Ephesians 1:1–14 (ESV)

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Two Gospel Identity Markers:

1) I am “in Christ”

Ephesians 1:3-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

Ephesians 1:6

…he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Ephesians 1:7

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace…

Ephesians 1:3

…who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…

What does my union with Christ mean?

•We are united with Christ in His death.

•We are united to Christ in His life.

Ephesians 1:4

…even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

•We are united to Christ in his resurrection

2) I am a member of God’s family

Ephesians 1:5

…he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will…

Romans 8:15-16

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Proverbs 24:16

The righteous falls seven times and rises again.”

Ephesians 1:6

…to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Ephesians 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…

For this week’s sermon application guide, click this URL: https://storage2.snappages.site/QG8D8X/assets/files/sermon-application-guide-1-28-24.docx