Ephesians 1:7-10: God’s master plan to save the universe

Ephesians 1:7–10 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”

Exodus 12:21–28 “Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out of the door of your house until morning. When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down. “Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. When you enter the land that the Lord will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’ ” The…”

Joel’s Paraphrase: In Christ, God’s beloved one, we have redemption through his blood, that is, the forgiveness of sins according to his rich grace, which he richly poured out on us. WIth all wisdom and insight, he revealed to us, the mystery of God’s will with full delight and good pleasure, that is, God’s master plan to save the world. He purposed this plan in Christ, to be put into effect at the fulness of time, to bring everything together in the universe under Christ.

My Greek Translation: In Him we have redemption through his blood, that is, the forgiveness of sins according to God’s abundant grace which he richly poured out on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of God’s will according to his good pleasure, which he administered in Christ towards the master plan designated for the fulness of time when everything is united in Christ, the things in heaven and on earth

ESV: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our tresspasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Bringing it all together

Service flow

Bless God

Give Thanks

O Praise the Name

—SERMON—-

Living Hope Goodness of God

Passage Structure

In Christ, the Beloved one we have

#1) Redemption (through his blood) i.e. the forgiveness of sins (according to his rich grace, which he lavished on us)

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us.

#2) The revelation of God’s master plan to bring unity of all things under Christ, revealed to us (according to his good pleasure)

With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

Sermon Structure

God has a master plan to restore the universe

personal dimension - i’ve been saved and forgiven!

knowledge dimension - i know the plan because God graciously revealed it to us

social dimension - the church! GOd has brought us to him, and to one another in the church. There are no rival societies in the new creation. Jesus, and the church will come out on top!

cosmic dimension - heaven and earth. all things. universally. not one crook or cranny will be

international dimension - the world needs to know.

#1) All things will be united under Christ #Revelation #UnitedInChrist #GoodPleasure

AGENT/ADMINISTRATOR: Jesus Christ

WHAT: All things united under the headship of Christ

WHEN: The fullness of Time.

SCOPE: Everything in heaven and on earth. The Universe.

BENEFICIARIES: All who are ‘In Christ’

#2) You are part of God’s Plan! #Redeemed #Forgiven #RichGrace

WHAT: You have been redeemed.

RESULT: Forgiveness of Sins. Freed from Slavery to sin, the verdict of sin.

HOW: Blood of Jesus. Jesus’ sacrificial Death. Passover.

WHY: The Riches of God’s grace

Big Idea

God has a master plan to restore the universe. All things will be united under Christ, and you are included in that plan!

Big Emotion

Assure the people of Joy.

You are continuing Paul’s Praise Break.

You’re speaking to a discouraged, distracted people who have been so caught up by the world’s stresses.

The world seems more impressive. The world seems to have it on us.

BUt God has a plan restore the universe, and the best thing is you’re included in it! You’re chosen, you’re adopted, you’re forgiven, you’re redeemed, you’re united to Christ, and when Jesus comes - you’l be with him.

Aim of the Talk

Original Author’s Aim

Adriel could not have put it any better:

“I think he big issue in Ephesians is Paul’s imprisonment, and the discouragement it has brought the church (Chapter 3). The reason its hit them so hard is that they’re already having a hard time in Ephesus (Acts 19). Their basic insecurity “The pagan world is much more impressive and powerful than the Christian world, and now the man who gave us our start and direction has been thrown in jail … is this all over?!”

I think that’s why Paul begins Ephesians the latter the way he does. He’s saying “You are the riches, even though you’re the lowest in your society! And you have the greatest privileges though you aren’t part of the Artemis cult and her great pagan temple. But you can’t see it. It’s in the heavenly places.

And so there’s a discomfort there - where we are so beguiled by what we see in the world (including the way of suffering that Paul exemplifies, like Christ) that we don’t actually have the ‘eyes to see’ what God is doing in the church.

And that it is his manifold wisdom to the cosmos, demonic and political forces included. So the opening prayer is an unveiling - it’s meant to rip the veil/scales off and give us a reality check. To Red Pill the world.

This makes the best sense of all the data - and Chs 4-6 is very much “build the temple with your words and deeds’. And that is a direct parallel to the worldly temple of Artemis, Which was one of the 7 ancient wonders of the world (… and now ) … its rubble. The pics are very lame … but the temple of God is growing strong and healthy. The global church - even larger and more glorious than ever.

Have you ever thought that the church is one of the 7 wonders of the world. IT WILL BE!!! We’re with JESUS!”

My Aim

I want to gee people up to worship Jesus because of God’s cosmic plan to redeem the universe! Rejoice that he’s gracious enough to reveal it to us, and also gracious enough to include us in it.

This is a reality we experience IN THE PRESENT! we have PRESENT hope for the fullness of time, because of what Jesus has done.

This is a Gee up to get people excited about Forgiveness, Salvation, and what we have in Christ.

This is absolutely amazing, mind boggling. God’s plan for the universe is beyond anything we can ever think. God’s foolishness is wiser than the wisdom of man. This is God’s wisdom in full display. This is the world’s 8th wonder

And you’re a part of that! more impressive than Temple Artemis and Diana.

COME ON! CHRIST HAS WON US THE BATTLE. CHRIST HAS GONE OUT THERE AND TOOK OUT WHAT THREATENED US THE MOST. HE TOOK CARE OF OUR SIN.

WE’RE NO LONGER TRAPPED BY SIN. NO LONGER BLINDED BY THIS WORLD. THIS WORLD HAS NO IDEA WHAT’S COMING FOR IT. A world who no longer believes in Jesus. A world who scoffs at Jesus.

It might not seem like best thing to be encouraged with in times of stress ‘forgiveness, redemption’. But it is. when we lift our eyes

Application/Implication

Worship! Rejoice! Praise! Because of these truths

You’re included in the plan, HOW AMAZING IS THIS! I don’t need to be discouraged when the world around me is crumbling. I don’t need to be discouraged when it seems like life is giving me L’s.

CHRIST - He’s the centre of the plan

CHRISTIAN - Keep Aligning yourself with Jesus! Find JOY! You’re in the right place. You’re in JESUS. You wouldn’t want to be anywhere despite what the world throws at you

WORLD/COSMOLOGICAL POWERS - They’re all gonna fade away, like Ephesus, or Get in line with Jesus.

Good news - You’re already in jesus ..You’re already redeemed. REJOICE!

[Introduction] God has a master plan for the universe

David Pawson the forming of a great pearl. irritation. but the result is something so beautiful

The halftime speech. some of the most inspirational speeches i’ve ever heard, happened at half-time. It’s none other than the coaches Job to bring light back into his team’s discouraged eyes, to bring lift to their slouching shoulders, to bring strength back those legs, to put fire back into their hearts …

He’s looking out to his team. They’re discouraged. They’ve lost hope.

How do you inspire a team, who’s opposition has had their number ALL GAME! seems like they’re game plan is much more impressive. The score board reflects it.

Anything you try to do … you fail

Not only that … your SUPERSTAR player gets injured …

How do you get that team to stand strong! to keep moving forward?

What’s the game plan now coach? …

The ephesian church have been so discouraged by the world around them … Following the world just seemed so much more impressive than being a Christian. They’re star player, i.e. the Apostle Paul has been locked up in Prison …

In the most inspirational half-time speech i’ve heard. Paul begins his letter in the biggest GEE UP of all time. PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE BE

This is WHAT YOU ARE. GOD HAD A PLAN FOR YOUR BEFORE YOU WERE BORN. And you know what he has not forgotten about you, he’s gotta plan for you even until the fullness of time. But i know that life might be hard now. but look at what you have now!

Don’t worry about this game … you’ll probably lose this one… it aint about the singular game. It’s about the championship! it’s about lifting up that World Cup Trophy, the ashes urn, getting the championship ring on your fingers … God has a plan.

I want to gee the people up to praise and worship Jesus who has redeemed us and included us in God’s grand plan for the universe! Vision. We’re getting smashed at half-time … 50-0. Our star player has been injured for the season. They have our number in ever way. This game looks like its lost. We’re gonna lose this game. the next game, and probably the next few games after. But that doesn’t matter. Games within themselves, aren’t the end. The goal is a championship! Have you forgotten, that we’re on the top of the table … Christ has put us WAY AHEAD! … We’re blinded. We’re weighed down. We’re stressed. We’re discouraged. We’ve got tunnel vision. There’s something on your mind right now … We’ve got spiritual Cataracts… My goal here is to rip the scales off. We’ve taken a few L’s in life!

Because of what Jesus has done 2000 years ago … you have already won. no matter how many games the world wins against you - its IMPOSSIBLE to take away what Christ has done for you. the numbers, won’t add up. You’ll still win.

How do you gee a team up in a losing streak? You know more tough times are coming? The next opponents are much more impressive. But you know, you just want your team to hang in there. To keep playing. to keep their heads up … How do you gee up a team in that situation?

Only if there’s hope to come … and that there’s a plan ahead. to get us going. we know as knicks fans that US, at FULL FORCE. is a contender. but right now, we’re looking like pretenders.

There’s something about the adversity in that situation, to bring life back into the team. Unlike the team. THe coach has the vision! Unlike the team. he knows the gameplan! He knows the strategy! It was never about the singular game! in fact, it’s okay to lose some games here and there during the season. THE REAL AIM IS THAT CHAMPIONSHIP, THAT RING, THE ASHES URN, THE UEFA LEAGUE TROPHY, THE -insert favourite trophy here-.

Mark Earngey: People come to church, burdened. WHAT a privilege it is to say that they’ve been forgiven of their sins! Lifted of their burdens! Sin no longer has a hold over them.

Islander cycle of life: Start with Islander trajectory in life? endless cycle … how do you break it? what’s the plan for our life?

Go striaght into it? or maybe go straight into it ‘IN CHRIST’? ‘God has a plan’ …

Lionel Intro: In every area of our lives, things work best when we know the plan. it helps to know what the poitn is, where we’re going.

Good leaders communicate the vision. the plan. the strategy. God has the strategy all worked out.

Making our own Plans v relying on others to make a plan.

DREAM team v Redeem Team

CHAT GPT Imagine standing at the edge of the ocean, gazing out at the vast expanse of water stretching endlessly before you. As you take in the immensity of the sea, you can't help but feel small, insignificant even, in comparison to the vastness of creation. Yet, in the midst of this awe-inspiring scene, there is a profound truth that beckons our attention—a truth that transcends the boundaries of time and space, a truth that holds the key to the very purpose of our existence.

In the book of Ephesians, we are invited to delve into the depths of this truth, to uncover the intricacies of God's master plan for the universe. It's a plan so grand, so magnificent, that it surpasses our wildest imaginations. And yet, in His infinite wisdom and boundless love, God has graciously chosen to reveal this plan to us—to unveil the mysteries of His divine purpose.

Today, we embark on a journey through Ephesians 1:7-10, where we will unravel the layers of God's masterful design. A design that centers on the ultimate redemption and reconciliation of all things under the lordship of Christ. It's a plan that not only encompasses the far reaches of the cosmos but extends intimately into the depths of our own hearts and lives. And as we delve into these verses, may our hearts be stirred with gratitude and awe at the wondrous grace of our God, who has included us—yes, each and every one of us—in His eternal purpose. So let us dive in, with open minds and receptive hearts, as we explore the depths of God's divine plan for the salvation of the universe.

[Point #1] All things will be united under Christ (1:8b-10)

#WeHaveRevelation #SummedUpInChrist #GoodPleasure

5 Dimensions (Lionel Windsor)

Personal dimension

Knowledge dimension

Social Dimension

Cosmic Dimension

International Dimension

Ephesians 1:8b–10 “With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”

St Helens Study Notes on 1:9-10

The mystery is not a secret anymore! It has been revealed. This is further expounded in 3:16 of course. The plan in verse 10 is the key to the book in many ways. Spend some time on that. All things in heaven and on earth united in Jesus one day. Much of the plan has been achieved already according to the next two chapters, but we still await its final completion.

“with all wisdom and understanding”. City Planning. Sydney. Inner West, wasn’t designed to have this many people in it. The metro upgrades. It’s only gonna be good at best for the next 100 years. we are reticent to plan things for the generations after us. we say ‘it’s their problem’. God’s plan is full of divine wisdom and understanding - it expounds to

I’ve been going down the Youtube Rabbit hole lately about the world’s biggest Metro Lines. I’m just really fascinated by it!

I’ve been on New York Subway, The London Tube, The Tokyo Metro

And then there’s Sydney Trains …

2019 - Phase 1 ‘Futuristic’ Sydney Metro 1 Opened

2023 - Phase 2 - to CBD

2024 - Phase 3 - Extend to Bankstown

To deal with decades of population growth. This was built > 100 years ago

But cost blowouts. Budgeted v Actual = Double.

What is Sydney Metro/Worthwhile?/Improvements?

We need it.

- Our rail network is large - 170 stations (T1 - T9).

- we also have light rail

most of sydneys rail is to bring people from the western suburbs into the city.

Biggest challenge: well over 100 years old, but population of western suburbs increased DRAMATICALLY!

The old network were not build with this populatino growth in mind. So now we’re relying on infrequent bus services

Solution: Sydney Metro: give rail access to new communities.

The new metro will bring modern design standards - e.g. level boarding (accessibility) + increased safety.

New Metro Lines

The Norwest Lines. It used to rely exclusively on buses. The metro fixes this with 8 new stations.

Average distance of metro sydney = 2.5km. other metros = 500m

“according to his good pleasure”. Gladesville guitar owner. Showed favour upon favour. He let me play all the bass guitars in the store, took me downstairs to the studio room, i could play as loud as i want, as long as i wanted. He went above and beyond to give me information on each bass. He wasn’t try to get a sale out of me, I wasn’t gonna walk out there with a new guitar. But tha was a unique music store experience for me. Usually … it’s ‘Don’t touch it unless supervised’. It’s an uphill battle to even get some playing time.

“Which he purposed in Christ” God’s plan is centred on Christ. Jesus is not just a passive participant in the plan. He is actively involved with God for this plan.

“The one he dearly Loves”. This refers to Isaiah’s Suffering servant, who is loved and chosen by God. He identifies so closely with god’s people, so much so that he suffers and dies for Israel.

Isaiah 53:5–6 NIV

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

[Point #2] You are a part of God’s plan! (1:7-8a)

#WeHaveRedemption #Forgiveness #Freedom #RichGrace

Ephesians 1:7–8a “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace, that he lavished on us”

Redemption is a gift from God, not something we do for ourselves (LJW).

Redemption is ‘according to God’s rich grace’. Grace = a gift from God to us. God form his overflowing, abundant riches, has given us a gift - REDEMPTION! Amen!

We HAVE this NOW! in the present. Paul ain’t describing something we need to achieve, or to wait for in the future. We ahve it now, and we have it because GOd has given it to us.

The biblical history of Redemption

Exodus (Moses) > babylon (isaiah)

In both cases they were in exile. they were in exile because of ‘sins’, ‘transgressions’, ‘iniquities’ against God.

They were redeemed both times, but it wasn’t the ultimate one. they all point to a bigger redemption in Jesus.

The suffering servant is sent to suffering judgement for their sin in their place. Jesus is a substitute for sinners. He was peirced, crushed, wounded for the sake of sinners. Jesus’ death brings redemption

Redemption from Captivity, Sin, God’s Judgement

God doesn’t take sin lightly. Jesus bore the FULL COST. it has been paid for. Someone has died. Justice has been served. Grace also overflows. What a gift!!!!

(Lionel) teaching point on ‘The Beloved one’: link v7 with v6b - ‘In the beloved one’ = ‘In Christ’. the beloved one connotates Israel in OT, but more poignantly, the suffering servant. ‘As the vision fo isaiah continues, this role of israel as God’s servant becomes concentrated in an individual figure - a figure who both restores Israel and extends God’s salvation to the nations (Isaiah 49:6 “6 he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”” . The ultimate activity of the servant is his sacrificial death through which comes the removal of the people’s ‘sins’ (amartias) and ‘lawless deeds’ (anomias, is 53:5 LXX), which the MT are described as ‘our transgressions’. thus, the naming of Christ as ‘the beloved, in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of tresspasses’ (vv. 6b-7) appears to be alluding the the olre of Isianic Servant of the Lord.. This is, significantly, a role that is intimately connected to israel’s own special place in god’s plan for the world and for all the nations

Lionel Summary of vv. 8-10

“vv. 8-10 are best bread as a concise summary of the dynamic communicaiton of Christ’s blessings through israel to the gentiles by means of the apostolic mission. This foreshadows a theme that Paul will later return to and explain in far more detail (Eph 3). Of special note are the terms ‘mystery’ and ‘administration’. These are terms mentioned briefly here in 1:8-10, but are applied directly to the apostolic mission to the nations later in Eph 3.

Lionel Summary of Ephesians 1 .

In this chapter, we have seen how the apostolic mission is portrayed in eph 1 as the means by which Christ’s blessings have come through Israel to the nations. Paul’s introduction of himself as ‘an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God’ is rich with connotations of a dynamic mission (Eph 1:1). The apostle, the missionary of Christ, is enacting the purposes of god in the world. He is writing to Christ-believing gentiles who, ineed as Christ-believers, can be called ‘holy ones,’ and he implies through his phraseology that this fact is remarkbale. At the beginning of the berakhah in Eph 1:3, paul alludes to Gen 12:3, thereby implying that Christ fulfills the role of the ‘offspring’ of Abraham ‘in’ whom the nations are ‘blessed.’ In Christ, God’s promises through Israel to the nations have reached their eschatological fulfillment, with far-reaching and even cosmic implicaitons. In Eph 1:4-14, a dynamic movement of blessing from ‘us’ to ‘you’ throught he preaching of the gosple is evident. This blessing ‘in Christ’ (v. 3) has been divinely predetermined (vv. 4-6a), given (vv. 6b-7), communicated (vv.8-10), inherited (vv. 11-12), shared with ‘you also’ through the preaching of the gospel (vv. 13-14). the fact that the blessing is couched in language of Abrahamic promises and Jewish berakhoth (cf. v. 3) hints that a dynamic movement of blessing through israel to the nations is being envisaged. In Eph 1:15-23, the apostle prays that those who have responded to the preaching of the gospel would understand the far-reaching significance of the message they have embraced. While these blessings were first given to the early Jewish apostolic community, they have no, through the preaching of the gospel, come to the nations (pg 110).

It’s one thing to say “I’m going on a holiday!”. A whole nother thing to say “You’re coming with me!”

“God’s grace, that he lavished on us”. God is a big spender! No expenses spared when it comes to saving us. He GAVE IT ALL! reckless spending? Bring up AGM. we don’t have unlimited budget.

“WE HAVE REDEMPTION” that is available TODAY! I’m the type of person who likes to have the latest tech. Latest iphone, apple watch, mac. I love productivitity. I’m always looking forward to the next best car. “Available 2027, limited sales” … not with GOd’s grace … IT IS AVAILABLE TODAY, IN ABUNDANCE, NEVER TO RUN OUT. STOCKS LASTS FOREVER. It’s not something we have to wait for, it’s something we have NOW. TODAY. we have redemption! We have freedom

Redemption and forgiveness of sins are the same thing. Sin no longer has any power over us. We’re not under the hold of Satan and the powers of principalities, we no longer have a disposition to sin, we want to live for Christ, you want to repent from your sin.

The word for sin here is stronger than ‘sin’, it’s tresspasses/offenses again’st God.

‌To illustrate how integral we are in God’s plan. We are the bride. We ain’t just guests at a party. We’re more than the bridal party. I got to be the best man, an ABSOLUTE JOY. AS THE CHURCH, WE HAVE THE MOST JOY POSSIBLE. Jesus the head. the Church - the BRIDE. RADIANT. BEAUTIFUL, GETS TO ENJOY FELLOWSHIP WITH JESUS. When man and woman come together in marriage they’re coming together as one flesh. That’s only a snapshop to the unity, the fellowship we’ll have with JESUS! Jesus has brought us all the way in to be part … we’re right there with Jesus - sitting at his left and right. Colossians 3:1 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” God and Jesus’ plan is to unite the Church to himself

“In him we have redemption”. We all love a redemption story. redemption isn’t needed, unless something is wrong. Dream team v Redeem Team. To restore their reputation. But we can’t redeem ourselves. You can only be redeemed ‘In Christ’.

“through his blood”. Ransom illustration? Currency to free

This is the cost. Redemption is not free. a cost needs to be paid. This cost is Jesus’ blood

Why blood? Without blood, there is no forgiveness. You can go further with the passover story.

No blood, no freedom.

Hebrews 9:22 NIV

In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

What does the OT sacrifices/rituals teach us about sin?

- It IS A BURDENSOME THING TO DEAL WITH. it is inconvenient. it is costly. It is unpleasant

It is a burdeonsome thing to deal with. it is inconvenient. Ugh. sacrifices for this, and for that, sacrifices for sacrifices. ughhh. so burdensome.

it was bloody. Blood needs to be shed. Sin requires the shedding of blood. That is to say, somebody has to die!

Could use the passover night as an illustration. that’s a perfect illustration actually. In the land, there was a death in every household. If the blood of the passover lamb wasn’t over your house. then

Because of JESUS BLOODE WE HAVE BEEN SET FREE! God looks on the christian who believes in jesus and says. You’re good! The blood of Jesus is on you. You are set free!!

The passover was a divine act of wisdom. It showed those pagan egyptians who really is God. that’s if, they had the eyes to see!

Jesus’ BLOOD has purchased us from the brink of death, from slavery to sin, and reconciled with God as sons and daughters.

Illustration: Redemption in the bible, is slavery buy-back language. Connotations of redemption is freedom. Buying back a slave. There is nothing the slave can do in his/her situation. E.g. Israel in Egypt (our OT Passage).

To illuminate the weight and joy of redemption freedom: go into the ‘slavery’ imagery. the weight of being enslaved to sin. You can’t do anything about it! You’re a slave! YOu don’t get to choose what you do tomorrow. What you eat? I’m on a vegan diet - BAD LUCK eat your food. Can i leave work early? Uhh No you stop when I tell you to. YOu have no control over your life. You have no hope of getting out of it … All you can do is hope …

A modern equivalent …Franny Loco and Daniel Ahsin. The life trajectory of an islander is Footy, Factory or the streets. We can’t help. The common thread across all these stories. Home wasn’t a safe place to be. Franny never went home, because his uncle was abusive. Home wasn’t a nice place to be. The only family they had, were others like them. Already living in a society that has already written them. How do you break that cycle?

Now, talk to Franny Loco and Daniel Ahsin today. They say the life they have now, in JESUS is sooo much better. Thy have a disgust of the previous life they lived. they thought it was freedom, they could do whatever they wanted, the world couldn’t tell them what to do. Their testimonies, they see that as disgusting behaviour. Maybe 10 years ago they would’ve told those stories with pride. But now, it’s with disgust. That’s not the life. Real freedom is being able to live for Christ. In Jesus they have found their true purpose in life. They are now gung ho for Jesus.

In Jesus we have a father WHO HAS BROUGHT US INTO THE FAMILY AND SAYS YOU ARE CHOSEN, LOVED, PREDESTINED, SET FREE FROM SIN, UNITED TO JESUS … what a privilege.

from Lionel Windsor

This is the greatest redemption we can possess. We need to keep it firmly in our sights, at the front of our minds and at the core of our hearts. Of course, this fundamental redemption overflows into all sorts of other situations that need redeeming in our lives and our world. There’s the pain and regret to others and to ourselves caused by our own foolishness. For many in our world, there are broken and oppressive relationships, unjust social or economic conditions, violence and persecution and slavery. The redemption we have in Christ gives us the strength to care and help in these areas. Yet even as we care and help and seek to right wrongs, we must never lose sight of the greatest redemption that has already been won for us by God through Jesus Christ. We need to see all our other situations in that light—because this is the redemption that is sure and certain, that we already have in Christ, and that provides an anchor for our lives.

Remember that Paul is in chains as he writes about this redemption! Later in the letter, he mentions his chains several times. Yet what is the redemption he chooses to talk about first and foremost? It’s not his own redemption from physical captivity. It’s the forgiveness of offenses through the blood of Jesus Christ. Let’s never mute this or forget this redemption. Let’s never just assume it, as if it’s something that we can all just take for granted and move on to focus on our own acts of redemption. Let’s keep reminding ourselves of this gift of redemption from God, and rejoicing in it together. Because this is the redemption that changes everything.

Illustration: Life outside of Christ. i.e. it is burdensome

No spiritual blessing. When you die you lose everything because all your 'earthly blessings' are here.

You ain't got no spiritual blessings. you are DESPERATELY poor. When you gotta say goodbye to all of it!! When you die … you ain't lose NONE OF THIS

You're still REDEEMED! You're still CHOSEN! You're still FORGIVEN! you'll still live!

even if you die, you will live. That’s what Jesus said.

Illustration: Ephesus was an impressive city. The 7th wonder of the world was there. Things were big. If you can make it in Ephesus, you can make it anywhere. and then you look at yourself. Christianity. compare the impressiveness of Ephesus, to the ‘blandness’, ‘suffering’, ‘persecution’ of Christians. Where they worship, their temple is SO impressive. Yet, we meet in someones house, and our greatest apostle/disciple/pastor is in Chains under the Roman empire. But look where Ephesus is now? it’s just a pile of rubble … and The church of Christ, is more impressive than ever. it might not look like it, but if we put on our gospel glasses, we’ll see what Jesus sees! It will be the wonder of the universe! It will be so much more radiant, impressive than anything!

It’s not just ephesus that will pass away. everything that seems so impressive, and ‘in’ now, will fade away. The CHURCH! is the only body that will exist into the future and into eternity. Because the church is the ONLY thing that can be in Christ. Because if you’re in Christ, you’re in the church i.e. you’re God’s people!

The church is the presence of the future! You’re part of something that is eternal, impressive, beautiful, radiant. REMEMBER DAT. TAKE DAT FOR DATA.

[Application] REJOICE IN YOUR REDEMPTION. REJOICE YOU’RE PART OF THE PLAN!

Look. life might still be sucky … COme Monday morning, the deadlines are still there. The assignments are piling up. Tension with relationships still exist.

But now those burdens … are a bit lighter …

You cry … but with hope

You still work hard …

The morning sun shines a little brighter

You’re much more thankful for the food

That is the perspective God wants us to have. To RIP the scales off our eyes to understand, God’s master plan for the world. And to REJOICE that we have been graciously brought into the centre of that plan along with Jesus. Because what is true for Jesus, is true for you.