Knowing God from Knowing God from EphesiansEphesiansPart I
Knowing God,Knowing God, Rom 1:18-Rom 1:18-2121Knowledge of God is evident, 1:19God has revealed Himself since
creation, 1:19-20◦Eternal power and Godhead◦Invisible attributes, yet clearly seen
(understood)Ungodly and unrighteous men are
under wrath and without excuse because they knew God but rejected Him, 1:18, 20-21
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Deserves and Demands Deserves and Demands our Allegianceour AllegianceLiving, Acts 14:15Creative, Acts 17:24Self-sustaining, Acts 17:25Ruling, Acts 17:26Purposeful, Acts 17:27Life-giving, Acts 17:28-29Merciful yet Authoritative Judge,
Acts 17:30-313
Christians Must Know Christians Must Know GodGodOne God, 1 Cor 8:3-6
◦Love God and known by God, 8:3◦We know there is only one God, 8:4-5◦Sovereign, 8:6◦We exist for God’s purposes, 8:6
Above all…through all…in you all, Eph 4:6
Lost eternally if you do not know God 2 Ths 1:8
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GOD PROVIDES US GOD PROVIDES US WITH ALL SPIRITUAL WITH ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS IN CHRISTBLESSINGS IN CHRIST
Ephesians 1:3-11
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Gives Us All Spiritual Gives Us All Spiritual Blessings in Christ, Blessings in Christ, Eph Eph 1:3-111:3-11God is “Blessed”, 1:3
◦eulogetos (adj.), akin to eulogeo (v.): “blessed, praised, adored, thanked”
◦Used only of God, Lk 1:68◦The Celebrated One◦The eternally blessed God, Rom 9:5
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Gives Us All Spiritual Gives Us All Spiritual Blessings in Christ, Blessings in Christ, Eph Eph 1:3-111:3-11God blesses us, 1:3
◦Chosen to be blameless before Him in love, 1:4
◦Sons of God, 1:5 (Jno 1:12)◦Grace freely given, 1:6◦Redemption through His blood, 1:7
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Gives Us All Spiritual Gives Us All Spiritual Blessings in Christ, Blessings in Christ, Eph Eph 1:3-111:3-11
God blesses us, 1:3◦Riches of His grace in all wisdom and insight (prudence), 1:7-8
◦Knowledge of His will, 1:9◦All things summed up in Christ, 1:9-10
◦An inheritance, 1:11All spiritual blessings are “in Christ” 1:3; Gal 3:26-28; Matt 28:19 8
GOD IS A GOD OF GOD IS A GOD OF MERCYMERCY
Ephesians 2:1-10
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God of Mercy, God of Mercy, Eph 2:1-10Eph 2:1-10
The bankrupt life of the lost, 2:1-3God had plans to bring us back to
life, 2:4-10; Rom 5:8◦Effect: Shows His grace toward us, 2:7◦God’s gift: Salvation through faith, 2:8-9
◦His workmanship: Christians, 2:10
Compassion, kindness or good will towards the miserable and afflicted, joined with desire and action that
helps, Micah 7:18-20
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GOD IS ACCESSIBLEGOD IS ACCESSIBLEEphesians 2:11-18
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Accessible by the Blood Accessible by the Blood of Jesus, of Jesus, 2:11-132:11-13
Those “far off” can approach God because of Christ’s death
Peace with God and with other sinners, 2:14-15
Reconciled to God through the cross in “one body” (church), 2:16
Gospel of peace preached to all sinners, 2:17 12
Accessible because He Accessible because He Completely ForgivesCompletely ForgivesSins remembered “no more”,
Heb 10:17The church is composed of those
who are reconciled to God, 2:16, 19-22; 1:22-23◦Dwelling place of God (body of Christ), 2:22
◦Let us forgive as God has forgiven us, Matt 18:32-33
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GOD HAS MADE GOD HAS MADE HIMSELF KNOWN TO HIMSELF KNOWN TO US!US!•All spiritual blessings in Christ•Mercy: Saved by grace through faith•Accessible by the blood of Christ
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