God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us. Did you know that you and I were adopted? You were chosen. If you’re hearing this message right now, it’s not an accident. It’s a divine appointment. It’s the God of the universe coming close and saying, I want to know you better. Come know me. So, without further ado, we’re going to dive right into Paul’s letter, to the Ephesians, to the church in Ephesus. Here we go!
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Transcription:
The other day, a plaque fell off my wall and broke when it hit the floor. It said these words from St. Augustine:
He loves each one of us as if there were only one of us.
He just loves us that much and that well. Hi. It’s the Bible for Busy People. I’m Erica, your host. You know, you were adopted. I was adopted. That’s what the Bible says, and it’s what we’re going to be giving thanks for today. You were chosen. If you’re hearing this message right now, it’s not an accident. It’s a divine appointment. It’s the God of the universe coming close and saying, I want to know you better. Come know me. So, without further ado, we’re going to dive right into Paul’s letter, to the Ephesians, to the church in Ephesus, chapter one beginning in verse one. Here we go.
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.
Now, if you’re hearing the word apostle for the first time, it just means sent. He was sent.
I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Let’s just take a moment right now and be thankful for that and receive that. Lord, thank you for your grace and peace, right?
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
I want to stop here and pitch a tent because you and I just learned that God loved us and chose us before he ever made an ocean or a mountain. And then we just learned that God decided to bring us into his family, to adopt us. There is something very, very special about the adoption process. I think of my friend Christina. She actually goes by Xtina and her beautiful little baby girl she adopted, little June. And when I see her pictures on social media, the love pouring out of her eyes for June, and then June pouring the love right back, little heart eyes at her mama… is remarkable. It’s a special kind of love because June was chosen. Xtina chose to love June, and bring her into her family, and love her. It was a choice. And God chose you to love before he ever carved out the Grand Canyon. Before he sculpted the Swiss Alps, he thought of you. He decided to love you and adopt you and bring you into his family. I hope you’re feeling so chosen and loved right now. Okay, we’re going to pick up Paul’s letter now. In verse nine:
God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
Wow, aren’t you so thankful that God is working everything out according to His plan? Right now in your life, He’s working it out. There is a plan. Oh, I’ve just taken lots of sighs of relief with you today. I hope you’re feeling the same way. Verse 12, now.
God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own[d] by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
I have a very dear friend who went all the way to Russia to adopt her precious baby girl. You and I have a God who sent his son. He came all the way from heaven to earth to adopt us into his family. God chose us. Jesus was sent to facilitate the adoption, and it’s His blood that purchased us, that brought us into God’s family. Now, we have a seat at the table in God’s house. We say grace together. That’s as real as it is, and all we have to do to become part of God’s family, to say yes, I want to be adopted… is to ask forgiveness for our sins and to understand that Jesus paid it all. It’s his blood that washes our sins away. I know it’s a little mysterious, but it’s also very beautiful. Okay, what a special time you and I have had together today, and I want to wrap it with verse 18 from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians In chapter one,
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
That’s you. You are chosen, adopted, loved, and his rich and glorious inheritance. Oh, until next time, please know you are so loved.
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