Background to passage: Today is our second pass through the opening sentence in the book of Ephesians; a book written to the saints there, whom Paul knew well. These believers within the fourth largest city in the Roman Empire. This is the first sentence after the greeting. It is powerful, theologically deafening, yet a structurally convoluted nightmare run-on sentence with only one real theme that spans and links it all together. Phrase upon phrase, idea related to and unrelated to the previous one, all with the point of “in Christ.” Where is Easter? In Christ!
Ephesians 1:7–14 ESV
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.
Opening illustration:
Well I can sniff, I can see And I can count up pretty high But these faculties aren't getting me Any close to the sky But my heart of faith keeps pounding So I know I'm doing fine But sometimes finding You Is just like trying to
Sometimes finding You Is just like trying to Sometimes finding You Is just like trying to smell the color nine Smell the color nine Nine is not a color And even if it were, you can't smell a color, no That's my point exactly
Main thought: John Piper wrote a book on preaching, Expository Exultation, and that is what today is because of the wonder in this text about glories given to the lovers of Christ. For those of you here today who are saved, this message will help you to rejoice in who you are in Jesus. For those of you here today who are not following Christ and have never been born again, this message is to offer you what Jesus died and rose again to give.
1) Redemption and Forgiveness (v. 7-10)
Ephesians 1:7–10 (ESV)
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. 1) Redemption and Forgiveness (v. 7-10)
Explanation: As I said the theme is in Christ, this part of the sentence builds off the last “in the Beloved.” Believers have been redeemed. This means to be purchased or the price paid to set one free from bondage of slavery. The price paid is mentioned here - the blood of Jesus. His death was the payment for your freedom from sin. The judgment that was due you, under the curse of the law, the perfection of God, his holiness, was eternal punishment for incalculable injury to his glory. Jesus took it to pay it all. This resulted in the forgiveness of your sin. When you put your faith in Christ as your only hope, relying on his death and resurrection as the only hope you have for eternal life, every sin you ever committed or will commit IS forgiven; is currently and will forever be forgiven. You sins, according to the riches of his grace, are cast as far as the east is from the west and thrown in the depths of the sea, never to be held against you again.
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (ESV)
19 ...You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.
Galatians 3:13 ESV
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
1 Peter 1:18–19 ESV
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.
Illustration: Words are hardly adequate to describe the inexhaustible nature of God’s giving (cf. Eph. 2:7; Rom. 5:15, 20). Andrew Macdonald came to name Christ on Easter in 2003
Application: As I said, those of you who know Christ, this is you! You are redeemed, paid for, bought with precious blood of the spotless Lamb of God sent to take away the sin of the world. You are the beneficiaries. You are no longer slaves to sin or its judgment. You are forgiven! The perfect price was paid for you upon the cross, then Jesus was raised to verify that everything he said and did was acceptable to God. He was raised for our justification.
Now, if you are here today, and have never been saved; if you have never asked God to forgive you based on Jesus’s sacrifice/death and resurrection; if you have never believed in your heart and confessed with your mouth; if you have never called out to God for mercy (I am trying to describe it many ways so you can understand the either/or nature of our status before God) - you have not been redeemed, you are still in bondage to sin. You have not had your sins forgiven, and you stand alone before God to bear his punishment. Eternal suffering, separation, and pain await you.
I don’t want anyone to leave here like that. I want every one of you to leave here with genuine, know-so faith. God have written these things that we may know we eternal life. Do you know him? Are you sure? Let today be the day that you ask God to forgive you through Christ. Let today be the day that you confirm your faith, and pledge allegiance to Jesus for the rest of your days.
2) An Inheritance and a Hope (v. 11-12)
Ephesians 1:11–12 (ESV)
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. 2) An Inheritance and a Hope (v. 11-12)
Explanation: We are so going to have to come back for another pass at who we are in Christ, because the six things that will have mentioned today, not only are not comprehensive, they are just the beginning of the seemingly limitless things that we are in Christ. Paul says that we have been claimed by God as His portion. Believers are his people and he is our God. The psalmist says that God is our portion, Paul says we are his! I have never seen this before this week. I can’t explain how I could be an inheritance, except with the words of the Moravian missionaries as they sold themselves into slavery for passage to the new world in order to spread the gospel, “May the Lamb receive the reward of his suffering.”
Paul also says that we are the first to be given a hope to the praise of God’s glory. I just don’t have time to do the text justice! In Christ, we have a heavenly hope that is currently the open door to the greatest, deepest, most secure, and most satisfying joy on earth. It will also be realized one day in its initial fullness when we are in the presence of Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 ESV
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
1 Corinthians 15:12–19 ESV
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Illustration: We speak these words at funerals, but they are applicable to every hurt, every pain, every sorrow, and every joy!
Application: Those of you who are passionate followers of our Lord and Savior, cast your mind upon the idea of being the portion, the inheritance of God. You are his reward. We must think on this more, because it’s one of those moments that you look at a scripture and think, God, I see what you said, help me process what you meant. All I know is that I have been claimed as his portion, not by anything I have done, nor some meritorious character trait. I was a rebel, and user of God for my own selfish purposes. He wasn’t my treasure. I had never humbly come and thrown myself at his feet pleading for mercy. And I believe God’s claiming some people today. I know of some he has already claimed this week! Some of you here need to reach out and by faith take hold of the grace he is extending you in Christ, his death, his resurrection.
If you are in Christ, you are never without all hope! Never! You are the first to have hope in a seemingly hopeless situation. Why? Christ. You are to hope in Christ to the praise of his glory! Somebody here is looking for hope. You can’t find it is money, relationships, jobs, possessions, knowledge, groups, family, religion, entertainment; eternal hope, present hope, lasting hope, foundation hope, unshakable hope is found only in Jesus! You must be in Christ! Salvation by grace, through faith in Christ alone to the glory of God!
3) A Seal and a Guarantee (v. 13-14)
Ephesians 1:13–14 (ESV)
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. 3) A Seal and a Guarantee (v. 13-14)
Explanation: Perfect explanation of the way the response of the gospel was in the first century, and it continues today - hear the word of truth, the gospel (good news, you can be freed of sin), then we believe (put our trust in, be confident in, entrust our lives to). When that happens God seals you with his Holy Spirit. This sealing is like the process of
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putting the sign of an owner on a possession. It would be a promise of protection of possession, or even like a family. Believers are purchased and set free from sin to belong to Jesus and his protection.
Then, regarding the Holy Spirit, he says that it is also the guarantee of a believers inheritance. It is like a down payment. It is made as a irrevocable promise that you will be award the completion of that inheritance with Jesus, as an heir of God and a co-heir with Christ - to the praise of his glory!
2 Corinthians 1:22 ESV
22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
Illustration: “(the) emphatic personal pronoun your reminds the readers of their conversion, and draws attention to what this powerful message has accomplished for them: it has effected ‘a rescue operation, a deliverance from spiritual death, from God’s wrath, from bondage to evil powers, sin and the flesh” -Pillar NTC,
Application: If you are here today, and your affections are set upon Christ; if you have been born again; if you have been saved by grace, then you have been sealed to protection by the Spirit of Almighty God. You are a cherished possession. You are part of the family. Your salvation has God stamped on it! It’s your covenant promise from God that you are secure, and you will never lose your salvation. It will never be in danger.
If you are here and have never made a profession of faith. If you have never come to the knowledge that you need Christ, and asked him to forgive you, repenting and believing and putting all your hope in his death and resurrection, then you should do that right now! God will hear you right now! God will save you right now. God with claim you right now. God will forgive you right now. God will seal you right now. Don’t leave here without Him as your treasure and Lord! Secure the benefits of the saving work of Christ today!
Closing illustration: Maybe Tyson, Rhian, little girl in Peru who had just been reading the bible,
Recap
