Christ our Bridge

I asked a few weeks ago on a Wednesday night a question that I ask people all the time. I asked this question.

What is the gospel?

If you can’t answer that question, then I encourage you to pay attention during this sermon. Being able to preach the gospel does not come from a head knowledge, it comes from a deep experience you had with Jesus.

The gospel is something you experience not something you just know.

Today that is what we are going to talk about. In Ephesians Paul goes into detail about exactly what was gained through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Ephesians 1:1–2 ESV

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.

We should read Ephesians as if it were written to our church today. Strong evidence indicates that Ephesians was not written only to the church in Ephesus. It is believed to have been a circular letter, meaning, it was circulated around to many different churches during that time.

As a matter of fact in the earliest manuscripts that part in verse 1 that says “in Ephesus” was left blank possibly so that the churches could enter their own city in that spot.

So today you would read it like this:

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Headland, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

Paul then moves into a monologue seemingly meant to arouse worship. It was more like an inspirational speech than it was a specific correction or teaching. It was meant to provoke feelings of awe and thankfulness from the reader admonishing and celebrating the work of Christ in their hearts and lives.

Ephesians 1:3–13 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.

God desired for us to be holy and blameless before Him. He desired it of ALL of His creation which is why it says in John 3:16 that God so loved the WORLD that He gave His only begotten son. He had a desire for all of His created image bearers (us) to be His children and to be holy like He is holy.

We see that:

God wanted a relationship.

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.

1. Redemption

God has redeemed us through Jesus’ blood.

Redemption - the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt

The value of the blood comes in the price it was able to pay. It was costly, but only the death of a perfect man could wipe the slate clean for us.

We owed a debt we could not pay. The law makes it clear how great the debt was. No amount of money or sacrifice could clear the debt permanently.

I love the way Paul puts it, he says the riches of God’s grace have been “lavished” upon us.

What does it mean to lavishly pour something out?

It means to bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities on. That’s what God has done for us. This shows the depth of God’s grace that He freely, lavishly, extravagantly, as much as is needed poured out His grace on us.

Instead of reckless love we should sing lavish love. I think that was the word Cory Asbury was thinking of when He wrote that song.

Only rich people live lavish lives. Let it be known, God is rich in grace.

2. Unification

God has reconciled us to Him through Jesus.

Reconcile - “to restore friendly relations with”

Because of sin we were separated from God as enemies. Sin has no place in the kingdom of God. Anyone who is slave by it is not allowed in.

This means there was a problem of unification.

God is wrathful towards sin. Naturally if we are harboring sin we are harboring wrath from God. Paul states that through Jesus’ death, we are reconciled with the Father meaning God no longer looks on us with condemnation, but rather looks on us with grace and mercy.

Put simply, our sins have been forgiven.

We are now “friends” of God. Not in the sense that God is our bro, but in the sense that you are not His enemy against Him and His ways any longer.

We are hidden in Christ meaning when God looks at us He sees the price paid by Jesus and, instead, we are seen as righteous.

3. Adoption

God has adopted us through Jesus.

Here is the beautiful thing about God, He didn’t just save out of something, He brought us into another thing. He didn’t just forgive our sins, He made us children.

It’s one thing to take children out of a bad living situation. It’s another thing to then bring them and make them a part of your family.

We now get to participate in the family of God through action.

What are some ways we might do this?

1. WE TELL OTHERS WHAT HE DID FOR US AND TO US

God has forgiven you of your sin, that’s what He did for you. He has made you a child full of the fruit of the spirit, that’s what He has done and is doing to you.

2. WE MAKE DISCIPLES

In telling others what God has done, some will decide to get in on that deal themselves. When they do, we get to participate with God in the growth process.

Discipleship is not just giving someone a solution it’s walking with them through the process.

How do we know if we are children of God?

Verse 14 says the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance. Our inheritance is eternity with God.

The holy spirit is our guarantee into heaven.

Paul says you are sealed with Holy Spirit as soon as you hear the word of truth which is the gospel and believe in Him.

Romans 8:14 ESV

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Being led by the Spirit of God is to walk out of death and into life. It is to put to death our fleshly desires and passions and trade them for God’s desires.

The desire to be led by the Holy Spirit is the antidote to lukewarm christianity.

How do you know if you’re a child of God?

Are you led by the spirit of God?

Altar Call