THE CURE FOR INFERIORITY COMPLEXES

What is an inferiority complex?

Ephesians 1:3 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.

Ephesians 1:4-8 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 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.

Ephesians 1:9-12 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 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. 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, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 1:13-14 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, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory 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, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory.

I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You. - v3-6

A. God intends for you to be blessed. 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. - v3 I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

A. God intends for you to be blessed. 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. - v3 1. Blessed () = worthy to be spoken well of. 1. Blessed ( ε ὐ λογέω ) = worthy to be spoken well of. I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

A. God intends for you to be blessed. 2. God intends for you to be a spiritual blessing to others. I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

A. God intends for you to be blessed. 2. God intends for you to be a spiritual blessing to others. 3. God wants you to be His showcase for His intentions for mankind. I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

A. God intends for you to be blessed. 2. God intends for you to be a spiritual blessing to others. 3. God wants you to be His showcase for His intentions for mankind. (Job 1 & 2) I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

A. God intends for you to be blessed. B. God intends for you to be holy & blameless. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. - v4 I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

B. God intends for you to be holy & blameless. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. - v4 1. Holy () = separate, different, set apart for His purpose. 1. Holy ( ἅ γιος ) = separate, different, set apart for His purpose. I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

B. God intends for you to be holy & blameless. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. - v4 a. You are to be different. I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

B. God intends for you to be holy & blameless. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. - v4 a. You are to be different. b. You are to be a spiritual influence. I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

B. God intends for you to be holy & blameless. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. - v4 2. Blameless () = without any blemishes. 2. Blameless ( ἄ μωμος ) = without any blemishes. I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

B. God intends for you to be holy & blameless. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. - v4 a. The Jewish animal sacrifice had to be inspected by the priest. b. It had to be perfect. I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

B. God intends for you to be holy & blameless. Rom 12:1 - Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

B. God intends for you to be holy & blameless. 3. How has God made this possible for you? I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

a. He provided for your past - by forgiving your sins. 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. - v7. I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

b. He provided for your present - by indwelling you with His Holy Spirit. 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, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory - v13-14 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, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory. - v13-14 I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

c. He will provide for your future by glorifying you. Colossians 3:4 - When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

A. God intends for you to be blessed. B. God intends for you to be holy & blameless. C. God intends for you to live as adopted children. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will - v5 I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

C. God intends for you to live as adopted children. I Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

C. God intends for you to live as adopted children. D. God intends for you to live as ones who have received grace.... to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. - v6. I. God, the Father’s, Plan for You.

- v3-6 II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You. - v7-14

A. Lord Jesus provides for you redemption. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. - v7 II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You.

A. Lord Jesus provides for you redemption. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. - v7 1. Redemption () = release affected by the paying of a ransom. 1. Redemption ( ἀ πολύτρωσις ) = release affected by the paying of a ransom. II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You.

A. Lord Jesus provides for you redemption. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. - v7 2. The idea: a slave is purchased from a slave block. II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You.

A. Lord Jesus provides for you redemption. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. - v7 2. The idea: a slave is purchased from a slave block. 3. Jesus paid your ransom when He died on the cross! II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You.

B. Lord Jesus provides for you an abundant life.... that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment... - v8-10 II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You.

B. Lord Jesus provides for you an abundant life. 1. What is abundant life?... that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment... - v8-10 II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You.

B. Lord Jesus provides for you an abundant life. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 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. - v Made known () = knowledge gained by experience. 2. Made known ( γνωρίζω ) = knowledge gained by experience. II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You.

B. Lord Jesus provides for you an abundant life. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 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. - v Lord Jesus has everything in control! II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You.

B. Lord Jesus provides for you an abundant life. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 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. - v9-10 Epicurus: “God regards nothing but leaves all things to chance”. II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You.

B. Lord Jesus provides for you an abundant life. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 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. - v9-10 The Christian: what the world calls “luck” we call “grace”! II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You.

C. Lord Jesus provides for you an inheritance. 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, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. - v II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You.

C. Lord Jesus provides for you an inheritance. 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, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. - v I Peter 1: and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you... II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You.

C. Lord Jesus provides for you an inheritance. 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, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. - v Colossians 3: since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You.

C. Lord Jesus provides for you an inheritance. 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, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. - v The ones predestined: those who “hope in Christ”. II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You.

D. Lord Jesus provides for you His seal. 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, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory. - v13-14 II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You.

D. Lord Jesus provides for you His seal. 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, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory. - v Who are the sealed? II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You.

D. Lord Jesus provides for you His seal. 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, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory. - v What is the seal? II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You.

D. Lord Jesus provides for you His seal. Acts 2:38 - Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 2. What is the seal? II. God, the Son’s, Plan for You.

So - what do you remember when you get down on yourself & think you’re worthless? You are a jewel in God’s jewelry box yet to be polished!