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Unitarian Lesson for November 6, 2022 Scripture and Lesson Topic: Ephesians 1: 1-14 In the last four lessons of this series, we come to the Ephesians with a section titled, We Are Gods Work of Art. As Lamar Williamson noted long ago in Gods Work of Art: Images of the Church in Ephesians, the word translated work of art comes from a Greek word related to our English word poem. Just as the poet carefully selects the right words for his work, the author of the Ephesians glorifies Gods choice of the Church as the right work of revelation of Gods plans for the entire cosmos: all that is in Christ in heaven and all that is on earth (v. 10). There is ample evidence that many of the epistles to the Ephesians came from the songs and prayers of the early church. Perhaps our extraordinary choice disclosed in Ephesians deserves not only study but chanting! Gods Remarkable Choices So far in this series we have explored many narratives describing Gods often unexpected choices. But here in Ephesians, we go from stories to songs poems. It is music that will warm the heart of every reformer believer: music about the mystery of the election; Melodies about the incomprehensibility of Gods plans; Choirs proclaiming the good news that God chooses more than our choices along the way. Just listen to the suggestion. In the very beginning, Paul declares himself an apostle according to Gods will (v. 1). God blessed Gods people as He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world (verse 4). God appointed us for a specific purpose (verse 5). God freely gave us his beloved (verse 6). God gave us (v. 8) redemption and forgiveness according to the riches of his grace (v. 7). Many times the subject of these sentences is God, and the subject of these sentences is us. God, God, God - choose. We are, we are, we are the chosen ones. This is the chorus that every Presbyterian choir should sing. Too often, when we think of the church, the first thing we notice are our flaws and flaws, and the many different ways in which we lack the grace and glory of God. It is all true. But this Sunday the author invites us to remember that our story is not only about us, but about God and His extraordinary choices. In the more formal Westminster Credo poetry, the reasons for choosing God are explained: by His Gods free grace and love, without the prospect of faith, good works, or perseverance in one creature or another. as conditions or causes that compel him God to do so; and all to the glory of His God glorious grace (6.018). This song is not so much about us as it is about God and the good news of Gods choice. Our Admission to Christ But God did not choose us to be just words in Gods poem or members of a winning team. According to the Letter to the Ephesians, through HimUnit Lesson for November 6, 2022 Scripture and Lesson Focus: Ephesians 1:1-14 In the last four hours of this series, we turn to the book of Ephesians with the chapter We Are Gods Artwork. As Lamar Williamson pointed out long ago in Gods Work of Art: Images of the Church in Ephesians, the word translated work of art comes from a Greek word related to our English word poem. As a poet carefully chooses the right words for her work, so the author of the book of Ephesians notes that God chose the church as the real work to reveal Gods plans for the whole universe: all things in Him Christ, things in. heaven and things on earth. (v. 10). There is much evidence that many of the letters to the Ephesians come from the songs and prayers of the early church. Perhaps our extraordinary election expressed in Ephesians is something not only to be studied, but also to be sung! extraordinary choices So far in this series we have explored various stories that describe Gods often surprising decisions. But here in Ephesians we move from stories to songspoems. This is music that will warm the heart of any Reformed believer: Music about the mystery of election; Melody about Gods purpose inscrutability; Churches that preach the good news that God chooses more than our decisions along the way. Just listen to how the sentences add up. At the very beginning, Paul declares himself an apostle according to the will of God (v. 1). God has blessed Gods people, just as God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world (v. 4). God predestined us for a purpose (v. 5). God consecrated us in the beloved (v. 6). v. 8) salvation and forgives well according to the riches of His grace (v. 7). Again and again, God is the subject of these sentences, and we are the subject of these sentences. God, God, God - take your pick. We, we, we - we are chosen. It is a refrain that every Presbyterian church should sing. When we think of the church, too often the first thing we notice are our flaws and imperfections, and the many different ways we fall short of Gods grace and glory. This is all true. But on this Sunday, the author invites us to remember that our story is not only about us, but about God and Gods extraordinary choices. In the more formal poetry of the Westminster Confession, the reasons for Gods election are clearly stated: His Gods free grace and love alone, without prospect of faith or good works, or remaining in one or other creature. as the circumstances or causes which cause him God to act thus; and all this to the glory of his Gods glorious grace (6.018). This song is not so much about us as it is about God and the good news of Gods election. Our Acceptance in Christ But God chose us to be more than just words in Gods poem or members of a winning team. According to Ephesians we are through Him

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