Imprinted

SERMON NOTES CHURCH ON RANDALL PLACE 5/11/08

“EXPLORING THE GRAND CANYON” A STUDY IN EPHESIANS

TODAY’S MESSAGE: “IMPRINTED (Pt. 1)” EPHESIANS 1:3-6

I.                   Introduction

a.       When a duck is a dog.

b.      Structure of 3-14

II.                Nothing Spared (v. 3)

a.       A shout of exultation

                                                              i.      Something causes Paul to skip his regular method of introduction.

b.      Reasons (Remember: We are being informed of our true nature and purpose)

                                                              i.      God has blessed us w/ every spiritual blessing

1.      All the benefits, advantages, resource available in the heavens have been poured out upon you. Not earthly=not temporary.

                                                            ii.      From God to you. Already accomplished, nothing omitted!

1.      2 Peter 1:3; Col 2:10

2.      Are we still seeking things we already have? Joshua did not pray for the land.

c.       Impractical?

                                                              i.      “I’ve got bills to pay.” What good are spiritual blessings?  Pie in the sky.

1.      C.S. Lewis; Col 3; 1-2.

2.      Don’t forget Paul’s location when writing these words.

d.      God is bless worthy. Now he details some of these blessings (4-14)

III.             He Picked Me! (v.4)

a.       No one likes rejection. People go to extremes to avoid.

                                                              i.      Paul continues his exultation by declaring that God has not rejected us.

                                                            ii.      Choosing, election.  For Paul this was a reason for rejoicing

                                                          iii.      “Even as” A comparison. Election is tied to the blessing of v. 3.

b.      To pick out, to choose.  For Himself.

                                                              i.      God’s plan of salvation began w/ God

1.      We did not choose Him, He chose us (John 15:16)

2.      This is good news. It is God based and hence cannot fail.

                                                            ii.      He chose from before the foundation of the world

1.      Before you did anything good or bad. “Entirely apart from anything we have ever said or done or thought.” (Martin Lloyd Jones)

2.      Election is unconditional.

a.       Some have problems w/ this. “It’s not fair.”

                                                          iii.      He chose us is not ambiguous.

                                                          iv.      This is a cause for praise; He blessed us, He chose us. We are not rejected.

c.       Why? 

                                                              i.      To be holy and blameless. God’s eternal design for believers.

1.      God’s purpose for you.  God’s purposes do not fail.  Secure.

                                                            ii.      “To be” (Present infinitive) present tense.  Ongoing, never to end.

1.      Holy – Set apart, morally pure, upright.

2.      Blameless = without spot or blemish

a.       Absence of something.  The absence of something that would cause rejection.

                                                          iii.      We are eternally holy and blameless before Him. God knew man would reject Him, but He had a plan and made provision before the world began.

1.      Romans 8:1, Romans 8:33-39. Who can bring a charge against God’s elect?

d.      Holy and Blameless is to be our practice

                                                              i.      2 Cor 7:1; Eph 2:10 etc

IV.             Adopted

a.       In Love (what does it modify?

b.      He predestined us to adoption.  (Remember this is in the context of praise)

                                                              i.      To mark out beforehand.

                                                            ii.      This was not a mechanical, fatalistic act but one done in love and the kindness of His will.

1.      God had a plan from long ages past. “Part of that plan to glorify Himself was to reach down to the gutters of sin and adopt certain miserable street urchins to be His sons and daughters.” (Pastor Stephen Cole)

                                                          iii.      Adoption is His purpose for you.  To make you a full fledged child

c.       Adoption

                                                              i.      A word that conveys grace.  Adoption is not by right.

1.      Roman law. A child adopted (by grace) had every privilege as a natural child.

2.      William Barclay.

d.      To the praise of His glory.  Goes back to verse 3.

                                                              i.      Praise God of His glory (weight, worth, value) of His grace.

1.      Which He freely bestowed upon us.

                                                            ii.      In the Beloved

1.      All of these blessing are received by the work of the Beloved, for those who are in union w/ the Beloved.