Sermon Central
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A Glorious Salvation Series
Contributed by Robert Kerr on Sep 3, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: The redemptive work of the 3 Persons of the Holy Trinity
I/ THE REDEMPTIVE WORK OF THE FATHER
A/ WHO HATH BLESSED US - Ephesians 1:3
Blessed
1. We have a Heavenly Heart within us.
Ezek 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
2. We have a Heavenly Highway to walk in.
Matthew 7:14 Because strait
3. We have Heavenly Hymns to sing.
Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
4. We have a Heavenly Hedge about us.
Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
5. We have a Heavenly Hammer to swing.
Jeremiah 23:29
6. We have a Heavenly Help to Guide us.
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
7. We have a Heavenly Hope to await.
Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
B/ WHO PREDESTINED US
Ephesians 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:
How could God have "predestined" us, if we are responsible for accepting or rejecting Christ ? (God determined beforehand that those who accept Christ are those who are adopted).
C/ WHO ADOPTED US
Ephesians 1:5-6 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, {6} To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
What does verse 6 tell us about the reason we were adopted ? The believer is welcomed as a member of the divine family. He is entitled to family privileges. God is now his heavenly Father. The resources of his Father are available to him. He is joined in glad, holy and productive fellowship with other members of the family, people of all races and tongues who have found Christ as Savior.
II/ THE REDEMPTIVE WORK OF THE SON
A/ WHO EARNED OUR REDEMPTION
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
What slavery were we redeemed from ? (slavery to the prince of the power of the air and slavery to the flesh - see 2:1-3)
B/ WHO MADE KNOWN HIS PURPOSE TO US
Ephesians 1:9-10 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: {10} 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;
C/ WHO EARNED OUR INHERITANCE
Ephesians 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:
The believer belongs to God now both by creation and redemption. Some day, when faith issues in sight in the "Father’s house where there are many mansions", the full glory of the inheritance will be known.
III/ THE REDEMPTIVE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO INDWELLS US
A/ WHO SEALS US IN CHRIST
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also
The "seal" of the Spirit refers to His possession, ownership, and authority. When Noah by faith entered the ark, "the Lord shut him in". When the believer by faith enters into Christ, the Spirit shuts him in, seals him forever into the blessedness of Salvation
B/ WHO GUARANTEES OUR INHERITANCE
Ephesians 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
