Untitled Sermon (12)

It’s included in the Package

Ephesians 1:7, 11, 13

V.7: In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.

V.11: IN Him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the One who out everything in agreement with the purpose of His will

V.13: In Him you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your Salvation, and when you believed.

In the business world new hires are often offered benefit packages included with the salary. You know it’s a good package when it includes essential protections like health insurance, dental and vision insurance.

Some companies will also include disability insurance, life insurance and some offer retirement plans where they will match what is placed in a 401k. There are also some employers that go so far as to include PTO—paid time off, family and medical leave—tuition reimbursement, professional development all included in the benefit package.

And all of these benefits are great and excellent, but I want to go a little further and point out a greater, more important benefit package found only in being in Christ.

When God sent His only begotten Son—Jesus disrobed Himself—Born of a virgin, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger—Included in that package laying a manger is everlasting life—that is the greatest benefit of being in Him.

 Not only do we receive everlasting life—But also, included in the package is healing. You remember that woman who suffered 12 long years with an issue of blood—she heard that Jesus has healing power and made her way to Him and when she touched the hem of His garment the Bible says her blood stopped.

In Him we have the benefit of Protection—when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were cast in the fire and while they were in the fire the Lord protected them from the fire. When Daniel was cast in the lions den—the Lord protected him in taking away the appetite of the lions. David could walk through the valley of the shadow of death without fear cause David knew he was protected. The Lord is a fortress, He is a Refuge in the time of trouble—a Shelter in the time of storm—He is my Rock, sword and shield—He is a Keeper protecting us from harm.

Not only is protection included—there is also Provision. You recall in Genesis 22 when Abraham was ready to offer up Isaac—The Lord had a Ram caught in the thicket—and it was at that place Abraham called God Jehovah Jireh—the God who provides.

Paul said And my God shall supply all my need according to His riches in glory. Umm, in Him is Peace. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem there was a multitude of heavenly host with the angel praising God and saying Glory to God in the Highest—and peace on earth to all men. He is peace—John 14 Jesus said My peace I leave with you.

In Him we have answered prayers—He opens doors. He makes a way out of no way. Jesus invites us to unburden ourselves in coming to Him—We can cast all our cares on Him. Jesus includes a worry free life—He said don’t worry about your life—don’t worry about what you gon’ eat or drink—don’t worry about none of that seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.

Paul said be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer present your request to God. Read through the Word of God and take note of all the benefits of being in the Lord—Read the benefits packaged in the word of God cause the Bible makes one thing abundantly clear—everything we need is found in Him.

And let me point out three specific benefits Paul points out in the text before us:

First look at verse 7: In Him we have redemption through His blood.

The work of redemption is deliverance from slavery. It is release—in order to redeem us Jesus gave His life. Jesus took our guilt and judgment upon Himself. His death served as a ransom.

Umm, you recall in Matthew’s Gospel—Jesus said I did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give My life a ransom for many. Jesus purchased us—He paid our sin debt—Jesus delivered us from the grip of satan.

Jesus’ death on the cross satisfied divine justice—His death fully satisfied God’s righteous demands toward sinners. Because God is holy and cannot over look sin—what Christ did in taking our place—dying where we should have died allows us to be accepted by God and spared us from divine wrath.

Umm, Jesus is our propitiation. Propitiation is a fancy word that simply means that Jesus is the atoning sacrifice offered to God to turn away His wrath.

And I just believe the benefit of redemption ought to excite us—If you are a Christian and you know what Christ suffered to accomplish Salvation—I just believe that ought to cause a stir—ought to move us to excitement when we know what He suffered to redeem us.

Cause without His shed blood—if Jesus had not paid our sin debt in full we would all be on our way to hell—I just can’t understand how we can learn about redemption—read and hear what Christ suffered to redeem us—knowing that Jesus took our place. Took our sins all the way to Calvary—gave up His life to redeem—I just believe we ought to be grateful.

When we trust Christ to save us God redeems us by allowing His Son’s death to count as payment for our sin. He set us free by paying a debt we owed and a debt we couldn’t pay—Jesus paid it all—all to Him I owe. 

I’m grateful Jesus is the Hero that dies for the villain. We have reasons to be grateful—we ought to be full of thanks—when I think about what He’s done for me I don’t need a praise coach—I don’t need nobody prodding me to give God a hand clap of praise. All I have to do is start thinking of His goodness and whenever you think you can thank.

Thank Him for the benefits we have in Him. We did not earn it—He saved us from a burning hell—let the redeemed of the Lord say so—giving thanks is the least we can do to God who does so much.

Secondly, look at verse 11. In Him we have received inheritance.

As believers we are co-heirs with Christ. This means we will inherit all that God has and all that Christ is and has. We share in His inheritance. In Christ we have inheritance and it is also equally true that we are an inheritance.

When you think of the price He paid to purchase us we should see the value placed on everyone. Don’t miss this—He rewards us from something we have not done. The overall purpose and plan of God that believes should have a part in His inheritance. We will inherit with Christ because we are in Christ.

Over in Romans 8: Paul writes If we are His children then heirs and joint heirs with Christ—If so be that we suffer with Him that we also may be glorified together.

And it is predestined. God has determined it. This is referring to those that are saved. God has not predestined any to be lost—rather He predestined us to receive an inheritance.

And it’s not something we deserve. It is not based on merit or worth—it is a reward out of His grace. It don’t get no better than that—God has purposed for all those in Him to receive an inheritance.

Look at the great things He has done—look at all we have in Him. He redeemed us with His blood. He revealed the mystery of His will, and rewards us with inheritance. That’s good news—He paid it all. I belong to Him all because He paid the price.

Umm, here is some more good news from the text—the inheritance is eternal. You read over in 1 Peter chapter 1—you will quickly discover Peter uses three Greek words to describe this inheritance.

One Peter points out that the inheritance is pure. It will never lose it glory or freshness. It is undefiled—It will never become unfit for us or polluted by sin and it is beyond the reach of change and decay and that means it will never pass away, disappear or ever come to ruin. Nothing in the natural can ruin it—no circumstance, sin, age or evil can ever affect our inheritance cause our inheritance is in Him.

Lastly, look at verse 13: In Him we are sealed

The word seal indicates security. There are several purposes for with a seal is used. One use is to authenticate or confirm as genuine and true. Another use is to mark as one’s property. A seal was used to render something secure—and in all aforementioned—one thing is certain. If we are in Christ we are sealed.

And it is interesting when you read the text—Paul says in Him we are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. I bring this up simply because he says that we are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit—He promised a comforter and the promise is confirmed—the seal is a mark that belong to Him. It’s a word of promise. Salvation is only as secure as the One who guarantees Salvation.

If you got money you can put it in the bank and it is secured by the FDIC, but the bank could go broke—But when you put your trust in the Lord—Salvation is secure—we are sealed and nothing can take us out of His hand.

That is assurance—blessed assurance Jesus is mine O what a foretaste of glory divine—Heir of salvation, purchased of God Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. I have assurance—blessed assurance. In Him we are sealed and assured of heaven.

Umm, I say this all the time at South Maple, but there is a difference between Insurance and Assurance. You can have great insurance, but you cannot be fully assured they will cover you when tragedy strikes your life.

One of my favorite insurance commercials is where they announcer says: You’re in good hands with Allstate. In the commercial they will often have different life scenarios and if you have their insurance—they say you’re in good hands, but I know some better—more secure hands to be in.

I’m in Jesus hands sealed, safe and secure. I’m covered and I’m kept—and in His hands is deliverance…That’s what the cross is about—our deliverance. Without the shed blood there is no remission of sins and you know He shed His blood to buy my pardon—He died, didn’t He die, but bright early Sunday Morning He arose with all power in His hand and one of these blessed days He is coming back…