Eph 1 – We have every reason to have confidence in The Purpose of Father, The Place of Jesus, the Provision of the Holy Spirit
(at the end choose one – stand – prayer)
The Purpose of Father
– A Jesus- purpose
1. track laid down before the foundation of the world.
v4 in him before the creation of the world
2. The Jesus train goes through the world – the age we live in (to pick up passengers)
v7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
We can get on the train – He has already paid for us
3. We have been shown the destination of the train.
v9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
4. The destination of the train is beyond the age in which we live.
v 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilment–to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
5. Nothing is going to stop the train getting to its destination.
v11 the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.
Father’s purpose is
A me and you and everyone else purpose
An extravagantly happy loving plan1. v 3 who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
2. v 4 In love
3. v 5 in accordance with his pleasure and will.
4. v 6 his glorious grace, which he has freely given us
5. v 7 in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us
6. v9 according to his good pleasure
The track was laid down and the train was already on the track with us in mind long before we came to the station!
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
chosen out – explain: to choose for oneself
does not imply rejection of what is not chosen.
“he’s set his heart on you.”
Lk6v13 choosing of apostles – then Matthias
Luke 9v35 – transfiguration – This is my chosen-out son
The Jesus train is here for us now
In love5 he predestined (pre-arranged) us to be adopted (placed) as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will– 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
v 11 In him we (Paul and co.)were also chosen,(obtained an inheritance) having been predestined (pre-arranged) according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.13 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.
The Jesus train will carry us to our destination
v13 the promised Holy Spirit,14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession.
Father has a purpose in you being on the Jesus train.
v4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
– a challenge for us – is that what we want?
We have every reason to have confidence in The Place of Jesus
now:
v20 he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, (not only) in the present age (but also in the one to come.)
– see Eph 6v11,12
later:
v9 his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment–to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
The difference –
now the King crowned – but enemies, rebels, apathetic, self-absorbed, those who don’t know about him.
John 10v10 – the age in which we live
then – all resolved.
“There’s a battle going on and the ending’s known
When Jesus as our King will take his place
We fight for love, for happiness and peace
We fight that others may see with us his face”
Janet – We are not on the side that’s going to win – we are on the side that has already won.
What does it mean that Jesus is King?
He gets to decide what happens in the end.
The Place of Jesus in our lives
– the source of every blessing
– he is our Saviour – set us free by the forgiveness of sins
– we are his advert
– we are the royal family
We are not “under his feet” – we are in his body
The place of our lives in Jesus – in him
– see the verses marked
We have every reason to have confidence in the Provision of the Holy Spirit
The presence of the Holy Spirit
Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession.
seal – ownership, authentication, approval, security (letter,lorry), destination
deposit – down-payment – guarantee
The presents of the Holy Spirit
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened.
That power is like the working of his mighty strength,20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.
More than enough resources / gifts from the Holy Spirit to get us through
There is always more to experience:
already blessed
already sealed
already believing
but v17“I keep asking..
v18 I pray that”
Responses:
When we respond to God’s Word, the Holy Spirit makes it happen in us.
1. I want to have confidence in Father’s purpose.
or I choose today to be set apart for Father’s purpose.
2.I want to have confidence in Jesus’ place
or I am choosing to be a good advert for Jesus.
3. I want to have confidence in the provision of the Holy Spirit.
or I choose today to grow in my experience of the Holy Spirit.