Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
Ephesians 1: 4,5,11
1: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
1: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will
1: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Chosen in Christ-
The Father sets his love upon his elect people who live in the midst of men. These are the people whom Christ has redeemed by the price of his own blood; and because they respond to the drawing of Christ, through the sovereign mercy of God, they are elected to be saved as his obedient children. Upon them is manifested the free grace of God, the love wherewith he hath loved them. Everyone who will humble himself as a little child who will receive and obey the word of God with a child's simplicity, will be among the elect of God. Of the church at Ephesus, the apostle writes:
“Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ; according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love; having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself; that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him; in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” The Signs of the Times Jan 2 1893
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
We come humbly before You as little children in thanksgiving, praise, and prayer. We are soever thankful You have chosen us as Your elect people and obedient children. For the sacrifice whereby You have redeemed us by the price of Your own blood and justified us. We thank and praise You for the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of Your grace. For leaving us the Holy Spirit that we may be Holy and sanctified and to one day receive glorification. You know the beginning from the end and have chosen us before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before You in love. Thank You for adopting us as Your children, even by Jesus Christ to himself. We thank You for the Word to live by that we may receive and obey the word of God. We thank You for blessing us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ as You have chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. We pray to receive all wisdom and prudence according to Your good pleasure. We thank You for working out all things for good to those that love You. For giving us the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on Your name. Thank You for blessing us with an inheritance among all Your elect people and obedient children which are sanctified. Thank You for the Holy Bible that reminds us of the former things of old and that You are God, and there is none else and none like You. You are the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, and whatever You have spoken, it will come to pass. Praise be to You dear God and glory in Your name. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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