INTRODUCTION

1. The Church at Ephesus

a) This was founded by the Apostle Paul

b) It was a well-taught Church

2. The doctrine of God as Father

a) This was taught in Ephesians

b) Paul’s teaching is truly enriching and empowering

 

THE WONDERFUL DEEDS OF GOD THE FATHER

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:2-6

1. He gives grace and peace

2. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places

3. Special things He has done:

a) He has chosen us before the foundation of the world

i) To be holy

ii) To be blameless

iii) He chose us because of His love

b) He has predestined us to be adopted children

i) By the Lord Jesus

ii) According to His own will

c) He has made us accepted in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Beloved of God

 

THE PROFOUND PLAN OF GOD REVEALED

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,

9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,

10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.

11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:7-12

1. He has provided for our redemption

a) There is forgiveness of sins

b) There is salvation (redemption)

2. He gave abundant grace

a) Grace was given abundantly

b) Grace was given with wisdom and prudence

3. He has made known His profound will

a) If God does not reveal

b) All His works would remain “a mystery”

4. He has given us a great inheritance

a) We are heirs of God

b) We are joint heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ

 

GOD’S CHALLENGE TO HIS CHILDREN

1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us,

an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,

16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5: 1-2, 8, 15-20

1. To imitate God

a) To follow the example of the Lord Jesus as the Son of God

b) To respond appropriately as we learn to appreciate God as Father

2. Three special challenges

a) To walk in love

b) To walk in the light

c) To walk wisely

 

CONCLUSION

1. The call to imitate God

a) A special call to do what is right and appropriate

b) Let the heart be challenged strongly

2. The example of the Lord Jesus

a) As the humble Son of Man

b) His life is to be carefully studied

c) Let us follow the Lord closely