May 18, 2008 Summit PM

God’s Eternal Purpose – Our Greatest Privilege

Introduction

A. Text – Eph.1:3-14

B. Man’s focus today – our identity, purpose, worth & acceptance

            1. Many books, seminars attempt fulfill these longings

            2. Worldly wisdom – attempt console us saying everything all right

                        a. I’m OK; you’re OK

                        b. Encouraged to think of selves 1st

                                    1) To get on top by manipulating others

                                    2) To intimidate others before we are intimidated

                        c. To find meaning & purpose in our heritage

                        d. For our heritage to explain where we are going

            3. Religious people try to establish worth by work righteousness

                        a. Becoming more & more active in church

                        b. To seek praise & commendation from other religious

C. Paul says in these verses – if you are in Christ you have value & worth

            1. In original – verses are all one sentence

            2. Encompass – past, present & future of God’s purpose

D. Pray

 

I. God’s Purpose From The Foundation Of The World – Vs.3-6

            A. Blessed us in Christ

                        1. Goodness is God’s nature

                                    a. James 1:17 – every good & perfect gift is from above

                                    b. Rom.8:28 – causes all things to work for our good

                        2. All the spiritual blessings

                                    a. In NT spiritual relates to the Holy Spirit

                                                1) Not immaterial verses material blessings

                                                2) Refers to the source not the extent of the blessings

                                    b. Many Christians struggle for what already given

                                                1) Pray for more love – Rom.5:5

                                                2) Pray for peace – Jn.`14:27

                                                3) Pray for happiness – Jn.15:11

                                                4) Pray for strength – Phil.4:13

                                    c. Given us all that we need spiritually

1) 2 Pet.1:3,4 – for life & godliness

2) Col.2:10 – are complete in Him

                                    d. Need to learn to do something with what already given

                        3. In the heavenly places

                                    a. Live on a two level existence

                                                1) Earthly – have flesh

                                                2) Spiritual – heavenly citizenship

                                                            Phil.3:20 – heavenly citizenship

                                                            Col.3:1-4 – pursue things that are above

           

B. Chose us from the foundation of the world

                        1. In OT – chose Israel because He loved them – Deut.7:6-8

                        2. In NT – chose the church to be His possession

                                    a. Purpose – praising of His glory

                                    b. Eph.3:10 – His manifold wisdom be made known

                        3. He did this before the world was made

                                    a. His love motivated Him

                                    b. Result is we become His sons

 

II. God’s Present Purpose – Our Redemption – Vs.6-11

            A. In Christ He lavished His grace upon us

                        1. Lavished = graced us with His grace

                                    a. Extent of His grace is awesome

                                                1) Eph.2:1-3 – what we were

                                                2) Eph.2:6 – where we are in Christ

                                    b. Are redeemed by His blood

                                                1) Means paying a ransom to release from bondage

                                                2) NT times would buy slaves to set free

                                                3) We were slaves of sin & Satan – helpless, hopeless

                        2. Jesus paid that awful price for our redemption

                                    a. His blood – His life

                                    b. He died in our place – 1 Jn.2:1,2

                                    c. Now in Him there is no condemnation – Rom.8:1

            B. The results

                        1. The forgiveness of our sins

                                    a. All sin – past, present & future

                                    b. No more held in bondage – Rom.6:7

                                    c. Now we can choose to live righteously

                        2. Made known to us the mystery of His will

                                    a. Wisdom & understanding to live His will – James 1:5

                                    b. History is in the hands of God not man or Satan

                                                1) Jesus has all authority – Mt.28:18

                                                2) 1 Cor.10:13 – everything under His control

 

III. God’s Future Purpose – Inheritance guaranteed – vs.12-14

            A. Sadly so many are bitter against God

                        1. Why did you make me like this/

                        2. Why did you allow this to happen to me?

                        3. See what we face here as so important

                        4. 2 Cor.4:16-18 – are temporary

            B. In Christ we have a guaranteed inheritance

                        1. Greek – aorist, passive indicative (as if it has already occurred)

                        2. As long as we are in Christ this inheritance is ours

                                    a. Jn.10:27-30 – none able snatch them away

                                    b. 1 Pet.1:4 – never perish… kept in heaven for you

                        3. Picture of divine & human side of salvation (2 sided sign)