Chosen Series

The Chosen

Ephesians Series

CCCAG January 2nd 2022

Scripture- Ephesians 1:1-14

Introduction-

When I first began the journey toward becoming a pastor I attended a pastors conference in Milwaukee where the district had flown in a ministry expert to help encourage the local pastors. One of the questions the expert asked was-

“If you had to choose three books of the bible you’d want to teach your church, what would they be”?

I wrote in my notes- “The Gospel of John and Romans” and then thought a bit about it and wrote a third book -Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians.

Since I have been here, we have gone through the Gospel of John, and the book of Romans, so now we will go through my third choice over the next several months.

Why Ephesians?

The central premise of this book is describing who you are in Jesus. From the basics of your election or calling to be a disciple of Christ, to the positions you currently enjoy in the heavenly Kingdom, to the ministry you are called to as the elect of God.

No other book in the bible does this to the extent of Ephesians.

It’s important, because people live according to their vision of themselves (repeat).

If you see yourself as a good, honest, trustworthy person, how will you act?

Like a good, honest, and trustworthy person!

If you see yourself as person undeserving of any love, affection, or is unworthy of anything good, how will you live your life?

Just like that.

That’s why Paul wrote this book, so we can see who we are in Jesus Christ, and live accordingly.

We can live, like we were the chosen of God.

Let’s read God’s word spoken through his apostle-

Eph 1:1-14

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 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. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment — to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession — to the praise of his glory.

NIV

Prayer

This morning we are going to focus on what it means to be the chosen of God. The bible, throughout both the Old and New Testament is pretty clear that God chooses certain people for certain things, including salvation.

When I said that last sentence, I know some might bristle a bit because it sounds like Calvinism. For the record, we are not a Calvinistic fellowship or denomination in that we follow the Arminian order of salvation.

Most of you probably aren’t theology nerds like me and know the difference, but if you are reading your bible, you will come across passages that seem to indicate God has a naughty and nice list, and already has determined who will go to heaven based off of his sovereign choice.

So we will spend just a few moments this morning discussing this-

I. Predestination- how are we chosen

Let’s review the verse in question from this morning-

4. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will