Peter Barnes | Ephesians 1:1-6
SERMON NOTES
Predestined in Love by the Father
(Eph. 1:1-6)
– probably a circular letter, ‘in Ephesus’ in verse 1 is not in all manuscripts
– Eph.1 – the Father elects (vv.1-6), the Son redeems (vv.7-12), the Spirit seals (vv.13-14)
1. The Father has predestined a people in Christ.
– 1:4-5, according to His good pleasure and will; see John 6:44; Deut.7:6-8
Augustine: ‘I just cannot find what criterion to apply in deciding which men should be chosen to be saved by grace.’ Calvin: ‘If we ask why God takes pity on some, and why he lets go of the others and leaves them, there is no other answer but that it pleased him to do so.’
2. The Father has predestined a people to holiness.
– 1:4; Eph.5:25-26
3. The Father predestined a people into His family.
– 1:5; John 1:12-13
4. We ought to praise Him for His predestinating grace.
– 1:6