The Triune God that Saves

Unfailing Grace: The Extent of God’s Salvation

Bible Passage: Ephesians 1:1-14

Summary: Ephesians 1:1-14 presents a comprehensive view of God's grand plan for salvation, emphasizing the blessings bestowed upon believers through Christ. The emphasis is on the richness of grace and mercy that God offers, assuring that every aspect of a believer’s identity and salvation is a reflection of His unmerited favor.

Application: This passage serves to remind Christians that despite their flaws and failures, God’s grace remains sufficient and unchanging. It encourages believers to accept their identity in Christ with humility and gratitude, leading to a transformative understanding of their relationship with God and others.

Teaching: Through this message, we learn that God’s grace encompasses every believer, regardless of their past. The sermon teaches that grace is not a one-time act but a continuous blessing in the life of a believer, urging them to extend that same grace to others.

How this passage could point to Christ: Ephesians 1 highlights Christ as the source of our spiritual blessings and redemption. It conveys that God’s plan of salvation, fulfilled in Jesus, is not limited to a select few but is a lavish gift offered to all who believe, setting the foundation for the universal offer of grace throughout Scripture.

Big Idea: God’s overwhelming grace calls us into a deeper relationship with Him, emphasizing that our failures do not disqualify us from His love, and instead, invites us to rely on His merit rather than our own.

Recommended Study: As you prepare for this sermon in Logos, consider exploring the theological implications of grace as presented in this text. Investigate how the concepts of election and predestination have been interpreted throughout church history, and how these themes relate to contemporary understandings of grace. You may also want to study cross-references within Ephesians to establish a cohesive theme of grace that permeates the letter.

1. Chosen by Grace

Ephesians 1:1-5

Perhaps you can start by explaining how Paul introduces the believers in Ephesus as saints,

highlighting God's initiative in choosing them before the foundation of the world. This passage underscores the theme of being chosen in Christ, emphasizing that our identity and worth stem from God's gracious choice, not personal merit.

It suggests believers should find peace and joy in knowing they are deliberately and lovingly chosen by God.

Consider the profound love of God depicted in the story of the Prodigal Son. Despite the son's waywardness, the father waits faithfully, ultimately embracing him without reproach. This narrative not only illustrates the overwhelming nature of love but also emphasizes the readiness to forgive and accept—reflecting God’s unwavering love for us, no matter how far we stray.

Luke 15:20 ESV

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

2. Lavished with Love

Ephesians 1:6-10

Maybe focus on how Paul elaborates on the purpose of God's choice: to the praise of His glorious grace, which He freely bestowed in the Beloved.

Consider the story of John Newton, the writer of 'Amazing Grace.' A slave trader, Newton lived a life far from the teachings of Christ until a near-death experience at sea prompted him to cry out for mercy. To his surprise, grace found him, transforming his heart and leading him to faith. His life became a testament to undeserved grace, reminding us that no one is beyond redemption. Just as Newton experienced grace in a profound way, we, too, can find hope in the realization that we are deeply loved beyond our shortcomings.

This segment unfolds the mystery of God's will, made known through Christ.

Colossians 1:24–29 ESV

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

You could encourage the congregation to recognize the richness of God's grace in their lives, prompting them to praise God and reflect His grace in their relationships.

In a stressful work environment, it’s easy to lose sight of God. Start your day with a short praise prayer before you even enter the office. Write down two qualities of God that inspire you—like His faithfulness or wisdom. As you face challenges, remind yourself of these attributes and intentionally praise Him for them, even if quietly in your mind. This will help shift your focus from stress to worship, allowing the peace of God to guide your work.

3. Inheritors of Promise

Ephesians 1:11-14

You could conclude by highlighting our inheritance in Christ and the Holy Spirit as the guarantee of that inheritance. This passage suggests believers have security in God's promises and the ultimate fulfillment in eternity.

In God’s faithfulness lies eternal security.

Corrie Ten Boom

In Matthew 14, the disciples were terrified as they saw Jesus walking on water, thinking He was a ghost. Peter asked to join Him, and as long as he focused on Jesus, he was secure. But when he looked at the storm, he began to sink. This teaches us that our security lies not in the circumstances but in keeping our eyes on Christ, the source of our strength.

We do believe in eternal security, but we do not believe in eternal presumption. Let a man examine himself.

Donald Grey Barnhouse (American Minister)

Encourage your audience to see themselves as beloved inheritors of God's kingdom, and empower them to live boldly and gracefully, secure in the knowledge that they are sealed by the Spirit.