WHAT'S SO DIFFICULT?

EPHESIANS 1

Pastor Rick Jackson

Verses 3-12 actually comprise one of the longest, if not the longest, single sentences in the Bible. The truths it conveys remain some of the most controversial in the church. As we look a this afresh let us not read into it preconceived notions we have learned from others but let the text speak for itself.

I. WHAT DOES IT ACTUALLY SAY?

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: [5:27]
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,



Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Romans 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [3:3-4, 9; 5:32, 6:19]
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Acts 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

II. WHAT IS THE BASIS OF THIS?

Verses 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8-10, 11-12 "in Christ" "in Him" "before Him" "by Jesus Christ" "in the Beloved" "His blood" "His grace"

III. HOW DO YOU ENTER INTO THIS BASIS?

1. His Will [v. 5]

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2. His Grace [v. 7, 2:8-9]

3. Your Response [v. 12-13a]