07.10.2022 | CHOSEN
CHOSEN
Ephesians 1:4-5 – “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.”
Ephesians 1:4-5 (NLT) – “Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. 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.”
“She was not a hopeless orphan anymore. She was Mia Kendrick, our chosen, wanted, and beloved daughter.” – Stephen Kendrick
Ephesians 2:12b – “Having no hope and without God in the world.”
Ephesians 2:1b – “Who were dead in trespasses and sins.”
Ephesians 2:4-5 – “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).”
Ephesians 2:13 – “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
1. In Christ, I am Chosen, Not Forsaken!
Ephesians 1:4 (NLT) – “Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.”
“Chosen means called out, to select, personally choose, chosen for a purpose.” – Rick Renner
Ephesians 1:4a (AMP) – “Just as [in His Love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own].”
“God chose me, and He planned a great future for me.” – Rick Renner
Isaiah 43:1 – “But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.’”
Hebrews 13:5b – “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
Isaiah 43:2 – “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”
Isaiah 43:3a – “For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
2. In Christ, I am Adopted, Not Abandoned!
Ephesians 1:5a – “Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself.”
Predestined – to decide beforehand
Ephesians 1:5a (NLT) – “God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ.”
“The Scriptures do not suggest that some people are elected to receive salvation and others not. Nor is there a sense that some are predestined to salvation and others not.” – Jack Hayford
Father God wants every person to be a part of His family, but it is only through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:15-16 – “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
3. In Christ, I Have Purpose; I am Not an Accident!
Ephesians 1:4 (NLT) – “Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.”
Chosen – brought into the world with a special purpose
Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born, I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
“You are not an accident. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did.” – Rick Warren
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) – “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”
I RENOUNCE THE UNGODLY BELIEF THAT I AM ABANDONED AND FORSAKEN. I DECLARE BY FAITH THAT AM CHOSEN AND ADOPTED BY MY HEAVENLY FATHER WHO LOVES ME AND GAVE HIS SON FOR ME.
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you experienced abandonment in your life?
2. How did you react to that abandonment? How has it affected you?
3. Do you believe that God has chosen you and adopted you into His own family?
4. Have you been able to call God, “Abba, Father” by the power of the Holy Spirit?
5. Is it difficult for you to see yourself as “His Masterpiece”? Why or why not?