Introduction

Welcome, beloved, to another beautiful day of fellowship and worship. A day where we gather, not in our strength, but in the strength of the One who called us by name, by grace. We gather not because we have it all figured out, but because we are loved by the One who does. Today, we have a divine appointment with grace, a meeting with the One who is the very embodiment of grace - our Lord Jesus Christ.

It's a day where we'll be looking at one of the most profound passages in the New Testament, Ephesians 1:2-14. A passage that, in its richness, draws us into the heart of the Father, the love of the Son, and the wisdom of the Spirit. A passage that invites us to walk, to worship, and to witness through grace.

In the words of the great theologian J.I. Packer, "Grace is God drawing sinners closer and closer to Him. It is Him refusing to let go. It is Him leading us around every corner and over every mountain and through every tunnel. It is Him never leaving us where we are but always taking us somewhere better." Today, we are going somewhere better, beloved. We are going to a place of deeper understanding, a place of greater intimacy with our Creator, and a place of stronger faith in our Redeemer.

Walking in His Will through Grace

As we immerse ourselves in the richness of Ephesians 1:2-14, we find ourselves confronted with a profound truth - the grace of God is not just a gift we receive, but a path we are called to walk. This path is not one we tread in our own strength or wisdom, but one we navigate through the enabling power of God's grace. It's a path that leads us deeper into the heart of God's will.

God's will, as revealed in this passage, is not a set of rules or regulations, but a divine design for our lives that is founded on His love and fueled by His grace. It's a design that was etched in the heart of God before the foundation of the world, a design that calls us to be holy and blameless in His sight. This is not a holiness or blamelessness that we achieve through our efforts, but one we receive through the redemptive work of Christ.

The first aspect of this divine design that we see in the passage is the call to holiness. Holiness, in the biblical sense, is not about religious rituals or moral rectitude, but about being set apart for God. It's about living a life that reflects the character and compassion of Christ. It's about allowing the grace of God to shape our thoughts, words, and actions in a way that honors Him.

The second aspect of this divine design is the call to blamelessness. Blamelessness, in this context, is not about perfection, but about integrity. It's about living a life that is consistent with our identity in Christ. It's about allowing the grace of God to align our inner reality with our outward conduct.

The third aspect of this divine design is the call to love. Love, as we see in this passage, is not just a feeling or an emotion, but a commitment. It's a commitment to value others above ourselves, to forgive as we have been forgiven, and to serve as we have been served. It's about allowing the grace of God to soften our hearts and strengthen our hands to love as Christ loved us.

The fourth aspect of this divine design is the call to adoption. Adoption, in the biblical sense, is not just a legal transaction, but a relational transformation. It's about being welcomed into the family of God, not as servants, but as sons and daughters. It's about allowing the grace of God to redefine our identity and reshape our destiny.

As we walk this path of grace, we discover that God's will is not a burden to bear, but a blessing to embrace. It's not a demand that drains us, but a design that delights us. It's not a law that limits us, but a love that liberates us. It's not a standard that shames us, but a grace that shapes us.

Worshipping with Praise and Glory through Grace

As we continue to immerse ourselves in the richness of Ephesians 1:2-14, we find ourselves drawn into the heart of worship ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO