Text: Eph.1:1-14
Intro: If we want to get the most from this book, we must accept it as instruction given to mature Christian church members who desired to know more of the mysteries of their faith.
    A. The twofold purpose of this letter is...
        1. To glorify the sovereignty of God
        2. And to promote purity of heart and life.
    B. God is the Author of the book, the human writer is, Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.
        1. Paul was well acquainted with the church at Ephesus, he was the man God used to establish that church (Acts 19:1-6 ).
        2. He was with them for the space of three years (Acts 20:31 ).
        3. They loved him very much.
    C. It was written: To the saints, which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.
        1. These saints were at Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus.
I.  PAUL TELLS US WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN VERSES THREE THRU SIX.
    A. He has blessed us  "In heavenly places (in heaven) v. 3
    B. He blessed us in Christ (verse 3).
        1. We were not there personally, all these blessing are in Christ.
    C. He blessed us “with all spiritual blessings.” v.3
        1. God wants you to know that you’ve been blessed with all spiritual blessings.
            a. He hasn’t promised us physical blessings, but spiritual ones, and these are in the heavenlies in Christ.
            b. You’re not going to have any spiritual blessing in this life that doesn’t come to you through Jesus Christ.
            c. That’s just how important He is. He not only has saved us, but He is also the One who blesses us.
    D. He blessed us “according as He hath chosen us before the foundation of the world.” v.4
    E. How did God bless us with all "spiritual blessings" in heaven, before the foundation of the world?
        a. In election, predestination and grace.
    F. This choosing was not to salvation but "That we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." v.4
    G. We were predestinated unto the adoption of children. v.5 (Predestination is that exercise of the will of God by which
        things before determined by Him are brought to pass).
    H. We were adopted as children by Jesus Christ to Himself. v.5
     I. This adoption was according to the good pleasure of His will. v.5
        1. Our adoption takes place at the time when we trust Christ as our personal Saviour.
        2. Predestination took place way back yonder before the foundation of the world.
            a. Adoption takes place in time.
            b. Adoption is literally "son placing." Gal. 4:4-5
            c. Jesus was born under the law, lived under the law and died under the law.
            d. He delivered us from every claim the law had upon us.
            e. In Christ we are no longer immature, minor children under law. We are grownup sons under grace.
    J. We were predestinated “to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.” v.6
   K. The choosing and predestination mentioned here are not with reference to personal salvation.
        1. But rather the church as such is chosen and predestinated.
    L. Our part in these things is dependent on our trusting Christ as personal Saviour.
        1. And pressing "toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus"  (Phil.3:13 ).
II. GOD HAS BLESSED US WITH “REDEMPTION”. Verse seven:  “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
    A. The ransom price is the precious blood of Jesus Christ (Matt.20:28; 1 Pet. 1:18-20).
        1. His blood is the price that Jesus paid for our redemption (Lev. 17:11). “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I
            have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement
            for the soul.”
            a. The Cross-where Jesus died at Calvary is God’s altar
    B. The result of the shedding of His blood is, “we have "the forgiveness of sin, according to the riches of His grace." v.7
        (I John 1:7-9).
        1. In the book of Leviticus God connects the atonement of the blood with the forgiveness of the sinner’s sin.
        2. The Apostle John, has given to us the definition of sin (1 John 3:4). “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the
            law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”
        3. Blood covering for sin has been God’s way from the very beginning.
            a. Adam was covered with a skin produced by a blood sacrifice.
            b. Innocent animals gave their blood to provide coats of skins for Adam and Eve.
            c. Cain in his own wisdom brought fruit…a bloodless sacrifice.
            d. Abel by faith brought a blood sacrifice and God accepted it.
    C. The riches of His grace are made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence. (practical or Scriptural conduct) v.8
        1. How? Through the revelation of the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in
            Himself" v.9
    D. All the blessings of God's plans will be fully realized at the end of the Millennium (v.10). (1 Cor15:24-28)
        1. When He has gathered "together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in
            Him:” v.10
        2. To gather together means that there has been a dispersion.
            a. That dispersion took place when sin came into the world.
            b. Included in God's great plan is also the work of bringing all creation back under His rightful dominion.
        3. That all might be to the praise of His glory (6, 12, 14).  Psa. 2:8 "ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine
            inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." (I Cor. 15:28 ).
    E. It was appointed of God that the gospel should be preached to the Jews (Israel) first. Rom. 1:16
        1. Many of the Jews believed on Him and were saved.
            a. The “we,” in v. 12 “who first trusted in Christ” refers to the Jews who received the gospel.
                1). The House of Israel was God’s appointed witness to the Word of Truth (Isa. 43:1-12).
                2). Israel had failed in this matter when Jesus came to earth.
                3). The “all spiritual blessings” of the gospel was first offered to Israel.
    F. Gentile believers also are blessed with all spiritual blessings through the gospel.
        1. They are referred to in the text as “ye.”
    G. The simplicity of the gospel (v. 13-14).
        1. The lost must hear the gospel of Christ.  “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of
            your salvation:”  (Rom. 10:17). 1 Corinthians 1:21 “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew
            not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”
        2. Those who hear must obey the gospel.
            a. Obeying the gospel for salvation is simply believing on the Lord Jesus Christ of the gospel.
        3. The believer in Christ is sealed with the Holy Spirit.
            a. The sealing of the Holy Spirit denotes a completed action, a finished work and a fixed state of being
            b. God seals whom He saves (2 Cor. 1:21-22). “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us,
                is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”
            c. The believer bears in him the seal of God’s ownership (2 Tim. 2:19).  “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth
                sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ
                depart from iniquity.”
            d.  Here is the eternal security of the believer personified.