Zechariah 14:7

Let me tell you what He has done for me! Ps 66:16