Ephesians Part 4

Ephesians: All Things in Christ

Ephesian 1:3-8

Meeting Purpose

·     To explore the meaning of "chosen" and "predestined" in Ephesians 1:3–8.

Key Takeaways

·     Eternal life is knowing God (John 17:3), not just living forever. This process is the purpose of our existence and will continue for eternity.

·     Our blessings are "in Christ" (Eph. 1:3), meaning they are relational and dependent on Him, not independent powers we possess.

·     Predestination is a source of security and reassurance, not a tool for self-assessment. It confirms God's eternal plan for us, making our adoption as His children irreversible.

·     Our "holy and blameless" status is an imputed gift from Christ's sacrifice, granting us access to God's presence that was previously impossible.

Topics

·     The Problem: Understanding "Chosen"

-             The concept of being "chosen" in Ephesians 1 often causes discomfort.

-             Common concerns include:

§ Lack of personal choice: Does this negate my free will?

§ Exclusion: Why me and not others?

-             The group explored personal experiences of exclusion (e.g., leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses) to understand the pain of being an outsider.

·     The Solution: Eternal Life as Knowing God

-             Jesus's ministry is summarized by key verses:

§ Mark 10:45: "To serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

§ John 10:10: "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

§ John 17:3: "And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

-             Conclusion: Eternal life is a relationship of knowing God, not just existing forever.

-             This relationship is eternal because God is infinite, providing endless depth to explore.

-             We are designed with a natural curiosity to learn, which aligns with this eternal purpose.

·     The Passage: Ephesians 1:3–8

-             The group analyzed the passage through the lens of knowing God.

§ "Blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (v. 3):

-             These blessings are eternal and secure, unlike temporary earthly ones.

-             They are "hidden" (Col. 3:3), meaning their reality is spiritual and may not always be felt physically.

§ "In Christ" (v. 3):

§ This phrase is central, appearing multiple times.

§ It signifies that blessings are relational and dependent on Christ, not independent powers.

§ "Holy and blameless before him" (v. 4):

§ This status is an imputed gift from Christ's sacrifice, enabling access to God's presence.

§ It resolves the conflict between the "new man" (blameless) and the "old man" (sinful nature).

§ "Predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters" (v. 5):

-             Audience: Paul addresses "the saints... and faithful in Christ Jesus" (v. 1). Therefore, belief in Jesus is the evidence of being included in this predestined group.

-             Roman Law Context: Adoption granted irreversible rights and an unlosable inheritance, providing a powerful illustration of our secure status.

-             Purpose: Predestination is a source of security and reassurance, confirming God's eternal plan and making our adoption irreversible.

Next Steps

·     Group: Continue the Ephesians study, focusing on how the passage's themes connect to the purpose of knowing God.