3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ …. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace … 7 In him we have redemption through his blood … in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure … to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Why this way of life? (Matt 26:8)
According to God’s good pleasure and purpose (v.5)
- His lavish love for us (8)
- We have received God’s love through each other’s care
- We’re also still learning to be God’s lavish love for one another
- To be Jesus’ hands and feet for those of us in need
- To be his mouthpiece when someone needs encouragement
- It’s a high calling (we need to grow into it)
- Not to be served, but to serve
- Unifying all things in Christ (9)
- Paul: Sent out to the Gentiles
- Spirit of Christ: Sent out to be a sign of unity in Jesus’ body
- That they may be one (John 17:21)
- We have received God’s love through each other’s care
- Where else do Protestants and Catholics live the same covenanted way of life?
To Be a manifestation of God’s power (v.19)
- Baptism in the Spirit (via Charismatic Renewal) has changed our lives
- That you may know his power
- “Fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Tim 1:6)
All for the praise of his glory (v.14)
- “Lord, renew our calling”