Ephesians 2:1-10 and Deuteronomy 7:1-8 both show the theme of election in Christ for good works. Deuteronomy points to the final judgment ahead of time. Thus the message began with a model sharing the law to drive people to Christ because we all need to be ready to jump at the final judgment. This is one way we can find those that God loves but are not yet a part of the church. Indeed spreading the good news is a natural reaction to Paul's words reminding us of the way things were, moving us with the riches of God's mercy and grace, and sending us to do good works that God prepared beforehand for us.

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Labels: evangelism, final judgment, good works, law, riches

Ephesians 1:15-23, like Joshua 5:13-15, shows us the way things really are. This sermon attempts to help you see God's interpretation of you and your world, which is one reason for Sunday worship. We see here reasons for offering a prayer of thanksgiving and thus for praying that you would have a Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of God are so that you would know God's riches, power, and hope. You are not worthless, you are God's rich inheritance. You are not powerless, Jesus is Lord. You are not hopeless, you have a certain hope for your inheritance of the new heavens and earth.

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Labels: hope, inheritance, power, prayer, riches, Sunday worship