Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. I am thrilled to stand before you today, not because I am worthy, but because I am a vessel, humbly chosen by our gracious Father to share His divine message with you. We find ourselves here in this sanctuary, nestled in the embrace of fellowship, bound by the shared love we have for our Savior. And it is in this spirit of unity that we come together, not merely as individuals, but as a body of believers, collectively yearning to draw closer to the heart of God.

Today, we are going to immerse ourselves in the profound depths of Ephesians 1:7-10. As we do so, let us keep in mind the words of the great Christian theologian, J.I. Packer: "Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord." Indeed, our purpose here is not to solve the world's problems, but to know God. And it is through knowing God that we find the true solutions to life's challenges.

Let us read together from the book of Ephesians:

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fullness—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ." (Ephesians 1:7-10)

What a powerful passage! It speaks of redemption, forgiveness, wisdom, understanding, and unity—all through the blood of Christ. We are reminded of three profound truths: the bountiful blessings we receive through the blood of Christ, the forgiveness we obtain through His sacrifice, and the unity we attain as believers under His sovereignty.

Bountiful Blessings through the Blood

The blessings that we receive through the blood of Christ are indeed bountiful. They are not just plentiful, but they are also rich in their depth and breadth. The blood of Christ is not just a symbol, but it is the very essence of our redemption. It is through His blood that we have been bought back from the clutches of sin and death, and brought into the glorious light of God's grace.

The first aspect of this bountiful blessing is the redemption that we receive. Redemption is a term that is often used in the context of buying back something that was lost or sold. In the spiritual context, it refers to the act of God buying back humanity from the bondage of sin and death through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. This redemption is not just a transaction, but it is a transformation. It is a change from being slaves to sin, to being children of God.

The second aspect of this bountiful blessing is the forgiveness of sins. The blood of Christ is not just a symbol of redemption, but it is also a symbol of cleansing. It is through His blood that our sins are washed away, and we are made clean before God. This forgiveness is not just a removal of guilt, but it is also a restoration of relationship. It is a change from being enemies of God, to being friends of God.

The third aspect of this bountiful blessing is the wisdom and understanding that we receive. The blood of Christ is not just a symbol of redemption and cleansing, but it is also a symbol of enlightenment. It is through His blood that the mystery of God's will is revealed to us, and we are given the wisdom and understanding to comprehend it. This enlightenment is not just an increase in knowledge, but it is also a change in perspective. It is a change from seeing things from a worldly perspective, to seeing things from a godly perspective.

The fourth aspect of this bountiful blessing is the unity that we attain. The blood of Christ is not just a symbol of redemption, cleansing, and enlightenment, but it is also a symbol of unity. It is through His blood that all things in heaven and on earth are brought together under Christ. This unity is not just a gathering of individuals, but it is also a formation of a body. It is a change from being isolated individuals, to being members of the body of Christ.

Becoming Forgiven through the Blood

As we continue to reflect on the richness of Ephesians 1:7-10, we find ourselves drawn to the second truth that emerges from this passage: the forgiveness we obtain through the blood of Christ ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO