This sermon encourages believers to seek a deeper understanding of God's purpose, power, and promises, moving beyond knowing about God to truly knowing Him. Key
Good morning, dear friends. It's a joy to be with you today, to stand on the common ground of our shared faith and look together into the heart of God's Word. As we gather, let's remember that we are not here by accident. We are here because God, in His infinite love and wisdom, has drawn us together.
Today, we will be focusing on the profound truths found in Ephesians 1:1-10. But before we turn to those verses, I want to share a quote from the esteemed Christian author, J.I. Packer. He once wrote, "There's a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve Him, boldness to share Him, and contentment in Him."
Let that sink into your hearts, dear friends. Our aim is not just to know about God, but to truly know Him, to understand His purpose, His power, and His promises.
Let's read together from Ephesians 1:1-10: "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."
What a powerful passage! It speaks of a profound purpose, a predestined path, and participation in a promise.
In the opening verses of Ephesians, we see that God's plan is not a random or haphazard one. It is a plan marked by profound purpose. This purpose is woven into the very fabric of our existence. It is the driving force behind everything God does and everything He calls us to do.
God's purpose is rooted in His love. He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ. These actions were not motivated by obligation or necessity, but by love. God's love is the foundation of His purpose. It is the reason He chose us, the reason He saved us, and the reason He calls us to serve.
God's love is covenantal. This love is not a fleeting or fickle emotion. It is a steadfast and enduring love. It is a love that is willing to sacrifice, a love that is willing to give, a love that is willing to endure. This love is the driving force behind God's purpose. It is the reason He chose us, the reason He saved us, and the reason He calls us to serve.
God's purpose is centered on His glory. He chose us, saved us, and called us to serve "to the praise of his glorious grace." God's purpose is not ultimately about us, but about Him. It is about His glory, His honor, His renown. This is why we exist and have been saved - to serve the Lord.
Next, God's purpose is accomplished through His power. He has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. He has redeemed us through His blood. He has forgiven us our trespasses. These actions were not accomplished by our own strength or effort but by His power. God's power is the means by which His purpose is accomplished. It is the reason we have been chosen, the reason we have been saved, and the reason we are able to serve.
God's purpose is fulfilled in His promises. He has made known to us the mystery of His will. He has set forth in Christ a plan for the fullness of time. He has promised to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth. These promises are not empty or unfulfilled promises. They are promises that are certain, promises that are sure, promises that are trustworthy. God's promises are the guarantee of His purpose. They are the reason we can have confidence, the reason we can have hope, the reason we can have assurance.
As we continue to reflect on the richness of Ephesians 1:1-10, we find ourselves drawn into the mystery of God's power ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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