Loving The Lord, Part 8 Series

Loving the Lord, Part 8 (Do you honor your Heavenly Father?)

Ephesians 1:3-10

Introduction

Father’s Day = Honoring "Dad"

In your bibles, go with me to Ephesians, Chapter 1.

Today we will look at our final message in the series, “Loving the Lord”.

Look at one another: “I am going to be challenged today!”

It is very important to note that this message is a culmination of all messages and shows us the practical application of loving the Lord so much that we would live FOR Him in everything we do.

Many in this nation, and perhaps even some here have proved that God is a convenience – He is a genie in the lamp (grab in an emergency only).

Because of God’s love for us – we have an example of what it truly takes to honor Him – if we strive to live like Him.

There is no exception to this Word today – it applies to all of us, no matter how long we have been saved or even if we are not saved – God is our creator and today, we need to understand our place to honor our Heavenly Father.

Read Eph 1:3-10

Pray

Point 1 – God’s example of complete devotion (v3-10)

Let’s look at the entire cycle of how your Heavenly Father loves you.

These few verses tell about the importance of living a life for the believer and we are expected to understand and apply.

Most believers today understand – but lack application – that is, we lack putting into practice what we know we ought to do.

Let’s examine God’s complete devotion to us first.

Taking today’s passage, let’s break it down to a manageable level.

In everything that we have today ... we must understand that God chose:

- First for us to be created: Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

Before God created us, we did not exist. This means we owe even the breath in our bodies to the Lord.

- So that we could have Salvation: John 6:44 says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

It is God’s business that we are called to Him, and His desire that none should perish. However, those who disobey choose to.

Application (leave with this): We did not choose God!! (Repeat)

- He then ordained us to be adopted and become heirs of His:

Rom 8:17 says, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

We get to share in the glory of Jesus because we willingly give our lives to Him – we are not required to die for our sins, as we so rightly deserve. (Expound ...)

- Then God gave us grace absolutely free:

Eph 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

- So we would be redeemed (redemption THROUGH the Blood):

Gal 3:13 says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

Jesus became the curse that we should bear today! Wages of sin is death … Jesus took the punishment.

- And so, by giving up the life of Christ for us – we are sanctified:

Heb 10:10 says, “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

- Then (as if that was not enough), God then gave us wisdom of who He is:

Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”

Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

Extra: Proverbs 9:10 says, “"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

We have all of this knowledge of who God is, for one very important purpose:

- So that we can stand on a promise to be fulfilled:

Phil 1:6 says, “...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”