WE ARE WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST BY THE WILL OF GOD [EPHESIANS 1:1-2]

Passage: Ephesians 1:1-2

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are Who We are in Christ by the Will of God

Pastor Enoch Hanokh

 

1.     The honor of being used by Christ-v. 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

 

Heb. 11:25 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

 

§  By the will of God and not by one’s own intrusion

John 15:16 16 “ You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father vin My name He may give you.

 

2.     Becoming saints in Christ-v.1

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

 

§  Unless we are now here on earth, we will never be in glory

John 12:39-40 39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.”

 

Rom. 1:28 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

 

John 13:8-10 8Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, l “ If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” 9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”

 

§  Being faithful to Christ

1 Cor. 4:1-2 1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ band stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

§  It is an honor for believers to have received mercy

 

3.     Fresh supply of graces by the Holy Spirit-v. 2

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

§  God’s will for believers

§  No peace without grace

 

 

Based on today’s message, let us consider the following questions in sharing with one another the understanding and insight we have received from the Word of God. We are also encouraged to share with others how we want to apply the meaning of today’s message in our personal Christian life.

1. What are some of the spiritual principle that we have learned from today's message?
2. How can you apply these principles in your spiritual journey with God?