Every Spiritual Blessing Pt. 2

Announcements

No regular Youth Group next Sunday. Cotton Candy. Chili.

Introduction

Last week we talked about some of the blessings that Paul talks about in our reading of this passage.

We talked about being chosen for adoption. Specifically, we talked about election, or predestination, and the doctrine of adoption. We are chosen to be Sons and Daughters of God before the foundations of the world.

Tonight we’re going to talk about what it means to be redeemed and redeemed specifically for unity. Why is that a blessing?

We’ll also talk about what it means to be sealed with the Holy Spirit.

Finally we’ll look at two phrase that Paul uses four times in this passage and why those phrases matter.

Pray

Redeemed for Unity

Ephesians 1:3–14 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Redemption

Redemption means liberation from slavery upon the payment of a Ransom. The Israelites remember their captivity by Egypt. The remember when they were redeemed on the night of Passover. They had to paint their doorways with the blood of a young sheep for the angel of death to pass over their home. In the same way, God’s wrath passes over those who have been redeemed through the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 1:7 ESV

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Redeemed Slaves

Instead of slaves to Egypt, all of us are slaves to sin.

Ephesians 2:1–3 ESV

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

The great blessing is that when we place our faith in Jesus, we can repent, that is to turn away, from our sin. We don’t have to live in the world’s box of how we should live. To live in a box is slavery. Now we’re free to be the people we were created to be. Even though we often wander back into the box of sin and worldliness, the box is never shut. The cell door is always open, and Christ is patiently waiting for us to step out into the light again.

GRACE

God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense

There is nothing in us that is sensational, overly valuable, or amazing within us that God decides, “wow, that guy is really something.”

This idea of God’s Riches at Christ’s expense means that we can enjoy freedom from fear. If we trust in Christ’s sacrifice, we don’t have to fear when Satan points out our sins to God. He’s right. We are sinners. But Christ paid for each and every one of those sins at the Cross.

It also means that we can enjoy freedom from guilt. We don’t have to constantly feel like a disappointment to God. We don’t have to impress him to get our sins pardoned. They are removed as far as the east is from the west. God’s wrath and justice is satisfied because of Christ’s perfect life.

We’re not only redeemed from punishment, but for something wonderful too.

Redeemed for Unity

God and his plans are always beyond our fullest understanding. But something has been revealed.

Ephesians 1:10 ESV

10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

One day, everything will be brought under Christ. United under his kind authority.

The purpose of God redeeming us (spiritually now, and one day bodily with all creation, Romans 8:21–23) is the “summing up” of all things under Christ. The focus of the plan is not us, but Christ. The goal was not just redeeming us but also uniting us under the rule of Christ. The best thing about this plan is not the unity, but the unity under Christ.

Ephesians for You Redeemed for Unity

There is a certain and glorious future awaiting believers, even as we struggle now with personal failures and addictions, or debilitating physical and mental conditions, or miserable jobs or unemployment, or painful singleness, loveless marriages, divorce or widowhood. Whatever we face, Christians can be sure that already and for ever we will live in unity under Christ.

Sealed

We’ve talked about being chosen for adoption by the Father, being redeemed for unity by the Son, and now we’ll look at being sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians for You Sealed

A “seal” was a mark of ownership and protection, which in Roman culture was often branded upon cattle or slaves. God’s seal of permanent ownership and constant protection of his people is the Holy Spirit of God himself. He is therefore like the birthmark of all God’s children. It is as though we have all been marked with a spiritual UV marker pen, visible in the heavenly realms, marking us out as those belonging to God, completely safe from all frightening powers.

Ephesians for You Sealed

Moreover, says Paul, the Holy Spirit is the “deposit”—the “first instalment”—of eternal life, guaranteeing the “full payment” of enjoying God in heaven, because he is God within us.

He is like the first course of a really good meal. His presence is the guarantee of our citizenship and inheritance in the kingdom of God. He provides the assurance of salvation. Christ came as King, died for our sins, and rose to rule. Now with the indwelling of the Spirit within us, our future couldn’t be more secure.

Two Phrases, Four Times

We’ve now looked at being chosen for adoption, being redeemed for unity, and sealed with the Spirit. I want to show you a couple things in this passage aside from the blessings.

Paul emphasizes that these blessings have been given according to His will (v. 1, 5, 9, 11). Paul wants our response to be rejoice! God is accomplishing His grand plan. We’re not accidents. Our lives aren’t pointless. Everything is being executed just as it should be. It’s by design.

Old medieval tapestries are interesting. When you look at the face side of them, they are beautiful and reveal images of kings, battles, and coat of arms. When you turn them over though, you just see the loose loops of thread that are hidden. We tend to live in the loose loops of thread, but we know that soon God’s plan will be revealed like the front of a tapestry.

We also are to see these blessings as “to the praise of His glory” (14, 3, 6, 12). When we open our mouths we should praise Him with adoration and evangelism.

Ephesians for You Two Phrases, Four Times

When we’re feeling sorry for ourselves, or going through difficult times, or being persecuted for our faith in Christ, we can return to this glorious passage to be reminded of how extravagantly blessed we are in knowing Christ.

Ephesians for You Two Phrases, Four Times

Indeed, this glorious passage is worth learning so that we never forget. We are not merely to grit our teeth. We’re consciously to revel in God’s gracious blessings of election for adoption by the Father, redemption for unity by the Son and sealing for inheritance by the Spirit—to appreciate the exquisite joy of being saved and to live to the praise of his glory. For whether we are riding on the highest peaks of joy and success or sinking in the lowest troughs of pain and failure, Christians can always sing: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ”!

Small Group Questions

How does knowing God’s direction for the future help you as a believer in Christ?

How does being “sealed” by the Holy Spirit help you appreciate God’s Spirit in you?

How can you praise God for a “mountain top” and a “valley” you experienced or are experiencing right now?