Remember, You're United To Christ!
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Introduction:
Introduction:
In times of transition and unknowns, especially the transition of a pastor, we tend to lose focus. We tend to lose sight of what is primary, of what should have our attention.
Blurring vision, the need for new prescriptions, the risks of blurring, totally missing , causing harm and damage, etc...
18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
I would echo Peter and want to remind us of things that may seem basic or that some believe they’ve outgrown. I want to remind us of these things that we would grow into the fullness of Christ and that in so doing glory would be given to God in all things.
Tonight I want us to remember our Union to Christ, to remember the wealth we’ve been granted “in Christ” and tomorrow to remember our Union for Christ, to remember our walk as we’ve been called together for Christ’s cause.
In this letter, some version of the phrase “in Christ” is used 27 times, and in our passage for tonight 11 times in just 14 verses. This is the most common title for a believer, not the name Christian, but in Christ, in Him, in the Beloved, etc.
We see this reality all over the New Testament. The reality, not that we are with Christ or like Christ, but that we have been placed “IN” Him! So what does it mean to be in Christ?
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
The Text:
The Text:
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 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. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Prayer:
Prayer:
Blessings:
Blessings:
These blessings in Christ are...
To the faithful or faith-filled.
All of them are given.
They are of a spiritual nature…in the heavenly places.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: How Rich You Are! (Ephesians 1:4–14)
The Bible is our guidebook; the Holy Spirit is our Teacher. As we search the Word of God, we discover more and more of the riches we have in Christ. These riches were planned by the Father, purchased by the Son, and presented by the Spirit. There is really no need for us to live in poverty when all of God’s wealth is at our disposal!
Blessings of the Father: Eternity Past
Blessings of the Father: Eternity Past
Chosen (v. 4)
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Adopted (v. 5)
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: How Rich You Are! (Ephesians 1:4–14)
Adoption has a dual meaning, both present and future. You do not get into God’s family by adoption. You get into His family by regeneration, the new birth (John 3:1–18; 1 Peter 1:22–25). Adoption is the act of God by which He gives His “born ones” an adult standing in the family. Why does He do this? So that we might immediately begin to claim our inheritance and enjoy our spiritual wealth! A baby cannot legally use this inheritance (Gal. 4:1–7), but an adult son can—and should! This means that you do not have to wait until you are an old saint before you can claim your riches in Christ.
The future aspect of adoption is found in Romans 8:22–23, the glorified body we will have when Jesus returns. We already have our adult standing before God, but the world cannot see this. When Christ returns, this “private adoption” will be made public for everyone to see!
Accepted (v. 6)
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Blessings of the Son: History Past
Blessings of the Son: History Past
Redeemed (v. 7a)
“to purchase and set free through paying what’s owed”
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Ephesians - Philemon (Volume 11) (EPHESIANS 1:3–14)
The believer’s redemption is presented as the fulfillment of a “new exodus” prophesied in the OT. In other words, the redemption Christians receive is the fulfillment of what was typified when Israel was redeemed from Egypt. And just as Israel’s exodus from Egypt was accompanied by the institution of the Levitical system so that Israel could atone for their sins, so also the believer’s redemption in Christ from sin is accompanied by full and final forgiveness.
Forgiven (v. 7b)
“to carry away”
The Bible Exposition Commentary (Chapter Two: How Rich You Are! (Ephesians 1:4–14))
This reminds us of the ritual on the Jewish Day of Atonement when the high priest sent the scapegoat into the wilderness (Lev. 16). First the priest killed one of the two goats and sprinkled its blood before God on the mercy seat. Then he confessed Israel’s sins over the live goat, and had the goat taken into the wilderness to be lost. Christ died to carry away our sins so they might never again be seen. No written accusation stands against us because our sins have been taken away! Sin made us poor, but grace makes us rich.
12 As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Enlightened (vv. 8-10)
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: How Rich You Are! (Ephesians 1:4–14)
We are able to share in the secret that God will one day unite everything in Christ. Ever since sin came into the world, things have been falling apart. First, man was separated from God (Gen. 3). Then man was separated from man, as Cain killed Abel (Gen. 4). People tried to maintain a kind of unity by building the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11), but God judged them and scattered them across the world. God called Abraham and put a difference between the Jew and the Gentile, a difference that was maintained until Christ’s death on the cross. Sin is tearing everything apart, but in Christ, God will gather everything together in the culmination of the ages.
Endowed (vv. 11-12)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Blessings of the Spirit: Present
Blessings of the Spirit: Present
Sealed (vv. 13-14)
The Bible Exposition Commentary (Chapter Two: How Rich You Are! (Ephesians 1:4–14))
What is the significance of this sealing of the Holy Spirit?
For one thing, it speaks of a finished transaction. Even today, when important legal documents are processed, they are stamped with the official seal to signify the completion of the transaction.
This sealing also implies ownership: God has put his seal on us because He has purchased us to be His own (1 Cor. 6:19–20).
It also means security and protection. The Roman seal on the tomb of Jesus carried this meaning (Matt. 27:62–66). So, the believer belongs to God, and is safe and protected because he is a part of a finished transaction. According to John 14:16–17, the Holy Spirit abides with the believer forever. It is possible for us to grieve the Spirit and thereby lose the blessings of His ministry (Eph. 4:30). But He doesn’t leave us.
Another use for the seal is as a mark of authenticity. Just as a signature on a letter attests to the genuineness of the document, so the presence of the Spirit proves the believer is genuine. “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His” (Rom. 8:9). It is not simply our lip profession, our religious activity, or our good works, but the witness of the Spirit that makes our profession authentic.
The Holy Spirit is God’s first installment to guarantee to His children that He will finish His work and eventually bring them to glory.
Gospel Connection:
Gospel Connection:
The Bible Exposition Commentary (Chapter Two: How Rich You Are! (Ephesians 1:4–14))
The entire process of salvation is given in verse 13. It tells how the sinner becomes a saint. First, he hears the Gospel of salvation. This is the good news that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again (1 Cor. 15:1ff). The Ephesians were Gentiles, and the Gospel came “to the Jew first” (Rom. 1:16). But Paul, a Jew, brought the Gospel to the Gentiles as he shared the Word of God with them.
The Bible Exposition Commentary (Chapter Two: How Rich You Are! (Ephesians 1:4–14))
Having heard the Word, the Ephesians believed; and it is this faith that brought salvation (Eph. 2:8–9). This pattern follows what Paul writes in Romans 10:13–15.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
The Bible Exposition Commentary (Chapter Two: How Rich You Are! (Ephesians 1:4–14))
We often have the idea that God saves sinners mainly because He pities them, or wants to rescue them from eternal judgment, but God’s main purpose is that He might be glorified. His creation reveals His wisdom and power, but His church reveals His love and grace. You cannot deserve or earn these spiritual blessings; you can only receive them by grace, through faith and we ought to bless God through our lives as He has blessed us with our lives.
Recently, the Gettys co-wrote a modern hymn based on 1 Corinthians 6 that we read earlier and Question 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism that asks...”What is your only comfort in life and death?”
The song’s verses read...
1. The one who made the heavens made my heart and soul
Before I drew a breath, I was loved and known
I am His creation, the Maker's masterpiece
And all that He designs will be done in me
2. My body is a temple of the living God
I'll worship in this house that His blood has bought
As I bear His image, O may I not profane
The holiness I hold in this earthly frame
3. And if he has rеdeemed me, I am not my own
The mеasure of my worth is His love alone
He declares my standing, and He declares my state
So I will know myself by the name He gave
God the Father has chosen us, adopted us, and accepted us!
“To the praise of the glory of His grace” (Eph. 1:6).
God the Son redeemed us, forgave us, revealed God’s will to us, and made us part of God’s inheritance!
“That we should be to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:12).
God the Spirit sealed us and became the guarantee of our future blessing!
“Unto the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:14).
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: How Rich You Are! (Ephesians 1:4–14)
The Bible is our guidebook; the Holy Spirit is our Teacher. As we search the Word of God, we discover more and more of the riches we have in Christ. These riches were planned by the Father, purchased by the Son, and presented by the Spirit. There is really no need for us to live in poverty when all of God’s wealth is at our disposal!