Ever paid attention to Ephesians 1?

From 1 Ephesians

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 to be adopted as his sons 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 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.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 hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

These verses are jam packed with meaning. Literally.

My sweet friend Kristina told me recently she's been listening to Mark Driscoll's series on Ephesians. Mark pastors Mars Hill church out in Seattle. God has used him in Seattle greatly, and they've been able to plant several more churches. Mars Hill takes seriously the spreading of the gospel and making disciples in the nations. They talk about it every week in the intro to the sermons, so they must be really serious.

I really want to dislike Mark Driscoll. He seems extremely confident, know-it-all, even. I'm sure he has trouble with humility (and yes, it takes one to know one). One of those born leaders, quite passionate about his calling and doing what he thinks is right. Likes to yell about things when he feels something very strongly. I do dislike public figures that tend to have some of these character traits, probably without good reason. Anyway, I listened to his sermon series on marriage, men, and women last year. He definitely knows his scripture, and extrapolates application pretty well, for the most part. Sometimes I think there is too much extrapolation. In listening to his sermons, he preaches for what I think is a long time. Literally, the Ephesians series has averaged an hour a sermon. Without the liturgy. Regardless, I have to give him credit. They guy knows his stuff. And he's funny to boot.

I listened today to the sermon on the verses above. Mark was spot on. He covered being "in Christ", predestination, being adopted into God's kingdom, being holy and being marked with the Holy spirit. Really good. Give it a listen here. If you have an hour, that is.