Steve is a farmer in our fellowship here at Faith Fellowship Church.
Pretty cool, Steve. Great testimony.
- Steve Sowers video …
Steve is a farmer in our fellowship here at Faith Fellowship Church.
Pretty cool, Steve. Great testimony.
Paul’s Prayer: The Hope of His Calling, the Greatness of His Power!
Message Text – Ephesians 1:15-23
Here are the handouts for this week. The message notes are on Handout 2.
Thanks, Brenda.
Here is your weekly bulletin thanks to Brenda’s hard work.
This week we are looking at Ephesians 1:7-14.
Message Title: In Him We Have Redemption Through His Blood
Oops. I meant to have this posted yesterday.
Thoughts from The Message to the Ephesians by John R.W. Stott
(Ephesians 1:3–6 NKJV)
Must realize who was it written to …
What we must realize is that this was written to “the saints” (Ephesians 1:1). The saints are those who have trusted in Jesus Christ and received the gift of eternal life, the holy ones who have been set apart for service to God. To this group God through the writing of Paul begins instructing them as to who they are and what God has done in their behalf.
This is not …
This is not a discussion on whether God is fair or not, and following that thought, it is not a discussion as to why some are chosen and others are not. Neither is it an explanation as to how God goes about his process of choosing.
It is …
It is a very simple and clear statement. He chose us (the saints, believers in Jesus Christ) before the foundation of the world. And he predestined us (chose ahead of time, foreordained) to be the sons and daughters of God.
God speaking to his people …
This text is about God speaking to his people and teaching us who we are in Christ and the greatness of our salvation in Christ.
INTRODUCTION: Ephesians is a letter from God sent by special messenger to the saints, the believers in Christ Jesus.
Picture with me the saints at the church at Ephesus as they come in to hear the letter. They didn’t consult a stack of theology books or review the latest discussions and trends in ethics and morality to prepare for the reading.
They merely came to hear what God had to say.
It is mostly a simple letter written by a special messenger of Jesus Christ with a greeting from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The messenger calls them saints, holy ones, the believers in Jesus who have been set apart for the work of God.
They hear God welcome them to his presence as he extends his grace and mercy.
They have never heard the terms Calvinism and Arminianism. Neither have they ever been part of a conversation involving dispensationalism nor reformed theology.
What do they hear you ask? The special messenger tells them of the spiritual blessings that God has provided for them, that they were chosen before the foundation of the world and that their destiny will be fulfilled as sons and daughters of the Most High God.
Then as they listen to the words of the letter, God takes over and the Holy Spirit of God speaks to their hearts and teaches them.
Just as we can today read and hear the words of this same letter delivered by the special messenger, Paul the Apostle.
Just as we can today be instructed as to our identity and blessing in Christ.
Just as we can today be called to live worthy of our spiritual inheritance in Jesus Christ.
Would you please turn with me to Ephesians 1:1?
Lessons from the letter of God …
Lesson One: The letter is to the saints, 1:1.
Lesson Two: God welcomes us to his grace and peace, 1:2.
Lesson Three: When the light bulb comes on, we bless God, 1:3.
Lesson Four: God is talking to his saints, 1:4-6.
CONCLUSION:
Here is a PDF for the preaching schedule through 2013 for morning service. I have also put the schedule as a static page on the blog. If you look at the top of the home page in the menu bar, you will see the page – PREACHING SCHEDULE 2013 AM. So the information will always be available there.
Dave
http://bible.us/59/2SA22.31.ESV This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. “For who is God, but the Lord ? And who is a rock, except our God? This God is my strong refuge and has made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights.
Bible.com/app
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