1. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians Blessings in Christ (2) Eph. 1:3-6

2. Every Spiritual Blessing In our last lesson: We noted that Paul mentioned at least 7 blessings in Eph. 1:3-14. Tonight we begin to examine these in greater detail

3. Chosen in Him (4) “Chose” ( ἐ κλέγομαι,eklegomai) means to pick out or select from more than one alternative. BUT: Is it arbitrary? Or by criteria? Is it unconditional? Or conditional?

4. Chosen in Him (4) CALVINISM teaches that God randomly chose and predestined who would be saved (Unconditional election) Man has no will or part in the choice. It is involuntary

5. Chosen in Him (4) Unconditional election contradicts scripture: Man is a free moral agent. He has choice – Gen. 2:16-17 Josh. 24:15

6. Chosen in Him (4) Unconditional election contradicts scripture: God no respecter of persons Ac. 10:32-33, 1 Pet. 1:17 He desires all be saved 1 Tim. 2:3-4, 2 Pet. 3:9

7. Chosen in Him (4) Unconditional election contradicts scripture: Man has a part in salvation Eph. 2:8, Phil. 2:12, Ac. 2:38-40 Great commission? Matt. 28:18-20, Mk. 16:15-16

8. Chosen in Him (4) “In Him” the qualifier! HOW does one find himself “in Him”? Rom. 13:14 Eph. 4:22-24 Gal. 3:26-27

9. Chosen in Him (4) “Before the foundation of the world” A part of God’s eternal plan 2 Tim. 1:9 1 Pet. 1:20-21 The church – Eph. 3:10- 11, cf. Eph. 1:22-23

10. Chosen in Him (4) “That we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” Holy – set apart 2 Cor. 6:17, Rom. 12:1-2, 1 Pet. 1:13-16 Without blame – Forgiven Ac. 22:16, Rom. 6:3-6

11. Chosen in Him (4) “…in love” The motivating factor Our love for Him – John 14:15, 1 John 5:2-3 His love for us – John 3:16 1 John 4:17-19 Note: Eph. 5:25-27

12. Predestined to adoption (5-6) Predestined – to predetermine. To set boundaries before hand. Addresses the result of those chosen

13. Predestined to adoption (5-6) Adoption as sons Adoption, similar to modern definition. Our “family” relationship with God Born again – John 3:3,5; 1 Pet. 1:22 Galatians 3:26-7:7 Romans 8:12-17

14. Predestined to adoption (5-6) “By Jesus Christ” Again we find HOW we receive this adoption (in Him)

15. Predestined to adoption (5-6) “according to the good pleasure of His will” God WANTS to do this for us! 1 Cor. 1:21 cf. Eph. 1:9, 11 Phil. 2:13, 2 Thess. 1:11

16. Predestined to adoption (5-6) “to the praise and glory of His grace” Will we praise Him because of what He has done? Rom. 8:15

17. Predestined to adoption (5-6) “by which He made us accepted in the Beloved” AGAIN, “in Him” is where we find acceptance with God. It is His grace, not our merit! Beloved - God pleased with Him – Matt. 3:17, 17:5, Phil. 2:5-9

18. Are you “adopted” in Him? Do you demonstrate due gratitude?