Blessings From God The Son Series

Blessings from God the Son

Ephesians - Live Like You Really Are

Chuck Sligh

March 25, 2012

POWERPOINT: There is a PowerPoint presentation for this sermon available by requesting it from me at chucksligh@hotmail.com.

TEXT: Ephesians 1:7-12 – “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 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 fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 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: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”

INTRODUCTION

Illus. – When I was little, I loved spending Christmas Eve at my Dad’s side of the family. On Christmas eve, we would all go to Granddaddy and Grandmama’s house where the whole clan gathered. We would arrive around noon, but the most important thing—the gift-opening time—would not take place until after supper, an endless wait for a little boy. I’d play with my cousins until mealtime, and then we’d all gather in the living room for the big event.

The best thing I remember is that I could expect a gift from every set of relatives.

• I got gifts from Grandmama and Granddaddy and I’d open all of them.

• Then I’d get a bunch from Aunt Louise.

• That was followed by more gifts from Aunt Deevey and Uncle Mack.

• And then finally, I’d unwrap all the gifts from Aunt Lee and Uncle Wayne.

The wonderful blessings we have from Godhead are like that. Ephesians 1:3 tells us that we have been “… blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” But it’s not one big package from the Godhead as a whole. Instead, there are different blessings that flow from each person of the Godhead!

For instance, last week we saw three important spiritual blessings from God the Father:

• Number one, He CHOSE us in Christ – Verse 4

• Second, He PREDESTINED us to all the rights and duties of son-ship – verses 5-6a

• Third, He ACCEPTED us in the beloved, who is the Lord Jesus– verse 6

Those are three wonderful presents we receive from God the Father. But folks, the gift giving time isn’t over yet. Paul tells us that there are more blessings that flow from the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Let’s look today at three gifts for believers from God THE SON in verses 7-12:

I. FIRST, IS THE BLESSING OF REDEMPTION – verse 7a – “In whom we have redemption through his blood…”

The word “redeem” is a theological term that the average person might not understand today, but anyone in Paul’s day would readily grasp the meaning of the word. It was a common Greek word used by the Bible to help us grasp our riches in Christ. To “redeem” means “to purchase and set free by paying a price.” It has been reliably estimated that there were at least 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire, and often they were bought and sold like property.

But a man could buy a slave and set him free, and this is what Jesus did for us! Spiritually, Jesus paid the price for our sins and bought us from the slave block of sin.

And, praise God, when Jesus buys us, he sets us free from three things:

• First, Galatians 5:1 tells us that Jesus sets us free from the LAW. I’m set free from serving God by constraint. Now I serve God WILLINGLY because of His marvelous grace and mercy.

• Second, Romans 6 teaches that we are free from SLAVERY TO SIN. Before you were saved, you were a slave to your sin and your wicked habits. But praise God, when you came to Christ, He set you free to do what is right! The Holy Spirit came into your life to give you new desires and to empower you to live for God. You have the Bible to guide you into righteousness.

• Finally, Colossians 1:13-14 tells us we are free from the POWER OF SATAN. Before salvation Satan owned you and he is a hard taskmaster. But the wonderful truth of the Bible is that when Christ saves us, He sets us free from Satan and his power. He no longer has any hold over believers unless we surrender ground to him. Why?—Because we have a new master—Jesus, and a new father—God.