In Christ I Am Destined Series

In Christ I Am Destined

Series: Made for More (Ephesians)

Brad Bailey – May 1, 2022

Introduction

Do you know your ultimate destiny?

> That is what I believe God wants to speak into us today as we continue engaging the Book of Ephesians.

It relates to the whole way we think about what we imagine as “our life.” We tend to think of our life primarily as our earthly life. If you ask me about my life… I would tend to tell you about my current circumstances.

But…the Biblical Book of Ephesians captures the larger reality… the way in which Christ has revealed the larger ultimate storyline.

Paul began declaring that in Christ we have received every spiritual blessing. And now he continues....

Ephesians 1:15-23 ?For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 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. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

May God bless this word in us.

These words speak of such grand things…. that it may be hard to easily grasp them… or take them in.

What we hear is the passion of someone who realizes what God has done…and the desire for everyone to.

He has spoken of the blessing they have "In Christ"...and now begin to express that he GIVES THANKS for them.

Ephesians 1:15-16 ?For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

He tells them how he is praying for them…and he tells them of his prayer... he "gives thanks to for them." He expresses his appreciation for their faith and love. These are lives that he was once in community with...for possibly two years. He is hearing of their faith in Christ...and love for others. And he wants them to know that is something he is thankful for.

> It's a great example of the significance of expressing our appreciation to those who do well to us or others.

It's an encouraging example to all of us to stop and express our appreciation to those who serve us ..as well as whatever faithfulness we see to Christ...and love is expressed to others.

Paul shows that we can glorify God AND thank people." The glory does go to God, but the appreciation can go to his servants. You can do both. If God sends someone and God uses them, you can glorify him and thank them.

He thanks them for two qualities that matter most...faith and love. If you can identify your life as bearing faith in Christ...and a love for the church everywhere...I hope you here this as a word of encouragement to you. If you are choosing to believe what Christ has done and taught...more than the world... Paul recognizes something for all to appreciate. If you are loving Christ's community in this world... praying for people, serving, giving, inconveniencing yourself ... there’s a life that is flowing toward the well-being of the whole church. Paul recognizes something for all to appreciate.

It may not seem significant...but consider that Paul had been suffering more than anyone...and was likely writing from prison. Paul’s gone from freedom to imprisonment. He has gone from a position in the culture where he had dual citizenship, and he was able to speak multiple languages, and highly educated under the leading rabbi, Gamaliel, he was highly honored, possibly a member of the Sanhedrin. I mean, this is a very successful man. Now he’s broke, single, hated, and in prison.

Think about those circumstances. What would be their natural effect? Wouldn’t we tend to find our spirits bound within the confinement of these circumstances? Paul had every reason to focus on his own hardships...but he focused on others ...and expressed his appreciation.