What God Is Doing for Us in Christ
Ephesians 1-3
Introduction
I. This is the 1st of a 2 part lesson.
A. "What God Is Doing for Us in Christ."
II. "In Christ" (or an equivalent) is found @ 23 times.
A. "In Christ" = covenant relationship, fellowship, oneness.
(John 15:4 NKJV) "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
(Rom 6:3-4 KJV) Know ye not,
(Gal 3:26-27 NKJV) For you are all
(1 Cor 12:12-13 NKJV) For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. {13} For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body; whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
B. What God is doing for us, He is doing for us in Christ.
III. Importantly, there is an expected response to what God has/is doing for us.
A. What we are to be doing for God in Christ!
IV. What God is doing for us in Christ.
Discussion
I. GOD IS SAVING US IN CHRIST.
A. We are Chosen by the Father.
1. He has blessed us in Christ (1:3).
2. He has chosen us in Christ (1:4-5).
3. He has accepted us in Christ (1:6).
B. We are Redeemed by the Son.
1. He has redeemed us in Christ (1:7).
2. He has gathered us in Christ (1:10).
3. He has bequeathed to us in Christ (1:11-12).
C. We are Sealed by the Spirit.
1. He has sealed us in Christ (1:13-14).
II. GOD IS LEADING US IN CHRIST (1:15-23).
III. GOD IS RENEWING US IN CHRIST.
A. He has made us alive in Christ (2:1-3).
B. He has created us anew in Christ (2:4-10).
IV. GOD IS UNITING US IN CHRIST.
A. He has brought us near in Christ (2:11-13).
B. He has broken down the wall in Christ (2:14-15).
C. He has reconciled us in Christ (2:16).
D. He has preached peace in Christ (2:17-18).
V. GOD IS EDUCATING US IN CHRIST (3:1-13).
VI. GOD IS ENCOURAGING US IN CHRIST.
A. Paul's prayer (3:14-19).
1. strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man
2. Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith
3. rooted and grounded in love
4. may be able to comprehend with all the saints...the love of Christ
5. be filled with all the fullness of God.
B. Paul's praise (3:20-21).
** If you have any questions or if you would like to become a Christian, please let us know.