Praise God for His Saving Son
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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.
vs. 3-6 Praise to the Sovereign God who Chose Us and who Changed Us
Ephesians 1:3–6 (KJV 1900)
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.
vs. 7-12 Praise to the Saving Son
Ephesians 1:7–12 (KJV 1900)
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.
Next week or in the near future, we will Praise For His Sealing Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13–14 (KJV 1900)
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.
Christ’s Redemption
Christ’s Redemption
Ephesians 1:7 (KJV 1900)
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Redemption = release or deliverance
Redemption conveys the idea of deliverance or setting a man free by paying a ransom.
For example, a prisoner of war or a kidnapped person is ransomed or redeemed; or a convicted criminal is freed from the penalty of death. In every case the man is powerless to free himself. He cannot pay the penalty demanded to liberate himself from his situation or bondage.
Note several significant facts.
We have been captured by the force of sin, the force of corruption and death,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
and the force of Satan.
Paul will deal with this in chapter 2.
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Redemption is free to Us
However, Redemption was very costly to Christ
The Character of Redemption:
The Character of Redemption:
Ephesians 1:7 (KJV 1900)
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
In whom - Jesus Christ steps in
Three key ideas are included in the concept of redemption.
1) Man needs to be liberated, delivered, and set free.
2) Man is unable to liberate himself. He has no energy, no power, no ability to free himself.
3) God has redeemed man by the blood of His Son Jesus Christ.
God Himself has paid the ransom for man’s release—the ransom of a life for a life. God gave His own Son so that man might be set free. Man has been redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ (see Le. 17:11; Mt. 20:28; Ro. 3:24; 1 Co. 6:20; 7:23; Col. 1:14; 1 Ti. 2:5–6; He. 9:15; 1 Pe. 1:18f; 2 Pe. 2:1; Re. 5:9; 14:3–4).
This is extremely important to note: when a man truly calls upon the Lord to save him, God buys him right out of the marketplace of this corruptible life (Ro. 10:13).
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
God redeems him once for all, purchases and removes him from further sale. He is redeemed eternally
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
The Cost of Redemption:
The Cost of Redemption:
Ephesians 1:7 (KJV 1900)
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Jesus died an excruciating, unfathomable pain that I might be saved. Oh, how I ought to praise Him today!
The Culmination of Redemption:
The Culmination of Redemption:
And then, not only did He redeem me with his blood, but He forgave my sins—every spot, every blur, every blemish, and every stain washed whiter than snow in the blood of Jesus Christ.
In the Old Testament, when they would have that high day of atonement, the high priest would take two goats: one goat would be slain, and the blood of that goat would have its blood poured out there on the altar and as a sacrifice for sin; but then, the high priest would take another goat, and he would lay his hands on the head of that other goat, and he would confess the sins of the people over the head of that other goat. And then, that goat was called a “scapegoat.”
Have you ever heard the expression “a scapegoat”? He was called the scapegoat. The sins would be put on that goat, and then he would be led away, way out in the wilderness, and he would be let go, never to return again.
And the idea of forgiveness literally means “to bear away.”
The Bible says He has removed our sins from us, “as far as the east is from the west”
12 As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Have you ever noticed —not as far as the north from the south. You can measure the North Pole and the South Pole. But you just keep on going east as far as you want, and you keep on going west as far as you want, and friend, that’s how far God has removed our sins from us.
The Bible says that God has buried our sins in “the depths of the sea.”
Micah 7:19 (KJV 1900)
19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; And thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
They’re gone—our sins are gone.
The Cause of Redemption
The Cause of Redemption
Ephesians 1:7 (KJV 1900)
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
God redeems man because of the riches of His grace
Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV 1900)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
He loves man with an unbelievable love—a love so great that it spurs Him to do whatever is necessary to save man.
So, the Apostle Paul praises the Father who selected us: He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world. Then, he praises the Son who has saved us. And we have redemption, and we have forgiveness. Dear friend, but not only a redemption, pardon; also, a revelation of purpose.
Christ’s Revelation
Christ’s Revelation
You see, a Christian, a person who knows the Lord Jesus Christ, is the only one who understands where he’s going; he’s the only one who understands what this world is all about. We are the only ones who can make rhyme or reason out of this world. We have the key that unlocks the mystery of history. Do you want to understand what it is? Well, look at it. Look at verses 9 and 10:
Ephesians 1:9–10 (KJV 1900)
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:
God’s redemptive plan flows from “the mystery of His will”; that He did what He did for us “according to His good pleasure”; and that God devised and carried out all of this because He “purposed” it “in Himself”.
In other words, God’s whole redemptive plan exists to bring Him glory.
Every soul that is saved fulfills God’s plan to redeem sinners and it brings Him glory. Every soul that is saved is saved because God, in order to accomplish His plan, in order to advance His Own glory, has revealed the deep things of God unto us.
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Verse 8 tells us that God’s grace has abounded toward us and He has given us “wisdom and prudence”. “
Wisdom” has the idea of “sanctified knowledge”. It is the “ability to understand the things of God.”
The word “prudence” refers to “understanding and insight”.
It is through this “wisdom and prudence” that God has “made known unto us the mystery of His will”. You see, God, in His grace and for His Own glory, has opened our eyes to the deep things of God. He has allowed the redeemed to understand matters of life and earth. He has allowed us to comprehend heaven and hell, time and eternity, the depth, power and influence of sin, and the fact of His love for us.
All of those things are hidden from those who are “dead in trespasses and sins”,
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
.Jesus said it this way,
21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Paul said it this way,
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
So, God, for His Own glory and purposes, opened our eyes and let us see the truth. He used that truth to convict us of our sins and draw us to Jesus. He used that truth to give us faith to believe. He used that truth to redeem us. That makes Him worthy of praise!
Cosmic Unity in Christ
Cosmic Unity in Christ
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:
There is terrible division throughout the universe. The need for God “to gather all things in heaven and earth” indicates division (see Ep. 6:12).
He will discuss this in chapter 6:
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
And the fact that God’s primary concern through all the ages has been to harmonize the divisions shows how devastating and horrible the division really is.
One day, the powers that control this world will fall at His feet and acknowledge Him to be the King of Kings, Psa. 72:11.
One day Satan will be judged by Jesus and will be cast into the lake of fire, Rev. 20:10. One day, the Lord Jesus will reign upon this earth in glory and power for 1,000 years,
You can go read of this in Revelation 19-20.
But, there is also
Church Unity in Christ
Church Unity in Christ
Here is the wonder of all this: God has made us a part of His plan. He has a plan to exalt His Son and He has allowed us to be part of that plan!He has placed us in Jesus by grace through faith. He has blessed us in Jesus with all spiritual blessings. He has promised to keep us, use us and to allow us to reign with Christ one day, 2 Tim. 2:12. These things make Him worthy of our praise!
He will explain this deeper in chapter 3.
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Christ’s Reason
Christ’s Reason
Ephesians 1:11–12 (KJV 1900)
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.
The question is,
Have you trusted in Christ?