Ephesians 1: WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST – BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN

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SERMON: “WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST – BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN”

Ephesians Chapter 1

1. YOU WERE CHOSEN BEFORE YOU WERE BORN (v.3–6)

Paul begins with praise—not for what we did, but for what God already did.

“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world...”

Church, this means:

  • You are not an accident
  • Your salvation is not an afterthought

God had you in His heart before creation began

You were in God’s plan before you were in your mother’s womb!

2. YOU ARE REDEEMED BY BLOOD, NOT BY WORKS (v.7–10)

“In Him we have redemption through His blood…”

Redemption = Bought back from slavery

Forgiveness = Your past is erased

  • Not by law
  • Not by effort
  • But by the blood of Jesus
You don’t earn your salvation—you receive it!

3. YOU HAVE AN ETERNAL INHERITANCE (v.11–12)

“In Him we have obtained an inheritance…”

  • You are not spiritually poor
  • You are heirs of God’s kingdom

Stop living like a beggar when heaven calls you an heir!

4. YOU ARE SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (v.13–14)

“You were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise…”

Seal = Ownership

Guarantee = Heaven is secured

  • The Holy Spirit is not just a feeling
  • He is God’s legal mark on your life

If God sealed you, no devil can break you!

5. PAUL’S PRAYER: OPEN THEIR EYES! (v.15–23)

Paul shifts from doctrine to prayer:

He prays for 3 revelations:

a) The Hope of His Calling

You are called to something eternal, not temporary

b) The Riches of His Inheritance

God sees you as His treasure

c) The Power Toward Believers

The SAME power that raised Jesus is in you!

Resurrection power is not in heaven alone—it is working in you NOW!

6. CHRIST IS ABOVE ALL (v.20–23)

“Far above all rule and authority…”

Jesus is not one among many

He is above every power, demon, system, and authority

And here is the mystery:

  • Christ is the Head
  • The Church is His Body

If Christ is above all, and you are in Christ—then you are positioned above defeat!

THEOLOGICAL TRUTHS IN EPHESIANS 1

1. Doctrine of Election (Predestination)

God chooses believers according to His will

Salvation begins with God, not man

2. Doctrine of Redemption

Salvation comes through Christ’s blood alone

Grace > Works

3. Doctrine of Adoption

Believers are not just forgiven—they are made sons/daughters

4. Doctrine of the Trinity

  • Father plans (chooses)
  • Son redeems (saves)
  • Spirit seals (secures)

5. Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

The Spirit is a guarantee of salvation

Not symbolic—He is active and personal

6. Doctrine of Inheritance

Believers receive eternal riches in Christ

7. Doctrine of Revelation

Spiritual truth must be revealed by God, not just learned intellectually

8. Doctrine of Christ’s Supremacy

Jesus is exalted above all powers

The Church operates under His authority

FINAL SERMON DECLARATION

You are:

  • Chosen 
  • Redeemed 
  • Forgiven 
  • Sealed 
  • Empowered 
  • Positioned with Christ 
Stop living like who you were

Start walking like who you ARE in Christ

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