Redemption in Christ
Redemption in Christ
Ephesians 1:7-10
SERMON MANUSCRIPT
PASTOR D.E. REAVES
SJBC – A.M.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2007
AS WE CONTINUE OUR SERMON SERIES PREACHING THROUGH THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, FOCUSING ON OUR THEME: “TRUTH” THE RAW-UNCUT VERSION OF CHRISTIAN LIVING
WE HAVE LOOKED AT HOW PAUL BEGINS THIS LETTER BY PRAISING GOD BECAUSE HE HAS BLESSED US WITH EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING IN CHRIST. WE DISCOVERED WHAT THOSE SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS ARE: WE WERE CHOSEN IN CHRIST BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, WE WERE CHOSEN SO THAT WE WOULD BE HOLY AND BLAMELESS BEFORE HIM; WE WERE PREDESTINED FOR ADOPTION AS SONS AND DAUGHTERS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST; AND HE HAS GIVEN US GRACE IN CHRIST.
IN THE TEXT TODAY, PAUL GIVES US TWO MORE REASONS, WHY HE HAS CHOSEN TO PRAISE GOD, TWO MORE SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS WE HAVE BECAUSE WE ARE “IN CHRIST” I WANT TO LIFT FOR US THESE TWO REASONS:
LOOK WITH ME AT THE TEXT: Ephesians 1:7-10 (NKJV)
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him.
- \\ I WANT TO TITLE THE MESSAGE: REDEMPTION IN CHRIST*
THE TWO ADDITIONAL REASONS FOR US PRAISING GOD ARE:
1. We have been redeemed through Jesus’ Blood, and
2. The Mystery of God’s Will has been Made Known to Us.
LET ME UNPACK THESE ADDITIONAL BLESSINGS FOR US.
I. We have been redeemed through Jesus’ blood
THE TEXT SAYS, Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV) 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
THAT GIVES US A REASON ALL BY ITSELF WHY WE SHOULD PRAISE GOD. IN HIM WE HAVE BEEN REDEEMED THROUGH JESUS’ BLOOD. (SOMEBODY SHOUT “IN HIM!”)
A. Redemption
Well, a good question to ask is, “What is redemption?” IT SOUNDS LIKE A VERY CHURCHY WORD. WE HEAR THE WORD TOSSED AROUND A LOT, BUT DO WE REALLY KNOW WHAT IT MEANS? IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, REDEMPTION IS USED TO SPEAK PRIMARILY OF THE ACT OF GOD IN BRINGING THE ISRAELITES OUT OF BONDAGE IN EGYPT. IN THE SAME WAY, JESUS HAS REDEEMED US FROM A FOREIGN COUNTRY, ONE IN WHICH WE AS THOSE PREDESTINED TO BE ADOPTED AS SONS AND DAUGHTERS SHOULD NOT BE LIVING – GOD HAS REDEEMED US --- BROUGHT US OUT OF THE LAND OF SIN. THE IDEA OF REDEMPTION OFTEN HAS THE MEANING OF PAYING A PRICE, OR RANSOM, TO BRING ABOUT THE REDEMPTION.
Paul asserts in 1 Cor. 6:19-20, “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” In Galatians 3:13, Paul tells us that, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” A price was paid for those who were redeemed. Think back to Jesus’ own words in Matt. 20:28, “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” JESUS IS OUR RANSOM, JESUS IS OUR REDEEMER! THE TEXT SAYS: Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV) 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
NOW NOTICE WHAT IS BETWEEN THESE TWO PHRASES “WE HAVE REDEMPTION” AND THE PHRASE “THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS” IT IS THE PHRASE THROUGH HIS BLOOD. IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND REDEMPTION, TO UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF JESUS, WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS THROUGH HIS BLOOD THAT WE ARE REDEEMED.
NOW COME HERE, PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT WE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN REDEEMED WITHOUT CHRIST’S PAYMENT OF HIS BLOOD. IF CHRIST ONLY CAME AND LIVED A RIGHTEOUS LIFE, AND PERFORMED ALL THOSE MIRACLES AND DID NOT SHED HIS BLOOD AND DIE!….. OUR SINS WOULD NOT BE DEALT WITH.
IF YOU SURVEY THE OLD TESTAMENT, YOU SEE THIS IDEA OF THE NECESSITY OF BLOODSHED THROUGHOUT THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW. IN MATTHEW 5, WHEN JESUS SAID THAT HE CAME NOT TO ABOLISH THE LAW, BUT TO FULFILL IT, THIS BLOODSHED WAS PARTLY WHAT HE WAS SPEAKING ABOUT. THE SACRIFICIAL LAWS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT WERE VERY CLEAR ON THE NECESSITY FOR BLOOD TO BE SHED FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. YOU SEE, THE LEVITICAL HIGH-PRIEST IN THE OT ENTERED ONCE A YEAR INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES TO MAKE ATONEMENT FOR THE PEOPLE, TAKING WITH HIM THE BLOOD OF A SACRIFICED BULL AND GOAT TO SPRINKLE ON THE MERCY SEAT BEFORE THE LORD. EVERY YEAR, THIS RITUAL HAD TO BE REPEATED IF ISRAEL WAS TO BE OBEDIENT TO AND IN COVENANT WITH THEIR GOD. THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK OF HEBREWS, IN HEBREWS 9:22 COMMENTS THAT, Hebrews 9:22 (NIV) In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. IN FACT IN VERSE 12 THE TEXT SAYS: Hebrews 9:12 (NIV)
12 He (that is Jesus) did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. ) CHURCH, EVEN BACK THEN, THE BLOOD OF BULLS AND GOATS, EVEN THEN THE ENTIRE SACRIFICIAL SYSTEM, WERE ALL POINTING TO ONE, BIBLICAL, HUMBLING TRUTH – THE PRICE FOR SIN WAS BLOOD, AND FOR EVERY SIN, BLOOD WAS REQUIRED.
NOW FAST FORWARD TO THE NEW TESTAMENT…..
JESUS BECAME THE SACRIFICE FOR US. OUR BLOOD WAS THAT WHICH WAS DUE, BUT IN ORDER TO SECURE A PEOPLE FOR HIMSELF (THOSE PREDESTINED FOR ADOPTION), HE GAVE HIS BLOOD FOR THE RANSOM. IT WAS HIS BLOOD THAT APPEASED OR SATISFIED GOD FOR OUR SINS. IN OTHER WORDS, JESUS BLOOD TOOK AWAY THE WRATH OF GOD FROM US.
AND WHAT PAUL SAYS TO US IN THIS LETTER IS, HE EQUATES THIS “REDEMPTION” THROUGH BLOOD TO THE “FORGIVENESS OF SINS.” IN OTHERS WORDS, WATCH THIS…… REDEMPTION (PAYING A PRICE,) WHAT IS THE PRICE? THE PRICE IS “JESUS BLOOD”, ALL OF THAT EQUALS THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. REDEMPTION (PAY A PRICE) + JESUS CHRIST BLOOD = FORGIVENESS OF SINS. IT IS JESUS’ BLOOD THROUGH WHICH OUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN.
LOOK AT THIS…….THIS REDEMPTION, THIS FORGIVENESS THAT WE ARE GIVEN IS NOT SOMETHING THAT GOES AGAINST THE NATURE OF GOD, IT’S NOT SOMETHING HE WAS FORCED TO DO. BECAUSE IN THE LAST PART OF VS. 7 IT SAYS: THAT IT IS “IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE.” GRACE BY DEFINITION IS GETTING WHAT WE DON’T DESERVE. DON’T YOU EVER THINK THAT GOD IS POOR IN GRACE, THAT IT IS A STRAIN ON HIS CHARACTER TO DISPENSE GRACE TO US. GOD IS RICH IN GRACE, SO MUCH SO THAT HE LAVISHES IT ON US. GOD’S GRACE IS LIKE THE WATER OF AN OVER FLOWING FOUNTAIN, CONSTANTLY POURING OUT GRACE ONTO HIS CREATION… AND VERSE 8 SAYS: HE GIVES US THIS GRACE “WITH ALL WISDOM AND INSIGHT…OR PRUDENCE”
THIS IDEA OF “WISDOM AND INSIGHT” CONSTITUTES ONE WORD.... (UNDERSTANDING). UNDERSTANDING HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US WHEN WE ARE LAVISHED WITH GOD’S GRACE. ….. YOU SEE UNDERSTANDING, “WISDOM AND INSIGHT” ABOUT GOD, COMES FROM NOBODY BUT GOD!
AND THOUGH WE WHO HAVE BEEN ADOPTED HAVE THIS GRACE AND UNDERSTANDING ALREADY LAVISHED ON US, WE STILL PRAY THAT OUR WISDOM, OUR INSIGHT, OUR UNDERSTANDING WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE AS WE LIVE EACH DAY, SO THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO BE ALL THE MORE EFFECTIVE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
SO NOW, WE BLESS GOD, WE PRAISE GOD BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN REDEEMED THROUGH JESUS’ BLOOD, AND HAVE BEEN LAVISHED WITH HIS GRACE AND WISDOM AND INSIGHT. THAT IS A SPIRITUAL BLESSING…….ANOTHER SPIRITUAL BLESSING IS TIED RIGHT TO THIS….. IN VERSE 9. THE TEXT SAYS: Ephesians 1:9 (NKJV)
9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
MY GOD, MY GOD…… THE PURPOSE OF GOD LAVISHING HIS GRACE ON US WITH ALL WISDOM AND INSIGHT IS SO THAT HE COULD MAKE KNOWN TO US THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL.
THAT’S ANOTHER REASON FOR US TO PRAISE GOD:
2. The Mystery of God’s Will has been Made Known to Us.
SOME PEOPLE WILL TRY TO TELL YOU THAT GOD IS A MYSTERY. BUT I COME TO DECLARE ON THIS LORD’S DAY THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN KNOW ABOUT GOD! LET ME CALL OUR ATTENTION TO THREE IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S WILL THIS MORNING: FIRST OF ALL 1.THE MYSTERY HAS BEEN MADE KNOWN TO US,
A. The Knowledge of the Mystery
THE UN-CUT RAW TRUTH IS GOD HAS LAVISHED HIS GRACE ON US, AND THE REASON THAT HE HAS GIVEN US WISDOM AND INSIGHT, IS THAT HE HAS MADE KNOWN TO US THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL. WE COULD NEVER KNOW THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S WILL, WITHOUT SOME SPECIAL REVELATION.
THE TEXT SAYS: BUT GOD HAS MADE KNOWN TO US THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL. THIS WORD ‘MYSTERY’, “moos-tay'-ree-on” IN THE GREEK, SPEAKS OF DISCLOSURE OF KNOWLEDGE PREVIOUSLY HIDDEN. THERE IS KNOWLEDGE THAT HAS NOT BEEN REVEALED TO ALL MEN, AND FOR THAT KNOWLEDGE TO BE KNOWN, IT MUST BE MADE KNOWN TO US – AND UNTIL IT IS MADE KNOWN, IT IS A MYSTERY… THE MOUTH REMAINS SHUT. BUT GOD, HAS MADE KNOWN TO US ( HE HAS NOT SHUT HIS MOUTH)…. HE HAS MADE KNOWN TO US THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL.
THE SECOND IMPORTANT NOTE OR TRUTH ABOUT THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S WILL IS: 2. THE MYSTERY IS IN ACCORD WITH GOD’S GOOD PLEASURE. GOD DELIGHTS IN ALL THAT HE DOES. THERE IS NEVER A TIME THAT GOD IS CONSTRAINED OR FORCED TO DO SOMETHING. SO WHEN GOD HAS GOOD PLEASURE IN DOING SOMETHING, IT IS A REMINDER TO US THAT GOD IS SOVEREIGN; AND BEING SOVEREIGN MEANS, HE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT HE WANTS TO DO….. AND THIS TEXT SAYS, HE TAKES PLEASURE IN MAKING KNOWN THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL. Imagine watching a great movie with the writer and director of THE MOVIE SITTING RIGHT THERE WITH YOU, and as the movie goes on, you begin wondering if there is a point to it. But the writer tells you to hold on, it will all become clear in a moment. And then, at the climax of the movie, it finally becomes clear to you what everything else that happened in the movie was about – and it was a magnificent story! …. THAT writer and director should be acknowledged for such a great work of art. You would praise them……… WELL, COME HERE……..IT IS NO LESS THE CASE WITH GOD. THE MOVIE OF HUMAN HISTORY PLAYS OUT BEFORE US, AND IT IS TEMPTING TO GIVE UP ON TRYING TO RECOGNIZE ANY KIND OF MEANING IN IT. WE HAVE TO WORK. WE GET TIRED. WARS HAPPEN. PEOPLE DIE. IS THERE A POINT TO ANY OF IT?
WELL GOD, THE DIVINE WRITER AND DIRECTOR OF HUMAN HISTORY, FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS GOD WAS WORKING IN BUILDING UP TO THIS ONE SINGLE CLIMACTIC CULMINATION THAT WOULD EXPLAIN THE REST OF HISTORY, GOD WAS WORKING ON SOMETHING THAT WOULD CAUSE ALL BEINGS EVERYWHERE TO GLORY IN THE MAJESTIC WISDOM OF HIS PURPOSES. AND IT FINALLY HAPPENED. THE CLIMAX OF HISTORY HAPPENED, AND IT HAPPENED IN THE COMING OF CHRIST!......... AND WE SEE IT HERE IN IN vs. 10, Ephesians 1:10 (NKJV) 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOD AT THE FULLNESS OF TIMES. AS PAUL SAYS IN ROMANS 5:6, “FOR WHILE WE WERE STILL WEAK, AT THE RIGHT TIME CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY.” WHEN IT WAS THE APPOINTED TIME FOR RECONCILIATION TO OCCUR, CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY. AND HERE IN EPH. 1:10, GOD WAS BEHIND THE SCENES, ADMINISTRATING (DIRECTING) HISTORY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS GOOD PLEASURE, FOR ONE REASON – TO SUM UP ALL THINGS IN CHRIST.
THAT’S THE THIRD IMPORTANT NOTES OR TRUTH ABOUT THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S WILL IS: 3. THE CONTENT OF THE MYSTERY IS SUMMED UP (OR CULMINATED) IN CHRIST.
C. The Content of the Mystery
ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED IN HISTORY IS BECAUSE OF CHRIST. WHY ARE YOU HERE ON THE EARTH TODAY? BECAUSE OF CHRIST. WHY DID GOD NOT KILL ADAM AND EVE UPON THEIR FIRST SIN? BECAUSE OF CHRIST. WHY DID GOD DESIRE TO SAVE NOAH AND HIS FAMILY INSTEAD OF WIPING THEM OUT WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD BECAUSE OF THEIR SIN? BECAUSE OF CHRIST. WHY DID GOD CHOOSE A NATION UNTO HIMSELF, GIVE THEM LAWS THAT THEY COULD NOT KEEP, AND EVEN WHEN THEY SINNED AGAINST HIM,
HE DID NOT WIPE THEM OFF OF THE FACE OF THE EARTH? BECAUSE OF CHRIST. CHRIST IS THE SUMMATION, THE CLIMAX, OF ALL OF HUMAN HISTORY.
THE TEXT SAYS: Ephesians 1:10 (NKJV) 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him.
DOES THAT PHRASE “IN HEAVEN AND WHICH ARE ON EARTH”, SOUND FAMILIAR? THINK BACK TO GENESIS 1:1 – “IN THE BEGINNING, GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH.” SO, TO GO BACK EVEN FURTHER IN OUR REASONING FOR WHY GOD ACTS IN HISTORY, BACK BEFORE THE FALL OF ADAM AND EVE – A PRIMARY QUESTION THAT WE ALL SHOULD ASK, “WHY DID GOD CREATE IN THE FIRST PLACE?” BECAUSE OF CHRIST. THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S WILL WAS TO CLIMAX THE HISTORY OF CREATION BY SUMMING IT ALL UP IN THE SON.
SO WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN FOR US….., WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL? THE BIG DEAL IS JUST WHAT THE TEXT SAYS: ...GOD SUMMED UP ALL OF CREATION IN CHRIST. GOD DID NOT SUM UP ALL OF CREATION IN HIS LAW, OR IN FAMILY, OR EVEN IN A POLITICAL PARTY – HE SUMMED IT UP IN CHRIST. IN OUR DAY, WE ARE SO BUSY TRYING TO MAKE THE NON-CLIMACTIC THINGS THE CLIMAX, WHEN GOD HAS ALREADY WRITTEN AND PRODUCED THE CLIMAX INTO HISTORY.
I’M NOT SUGGESTING THAT WE SHOULDN’T BE ABOUT HONORING THE LAW OF GOD, OR HONORING THE DIGNITY OF THE FAMILY, OR EVEN HONORING RESPONSIBLE POLITICAL ACTION, BUT WHAT I AM SUGGESTING IS THAT WE MUST NEVER MISTAKE WHAT THE GOALS OF THESE THINGS ARE……….THE REASON, WE HONOR GOD’S LAW IS BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN REDEEMED IN CHRIST AND SEEK TO HONOR HIM BY KEEPING HIS LAW. YOU SEE, KEEPING THE LAW IS NOT THE CLIMAX – HONORING CHRIST IS.
WE UPHOLD OUR FAMILIES AND ATTEMPT TO LEAD THEM IN GODLY WAYS BECAUSE IN DOING SO WE BETTER SHOW FORTH THE PICTURE OF CHRIST AND HIS BRIDE, THE CHURCH. REJOICING IN FAMILY IS NOT THE CLIMAX – REJOICING IN OUR UNION WITH CHRIST IS THE CLIMAX.
WE INVOLVE OURSELVES IN RESPONSIBLE POLITICAL ACTION NOT BECAUSE WE WANT POLITICAL POWER, POLITICAL POWER IS NOT THE CLIMAX…. WE INVOLVE OURSELVES IN RESPONSIBLE POLITICAL ACTION BECAUSE CHRIST IS OUR KING, AND WE WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO ALLOW US TO HONOR HIM IN THAT CAPACITY.
HERE IS THE RAW UN-CUT TRUTH…..GOD’S LAW MAY NOT BE RESPECTED BY THE WORLD, AND THE FAMILY SYSTEM AS WE KNOW IT MAY FALL APART, AND GOVERNMENTS WILL RISE INTO POWER THAT DO TERRIBLE THINGS OF WHICH WE COULD NEVER SUPPORT, (LIKE SAME SEX MARRIAGES AND OTHER IMMORAL ACTIVITIES)… BUT EVEN IF ALL OF THIS HAPPENS, CHRIST WILL STILL BE THE SUMMATION OF ALL THINGS. ALL THINGS POINT TO CHRIST, AND WE MUST RECOGNIZE THAT IF WE ARE TO LIVE A CHRIST-HONORING LIFE WHILE WE ARE HERE, WE MUST SEE HIM AS THE REASON FOR OUR BEING………
EVERYTHING, CULMINATES IN CHRIST…..WE DRAW CLOSER TO GOD BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST, WE HAVE FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS BECAUSE OF CHRIST….WE HAVE GRACE SHOWERED UPON US…. BECAUSE OF CHRIST….. WE NOW KNOW THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S WILL, THAT ALL THINGS HAVE BEEN SUMMED UP IN CHRIST.
SOME BODY OUGHT TO HELP ME PRAISE GOD, FOR JESUS CHRIST AND THE BLOOD HE SHED FOR US…… HIS BLOOD IS THE ONLY THING THAT BRINGS ABOUT SALVATION...... I AGREE WITH THE HYMN WRITER WHO PENNED THE WORDS: “. YES.... I KNOW IT WAS THE BLOOD FOR ME.. ONE DAY WHEN I WAS LOST, JESUS DIED UPON THE CROSS... I KNOW TODAY IT WAS THE BLOOD FOR ME.....
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH BLOOD JESUS ACTUALLY SHED ON CALVARY... BUT ONE THING I DO KNOW…IT WAS ENOUGH...... ( DO YOU HEAR WHAT I'M SAYING) IT WAS ENOUGH TO SAVE A SIN SICK WORLD...... ENOUGH TO MAKE US WHOLE AGAIN.... ENOUGH TO SET THE CAPTIVES FREE …IT WAS ENOUGH BLOOD TO SAVE A WRENCH LIKE ME........... I KNOW TODAY IT WAS THE BLOOD.... YES IS WAS...
....ANYBODY HERE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MY GOD'S BLOOD.
IS THERE ANYBODY HERE DONE SOME THINGS YOUR ASHAMED YOU DID.
IS THERE ANYBODY HERE SAID SOMETHING’S YOU WISH YOU NEVER SAID... THEN YOU OUGHT TO TRY THE BLOOD OF JESUS....
NO MATTER WHAT YOUR SIN MAY BE, …THE BLOOD OF JESUS, WILL CLEANSE YOU AND FORGIVE YOU………IS THERE ANYBODY HERE, WHO WANTS TO CELEBRATE WITH ME……THE BLESSING OF BEING REDEEMED THROUGH THE BLOOD JESUS SHOUT YES…. IS THERE ANYBODY HERE, WANT TO CELEBRATE WITH ME THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S WILL BEING MADE KNOW TO US ….. SHOUT YES…….. THAT MYSTERY IS JESUS…. DO YOU KNOW HIM?... SHOUT YES!