2. Familiarity breeds… Traditionalism Lukewarmness Lack of zeal
Self-satisfaction
Lost focus
Discouragement
Etc., etc.

3. What to Tell a Mature Church?
Ephesians 1:1-14

4. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love (Ephesians 1:3-4 ESV)

5. …Reminded that they were Special
“chosen” set apart, in Him- basis of choice
“before the foundation of the world”… describes the level of interest
Before creation, God was planning for Christians.
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Matthew 25:34 ESV)

6. God had a plan before creation
Mark 16:16- “Whoever…”
2 Peter 3:9- “…not God’s will that any should perish…”
2 Peter 1:10
Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

7. he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:5-6 ESV)

8. Reminded that they have a Purpose
Predestined?!?
Who? Those who are “in Christ”
What? To adoption, thru Jesus Christ
Why? To the praise of his grace and glory

9. The Christian finds his purpose in…
Serving God
Serving others
Resisting temptation
Enduring trials
Walking by faith
Worshipping in spirit and in truth

10. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight (Ephesians 1:7-8 ESV)

11. Reminded of their value
“in Him” is redemption
Romans 3:23- all sin
Ephesians 2:1-2- It’s not pretty

12. Ephesians 2:1-2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
2.  in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

13. Reminded of their value
“in Him” is redemption
Romans 3:23- all sin
Ephesians 2:1-2- It’s not pretty
Romans 6:23- all owe

14. Acts 20:28
"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

15. …making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth (Ephesians 1:9-10 ESV)

16. Reminded that Christ is the Focus
All things united/summed up in Him
Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

17. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:11-12 ESV)

18. Reminded that there IS a reward - LATER
so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, (Hebrews 6:18-19 ESV)

19. Reminded that there IS a reward - LATER
A sure hope, anchor for the soul
1 Peter 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4. to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

20. Reminded that there IS a reward - LATER
Our inheritance is of hope
A sure hope, anchor for the soul
Living, imperishable, reserved

21. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV)

22. Reminded that they had made a commitment
They had heard and believed
Then they were “sealed”

23. Romans 8:12-14
So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--
13.  for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14.  For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

24. Reminded that they had made a commitment
They had heard and believed
Then they were “sealed”
“sealing” was the beginning of their “obligation”

25. They/We are reminded to praise God
For His plan, summed up in Christ
For buying us back from Satan and sin
For giving us focus, purpose, and an inheritance
By keeping your commitment to Him