Sunday Sermon

Let Me Count the Ways Dave Shaner September 19, 2004

Introduction: Love is what you can see, not just something someone talks about.

Text: Ephesians 1:3-14

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. ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace ⁸ that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. ⁹ And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. ¹¹ In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹² in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. ¹³ And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

Paul talks about God's love in the past, present and future.

I. All our days have been & will be drenched in the __________ of God.

A. Nothing will change the way God feels about you.

B. Jeremiah 31:3

I have loved you with an everlasting love.

C. Base your identity on what God's word says, not on your feelings.

D. Jude 21

Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

II. Counting the ways:

A. In regard to the past, You have been __________ by God.

1. Ephesians 1:4

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

2. You have been adopted by God into His family.

3. I John 3:1

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

B. In the present, God lavishes with ____________.

1. Revelation 13:8

the lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.

2. Ephesians 1:7-8

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

3. What is redemption?

4. Salvation is free to us but not to God.

C. God will __________ us into the future.

1. Ephesians 1:13b-14

Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

2. God gave us the Holy Spirit as a:

a. ________________

b. ________________

Conclusion: Make keeping yourself in God's love your highest aim. Focus every day on the love of God. When you do, His praise will always be on your lips. Let's learn to count the ways of God.

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