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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