EPHESIANS

Are we ultimately free to do whatever we want, or is there an ultimate plan from which we cannot escape? Do our choices matter or will a future destiny be fulfilled no matter how much we try to re-write history? Pop culture says the future is whatever we make it become. How do we as Christians make sense of choice and God’s plan?

Week 2 of EPHESIANS » God’s Ultimate Purpose
Message title: Safe in God’s Ultimate Plan
Scripture: Ephesians 1:7-11
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Patterson
Date: 1/13/13

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Ephesians 1:3-14:

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 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 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 of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.