The Riches of His Grace

Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV) “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

Introduction: "The Riches of His Grace"

Imagine a young man burdened by an insurmountable debt—a debt he could never hope to repay. He owes millions due to bad decisions and unforeseen circumstances. As the creditors close in, he’s ready to give up, believing his life is over. But one day, a wealthy stranger steps in and does the unthinkable: he pays the debt in full. Not just a portion, not a payment plan—the entire amount. The young man’s life is changed forever.

Now imagine that this young man refuses to believe it. He keeps trying to pay the debt himself, working tirelessly, though the debt has already been cleared. Isn’t that absurd? And yet, this is how many of us respond to God’s grace—either we can’t fully grasp it, or we think we must somehow earn it.

This story mirrors what God has done for us, but on a far greater scale. Our debt wasn’t financial; it was spiritual. It wasn’t measured in dollars but in sin—a debt so vast that no amount of effort, good deeds, or religious activity could ever pay it. But through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God stepped in and paid the ultimate price for our redemption.

In Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV), Paul captures the essence of this incredible truth: "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."

This one verse is a treasure chest of theological truth, pointing us to the heart of the gospel. It reveals three key things about God’s work in our lives:

We are redeemed, set free from the slavery of sin. We are forgiven, with our sins completely erased. This is all made possible through the infinite riches of His grace.

Today, as we explore the meaning of redemption, forgiveness, and grace, I want us to move beyond simply understanding these concepts. I want us to feel the weight of what it means to be redeemed and forgiven. And more importantly, I want us to respond to the riches of His grace with awe, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to live for Him.

Let’s dive deep into the riches of God’s grace and see how this verse not only speaks to our past, when we were saved, but also shapes our present and future in Christ. Are you ready to uncover the wealth of grace that God has lavished upon you? Let’s begin.

This introduction sets the tone by engaging the audience emotionally, connecting the concept of grace to a relatable story, and building anticipation for the sermon. It emphasizes the magnitude of God’s work while inviting the listeners to reflect personally.

Point 1: Redemption Through His Blood

Colossians 1:13-14 — "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."

Hebrews 9:12 — "Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption."

1 Peter 1:18-19 — "You were redeemed... with the precious blood of Christ."

Illustration: A POW's Freedom During World War II, prisoners of war often had to wait for someone to negotiate their release. Imagine a soldier imprisoned in a foreign land, awaiting certain death. Then, one day, a powerful figure steps in and offers a ransom—paying with their own resources to secure the soldier’s freedom. In the same way, Jesus stepped in when we were enslaved to sin and paid the ultimate price—His blood—to redeem us.

Application: Just as the soldier had no power to free himself, we couldn’t redeem ourselves from sin. Jesus did it all.

Application: Redemption is not something we earn but a gift bought by Jesus’ sacrifice.

Point 2: Forgiveness of Sins

1 John 1:9 — "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Isaiah 1:18 — "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Psalm 103:12 — "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."

Illustration: A Forgiven Loan A banker once forgave the massive debt of a struggling customer. The man, overwhelmed with gratitude, wept and said, "You’ve given me a fresh start!" Similarly, God wipes out our sin debt completely, not because we deserve it but because of His grace.

Application: Think of your sins as a list too long to count. Jesus not only forgives them but erases them entirely.

Application: God doesn’t hold our sins over us once we are forgiven; He fully removes them.

Point 3: The Riches of His Grace

Ephesians 2:7 — "That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

2 Corinthians 9:8 — "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work."

Romans 5:20 — "Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more."

Illustration: An Overflowing Inheritance Imagine someone who inherits a billion-dollar estate and keeps discovering treasures hidden in it—art, jewels, gold. That’s what God’s grace is like: it’s more than we can comprehend and keeps overflowing in ways we don’t expect.

Application: No matter how deep our failures, His grace is deeper. His riches never run out

Application: No matter how great our sins are, God’s grace is greater.

Point 4: Grace Freely Given

Grace is a gift, not a transaction. We cannot earn or repay it.

Key Scripture:

Romans 6:23 — "The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."Additional Scriptures:

Ephesians 2:8-9 — "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

Titus 3:5-7 — "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us."

Illustration: A Surprise Gift A young child eagerly tries to earn her parents’ love by doing chores and being “perfect.” One day, her father surprises her with a bike, saying, “This is not because of what you’ve done but because I love you.” God’s grace is like that gift—it’s not earned, just received.

Application: Stop striving to earn grace—it’s already yours in Christ.

Application: Stop striving to earn what God has freely given; receive His grace humbly.

Point 5: Access Through Christ

Redemption and forgiveness come only “In Him.”

Scripture:

John 14:6 — "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Acts 4:12 — "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Hebrews 10:19-20 — "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us."

Illustration: The VIP Pass At a concert, people with VIP passes gain backstage access to the artist. Without that pass, no one can enter. Jesus is our “pass” to God; through Him, we have access to the Father.

Application: Trying to reach God without Jesus is like trying to enter a restricted area without credentials—it doesn’t work. Jesus is the only way.

Application: Faith in Jesus is the only way to receive redemption and forgiveness.

Point 6: The Purpose of Redemption

Redemption is not just for us to feel good but to restore us to God’s purpose.

Key Scripture:

2 Corinthians 5:17 — "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."Additional Scriptures:

Ephesians 2:10 — "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

Galatians 2:20 — "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."

Illustration: Restoring a Classic Car A rusted-out, broken-down car is purchased by someone who sees its potential. The new owner restores it, piece by piece, until it’s better than new. That’s what God does for us: He redeems us, not just to save us, but to restore us to the purpose He intended.

Application: You’re not just saved from something; you’re saved for something—God’s glory and His mission.

Application: God redeems us to live for His glory and to fulfill His plan.

Point 7: Responding to Grace

God’s grace demands a response—worship, obedience, and gratitude.

Scripture:

Titus 2:11-12 — "For the grace of God... teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts."

Romans 12:1 — "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."

2 Corinthians 9:15 — "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"

Illustration: Life for a Life A firefighter rescues a man from a burning building at great personal risk. The man, deeply moved, dedicates his life to helping others because he believes he’s been given a second chance. How much more should we respond to the grace of God, who saved us not just for this life but for eternity?

Application: Let your life reflect your gratitude for the grace you’ve received. Live in worship, obedience, and love and transformation His grace brings.

Conclusion: A Real-Life Story of Grace

Let me share a powerful real-life story that embodies the message of God’s grace.

Years ago, there was a woman named Debra. She struggled with addiction, crime, and broken relationships for most of her life. She had accumulated not only a criminal record but also an overwhelming sense of guilt and shame. She believed her life was beyond repair. One day, she was arrested and sent to prison. While there, she met a chaplain who shared the message of Jesus' redemption and forgiveness. At first, she resisted, thinking, "How could God ever forgive someone like me?"

But as the chaplain patiently explained the sacrifice of Jesus—that He shed His blood to pay for every sin, even hers—Debra’s heart softened. One day, in her prison cell, she prayed, asking Jesus to redeem her, forgive her, and transform her life. She later described that moment as if “a thousand-pound weight had been lifted off her shoulders.”

When she was released, Debra didn’t just return to her old life. Instead, she dedicated herself to sharing her story, helping others trapped in addiction and crime. Today, she runs a ministry for ex-offenders, helping them find hope and purpose through the grace of God. She often says, “If God can forgive and redeem me, He can do it for anyone.”

Key Takeaway

Debra’s story reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Just like her, we’ve all been in a spiritual prison—trapped by sin and weighed down by guilt. But through Jesus’ blood, we’ve been redeemed and forgiven, set free to live a new life in Him.

As we close, reflect on these questions:

Have you fully accepted the riches of God’s grace in your own life? If you’ve been redeemed, are you living in gratitude, purpose, and obedience to Him?

Final Challenge: If you’ve never experienced the life-changing power of God’s grace, today is the day to surrender to Him. If you already know His grace, let your life be a testimony, like Debra’s, to the world around you.

Prayer of Surrender and Renewal

Let’s bow our heads and open our hearts before the Lord.

Prayer for Those Seeking Redemption: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today, knowing that I cannot save myself. I admit my sin and my need for Your grace. Thank You for shedding Your blood to redeem me and forgive me. I surrender my life to You. Come into my heart, transform me, and make me new. Today, I receive the riches of Your grace by faith. Thank You for saving me. Amen.”

Prayer for Believers to Renew Commitment: “Father, thank You for the incredible gift of Your grace. I confess that I often take it for granted or fail to live fully in its power. Today, I renew my commitment to You. Help me to live a life that reflects my gratitude for Your redemption and forgiveness. Use me to share Your grace with others and to bring glory to Your name. Amen.”

Invitation

If you prayed that prayer of surrender or renewal, know that heaven is rejoicing with you. If you’d like to talk or pray with someone, we have leaders and pastors available to support you. Don’t leave here today without fully embracing the riches of God’s grace.