6. A Spiritual Emancipation Proclamation - Part Two (Eph 1:7-10)

A Spiritual Emancipation Proclamation - Part 2

LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS

A Spiritual Emancipation Proclamation

Part Two

December 10, 2017

Dr. David S. Steele

Intro

A. Children’s Story

1. The King and the Boy[1]

2. “His own father had taken his place before the executioner and had literally died that he might be free.”[2]

that he might be free.”[2]

3. You’ll probably have some questions about what the boy did after he learned the price his father had paid. We will discuss a few of those

questions at the end of the sermon! And I’ll have a special gift for you to take home.[3]

B. The greatest need of every person is spiritual emancipation. In , the apostle Paul pens a section of Scripture that describes the spiritual

blessings that belong to the people of God. Last week, we learned that the first benefit of the spiritual emancipation proclamation is that we have been granted freedom. We learned that the basis of this spiritual freedom is redemption. So we unpacked:

1. The trauma of redemption.

2. The truth of redemption.

3. The triumph of redemption.

C. One of the massive takeaways from is this: Its time to begin living out the freedom that we have in Christ.

D. There are two more benefits of spiritual emancipation that I want you to see. We have not only been granted freedom; we have been granted

forgiveness.

II. WE HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN - The stain of our sins has been removed ().

In order to understand the weight of this blessing, I want to have you look with me at three aspects of forgiveness.

A. THE BEAUTY OF FORGIVENESS

1. It is our sin that makes forgiveness necessary.

a. Trespasses (παράπτωμα) - “sin or transgression.”[4]

1. Sin separates us from God () - because of sin, the relationship with God is severed; the relationship with God is shattered. Prior to

sin’s entrance into the world, there was peace and harmony between man and God. But with the arrival of sin, there was only conflict and discord.

2. Sin separates us from one another and places us under a curse.[5]

Gender Conflict in Genesis[6]

Usurping Women - “You desire will be for your husband” ().

Husbands Abusing their Wives - “He shall rule over you” ().

Death in Childbearing ().

Barreness ().

Sexual Dysfunction

· In order to understand sin, we must first understand the meaning of shalom. You’re probably familiar with this little Hebrew word. You’ve probably heard it said that the word means “peace.” And you would be correct. However, the term has a deeper meaning than mere “peace.”

shalom. You’re probably familiar with this little Hebrew word. You’ve probably heard it said that the word means “peace.” And you would be correct. However, the term has a deeper meaning than mere “peace.”

· “In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight … Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be.”[7]

delight … Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be.”[7]

· “God hates sin not just because it violates his law, but … because it violates shalom, because it breaks the peace, because it interferes with the way things are supposed to be … In short, sin is culpable shalom-breaking.”[8]

violates shalom, because it breaks the peace, because it interferes with the way things are supposed to be … In short, sin is culpable shalom-breaking.”[8]

· “In sum, shalom is God’s design for creation and redemption; sin is

blameable human vandalism of these great realities and therefore an affront to their architect and builder.”[9]

3. This sin that separates us from God and from one another is an ugly, destructive, malevolent monster, which is bent on ruining everything in its

sight - including you!

- including you!

· “Oh, what a venomous, accursed thing sin is that makes a merciful God take comfort in the destruction of His own creature.”[10]

God take comfort in the destruction of His own creature.”[10]

4. It is only after we consider the hideousness of sin that we can contemplate the beauty of forgiveness.

2. Forgiveness (ἄφεσις) - “pardon.”

a. Last week we learned that redemption means that we have been purchased out of the slave market of sin - and this redemption is through the

blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 7). Since we have been ransomed means that we possess spiritual freedom.

b. But redemption also means that we are forgiven of all our sins.

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (, ESV)

c. For every person who is in Christ, the stain of his or her sin has been removed forever.

· The penalty of sin has been defeated.

· The power of sin has been abolished.

· “God puts our sins out of his remembrance and drowns them in the depths of the sea, and, moreover, receives the payment that was offered him

in the person of his only Son.”[11]

depths of the sea, and, moreover, receives the payment that was offered him in the person of his only Son.”[11]

3. This is the beauty of forgiveness!

B. THE BASIS OF FORGIVENESS

“ … according (κατά) to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight” (, ESV)

1. All these things - the redemption that we have received through his blood and the forgiveness of our trespasses is “according (κατά) to the riches

of his grace.”

2. The fact that we have been purchased out of the slave market of sin and have been declared innocent in his sight is according (κατά) to the riches

of his grace. God’s grace (χάρις) has special meaning for us as it is a term that refers to a “gift of grace” or “undeserved favor.”

3. Riches (πλοῦτος) - “wealth or abundance.”

There are at least twenty-two places where this term appears in the NT. Notice, however, a few places where the term has special meaning for us in light of :

God’s riches in Christ are incomprehensible to the human mind

“Oh, the depth of the riches (πλοῦτος) and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (, ESV)

God’s riches in Christ are immeasurable to the human mind

“so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches (πλοῦτος) of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (, ESV)

4. These wonderful things have been given to us according to the riches of his grace.

C. THE BREADTH OF FORGIVENESS

1. Paul goes further, though, as he quantifies the breadth of this forgiveness. He says the riches of his grace has been “lavished upon us, in all

He says the riches of his grace has been “lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight” (v. 8).

wisdom and insight” (v. 8).

a. lavished (περισσεύω) - “to shower, to provide in abundance.”

a. lavished (περισσεύω) - “to shower, to provide in abundance.”

· Charles Hodge refers to God’s grace as “an overflowing abundance of unmerited love, inexhaustible in God and freely accessible through Christ.”[12]

unmerited love, inexhaustible in God and freely accessible through Christ.”[12]

b. Illus - Have you ever seen a group of kids under a piñata? They’re all happy and are so excited to be showered with candy! Now imagine God’s

people under the “piñata” that is exploding with the riches of God’s grace. How should we respond? We should respond with joyful exuberance and worship!

Transition

1. I want you to think about the blessings that belong to God’s elect. We have been granted freedom! We have been forgiven! There’s a third blessing we receive - We have focus.

III. WE HAVE FOCUS - Our spiritual eyes have been opened ().

A. NEW SPIRITUAL EYES

1. Making known (γνωρίζω/Aor Act Part) - “to reveal or explain.” God reveals the mystery (μυστήριον - “a divine secret”) of his will, “according his

purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

2. Previously we were blind to the things of God. We had a spiritual crust caked on our eyes the prevented us from seeing and savoring the plan

of God and the purpose of God.

3. Illus -

a. God got a hold of Lydia, a woman from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods (she would have probably been a Nooksack fan!). The Bible says, “…The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” (, ESV)

b. The same thing happened to Paul in as God miraculously opened his eyes to the truth of the gospel. He retells that story later in . Note carefully that God opens the eyes of Paul so he might “open the eyes” of Gentiles, “that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (v. 18).

4. What happens when God opens our eyes? We see the grand redemptive purpose, which is global in scope!

a. “So there is a cosmic dimension to God’s plan of salvation. Now the universe is divided and groaning for redemption (). Now God’s people groan in this fallen world. Paradise was lost in Adam, but it will be restored in Christ.”[13]

b. “In the fullness of time, God’s two creations, his whole universe and his whole church, will be unified under the cosmic Christ who is the supreme head of both.”[14]

5. Has God opened your eyes? Has he sovereignly removed the crust that prevents you from seeing and savoring the grand reality of the gospel?

B. BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER

1. We have been learning over the past several weeks about the blessings that belong to those who are in Christ.

Conclusion

A. We have been granted freedom, forgiveness, and focus - Truth Point.

B. APPLICATION

1. I want to draw your attention to a few common everyday object to illustrate how importance of the Spiritual Emancipation Proclamation - - All of our

hearts are like a rock or a sponge.

a. Sponge: Soaks up the Word of God. If your heart is like a sponge, you can’t get enough of God’s Word. When you hear it, it causes your heart to

rejoice! When God’s Word is proclaimed, it prompts you to go deeper! And when you hear about the Spiritual Emancipation Proclamation, you are filled with humility, wondering how God could love such a sinner. You are filled with awe at the Providential plan of God. You are filled with thanksgiving are you contemplate the reality that you have been given spiritual freedom, spiritual forgiveness, and spiritual focus!

b. Stone: If your heart is like a stone, it’s a totally different story. Stony hearts are rebellious. Stony hearts are filled with complaints.

· Stony hearts recoil when the Word of God is proclaimed.

· Stony hearts resist the preaching of God’s Word.

· Stony hearts refuse to submit to the Word of God.

· Stony hearts invent excuses to run from the preaching of God’s Word.

· Stony hearts are recalcitrant – that is, they are stubborn. They are unmoveable.

unmoveable.

2. I want to ask a vitally important question this morning: Is your heart more like a sponge or is your heart like a stone?

· “True religion, in great part, consists in holy affections … “[15]

· “There are multitudes that often hear the Word of God, and therein hear of those things that are infinitely great and important, and that most nearly concern them, and all that is heard seems to be wholly ineffectual upon them, and to make no alteration in their disposition or behavior; and the reason is, they are not affected with what they hear.”[16]

· “Where there is heat without light, there can be nothing divine or heavenly in that heart; so on the other hand, where there is a kind of light without heat, a head stored with notions and speculations, with a cold and unaffected heart, there is nothing divine in that light, that knowledge is no true spiritual knowledge of divine things. If the great things of religion are rightly understood, they will affect the heart” (emphasis mine).[17]

B. You recall the story of the king and his son who he died to set free.

1. You probably have some questions: What did the son do? Did he return to the castle and become king? Did he accept his heritage? Did he even

care about the price his father had paid for his freedom? Did he decide to obey the law? I’m not sure because, you see, you are the son and I am the son.

I’m not sure because, you see, you are the son and I am the son.

Scripture says, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (, ESV)[18]

2. If you are not yet a Christian, today is the day of salvation. Today is the day to enter into the joy of your master.

C. For all those who are in Christ - We have been granted freedom, forgiveness, and focus - Truth Point.

1. Thank God for the spiritual blessings which are yours in Christ.

2. Live as unto God with a new sense of purpose.

3. Cultivate a heart, which grows softer every day to the things of God.

Benediction

1. This morning I have stones and sponges for the children (maybe teens as well).

2. Pick up a stone and a sponge and put it on your desk or dresser at home. Let it

remind you of the importance of the importance of having a soft heart toward the

things of God. May God grant each of us a soft heart to delight in the great reality of

the Spiritual Emancipation Proclamation! For God has graciously given us freedom,

forgiveness, and focus!

[1] Steve Brown, When Being Good Isn’t Good Enough (Brenham: Lucid Books, 1994), 88-93.

[2] Ibid, 93.

[3] Provide gifts for children as they leave - “Merry Christmas!”

[4] is a vivid example of sinners who are unfaithful to God, commit evil in the sight of God, and turn their backs on God. This active rebellion and idolatry pulsates in the heart of every unredeemed person.

[5] I’m convinced that most of us don’t understand the seriousness of how sin separates us from one another.

[6] See James M. Hamilton, Jr, God’s Glory in Salvation Through Judgment (Wheaton: Crossway, 2010), 86.

[7] Cornelius Plantinga, Jr, Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1995), 10.

[8] Ibid, 10, 14.

[9] Ibid, 16.

[10] Thomas Watson, The Mischief of Sin (Pittsburgh: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, reprint 1994. First published in 1671), 21.

[11] John Calvin, Cited in R. Kent Hughes, Ephesians: The Mystery of the Body of Christ (Wheaton: Crossway, 1990), 31.

[12] Charles Hodge, Cited in Ibid, 33.

[13] Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2014), 28.

[14] John Stott, Cited in Ibid.

[15] The Works of Jonathan Edwards, vol. 2, Religious Affections, Ed. John E. Smith (New Haven: :Yale University Press, 1959), 95,

[16] Ibid, 101-102.

[17] Ibid, 120.

[18] See Steve Brown, When Being Good Isn’t Good Enough, 93.