Paul’s Message of Unrestrained Praise

About this Episode

Eph 1:1-14 NIV - 1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God's holy people in Ephesus,* the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 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 for adoption to sonship* 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

Eph 1:11-13 NIV - 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 put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

Luk 8:11-15 NIV - 11

"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Luk 8:21 NIV - 21

He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."

Jas 1:22-25 NIV - 22

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it--not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it--they will be blessed in what they do.

Eph 1:7 NIV - 7

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

Jhn 16:5-8 NIV - 5

but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' 6 Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:

Eph 4:29-32 NIV - 29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Phl 1:6 NIV - 6

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

1Pe 1:3-5 NIV - 3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Eph 1:3 NIV - 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.

Eph 1:6 NIV - 6

to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

Jhn 9:1-3 NIV - 1

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, THOUGHTS and THINGS TO PONDER

For your personal discipleship, discussion with family, your Life-Group, or your watch party

Quick Review:

• Ask yourself: Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?
• Review the main idea behind each of the points below?
• Remember and describe when you first remembering “hearing the gospel.”
• Remember and describe when you first believed.
• How does hearing and believing affect your living today?
• As a part of the message, you heard the parable of the Sower: What kind of soil are you currently?
• How do you understand being sealed with the Holy Spirit?
• The Spirits’ sealing serves as a guarantee of our inheritance: of receiving and being. How do you understand this reality?
• In what ways are you living for the praise of His glory?
• In what ways do you believe God would like His glory more evident in your life?

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