It’s that time of the year to consider the theme of ‘Harvest’. With preaching from Nathan Gordon and our worship service will be led by Beverley Sills.
Sermon Notes
The Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus begins with a reminder of divine provision through Jesus Christ, offering a unique but clear plan to bring salvation to the world. Throughout the world today you can find the results of intricate planning from architects, who visioned into realisation amazing projects, buildings, and sites. Across a diversity of fields, humans are responsible for making plans to build or provide solutions to problems in our world. However, no human can compare to the greatest organiser who created the everything into existence at His command.
A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein – Psalm 24:1
Throughout the Bible God continues to make his will and plan known to humanity, however the greatest plan without question is the precious gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our saviour. The Apostle Paul in chapter one reminds the church in Ephesus about the spiritual blessings available for Christians who embrace the plan of salvation through Jesus.
The Ephesian Church
Established in AD 52 toward the end of Paul’s second missionary Journey, which caused Paul to return to Ephesus a year later and stay there teaching God’s word for around three years. (Acts 19:1-20)
After Paul finally moved on from Ephesus, Timothy was left in Pastoral charge of the church. (1 Tim 1:3)
Letter approximately written around AD 60, during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome.
As we embark on our first stop in Ephesians chapter 1 let us consider the following points concerning the greatest plan offered to humanity from the counsel of Gods will.
Embrace the ultimate plan – v3-4
- Because we are united with Christ, we have all the benefits of knowing God (every spiritual blessing in Christ)
- The plan of Salvation was instituted before the world was created (Rev 13:8)
Examine the details of the plan – v5-7 & 11
- (Predestination) God’s omniscience means He knows who will accept the Gospel ahead of time
- Believers have been adopted into God’s family
- Sins are forgiven through the shed blood of Jesus on the cross
Share the plan – v13-14
- Faith comes by hearing the message from God’s word
- The Holy Spirit is the seal that marks the life of every believer
- See Romans chapter 10 for cross reference
Questions
- Paul writes to the Ephesians that we have been foreordained, pre-chosen to be sons and daughters of God. Does that mean that those who aren’t believers of Christ have not been pre-chosen to be in a relationship with God? What role does free will play in all of this?
- What bearing does your salvation have on how you live today?
- Discuss the tension regarding the doctrine of election? Is this a biblical doctrine?
- God considers us holy and blameless in His presence (Ephesians 1:4). what does this mean to you?
- Paul uses the word seal in the same thought as the Holy Spirit. What is one of the purposes of the Holy Spirit in the Church? Read Acts 1:8
Sermon Details
Sermon Title: The Greatest Plan
Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14
Preacher: Nathan Gordon
Worship Leader: Beverley Sills
