Our Identity as Christ's New Family

Ever witnessed the sheer joy of a dog finding its forever home? In a heartbeat, their world transforms from despair to delight. That's the magic of adoption. One moment, they're facing loneliness and uncertainty, the next, they're bounding with energy, love, and the promise of a new family.

Now, imagine that same transformative power, but on a divine scale. That's what God offers us. He rescues us from the depths of despair, from spiritual forces that seek to drag us down, and He adopts us into His own family. And when I say "us," I mean all of us – regardless of where we're from, what we've done, or who we used to be.

In Ephesians, Paul speaks to the collective "y'all" or "yous guys" – emphasizing that we are not just individuals, but a unified family. There's no hierarchy, no distinctions – just one new family, united by God's love and grace.

So, as we delve into Ephesians, let's focus on the glory of the Trinity and the beauty of God's plan to create, redeem, and unite us as His beloved family. It's a story of transformation, love, and the fulfillment of God's eternal purpose.

Ephesians 1:3–14 (LEB)

3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption through Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of the glory of his grace that he bestowed on us in the beloved, 7 in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace, 8 that he caused to abound to us in all wisdom and insight, 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in him, 10 for the administration of the fullness of times, to bring together all things in Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth, in him 11 in whom also we were chosen, having been predestined according to the purpose of the One who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 that we who hoped beforehand in Christ should be for the praise of his glory, 13 in whom also you, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also when you believed you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

Truths about God’s Family Plan.

I. THE Father Chose Our Salvation Plan! (v.4)

A. He chose Christ to be the vessel of our Salvation!

In Him, Through Him – it's not just about being chosen, but about a plan set in motion before the dawn of time itself. Let's take a moment to marvel at the Father and the Son, their incredible sacrifice, and the depth of their love for us.

Now, imagine this: You're offered a dream vacation to a paradise like Hawaii, but there's a catch – you have to board a specific plane at a specific time from a specific airport. That's your ticket to this exclusive destination. Everything else is in place; you have the time, the means, and the opportunity to believe and respond. But it's up to you to step onto that plane.

Remember what Jesus said: "I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go, I will come again and take you to myself." It's a promise we can count on.

Faith in Jesus is that exclusive ticket! He alone paid for us. He alone offers us the gift. He is not merely the purchaser of our ticket, He is the captain of our plane. So, let's not just admire the ticket, let's board the plane. That happens when you BELIEVE “IN JESUS” and we see that in v13. You then get sealed by the Holy Spirit, we become seated in the heavenlies and the journey begins! Let's trust in God's plan and eagerly anticipate the journey ahead, knowing that He has prepared extraordinary things for us NOW and also FOREVER!

B. God’s planned destination for Us. (v. 4, 13)

The Bible unfolds a divine plan far from arbitrary; it's a purposeful design where those in Christ are destined for holiness and blamelessness. When you believe, God sees you as holy and blameless, yet expects you to mirror Christ's image, working out your salvation with the Holy Spirit's guidance. We're called to be imitators of Christ, for God's original intent was to mold us in His likeness.

In the Septuagint, the Jews translated the “image of God” with a word you can likely recognize, "Ikon," echoing the idea of being image-bearers. God commanded people not to make or fashion idols or ikons of created things into gods, because HE made us to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. It's a journey of becoming, where God's transformative power shapes us into the true reflection of His Son.

I’m modifying a C. S. Lewis quote , “God’s One and Only Son became a man so that we can become children of God!”

II. The Son Purchased our Adoption! (v. 7)

A. Our Free ticket has been signed in His Blood. in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins

Without the shedding of blood there is no remission on sin. Only One God died for us. Jesus. There is only ONE who can captain us to heaven. That’s Jesus.

B. Our Expense, Debt, has been covered completely by His death!

Salvation is not conditioned by anything you bring to God or any work you can offer. Salvation comes as a free gift that you are RESPONSE ABLE to receive. Receiving a gift is not a work. And no matter how confused Satan can make you, your mind can be deceived, God says, He can reason with you through His Word, Isaiah 1:18

Isaiah 1:18 NKJV

18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

His Word has the power to break through to our souls and convict us of sin, His righteousness, and the judgment. He also reveals how we can be IN HIM!

III. The Spirit confirms our ADOPTION by His Seal.

A. The Three Fold cord of the Trinity’s love secures us.

There will be no retrial. No return to the slavery of sin or the oppression of spiritual powers.

We see in the text we read that:

The Father planned for us.

The Lord Jesus paid for us.

The Holy Spirit buckles us up for the ride!

Ecclesiastes 4:12 CSB

12 And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

No one can snatch you out of Jesus’ hand. And Jesus is in the Father’s hand. And no one will snatch Jesus out of His hand. Then we find the Holy Spirit buckles us in. He seals us like Noah was sealed into the ark when he soared above the mountains!

B. We can share the excitement of joy when we “see” promises in wisdom and insight. (v. 8)

Imagine flipping through a travel brochure, escaping the bitter cold of winter, and stumbling upon images of sun-kissed beaches or serene mountain retreats. Your mind drifts to warmth, to freedom from icy roads, potholes, snow drifts, and drafty homes. And then, imagine hearing those magical words: "You're going tomorrow." Your boss, your loved ones, they've all orchestrated this getaway. Everything's taken care of – the house, the pets, even the bills. Can you feel it? The smile creeping onto your face, the lightness in your step, the joy bubbling up from within.

Now, think of the picture of Lord's love Paul shares in Ephesians, His plans for us. With every word you read, anticipation builds. Just like that impending vacation, the more you discover about what He has in store, the more excitement fills your heart. It's a journey of joy, of eager anticipation, knowing that something incredible awaits.

Adrian Rogers

He mentions what God the Father did, and then verse 6 says He did it “to the praise of [His] glory.” (Ephesians 1:6) He mentions what God the Son did, and then in verse 12 he says, “to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:12) And then, he mentions what God the Spirit does, and in verse 14 he says, “unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:14) And friend, if we don’t praise Him, what ingrates we are for this great salvation we have in the Lord Jesus. “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” (Psalms 150:6)

IV. Understanding God’s loving adoption.

A. When envisioning the Door to the Father’s House:

Do you see that you have Christ’s key to enter freely?

Do you know you can sit on the couch with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and just chat?

If you feel you have to stay on the porch or in the backyard, will you pray today’s verses and listen for your Heavenly Father?

B. Towards others:

In what ways do you live with love and concern for your fellow adopted brothers and sisters?

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” – 1 John 4:7

Do you live in the moment and see your family or does the bustle of life distract you?

How are you growing in hospitality?

C. Towards our Great God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for making you part of the Family:

How well to you express praise to Him? (1-10)

How can you help others to focus on Him during church gatherings?

Where can you strengthen you attitude of gratitude towards Him during times of worship? How?

Consider Christ’s blood is our lifeline. It redeems, it secures our future, and it whispers forgiveness to our souls. When we gather at times of worship with communion, may we hold the cup with reverence, knowing that within it lies the heartbeat of eternity. May give thanks that His blood forever flow within us, washing away our sins, Christ building a New Heaven, and leading us home.