Prayer for All Members Based on Pastor Jared’s Message, February 20, 2022

Ephesians 1:4-6

In Him: Adopted

Introduction: If you are in Christ, I hope you leave here today saying, I have a God who cares about me. If you’re not a believer, I pray you will put your faith in Jesus today. Let’s see who we are as adopted in Christ Jesus:

…[He] has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing… (1:3-14) 

1. In Him we are blessed.

In Christ we have all the spiritual blessings or benefits described in verses 3 through 14. The ultimate blessing is that we are adopted and belong to God, with an inheritance that no one can ever take away.

…even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the [kind intention] of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. (1:4-6)

1. In Him we are chosen.

Before we ever knew Him God was doing all that was needed to adopt us and make us His own. No matter what happens you don’t need to fear the future, because before time began God knew your name.

1. In Him we are holy.

God sees us as holy as His Son. Our holiness is not dependent upon us but upon Jesus. This positional reality is why we can pursue holiness in practice, becoming progressively more holy the more we get to know Him.

“Father, please help us to grasp the awesome truth that we are holy in Christ and to pursue that holiness in Him. By Your Spirit, please help us to love and follow Him more and more.”

1. In Him we are loved.

Before you were ever lovable, God loved you. Just as you loved your children before they loved you, God loved us before we loved Him. Do you feel alone or abused today? In Christ, you are loved.

1. In Him we are secure.

To predestine means to mark out, to decide beforehand on His plan. He planned to adopt us because of the “kind intention” of His will, based not on our merits, but because of Christ’s merits, and that is what gives us security. How can I know if God’s kindness is on me -- if I’m saved? By my believing in Jesus Christ.

“Father, please help us all to trust in Jesus and rest secure in Your love and kindness.”

1. In Him we are adopted.

What is a Christian? It is one who has been adopted. We are now part of the countless multitude who on the last day will stand up and say, “He is worth living for and He is worth glorifying forever.”

            “Father, thank You for adopting us! Please help us to live for Your glory every day.”