First Baptist Church of Huntersville West Virginia
New Identity, New Life - I've Been Chosen
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  • Today we begin a new series from the book of Ephesians - the series is titles “New Identity, New Life”
    Paul is the author as evidenced in verse 1.
    The date of writing is around 60-62 AD while Paul was under house arrest.
    The recipients - the church at Ephesus.
    There is no specific issue that Paul is dealing with unlike many of his other letters. Instead, Paul covers several broad topics.
    One topic is universal unity - the “mystery” of the Gospel that through Christ both Jews and Gentiles have been reconciled into one unified body… the Church.
    Another topic is spiritual maturity - a third topic is strengthening identity - as “new believers in Christ we should leave our sinful ways
    Finally, spiritual readiness - armor of God.
    This morning’s message is - I’ve Been Chosen
    Ephesians 1:1–6 CSB
    1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will: To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus. 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

    We serve because God has called us.

    Paul states the he is an apostle of Jesus because of God’s will.
    The same is true for us… the only reason we are believers, the only reason we serve is because it aligns with the will of God.
    Sure, we can stray and go our own way but that means we are outside of God’s will.
    We need to ensure our actions align with God’s will which can only be done through prayer, Bible study, and listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

    God has withheld no spiritual blessings from us.

    Because of Jesus we have access to everything “spiritual”.
    We have the Holy Spirit as guide and helper.
    We have full access to throne of God without fear or shame.
    We have complete payment, forgiveness and freedom from sin.
    We have received eternal life in Christ Jesus.
    Let’s not forget that all the power and authority Jesus has, He bestowed on us too.
    These gifts are not only future benefits but are a present reality for us. However, the blessings we have now are but a shadow of what is to come.
    Possibly the greatest blessing is this…

    We have been chosen by God.

    Before God uttered one word in creation - He chose you.
    Before one living cell came to life - God chose you to be here today.
    Before heaven, earth, plants, animals, angels and humans God…

    Predestined us to be adopted into His family.

    Predestination can be one of those terms that we get caught up in the nuances of.
    Some will argue that God has already chosen those who will be saved so we don’t have to do anything to bring them to salvation - that goes against Jesus Himself telling us to “make disciples”.
    Some will argue that God didn’t really choose but because He knows all things He already knows who will and won’t come to salvation so it’s like he chose.
    Predestine literally mean - to determine or decree before hand.
    It doesn’t really matter if God chose each specific person or if He just knew who would choose Him.
    The main thing to know is that before God laid the foundation of the world He determined or decreed to adopt us into His family as sons and daughters. The purpose - to bring us into a personal relationship with Him as His children.
    Child is radically different than worshipper, follower, or even beneficiary.
    Adopted children enjoy the same status and privileges as a biological child. Jesus is God’s Son “by nature” - we as believers are children only by adoption and grace yet we are co-heirs with Jesus.

      • Ephesians 1:1–6CSB

  • Wherever He Leads I'll Go
First Baptist Church of Huntersville West Virginia
fbchuntersvillewv@gmail.com
304-799-4099
https://fbcohwv.faithlifesites.com
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