Sunday Preview: Why You Were Saved

The Divine Blueprint and Our Place Within It

In Ephesians 1, Paul reveals the divine blueprint of salvation, a plan devised before the foundation of the world, designed to assemble a holy and blameless body of believers. In the first half of Ephesians, Paul delves into the theological underpinnings of this body, while in the latter half, he turns to its practical outworking. At the core of this discussion, particularly in Ephesians 1:4-6a, lies the essence of why God created the church and, consequently, why you and I are a part of this marvelous construction.

Holy and Blameless Before Him
Ephesians 1:4—Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.

Here, Paul explores the purpose behind our salvation as he focuses on our ultimate destination. Drawing parallels with Colossians 1:22 and Ephesians 5:27, he highlights the process of salvation: We are in a state of transformation to a state "without spot or wrinkle."
God’s divine choice is not a blanket predestination of individuals but a predestination of the outcome for those who respond to His call. Those who choose to embrace HIs call for salvation begin a journey towards becoming reflections of Christ Himself, as seen through the lenses of Romans 8:28-30, Philippians 1:6, and 2 Corinthians 3:18. The "us" referred to are those who believe and actively choose to respond to God’s invitation.

Predestined for Adoption as Sons and Daughters
Ephesians 1:5a - In love, he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ…
Here, the focus is on God’s incomprehensible love, illustrating a predestination that is not about the inception of faith but the relational end goal: adoption into God’s family. This adoption is not merely a legal change of status but an invitation into a close, personal relationship with the Creator, where He delights and takes joy in His people.

For His Glory
Ephesians 1:6a - the praise of His glorious grace is all for a purpose.

The culmination of God’s plan is not for our glory but His. Salvation glorifies God's gracious nature, from the selection of holy and blameless people to their adoption as sons and daughters. God wants to manifest the richness of His grace, inviting you into a story that ultimately leads to His praise.

How can we not help but be moved to gratitude and worship? Psalm 136:23-24 reminds us of God's unwavering mercy and love towards us. In light of such profound grace, our response is to live for Him, to participate in the body of Christ actively, and to embrace the life we've been given through Jesus continually. His sacrifice is the source of our new birth, offering us a place in the divine story that unfolds within the pages of Ephesians. You have been saved for a purpose far more significant than yourself. You were saved to be holy and blameless, to be adopted as a son or daughter, and to glorify the God who, in His unfathomable love, chose you before the foundation of the world.

As you prepare for Sunday, answer these five questions:

• How does understanding that we are chosen by God "before the foundation of the world" to be "holy and blameless before Him" (Ephesians 1:4) impact your daily life and decisions?
• How does your knowledge of divine predestination challenge or enrich your understanding of who God is?
• How do you interpret the relationship between divine choice and our response in the process of salvation?
• How does knowing you’ve been recreated for "the praise of His glorious grace" influence the way you view service, worship, and your purpose as part of the body of Christ?
• How does this vision of being part of a larger body impact your sense of identity and community within the local church? How does it shape your interactions with other members of the body of Christ? 

THOSE SERVING
OPENING / WELCOME
Kody Pritt
SONG LEADER
Russ Robins
PRAYER OF PRAISE
Tony Bumbalough
LEAD LORD'S SUPPER
Randy Mullins
 ASSIST LORD’S SUPPER
Drew Triplett
Gary Jackson
Paul Braden
Greg Morrison
SCRIPTURE READING
Dan Dekoski
Ephesians 1:4-6
PREACHING
Matthew Allen
CLOSING PRAYER
Tommy Ray
CLOSING COMMENTS
Rich Walker
WELCOME CENTER
Lynne Pyle / Emily McDonald
USHERS
Marvin Lewis / Mike Rosato
SONG DEVOTIONAL
Roy Pyle
COMMUNION PREP
Marilyn Sims
CLOSING THE BUILDING
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