Appointed - Adopted - Accepted
I. APPOINTED TO PURITY
4. He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
a) NECESSARY TO ENTER GOD’S PRESENCE
Psalm 24:3&4 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.
b) COMES BY OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD
I Peter 1:22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.
c) THE LORD WILL PRESENT US PURE
Ephesians 5:25b-27 Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
II. ADOPTED TO POSITION
In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will
a) ADOPTION THROUGH REDEMPTION
Galatians 4:4b-5 God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.
b) AS CHILDREN OF GOD WE ARE HIS HEIRS
Romans 8:17 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.
c) AS HEIRS WE NEED SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT
Ephesians 1:18 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,
III. ACCEPTED TO PRAISE
6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves
a) OUR LIVES SHOULD PRAISE THE LORD
I Peter 2:9 you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light
b) OUR FRUIT-BEARING SHOULD PRAISE THE LORD
John 15:8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
(Ephesians 5:9. ‘the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth’. Galatians 5:22 ‘the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control’).
c) OUR WHOLE BEING SHOULD PRAISE THE LORD
Romans 15:5-6 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
