Redeemed By Grace: Transformed By The Truth Of Ephesians 1:7 Series

Redeemed by Grace: Transformed by the Truth of Ephesians 1:7

Introduction:

Today, we embark on a journey through the transformative truth of Ephesians 1:7, which declares, "He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins." Let us delve into this passage and uncover how it has the power to reshape our lives.

Point 1: The Riches of God's Grace (Ephesians 1:7a)

Verse: "He is so rich in kindness and grace..." (Ephesians 1:7a, NLT)

Ephesians 1:7a emphasises the abundance of God's grace and kindness towards us. The word "rich" denotes the immeasurable wealth and generosity of God's grace, which exceeds all human comprehension. God's grace is not limited or scarce but boundless and overflowing, freely bestowed upon us.

Max Lucado beautifully articulates the richness of God's grace, stating, "Grace is simply another word for God's tumbling, rumbling reservoir of strength and protection."

Romans 5:20 (NLT): "But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant."

In Romans 5:20, the apostle Paul highlights the incredible abundance of God's grace in response to the increasing prevalence of sin. This verse reveals a divine principle: where sin abounds, grace abounds even more. Despite humanity's tendency towards sin and rebellion, God's grace is not limited or diminished. Instead, it overflows in abundance, surpassing the magnitude of sin and offering hope and redemption to all who believe.

Romans 5:20 reminds us that where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, highlighting the incomparable abundance of God's grace.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NLT): "And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."

In 2 Corinthians 9:8, Paul assures the Corinthians of God's generous provision for their needs. This verse emphasises God's faithfulness in supplying not just the essentials but an abundance that enables believers to be generous towards others. God's provision is not limited or meagre but abundant, ensuring that His people lack nothing and have an abundance to share with those in need.

2 Corinthians 9:8 reaffirms the sufficiency of God's grace, stating that He is able to make all grace abound to us, so that we may have all sufficiency in all things.

Point 2: The Price of Redemption (Ephesians 1:7b)

Verse: "...that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son..." (Ephesians 1:7b, NLT)

Ephesians 1:7b elucidates the cost of our redemption—the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Our freedom from sin and bondage was not attained through earthly riches or human efforts but through the sacrificial death of God's Son. Jesus paid the ultimate price to ransom us from the power of sin and death, securing our liberation.

Billy Graham reflects on the significance of Christ's sacrifice, stating, "God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, 'I love you.'"

1 Peter 1:18-19 (NLT): "For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God."

In 1 Peter 1:18-19, the apostle Peter underscores the priceless nature of the redemption secured for believers through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. This passage emphasises the inadequacy of worldly wealth, such as gold or silver, to ransom souls from the grip of sin and death. Instead, the redemption of humanity required the precious blood of Christ, who, as the sinless Lamb of God, offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to atone for our sins.

1 Peter 1:18-19 emphasises the incorruptible price of our redemption, stating that we were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

Revelation 5:9 depicts a heavenly scene where the redeemed declare the worthiness of the Lamb who was slain, acknowledging His sacrifice as the means of their redemption.

Revelation 5:9 (NLT): "And they sang a new song with these words: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.'"

Revelation 5:9 depicts a heavenly scene where the redeemed sing a new song, acknowledging the worthiness of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) to redeem humanity through His sacrificial death. This verse highlights the universal scope of Christ's redemption, as His blood has ransomed people from every corner of the earth, transcending cultural, linguistic, and ethnic barriers. It celebrates the inclusivity of God's salvation plan, which embraces people from all walks of life.

Point 3: The Forgiveness of Sins (Ephesians 1:7c)