–Ephesians Week 1 of 7–
Theme of Ephesians: God is redeeming/reclaiming His corrupted creation through Christ,
beginning with the church, so that we might rejoice in Him forever.
Preacher: Jeremy Herbert
Text: Ephesians
Overview:
- Chapters 1-3 – our new identity in Christ
- Chapters 4-6 – how we live out our new identity in our new family
Notes:
- God is redeeming us in Christ, Chapter 1:1-14
- God is revealing Himself to us in Christ, Chapter 1:15-23
Saints–“holy ones”–holy not because of anything in us, but because of Christ’s holiness imputed to us.
Faithful–those who trust in God’s promises, aka, believers
God doesn’t accept you because you have been good lately, God accepts you because of Christ’s merits
- On your very worst days
- On your very best days
Grace is mentioned 13 times in Ephesians.
All of the Trinity, and all of Time are involved in God’s redemptive plan
- God the Father—planned our redemption in eternity past
- “He chose us in Him.” 1:4
- “He predestined us for adoption” 1:5
- Salvation starts with God–His sovereignty, His initiative
- Paul uses a lot of covenant language to describe God’s acts in salvation
- Grace is amazing because we didn’t do anything to earn it or secure it
- God the Son—secured out salvation by His sacrifice
- God the Spirit—
God gives us the Holy Spirit so that we can know the Son, and He gives us the Son to know the Father.
The more that you love God the more you will love people.
The gospel is primarily about God.
