All for Christ [Family Worship lesson in Ephesians 1:9–10]

What drives predestination? Ephesians 1:9–10 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God’s own, internal pleasure drives predestination. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The central message of the devotional is that God’s eternal purpose, revealed in the mystery of His will, is the glorification of Jesus Christ in all things—both in heaven and on earth. Rooted in divine sovereignty and eternal pleasure, this purpose was established not for human benefit alone, but for the exaltation of Christ as the unifying center of all creation. The sermon emphasizes that predestination and election are not about individual favoritism, but about Christ’s supremacy, in Whom all things are gathered together and through whom every aspect of reality finds its ultimate meaning and fulfillment. This cosmic vision of redemption includes not only redeemed humanity, but also the entire created order, which will be liberated from decay and restored to glory. Pastor calls for his family to align their hearts with God’s eternal design by glorifying Christ in all things, recognizing their own salvation as a special expression of His glory.

2026.06.11 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ephesians 1:9–10

Read Ephesians 1:9–10

Questions from the Scripture text: What has God made known to us (Ephesians 1:9a)? According to what had He decided this? What had He done “in Himself”? When would He carry out His plan (Ephesians 1:10a)? What would He gather into one? In Whom would He gather all things? What things would be included in these “all things” (verse 10b)?

What drives predestination? Ephesians 1:9–10 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God’s own, internal pleasure drives predestination. 

We tend to focus upon ourselves when we think about God’s eternal purposes. And that is understandable, not because it is right, but because we are fleshly, and it is understandable that we would so sinfully think about things. The Lord, however, thinks upon us with amazing love and goodness and generosity, precisely by putting us in our proper place: under Christ and in Christ. 

In the previous verses, we read that He bent “all wisdom and prudence” (Ephesians 1:8) upon redeeming us by Christ’s blood (Ephesians 1:7). Now in this passage, we read the heart and goal of that wisdom and prudence: to gather all of creation (signified by the “bookends” of “heaven and earth,” Ephesians 1:10) together, in one—in Christ.

This was that “mystery of His will” to which Ephesians 1:9 refers. In the New Testament, the word “mystery” generally means something that God has revealed in Christ and the gospel, that we would not have known in any other way. And what has God now revealed: that Christ redeeming us (and all creation with us) has always been at the center of God purposes.

These, of course, are eternal purposes. It is in Himself that He purposed them. And, this plan was “according to His good pleasure.” That is to say that in these purposes, God was not responding to hypothetical futures at all. His own, internal pleasure is what drives this. Pleasure to glorify Himself. Pleasure for that glory to be in His Son. Pleasure for His Son’s great display of glory to be as Redeemer. And now, God has sent as a Redeemer that Son unto His glory! These riches that He has poured out in love to purchase us are all, entirely, only because it pleased Him!

This is the true and biblical way to think about election and predestination. And it is a source of great wonder and worship, and love back to God, and peace and security in His redemption. What a doctrine! What a Redeemer! What a God! Hallelujah!

In what manner have you talked and thought about election and predestination? In what manner should we all?

Sample prayer:  Lord, how marvelous You are, in the glory of Your grace! How marvelous the display of that glory in Your Son! We rejoice to hear and think about Your pleasure. Please make it our pleasure to delight in what pleases You, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH51C “God, Be Merciful to Me”

According to His Riches [Family Worship lesson in Ephesians 1:7–8]

How great is redemption? Ephesians 1:7–8 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that redemption's greatness corresponds to God’s grace and God’s wisdom. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional centers on Ephesians 1:7–8, revealing that redemption through Christ’s blood is not merely a transaction but the ultimate expression of God’s infinite grace, wisdom, and divine glory. It emphasizes that the price of redemption—paid through the blood of God the Son—corresponds perfectly to the boundless riches of God’s grace, affirming Christ’s full divinity and the eternal, sovereign plan of God. The passage highlights how this redemption is not only a release from sin’s penalty but also a profound demonstration of God’s wisdom, surpassing all other displays of His creativity and providence. Pastor calls his family to respond with awe, gratitude, and a transformed life that values the gospel above all else, recognizing that the cross is the pinnacle of divine insight and glory. The tone is reverent, instructive, and deeply pastoral, inviting believers into a deeper appreciation of Christ’s supremacy and the depth of God’s grace.

2026.06.10 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ephesians 1:7–8

Read Ephesians 1:7–8

Questions from the Scripture text: What do we have in Jesus (Ephesians 1:7a)? Through what? What does this redemption entail? According to what was this redemption purchased? What does Christ make this redemption do unto us (Ephesians 1:8a)? In what two things does this redemption abound?

How great is redemption? Ephesians 1:7–8 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that its greatness corresponds to God’s grace and God’s wisdom. 

Through hundreds of pages of Scripture, the Holy Spirit prepares us to understand the RICHES of Ephesians 1:7–8. Redemption was something that the life of the firstborn was given to purchase for Israel. And redemption was something in which money could be offered to purchase the life of that firstborn, in memory of when the blood of the Passover lamb protected that life. Redemption was something that could be purchased for anyone who ended up in slavery through debt.

But never was there a redemption like this. Redemption through His blood! All the wealth in the world—indeed, every created thing—together cannot begin to indicate the value of Him from Whom, and through Whom, and for Whom all things exist. And yet, He took to Himself flesh and blood that He might spill that blood in order to purchase us!

What bank is so flush with wealth that it can afford such a payment as the blood of Christ? The bank of the riches of God’s grace. We often talk about depending upon grace, but I think we could do with more meditating upon the greatness of that grace upon which we depend, praise God! It is a grace so rich that it was according to these riches that the blood of Jesus purchased us for adoption as sons of God.

Indeed, of all of the things that God’s wisdom and understanding has devised, here is one thing that Scripture describes all of His wisdom and understanding bending itself upon: purchasing us through the blood of Christ according to the riches of His grace.

Truly, our redemption is a marvel at which we will wonder in praise for unending ages. And it makes one’s heart ache with a desire that the flesh would be mortified more even now, in order that we might wonder and praise more even now. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Ephesians 1:3)!

From what are you redeemed? At what cost? How are you responding to the riches of His grace? The abundance of His wisdom?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we bless Your Name, Whose redemption is not just from the riches of Your grace, but with a lavishness that is according to those riches. We thank You for the precious blood of Christ, and praise You for the divine wisdom that devised such a glorious salvation. Make Your grace to keep abounding to us, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP65A “Praise Awaits You, God” or TPH425 “How Sweet and Awesome Is the Place”

Determined to Adoption [Family Worship lesson Ephesians 1:5–6]

What is predestination? Ephesians 1:5–6 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that predestination is God’s good pleasure to adopt children by His glorious grace. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional unfolds the doctrine of predestination as a profound expression of God’s eternal love, rooted not in human merit but in the good pleasure of His will. From Ephesians 1:5–6, it emphasizes that the substance of predestination is adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, not merely forgiveness or justification, highlighting God’s desire to expand His family. The source, standard, and success of this divine plan are all grounded in God’s grace—His unearned, self-giving love that culminates in believers being accepted in the Beloved, already pleasing to God through union with Christ. The ultimate purpose is the praise of God’s glorious grace, calling for a response of worship, deep comfort, and joy.

2026.06.09 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ephesians 1:5–6

Read Ephesians 1:5–6

Questions from the Scripture text: Who predestined whom (Ephesians 1:5a)? To what? By Whom? As sons to Whom? According to what? Unto what end (Ephesians 1:6a)? What had He done by that grace? In Whom?

What is predestination? Ephesians 1:5–6 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that predestination is God’s good pleasure to adopt children by His glorious grace. 

The gospel is about God expanding His family. Though it sounds almost blasphemous to talk that way, Romans 8:29 tells us that, from before time began, God foreknew (meaning “loved in advance”) certain people, whom He determined that He would make into the likeness of His Son and into a multitude of siblings for His Son.

In this week’s Ephesians passage, we read of that determination in relation to the Father: if someone is a believer, it is because before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4), God determined to adopt him as a son to Himself (Ephesians 1:5a), as well as a sibling to the Son (cf. Romans 8:29). Of course, there is only one way that this adoption could be conceived from all eternity—by His loving us (end of Ephesians 1:4) in the eternally Beloved (Ephesians 1:6b) Son, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5a).

And lest we have any ideas that this could happen by some version of divine foresight in which our own choices determine God’s (which would have the ludicrous effect of making us sovereign instead of God), the Scripture tells us exactly the criteria of this choice (“according to the good pleasure of His will,” Ephesians 1:5b) and the ultimate purpose of this choice (“to the praise of the glory of His grace,” v6a). The only cause of the choice is His own glorious grace.

This destiny, to which He has predestined us, requires that, in time, His grace would bring us to faith (cf. Ephesians 2:8-9). It is this faith through which the Spirit unites us to the Beloved One, in order that in Him (and only in Him) would we be made accepted (Ephesians 1:6b). We don’t “believe into” predestination. We believe in Jesus, as God has predestined us to do. And God has indeed given that grace. He graciously gave His Son for us. And He graciously gave His Spirit, Who graciously gives us faith to believe in His Son and be joined to His Son. Thus, over and over again, our salvation is “to the praise of the glory of His grace.”

Our justification (being given righteous standing with God) and adoption (being made children of the Father and siblings of the Son) happen at the same time. But the justification is a means unto the adoption—which is the great occasion of the praise of God’s glorious grace.

This is what predestination is all about—not nit-picking over doctrinal logic, but everlasting love that has a 100% success rate of bearing fruit, as sinners have this adoption bestowed upon them, and God’s grace is gloriously displayed, in order to be eternally praised. Hallelujah! Literally.

How ought you to respond to Jesus? How ought you to respond to predestination?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we praise You for the glorious grace in which You were well pleased to adopt us, in Your love, to Yourself, by Jesus Christ. Grant the ministry of Your Spirit, that we would not only be accepted in Him, but that we would be made like Him, to live acceptably forever.

Suggested songs: ARP65A “Praise Awaits You, God” or TPH425 “How Sweet and Awesome Is the Place”

Blessed in the Blessed One [Family Worship lesson in Ephesians 1:3–4]

What effect should the great truths of the faith have upon us? Ephesians 1:3–4 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the great truths of the faith should make us burst forth with praise unto God for their reality. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional unfolds the profound truth that believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ, rooted in God’s eternal election before the foundation of the world. It emphasizes the triune nature of God, the hypostatic union of Christ, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, highlighting how Christ’s incarnation, sacrifice, and exaltation secure our blessedness with Him in the heavenly realms. Central to this message is the doctrine of unconditional election—God’s sovereign, loving choice of believers in Christ for the purpose of their ultimate holiness and blamelessness before Him, a goal guaranteed by divine grace. The passage calls for worship and joy, not only because of past redemption but because of the certain future fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose. Pastor underscores that these truths, though often opposed, are foundational to Christian confidence, comfort, and praise, urging believers to live in the strength and gladness they provide.

2026.06.08 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ephesians 1:3–4

Read Ephesians 1:3–4

Questions from the Scripture text: Whose God does Ephesians 1:3 begin to praise? What else does it call Him? What does this combination remind us about Jesus (cf. WSC 21)? Whom has this God blessed? With what? Where? In Whom? What did God do to us (Ephesians 1:4)? In Whom? When? To what end? Before Whom? In what?

What effect should the great truths of the faith have upon us? Ephesians 1:3–4 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the great truths of the faith should make us burst forth with praise unto God for their reality. 

After the greeting—which was already rich with the glory and grace of God in Christ—the apostle explodes with a twelve-verse run-on sentence of praise. Just the first two verses’ worth are full of so much rich doctrine…

Christ’s humanity and deity. God is both His God (in His humanity) and His Father (in His deity). 

Christ’s person and work. He is the Lord—the eternally blessed and only living and true God, Who created all things and rules over all things. He is Jesus, for He is the One by Whom the Lord saves. He is Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed Prophet who reveals God’s will, Priest who intercedes for God’s people, and King who exercises God’s authority.

The completeness and greatness of God’s blessing. Every blessing. Even in heaven.

The means and Mediator of that blessing. The Holy Spirit (it is “spiritual” blessing) is the One Who applies it to us, and He applies it to us by uniting us to Christ. We know that it would be impossible for us to be seated in heaven, let alone blessed in heaven, apart from Christ. But every blessing of God comes to us in this same way: in Christ.

The source of that blessing: unconditional election. God’s free choice. The nature of election. Not just a bare choosing, but a choosing in which God considers someone in connection and unity with His Son. The timing of election. Before the foundation of the world. The end result/goal of election. Holiness and blamelessness. The greatness of this holiness. It is not merely a blamelessness before creatures, but a blamelessness and holiness before the holy, holy, holy God!

It is no surprise that many of these are the very truths that have been compromised and attacked throughout the history of the church. The world, the flesh, and the devil hate the glory of God. And so these truths are to be defended vigorously! But not just defended. Delighted in. Rejoiced over. Turned back Godward in praise! This is, after all, the use of these truths in Scripture and the reason for defending them to begin with.

Why is each of these truths important? How is it precious? How would you defend it? How are you responding to it?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank you for blessing us from all eternity in Christ, in heaven in Christ, unto our final holiness and blamelessness in Christ. We bless Your Name for this, in Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song” or TPH448 “Union with Thee”

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Christ Our All [Family Worship lesson in Ephesians 1:11–12]

What is our great purpose, confidence, hope, and end? Ephesians 1:11–12 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ is our great purpose, confidence, hope, and end. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional centers on the profound truth that in Christ, believers have obtained an inheritance through divine predestination, not by chance but according to God’s sovereign will, which ordains all things for His glory. From Ephesians 1:11–12, it unfolds the theological reality that every event—personal, political, or cosmic—occurs within God’s providential counsel, ultimately serving the purpose of conforming believers to Christ’s image and exalting His glory. The focus is not on self-centered blessings but on Christ as the ultimate destiny, confidence, and end of all things, where even the most tragic events are woven into God’s good plan for the redemption and glorification of His children in His Son. Trust in Christ is presented not as human effort but as a divine gift, the means by which believers are brought into this eternal purpose, so that all things—past, present, and future—serve to magnify Christ’s glory. The ultimate aim of God’s redemptive work is not merely salvation but the eternal praise and delight of all creation in the person and work of Jesus Christ.