The God Who Is Rich Series

Choose to Believe

THE GOD WHO IS RICH

INTRODUCTION:

Today we begin a journey together that will be very exciting

Three things about the journey:

1. The journey will be continuous

2. The journey will be adventurous

3. The journey will be rewarding

Criteria for the journey

1. Word of God

2. Choose to believe

God’s purpose for Ephesians is to bring people together.

Answer the question. What does it mean to believe?

1. Process of the mind (Eph 1:13 NIV) 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,

2. Process of the heart (Eph 1:18 NIV) 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,

(Rom 10:10 NIV) For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

All journeys in life cost something-

Life without God - Cost you personally

Life with God - He has the resources

Today we choose to believe in the God Who is Rich.

I. Riches of God’s Grace

(Eph 1:7 NIV) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

Two things the Bible teaches us about God’s grace

1. Incomparable ((Eph 2:7 NIV) in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.)

2. Freely given ((Eph 1:6 NIV) to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.)

God’s grace makes possible our salvation through Jesus

Two thousand years ago. I choose to believe God is still in the soul saving business.

II. Riches of His Glorious Inheritance

(Eph 1:18 NIV) 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,

(Gal 4:7 NIV) So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

(Heb 9:15-17 NIV) For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. {16} In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, {17} because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living.

Two things the Bible teaches us bout our inheritance

1. Salvation Now

2. Power Now

APPLICATION:

Choose to believe the God who is rich