Ephesians 1:1-14: The Purpose of God

WE HAVE A love-hate relationship with God's will. We dearly want to discover it and obey it, to be secure in knowing we are following the path he desires. On the other hand, we definitely don't want to find out what he wants, because deep down we suspect it may not be to our liking. In this study, we'll see what Paul says about God's will.

Warming Up to God

Reflect on the ways that God has revealed his will to you over the course of your life. What patterns do you see? Thank God for his guidance.

God shows his will to me, sometimes, by putting me there first...eg. army. i need to be lead to a place first, then God can work there in my life. IT is also God's will that i am here in NUS, i have to take up the opening provided by Him, so as to enjoy the goodness that is to come (the joy and pain of studying, vcf, ultimately a new church) it has to be the working of God. God doesnt suddenly show his will, or wisdom. i realise it is a slowly but surely kinda thing in my life. like wisdom, his will surface in my life quietly, not making a grand entrance of sorts.

Read Ephesians 1:1-14. »

3 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, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us [2] for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known [3] to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11 In 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, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In 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, 14 who is the guarantee [4] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, [5] to the praise of his glory.

Discovering the Word

• According to verses 3-6, what blessings are ours from the Father?
• bless us in Christ with every spiritual blessings. He predestined us to be saved thru the blessedness of Jesus Christ. It is his will, thru Christ, to save us , because he loves us. (ESV;in love)

• What other blessings, according to verses 7-12, do we have in Jesus Christ?
• wisdom and insight
• redemption as a blessing? forgiveness as a blessing?
• unity in all things thru him ->a blessing to be 'harmonious'
  
• since we have this inheritance -> we have hope!
  
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• From the information given in 1:1-14 alone, try to formulate a clear statement of what it means to be chosen by God.
• it is his will and purpose, thru Christ , to be chosen by God. Not by my effort, but by the grace of God
  
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• What additional blessings do we receive through the Holy Spirit (vv. 13-14)?
• the understanding of the holy scripture?
  
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• What does it mean to live "to the praise of his glory" (1:6, 12, 14)?
• is it live for jesus christ? notice christ is mentioned as the central theme of these 3 verses. all things in life flow thru christ. if it is to live for Christ, then i must live LIKE christ. Talk like Him, Walk like Him... be a real life Jesus to the ppl around me. THen firstly, i must KNOW christ first, in order to be imitators of christ! 1 cor 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. if i am able to live LIKE Christ, then matthew 5:16 will come true, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." whatever i do in my life, i must do it for the glory of God. Not to add to his glory, but to magnify the glory that is already there!
• That we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory: God's purpose in all this is so that those who have trusted Christ will exist to the praise of His glory. The goal of God's ultimate plan is to glorify Him.

Applying the Word

• How do you respond emotionally to knowing you are chosen by God?
• i have this assurance that i am always in christ. i can be free to pursue what God wants me to do... with no guilt.
  
• How has this passage increased your sense of participation in God's total purpose of the universe?
• In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth: God's sovereign choice works, but it does not exclude human cooperation. These ones who were so sovereignly chosen were also the ones who trusted, heard the word of truth, and believed.
• john 15:15No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
• knowing GOd, knowing Christ is NOT enough... one must go on to do the work of God! justified , sanctified -> FOR WHAT? it is for the glory of GOd!
  
• i need to participate in His plan... it is a need now, cos God has revealed himself to me, and that i have this need in me to love Him, i am created to love HIM, that is what i am here for... and to love him, i need to be in partnership with God! His will be done! everything done to the praise of his glory!
  

• How could your life be more in keeping with the phrase "to the praise of his glory"?
• to be a true witness for christ? personal revival at all times! active obedience. so that others will see the Father thru his sons.