Believe It Or Not...you're Rich Series

Ephesians 1:1-2 (NLT)

This letter is from Paul, chosen by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.

It is written to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.

[2] May grace and peace be yours, sent to you from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Background

 Written to the church in Ephesus

– Deals with nurturing and maintaining of unity within the church

 Paul was under house arrest in Rome

 Ephesus was one of 5 major cities in the Roman empire

– Cultural, political and religious center of Asia Minor

A Reputation of Faithfulness

 The Ephesians were known as faithful

 What does it take to be characterized as faithful?

– Deep commitment to your faith

– Walking by faith, not by sight

– Obedience to God in all areas of your life

 Could the same be said of you?

Ephesians 1:3 (NLT)

How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ.

Because You Belong

 We have all of the blessings of knowing God

– Chosen for salvation

– Adopted as sons and daughters

– Forgiveness of sin

– Divine revelation

– Gifts of the Holy Spirit

– Divine power for living

– The promise of eternal life

 These blessings are here and now

– Our relationship with Jesus is the key

Ephesians 1:4 (NLT)

Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

You Are Chosen

 The work of salvation is God’s

– You could not earn it

– You did not deserve it

– God chose to give it freely to you

 God has planned for your salvation since before the world began

– His desire is that you be holy and blameless

 In Jesus we become blameless in God’s sight

– Our sin has been replaced with the righteousness of Christ

Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)

His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.

Welcome to the Family

 God has always intended for you to be a part of His family

 Through Jesus’ sacrifice we have been adopted as sons and daughters

– All of the rights and privileges are included

 Galatians 4:5-7

Galatians 4:5-7 (NLT)

God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. [6] And because you Gentiles have become his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and now you can call God your dear Father. [7] Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you.

Ephesians 1:6-8 (NLT)

So we praise God for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved Son. [7] He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven. [8] He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

Bought with a Price

 God’s kindness results from our “belonging” to Jesus

 The blood of Jesus paid the price

– Redemption – paying the price to bring us from the slavery of sin to freedom

– Forgiveness – Jesus blood was shed as the final and perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin

 With salvation comes understanding and revelation

Ephesians 1:9-10 (NLT)

God’s secret plan has now been revealed to us; it is a plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to his good pleasure. [10] And this is his plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.

The Plan has been Revealed

 The plan was fully revealed when Christ arose from the grave

– All creation will be subject to the authority of Christ

 Philippians 2:10-11

Philippians 2:10-11 (NLT)

so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Plan has been Revealed

 The plan was fully revealed when Christ arose from the grave

– All creation will be subject to the authority of Christ

 Philippians 2:10-11

– All will declare: “Jesus is Lord”

Ephesians 1:11-12 (NLT)

Furthermore, because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as he decided long ago. [12] God’s purpose was that we who were the first to trust in Christ should praise our glorious God.