Why Were You Chosen? Series

Ephesians 1:3-6a [3] 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, [4] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love [5]he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, [6]to the praise of his glorious grace, (with which he has blessed us in the Beloved). (ESV)

Right now, no one can know exactly the “times or seasons” of what is going to happen in the broader context of their lives. The regular activities of our lives are restricted. Nevertheless, we do know, as believers in Christ, what our commission is, the present facts that we are dealing with, and statements from political leaders on the expected events to come. In our past, we have seen the Holy Spirit work in powerful ways among the Saints of Safe Haven. People have come to faith, testified boldly of the life changing power of Christ, and faithfully ministered to one another over many years. Right now, we have a rich ministry to the ends of the earth, but given our present location, have been challenged to minister effectively to our local community. For our immediate future, we have followed the leading of Christ to venture out of our present location to consider bring the gospel to our community.

In the Greek, Ephesians 3–14 comprise one sentence and encompass the past, present, and future of God’s eternal purpose for the church as a whole. It is Paul’s outline of God’s master plan for salvation. In Ephesians 1:3–6a we are shown the past aspect, election; in Ephesians 1:6b–11 we are shown the present aspect, redemption; and in Ephesians 1:12–14 we are shown the future aspect, inheritance. As it is sometimes expressed, history is simply the outworking of “His story,” which has already been planned and prewritten in eternity.

Basic to any believers understanding of Salvation should be the understanding that that you and I do not deserve eternal life. It comes from God, as we saw last week, by His Grace, or unmerited favour. A rudimentary understanding of God's holiness and our innate sinfulness tells us this. In understanding how people are naturally dead in trespasses and sin (Eph. 2:1), this must lead a believer to realize that it requires God to bring people to repent, and believe what He provides for eternal life. An understanding of this should not only properly motivate worship, but direct a life in humble service. Such a life would counteract the critique that Christians are arrogant and self-righteous. The only righteous believers possess, is a positional righteous from God, as given by His grace.

The record of God’s redemptive history is that of His reaching down and drawing to Himself those whom He has chosen to save. In Ephesians 1:3-6a, the Apostle Paul gives us a glimpse of eternity past. He lets us eavesdrop as God planned to save His people—not only long before we were born but long before the earth was born. Paul reveals God plan for the redeemed, as he shows: 1) Why God Chooses (Ephesians 1:3), 2) When God Chooses (Ephesians 1:4), and 3) For What did God Choose (Ephesians 1:5-6a)

Believers can understand God’s plan for their life, in comprehending:

1) Why God Chooses (Ephesians 1:3)

Ephesians 1:3 [3] 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, (ESV)

• We will spend about have out time just on this first point.

The blessed redemption of God’s people is introduced appropriately by praise to the One who has made such provision: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. From eulogeoo (blessed) we get eulogy, a message of praise and commendation, the declaration of a (God’s) goodness. Because no one is truly good but God (Matt. 19:17), our supreme eulogy, our supreme praise, is for Him alone. The whole paragraph, which is a paean of praise, is intended to instruct the readers and cause them in turn to respond by magnifying and glorifying God, who is worthy of their adoration. Paul’s eulogies do not express a wish; they describe a fact. (Blessed be can be translated ‘Blessed is God’), as he proclaims that God is the source of blessing (O’Brien, P. T. (1999). The letter to the Ephesians (p. 94). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.).

• When people consider their own lives, the impact of God bringing them to redemption often happens too late in consideration. Too many testimonies or descriptions of spiritual walk almost make God's actions an afterthought. Any consideration of eternal life and redemption, must start with the One who achieved it and brought it about: God.