Indisputable Truths

1. God is sovereign and his will always prevails. 50:20; Job 34:14-15; Neh. 9:6; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3; Eph. 1:11
   
   
2. If left to us, we would never will for or have faith in God. 2:13; Eph. 2:8
   
   
3. Man makes choices of will that grieve and please God. 66:3-4; Rom. 12:1-2

Pray

Read Ephesians 1:3-12

Redeemed- we are released from the penalties of our sins.  (7)

• Redeemed/Redemption is a setting free from an earned bondage.
  
  
• The payment in this case was blood—Jesus Christ a perfect lamb.
  
  
• Results in our sins being forgiven—seen by God as holy and blameless!
  
  
• “according to” kata- Conforming to a standard or becoming like the standard, coming into alignment. To the fullest “measure” of the vast riches of his grace it was lavished on us.  BKC
  • He did not hold back, he spent silly! (8a)

The mystery of God’s will is revealed in Christ.  (9)

• mystery (def)- literally means “something into which one must be initiated before it is fully known…[or] above our comprehension” Barnes
  
  
• Having wisdom and understanding of the gospel reveals God’s pleasure over you. (8b-9)
  
  
• It pleases God greatly for you to know him more.

Full understanding will come in time. (10)

• This happens at the second coming of Christ, he will set up his kingdom here on earth.
  
  
• Conveys that some things about God’s will will remain a mystery until this time.

God has a plan, and you are part of it! (11)

• He chose you as part of the fulfillment of his purposes.
  
  
• God is weaving a tapestry of people to bring about the entirety of his plan.

Those who hope in Christ exist “for the praise of his glory.” (12)