CHOSEN and REDEEMED
Ephesians 1:7-14
Last week we were looking at the amazing spiritual blessings we get in Christ. Today, we’re going to continue looking at what Paul tells us in Ephesians 1. These messages are simply reminders or maybe for the first time you’re hearing what Christ did for us. If we would stop and really think about it, it’s really very overwhelming to think about what God has done for us.
As we did last week, I’m going to read scripture from Ephesians 1:3-14. And remember, in the original Greek this was one long sentence. We’ve added all of the punctuation to make this more readable and understandable. So, let’s look at these uplifting words from Paul –
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
4 even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.
In love 5 He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will,
6 to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,
8 which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight
9 making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ
10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11 In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory.
13 In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. – Ephesians 1:3-14
Without redoing last weeks message, the highlights come in verses 3-5 as Paul highlights these spiritual blessings - Our spiritual blessings include the fact that - -
We are chosen because we are loved.
We were chosen before the world was created.
We are not condemned.
Jesus died for us and God now considers us - -
HOLY and BLAMELESS.
So with that in mind, let’s keep moving on and we’re going to start with verses 7-8, which could be a full sermon in itself. Paul tells us --
7 In Him we have REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, 8 which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight
I really want this in one slide because of what Paul’s telling us about what God has done for us.
As I mentioned last week, Paul is telling us the source of these blessings we receive. It’s in those first 2 words . . . IN HIM! In Christ and through Christ, because of Christ we have redemption.
The word redemption literally means to be released or to be delivered by payment of a ransom. It gives us the image of God buying rescuing us from what was enslaving us and holding us in bondage, and that is sin.
When we are redeemed we gain our freedom, which is freedom in Christ and through Christ. In essence we gain a new status, as children of God.
So, we’re released from our captivity to death because of our sinfulness. Someone had to pay the price to restore us so that we could have a relationship with God . . . and that was Jesus.
Other passages help us to see what Jesus did for us -
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, – 1 Timothy 2:6
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. – 1 Peter 1:18-19
12 He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. – Hebrews 9:12
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45
So, that’s what Jesus did for us. He gave His life up as a ransom for us. Think about it, if you were held for ransom, would anyone pay for your release? And if yes, how much negotiating would they do? “You want $100,000 for him? Really, he’s not worth it. How about I gave you $20 bucks and you keep him!”
Jesus didn’t think that way about you. Inspite of all of our sinfulness, even while we were yet sinners, dead in our trespasses, Jesus didn’t hesitate . . . He died for you and I. Is that not great news!?
So, what does all of that mean for us? We’ve been redeemed, but so what? I don’t mean that in a bad way, but we could easily be thinking, ‘OK, I’ve been redeemed, purchased by God, but what does that get me?’ It’s a legit question.
Paul tells us --
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, THE FORGIVENESS OF OUR TRESPASSES, according to the riches of His grace, 8 which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight
This means our sins, our trespasses have been sent away. We’ve been released from our debt or punishment or repayment.
Have you ever done something to someone and you know you need to go to them and ask for forgiveness, and frankly you’re not sure if they’ll really forgive you. You think they will, but you really hurt them. You ask for forgiveness not knowing what they will say or do.
They might remind you of how badly you hurt them with what you did. They might laugh in your face. They might start yelling at you for your callousness to think they would or even could forgive you. And maybe, they will forgive you. When we’ve hurt someone, we never know how they’ll react. And some will say, ‘sure I forgive you.’ But you know from the way they treat you, they’ve never really let go and forgave you.
Well, that’s not the case with God. That’s why God sent His Son to die for us. If you’re uncertain as to this forgiveness thing. Let me give you a few other scriptures to back this up.
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does God remove our transgressions from us. – Psalm 103:12
22 I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you. – Isaiah 44:22
34 For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. – Jeremiah 31:34
19 He will again have compassion on us; God will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. – Micah 7:19
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, – Acts 3:19
28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. – Matthew 26:28
17 then God adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” – Hebrews 10:17
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. – Colossians 1:13-14
WHEW!!! Can I get an AMEN or a HALLELUJAH for this! And know that I left some passages out. I want you to get the point that not only in the New Testament does the God talk about forgiveness, but it’s all throughout the Old Testament as well. That’s great news folks.
God promises us He will forgive us of our sins. He died for us, shed His blood for us, so that we could be forgiven of our sins. Now, here’s the rub. And it’s really, really important, most of the world who doesn’t know Christ, doesn’t talk about sin.
We talk about sin! Not to point it out and condemn anyone, because remember from John 3:17, God sent Jesus not to condemn us, but to give us life. And when we recognize our sinfulness, when we can admit it, then we can as 1 John 1:9 tells us . . . when we confess that sin to God, He forgives us, and then He cleanses us.
It’s what the Psalmist said, that as far as the east is from the west, that’s how far God has removed our sin.
Our Micah tells us God has thrown our sin into the depths of the sea.
Finally, Jesus tells us this is the blood of my covenant, poured out for the forgiveness of sins.
This isn’t universal though, not everyone is automatically forgiven. That would be nice, but we must confess that Jesus is Lord and Savior. We must admit our need for a Lord and Savior and surrender ourselves to Him. When we do that, the blood shed by Jesus on Calvary becomes ours. God now counts us as righteous because of what Jesus did for us. That’s what Paul is getting at in this passage.
Now, we’re still not done with verse 7. Isn’t this great! I’m stoked. I’m excited about this great news. Because there’s more. Listen to how Paul ends this thought. He said –
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE, 8 WHICH HE LAVISHED UPON US, IN ALL WISDOM AND INSIGHT
Remember, as Paul said in 1:3, that God has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing. These are some of the greatest spiritual blessings we can receive.
So, God has forgiven us according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. Paul wants us to realize that God has so blessed us. Out of the abundance of His grace, God has lavished or has given to us in super abundance, over and above what is normal, He gave us this great gift of grace.
His forgiveness is His gift to you and I. God is generous. He doesn't withhold His kindness, or love, mercy, His forgiveness, His compassion, His strength and power or His blessings. Instead He showers us with blessings.
God is generous. He wants to bless you with His generosity, if you’re willing to receive it.
Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 9:8, that God will make all grace abound. That way we can be content in Christ so that we do abound in every good work.
Paul isn't just talking about our physical needs; he's referring to our spiritual and emotional needs as well. God will pour out blessing upon blessing in your life, giving you all the joy you need, all the love you need, all the patience you need, all the mercy you need, all the power and courage and on and on.
Maybe you’ve spent most of your Christian life thinking that you had to manufacture these things on your own, and that most of the time God was angry you didn’t do a better job at it.
And maybe you've spent most of your Christian life thinking that God doesn’t like to bless us. Instead he hands out blessings sparingly or only to those who really don’t seem to deserve them. Or maybe they only go to the most deserving, and you’re obviously not one of the most deserving, since you can’t find those blessings.
Here’s the truth I want you to walk away with today . . . God wants to shower you with every spiritual blessing. Everything you need, He wants to provide. Sometimes, we just need to stop and let God be God and we need to stop playing God.
This week, as you pray ask God to bless you, that’s right ask God to bless you. I’m not talking about a health and wealth gospel. I’m talking about spiritual blessing.
Maybe there’s a sin issue. Ask God to bless you with spiritual power to say NO.
Maybe there’s marital issues. Ask God to bless you to see your spouse differently, that you would say them as Christ sees them - Holy and dearly loved.
Maybe it’s uncertainty about your future. Ask God to bless you with His wisdom and discernment.
Whatever it is, ask God for His blessing. He wants to bless you with every spiritual blessing. WHY?
Because before the world was formed He had you in mind, He chose you and loves you and has an amazing plan for you! Trust in His plan, His redemption and His forgiveness.
Let that free you so that you are spiritually flying!
God isn't mad at you. He isn't disappointed in you. He isn't sorry He chose you. He didn't choose you because you had to, God chose you because He wanted to.
And if God had to do it over, He would choose you again. Remember, you’re a first round draft pick. Why?
Because He chose you to be His child. Adopted into His family.
You belong to Him, and that will never change
