Eph 1:7-10 SCRIPT

INTRODUCTION: God has a master plan for the universe

Some of the most inspirational speeches ever made … comes at half-time.

When you’re team is losing … big time.

It seems like the other team has our number. They’ve game-planned for everything you’ve done. You’re trapped

Annnnd … you’re on a 5-game losing streak, looks like you’re gonna lose this game …. and maybe the next 5 games too

Annnd … Your best player is injured

Annd … second best, third best, fourth best …

What do you say to this team? What could you say to this team?

It’s either - i lie thru my teeth ‘YOU GOT THIS!!! KEEP MOVING FORWARD’ … how do you rejoice, be motivated when an L is coming your way?

or … that is actually true.

I picture myself in that situation … i don’t know man … i don’t know what to say, to inject hope back into this team!

to bring the light back into their eyes,

the fight back into their hearts

Silence in the locker-room.

coach … i think you needa say something …

“What’s the gameplan now coach???”

The only way i can give something substantial, provide true HOPE, is if there actually was!!!

The book of Ephesians, begins with one of the greatest Half-time speeches of ALL TIME! To encourage a church that is discouraged. disheartened, in a godless, powerful, impressive city.

The Christian’s in Ephesians have recently joined Team Jesus.

But Team world, seems to be more impressive, more powerful …

They’re being persecuted for being Christians … They’re having a hard time.

To add salt to injury - their best player/coach/teacher/pastor, so to speak .. Apostle Paul is in chains! in prison!

The world is flexing their power over the church, saying - look, the best of you - we’ve got you locked up …

What’s the plan now … coach? In one of the greatest half-time speeches of all time, Paul begins writing EPHESIANS

WITH SHOUTS OF PRAISE! AND WORSHIP.

He knows their situation. As he does this, this ain’t empty words. These are TRUE WORDS.

The hope he gives the Ephesians IS TRUE!!!

As he breaks into PRAISE … he is genuinely worshipping and being joyful.

But he also wants to GEE up the Ephesians! To bring life back into their bones!

THIS is Paul’s Gee-up

God has master plan to save the world through Jesus …. and best thing is - you’re a part of that plan!!!

Remember from last week

You’re CHOSEN before the world was even formed

You’re ADOPTED as children of God

… we’re continuing thru that inspiration speech today focusing on the next few verses (vv. 7-10).

We have two things (both starting with R) - Revelation and Redemption.

#1 We have Revelation … God has revealed the plan to us! We know what the game plan is!

We have Redemption … We’re part of that plan! That is our present experience, a present reality since we’re part of that plan. We will go into more depth what Redemption really means. I don’t want it to be a buzzword, but for us to be MOTIVATED TO PRAISE BECAUSE OF THAT TRUTH …

God has a master plan to restore the world

All things will be united Christ #Revelation

You are part of God’s plan #Redeemed

We’re gonna work through things backwards today … looking at verses vv. 9-10, and then vv. 7-8

#1 We have REVELATION of the plan (1:9-10) - All things will be united under Christ

God has graciously revealed his gameplan to us! It is all focused, centred, around Christ.

Let’s read vv. 9-10

Ephesians 1:8–10 “8… 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.”

Life is almost always, so much easier to cope with …

when you know the plan!

When you know where things are headed.

Well, God’s plan from eternity past is not a secret anymore. It hasn’t been a secret for 2000 yers. It has been revealed! We have the gracious revelation from God

The plan, in verse 10, is seen by many as the KEY to the book

“ALL things in heaven and on earth will be summed up, under Christ”. #JoelParaphrase

In other words … Unity. Everything, in the universe, will submit to Jesus …

There will be no corner in God’s good world that won’t submit, worship and live for the Lord Jesus.

That’s where this world is heading. This is God’s world and we’re living in it

It’s only partly true now … What’s true is - Jesus is LORD. JESUS IS KING

But … not everything is aligned to Jesus …

The world, by and large, does not care ABOUT JESUS!

They think he is irrelevant … only a historical figure who came 2000 years ago.

And they CERTAINLY don’t think that JESUS will one day be the centre of the universe.

But not everyone knows yet. If you don’t know jesus, it’s still a mystery .. you think you run the world. you think you have freedom!

If this is where the world is heading, if this is God’s master plan … Then the ONLY PLACE you’d ever want to be … is in JESUS!

If that seems like a MID-plan to you … have a look at verse 8b … “WITH ALL WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING” …

This plan was made with the full brain-power of divine wisdom that only God can do! … It reminds me of that verse in Corinthians that says …

1 Corinthians 1:18 “18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

This plan is FULL of GOD’s wisdom, and power! Trust me - God knows what he’s doing.

If you were to compare God’s wisdom to Human wisdom … 1 Cor 1:25 goes further to say that Even the ‘foolishness’ of God is wiser than human wisdom … and the ‘weakness’ of God, is stronger than [any] human strenghth.

God’s master plan, of uniting all things in Christ - is MADE WITH ALL WISDOM … and UNDERSTANDING

That word understanding … it’s also INSIGHT!

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

All Amazing, world-class.

And then there’s Sydney Trains … Sydney metro.

our metro lines are no way near the Level of Tokyo, or London or New York - our City needs one! we’ve got one metro line in operation already.

Our Current Train lines were designed 100 years ago and they are not capable of supporting the rapid population growth since then!

but that’s not on them, 100 years ago, nobody would’v thought that Sydney would become the multi-cultural city that it is!

What used to be just vast, farm land, now have suburbs around them. They only have train station. Or sometimes none.

If you grew up in the Hills, you spent your life on Buses because their’s no trains back in the day. Before this metro came along

We’re doing major upgrades to our metro system to solve this more.. … but that’s only got the next 50 years in mind. Who knows, it might be out of date by then too.

What about with God’s plan!??? He’s thought through it all! He’s future-proofed it for the next 10,000 years and more!

God’s plan started from BEFORE the world was formed (v. 3) … all the way up to the END of time! or the ‘fullness of time’ (V. 10)

God’s master plan is to be ‘put into into effect when the times reach their fulfillment’.

God’s plan is not only full of wisdom, but full of understanding, he’s thought through every possibility and pathway … narrowing it down to the best possible plan for the world …

All things - in heaven, and on earth will be united, under the headship of his Beloved Son, ‘the one he loves’ - Jesus Christ.

All kings and queens

All presidents and prime ministers

all businesses

All nations

All people

Will be united, under the headship of Christ.

That is God’s master plan to save the universe.

It is God’s amazing grace that he has revealed this to us! He hasn’t held back any useful information! He has revealed the master plan “According to his good pleasure”

df I love visiting music stores. And playing all the instruments and trying them out. When i worked in the city at Town Hall, Allan’s Music store was right there! I would go in and play whatever i want! Not the case anymore - these days. There’s signs on every guitar ‘please ask for assistance’. ‘please don’t touch’.

Until I visited a guitar store in Gladesville recently!!! He showed me so much love, probably too much at times. I told him i wanted to play your basses, and immediately he took me down to the bassment where he has a studio. full sound proof. He let me play all the basses I wanted, as loud as i wanted, as long as i wanted. And any question i’d ask he’d answer it. That stood out to me becasue i’ve never experienced that before.

“According to his good pleasure …” God holds no information back. He revealed his plan which is ‘purposed’ or Centred around Jesus!

God’s master plan … is fully revealed …

All things, in heaven and on earth will be united under Jesus

#2 We have Redemption! You are part of the Plan

… You are part of God’s plan (vv. 7-8) “That’s where Redemption comes in!”

Reading from Verse 7

Ephesians 1:7–8 (NIV)

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. With all wisdom and understanding,

It’s one thing for someone to reveal a plan!

I’m going on a holiday!

I’m gonna build a house!

It’s another thing to say …

You’re coming with me …

You’ve got a place in my house any day ...

You’re part of the plan.

When God devised the master plan, he always had you in mind!!

Notice the ‘present tense’ We have! … There’s a movement, from before time (i.e. world began) … to a period of time in history (namely Jesus) … the past

and now … to the present … ‘We HAVE redemption’

The realities of God’s plan can be experienced today! We can experience the joys of being in CHRIST in the present

We’re CHOSEN (v. 3)

We’re ADOPTED (v. 5)

We’re REDEEMED (v. 7)

Our verse has redemption and forgiveness there. It’s actually one thing. Forgiveness, is related redemption.

The best way to read is .. ‘In HIM, we have redemption’ that is … forgiveness of sins.

Everybody loves a good redemption story. A story where someone who’s been written off … and come back and prove the haters wrong.

You might want to redeem yourself in some areas …

I want to redeem myself at work, show people i’m capable

I’m gonna study harder to bring my …

I’m gonna diet and exercise to be healthy again ..

Redemption is usually in our own hands

Notice that this redemption - AINT … This redemption is not something we do for ourselves, and yet it is the redemption we all desparetly need.

The Redemption God offers is a gift FROM HIMSELF, ONLY available in Jesus and what he did on the cross (that’s why it talks about blood).

When the bible talks about redemption it’s mainly in the context of buying back a slave, to free them from slavery.

For example in Exodus - our first bible Reading. This passage is the night of “the passover”. I think it teaches us what REDEMPTION is. and how it relates to ‘FORGIVENESS’ and ‘SINS’ and ‘BLOOD’ - which are all words mentioned in our passage

To quickly remind us of what the passover festival means .. it’s the time of year when Israel remembers when God rescued them from slavery in Egypt, to bring them into relationship with him …

The significant thing about the passover we need to know here - it’s God’s judgement on SIN!!

Judgement was coming on both Egypt and israel alike. Egypt was sinful in their rebellion of God, but Israel weren’t innocent either. They were in slavery partly because of their idolatry.

The passover teaches that, to be freed from SIN and SLAVERY from SIn -requires death.

That passover night God required a death in every house hold. Whether you’re egyptian or Israelite.

BUT … THE PASSOVER LAMB!!! Was God’s gracious way out. God said

“If a lamb died in your household, there’s a mark of its blood on your door. You and your family will be saved”

This isn’t just about ‘forgiving’ the sins we’ve done .. but ofcourse we need to be forgiven of that. But about being set free from the power of sin!!!

Death and Sin reign in this world. Rebellion against God is our natural identity. Satan is the Prince of the power of the Air. We’ll get to principalities and poewrs and spiritual war later … but basically - sin is bigger than our actions. It has a mastery over all humanity.

For those who don’t believe in God, you think they’re free - but actually they’re trapped in sin. they can’t help but live for themselves , deny God, reject Jesus .. that’s slavery to sin … You can’t do what is right in God’s eyes.

But in Jesus - THAT ALL changes! If you are ‘IN CHRIST’ .. He has redeemed you! He has released you from the power of SIN! you don’t have to sin no more

From the verdict of sin! Death no longer hangs over you, but the gift and promise of eternal life!!!

That is TRUE REDEMPTION!!! REAL REDEMPTION. and you can’t do anything about it - it is ALL from God.

Illustration alternative: Franny Loco + Daniel AhSin. Redemption in Jesus gives us the strength to care and help in other areas!

‘Through the redemption, the forgiveness of sins, through his blood’ (1:7)

We have forgiveness - through the blood of God’s perfect passover lamb … Jesus christ!

Hebrews 9:22 “22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

Those are the terms .. God set them, because all sin is against God.

Jesus died, shed his blood - to forgive your sin.

God is a just God, all sin, and injustices Must be dealt with … Sin is so serious that the punishment is death.

The fact that death is a reality of life … is a daily reminder that Sin still exists and reigns.

DEATH … is not meant to be normal! God’s plan to reverse all that, and its all caught up in Jesus

But if he looks on you - and you have the blood of Jesus covering you !

God says ‘You’re good” “Jesus’ death has got you”

“you’re redeemed”

“You’ve been forgiven”

“debt fully paid”

“you’re free now!”

How amazing is that?? i can’t help but be in awe and thank Jesus for that! his grace is so abundant for me .. .he didn’t have to do all that …

He could’ve saved the world without us … But he included us because of his abundant grace … and thats comes at then of verse 7

“…in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (8) that he lavished on us” (1:7)

God didn’t hold back anything when he came to save us … He LAVISHED his grace on us, the riches of his Grace!

There’s nothing that can limit his goodness towards us.

ILLUSTRATION

If you were able to make our AGM on Monday morning, we talked a lot about budgets … It was tremendously encouraging to see where that money goes to.

And its so encouraging to see how generous we are as a church to give money to support 24 missionaries, and to donate money to the fund for mission in the south west of sydney.

We are relatively wealthy church, but we still need to budget. we don’t have unlimited money. We can’t support every missionary on the field.

That’s financial constraint. There’s other constraints too, to a good plan

But God is not constrained by any sort of financial, political, spiritual constraint. If there’s good to be done for the world, he’s gonna do it. If you want to see the richness of that Goodness - it’s all in JESUS!

How rich is God’s grace for you, that he’d give up his beloved son - for you! That says a lot about God’s grace, and love for you…

THE SUMMING-UP OF POINT #2

Don’t you think that’s the most encouraging thing you can hear - When it seems like the world has it over you and crashing down!

God has a plan to save the world, and you’re a part of it! You’re redeemed! You’re free from SIN! You’re forgiven by the blood of Jesus - You’re set!

Let us never forgive this redemption. Let us never assume it, take it for granted, or make it an intellectual exercise.

Let’s keep reminding ourselves of this gift of redemption and rejoice in it! Let it cause to move your heart to worship and praise

Because this is the redemption that changes everything.

CONCLUSION: Application/Closing/Implication

To close … Let’s bring it back to the locker room at half-time …

… I don’t know where life is at for you …

but i do know, there are ALWAYS stresses and problems on the horizon

… sometimes they consume us that it becomes our world!

You’ve notched up a few consecutive losses on the board … the immediate future doesn’t look to bright either.

What we need the most in that moment is to be assured … of God’s master plan, and that you are an intimate part of it!

But how Intimate??? i want to close with this encouragement and illustration. which is very relevant to the Book of ephesians as a whole.

I’ve been to many weddings in my times, youre relationship with the couple is an expression of how close you are to them! Whether you’re just a new acquaintance, or they see you as an integral part of life!

I’ve been the ceremony only person - for good friends that i’ve only met recently

Maybe you’re lucky enough to get invited to the reception. But even there there’s levels

Work mates, family, friends .. with different degrees

Or maybe, you’re one of the bridal party - they see you as an especially close person!

Or … maybe the honour of the best man, or maid of honour.

The first time i got that honour was in December, when my best friend got married - i have to tell you, it was the JOY of my life serving my brother and supporting him in that journey …

As the church - where do we fit in ??

None of them … Jesus loves the church so much, that he has made us - HIS BRIDE!!!

WE WILL BE SO ONE WITH JESUS, THAT MARRIAGE HAS NOTHING COMPARED TO IT!

Thats how UNIFIED, AND ONE WE’LL BE WITH JESUS? HE has brought us ALL the way in …

I still can’t get wrap my head around this week man … that is amazing. that is a love, a grace beyond words …

That’s the perspective wants us to have, to RIP the scales off our eyes to under God’s master plan for the world, and to rejoice that you have a such an INTIMATE part in it!!! RIGHT THERE, WITH JESUS!!!

GOD HAS A PLAN! FOR THE WORLD - to unite ALL things in heaven and earth UNDER Jesus … AND YOU ARE INTIMATE PART OF THAT PLAN.

Let’s pray.