Ephesians 1:7-12 | In Christ: Redeemed & Reconciled

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Years ago, I heard a story that impacted me deeply. Thousands of years ago, there was a Rabi who loved to wrestle with the deep mysteries and challenges of life.

One day, the Rabbi was walking to his home. Since he was deep in thought, he walked in the wrong direction instead of taking the exit off the path toward his village. It wasn’t until he found himself at the gates of a Roman Military fortress that he realized what he had done. He then heard a soldier yelling at him from the top of the gates: “Who are you? And, what are you doing here?”

The Rabbi replied by asking, “How much do they pay you to ask questions like that?” The soldier replied, “Five drachmas a week.” Smiling, the Rabbi said, “I will pay you double for you to stand outside the door of my house and ask me those two questions every single day. ‘Who are you? And, what are you doing here?”

Ephesians 1 answers those questions.

Identity : I am in Christ (I’m united to Christ so that all the things Jesus accomplished through his death, resurrection and ascension are ours now, “blessed with every spiritual blessing”)

Purpose: I am sent to carry out his mission

Last week…

I am a saint (holy) Ephesians 1:1

I am faithful (steadfast) Ephesians 1:1

I am blessed with every spiritual blessing Ephesians 1:3

I am chosen Ephesians 1:4

I am predestined for adoption Ephesians 1:5

I am blessed with God’s glorious grace Ephesians 1:6

This morning we will discover 5 more “In Christ” statements:

Read Ephesians 1:1-12

Ephesians 1:1–12 “1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 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.”

Pray

Give our minds a Spirit of wisdom and revelation in order to know what means to be In Christ.

Our world is dark. Shine our hearts with your light so that we can experience the hope we have together as fellow saints.

Allow us to experience today the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe. The same power who raised Jesus from the dead.

It’s amazing what Jesus has done for us.

Allow me to share five more things:

(1) In Christ, I am redeemed (Ephesians 1:7)

Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood.”

Jesus accomplished redemption.

In Matthew 20:28, Jesus said that he came down from heaven to give his life as a ransom for many (the heart of Xmas).

Ransom: The price paid to secure a slave’s freedom.

God spoke to the Israelites: “I will deliver you from slavery in Egypt and I will redeem you.” (Ex 6:6)

Some might say, "that's a nice gesture." Jesus' didn't pay for your lunch. He did something that was completely out of your reach.

Moralism: If only I live a good life, then I can redeem myself.

Psalm 49:7–9 “7 Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, 8 for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, 9 that he should live on forever and never see the pit.”

John 8:34 “34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.”

1 John 5:19 “19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”

2 Peter 2:19 “19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.”

In Christ, we have redemption through his blood. We were in bondage to sin and to Satan. We under under the wrath of God awaiting the justice that we deserve. But God… through the gospel of his grace send his Son to die on our place.”

Now we are set apart and blameless before God (Eph 1:4)

Application: Good news for weary “redeemers.” You don’t have to work and perform to earn your redemption. There is only one perfect redeemer…

(2) In Christ, I am forgiven (Ephesians 1:7)

Redemption tells us what Jesus brought us out of: slavery to sin and Satan.

Forgiveness tells what Jesus brought us into: a restored relationship with the Father.

Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,”

Sins and trespasses (the breaking of God’s Law) create a separation between God and us. The Prophet Isaiah states that our sins cause God’s face to hide from us so that he doesn’t hear us. (Is. 59:2)

The good news of the gospel, none of us deserve God’s forgiveness, yet forgiveness if freely available to all because of what Jesus accomplished through his death and resurrection. Paul uses very geneous language to describe God’s generosity.

In Christ we have “the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight”

“Wondering if there’s enough forgiveness for your sin is like a child wondering if there is enough water in the ocean to fill his sippy cup.” Eric Geiger

Application: Have you trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins?

Forgiven people forgive. Ephesians 4:32 “32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

(3)I am an ambassador of the gospel (Ephesians 1:9-10)

Ephesians 1:9–10 “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.”

In these two short verses we see God’s plan of redemption:

From eternity past, before the creation of the world, God had already a plan of salvation, “in accordance with his good pleasure” in place to bring humanity back to himself through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

It was a mystery but it has now been revealed through the coming of Jesus the Savior.

God’s plan is that through Christ, everything in creation will be restored. God is going to “unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth.”

New heaven and new earth: Sin will be removed | Sorrow and death will be removed |

Perfect relationships will be established between God and humans | between humans and humans | between humans and animals

From eternity past, before the creation of the world, God had already a plan of salvation, “in accordance with his good pleasure” in place to bring humanity back to himself through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Salvation is purposed by the Father (chosen and adopted) (Ephesians 1:3-6)

Salvation is accomplished by the Son (redeemed and forgiven) (Ephesians 1:7-12)

Salvation is applied by the Holy Spirit (sealed) (Ephesians 1:13-14)

Application:God has revealed His grand plan of redemption to us, not just for your benefit but so that you can share it with the world. As an ambassador, you carry the greatest message—the good news of restoration and hope.

This week, embrace your role as an ambassador in three ways:

Pray for opportunities to represent Christ in your words and actions.Proclaim the gospel to at least one person who needs to hear it.Practice the gospel by pursuing peace, unity, and love in your relationships.

(4) In Christ, I am God’s special inheritance (Ephesians 1:11)

Ephesians 1:11 “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,”

Another way to translate v.11 is, ““In him, we have been chosen as God’s portion/inheritance.” (NIV)

Deuteronomy 32:9 “9 But the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage.”

Most commentators agree that v.11 is “referring to God’s inheritance in believers. This is consistent with the earlier emphasis on God’s benefit in choosing a people for himself (εἰς αὐτόν; 1:5) and the declaration in the prayer that believers are God’s inheritance (1:18).

When it comes to embracing our identity in Christ, we start by asking not “Who am I” but “Whose Am I”? I am God’s special possession. My worth does not come from what I have or what I have accomplished. My worth comes from who God has made me.

What’s more amazing is that fact that this wasn’t an accident nor a last minute plan that God thought of. We are God’s special inheritance “having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,”

Application:

Your value does not come from your achievements, possessions, or other people's opinions. It is rooted in the reality that you are God’s treasured possession, chosen and loved by Him.

Action: Take time this week to write down areas where you’ve been placing your worth in things other than Christ (e.g., career, appearance, relationships). Replace these with truths from Scripture, such as 1 Peter 2:9, and reflect on what it means to belong to God.

(5) In Christ, I am hope-filled (Ephesians 1:12)

Ephesians 1:12 “12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.”

Biblical hope vs. everyday conversation hope

Everyday conversation hope (expresses a wish/desire):

I hope to go to college

I hope to get married and have a family some day

I hope to get ____ for Christmas

I hope the Vikings win the Superbowl this year.

Biblical hope on other other hand have to do with trust and confidence; the expectation of what is sure to come. (The Lexham Bible Dictionary)

When the apostle Paul writes about hope he does it with a sense of eager expectation or anticipation.

Example: The sun comes up every morning.

Biblical hope has both already and not-yet dimensions.

Ephesians 1:18 I pray, “that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you.”

In Christ, I am hope-filled. Remember whose you are:

Lord I don’t understand why this is happening, but I trust in your plan.

Lord I don’t know why this is happening now, but I trust your goodness.

Lord, I don’t know why you haven’t answer my prayers, but I trust your timing

What do you while you wait with eager expectation: You praise!

Paul’s hope in Christ led him to live for “the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:12). When you are hope-filled, your focus shifts from temporary struggles to eternal realities.

Be in the word in 2025. Bible reading plan out.

Conclusion:

The danger of familiarity. Over time, we loose our sense of AWE