Riches in Christ -- Part 2

Introduction

For those who are just joining us this morning, whether here or online, over the last few weeks we have been saturating ourselves in the depths of God’s word in the Book of Ephesians. We are on this journey of understanding just Who We Are To Be and Who We Are as Christians. We’ve looked at how we are to be more like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and now we are in the middle of looking at exactly what is was that God has done for us and how we are Rich in Christ! And when I say rich this morning, I’m not speaking of material wealth but rather spiritual wealth!

Last week we looked at how God’s word tells us that He has blessed us with “ALL” spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus! Not some but all, and therefore this morning friend, if you have put your trust in Him and believed upon Him then you are Rich! Now, to the opposite of that though, you can have all the money this world can offer but if you don’t know Jesus then you’re a poor man! Money can buy you a lot of things but it won’t buy you a ticket into heaven, it won’t buy you a get out of jail free card on judgement day, it won’t buy you eternal life! Those all important things have already been bought and paid for through the blood of Jesus Christ and the only way for you to obtain them is by trusting in Him and His finished work on Calvary’s cross!

And that’s the message we’re going to be looking at this morning in Verses 7-12 of Ephesians Chapter 1. Last week we looked at the Will of the Father in verses 3-6 of our Sermon entitled Riches in Christ and today we will be looking at the Work of the Son in Verses 7-12 of Riches in Christ Part 2.

The Redemption of Christ — (Vs. 7)

The Bible picks up here in Verse 7 where we left off at the end of Verse 6. If you will remember, He made us accepted in the “beloved.” When the Bible refers to the “Beloved” here, it’s speaking of Jesus. We are accepted in Jesus. Therefore, if you are not in Jesus, if you have not believed that he is the one and only Son of God and that He came and died for your sins, and you were to meet with God today, dear friend you wouldn’t be accepted. You would be rejected to a place of torments that the Bible calls hell and as I have stated this entire series, that’s not what God wants for you. He wants to accept you, He wants you to come join Him in Heaven one day but in order to get there you have to believe in His Son.

But the Bible says here, “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”. Now I want to just camp out here for a few minutes because I want every person sitting here or joining online to understand exactly what the Bible is saying because if you miss this part dear friend, you’ve missed it all!

We, all who will believe, have redemption through His blood, Jesus blood, which brings about the forgiveness of our sins, according to His unmerited favor towards us! Now, in order to understand the depth of what Paul is trying to say here you need to understand this word redemption because this was the entire reason Jesus stepped out of heaven and came to earth! To redeem us from our sins!

(KJV) — Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

He came to pay a price for our redemption. We were slaves in sin, and He came to deliver us and give us liberty by paying a price for us.

There are three Greek words in the New Testament which are translated by the one English word redemption. The Greek word “agorazo” means "to buy at the marketplace." One instance of the use of this word is found in...

— And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Paul used the same word in — For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

The word simply means to buy something from the marketplace.

Then we have the Greek word “exagorazo” which is the same as “agorazo” but with “ex” in front. We see this word used in verses like...

(KJV) — Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

This version of the word means "to buy out of the market for oneself, a payment of a price to recover from the power of another.”

Exagorazo means to take goods out of the market place and never to sell them again, but rather to keep them for one's own use. It means Christ paid the price so that we would not be exposed for sale again! He has taken us off the market and now we belong to Him.

And if that weren’t good enough, then we have the third Greek word for redemption which is used here and that word is “apolutrosis.” It means "to liberate by the paying of a ransom in order to set a person free."

Do you see the progression of how marvelous a word this word Redemption is? It means not only to go into the marketplace and purchase something; it means not only to take it out of the market for your own private use, never to sell it again; but dear friend, it also means to set free or to liberate after paying the price.

Listen friend, the Bible says... — All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; — There is none righteous, no, not one: — For (we) all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Jesus said in (NLT2) — I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.

(NLT2) — I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. — All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; — There is none righteous, no, not one: — For (we) all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Then Jesus goes on to say in (NLT2) — I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.

and because of our sin the Bible says...

— For (we) all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Everyone here at one point or another was a slave to sin! We were in bondage and destined for death but praise be to God, just when it seemed that all hope was lost, Jesus stepped up, said “I’ll pay the price for their release”, bought us off that auction block and set us free!

and because we have sinned Jesus...

Praise be to God, that’s why the Bible says if the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed, Amen!

He paid the ultimate price, purchased us out of the marketplace of sin and set us free! What was the price He paid to set us free you ask? The price was His life! He signed our release papers with His own blood! You need to understand this morning friend, it cost Him everything to give us everything, Amen! The Bible says in

And I’d dare say there may even be some sitting here right now or watching online and you’re still a slave to sin!

(KJV) — Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

(KJV) — 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

You see, the Bible says in without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. In the old testament people would bring animals to the priests to make a sacrifice for their sins but the blood of bulls and goats wasn’t good enough for eternal redemption therefore the people had to come back year after year and continually make a sacrifice for their sins but when Jesus gave His life, and spilled His blood on Calvary’s cross, it made a substitutionary atonement not only for my sin and your sin but for the sins of the whole world! The Bible says in

(KJV) —  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

The Bible says in...

(KJV) — For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The price to be paid for our sin was death and that is exactly what Jesus did! He gave His life a ransom for the sins of the whole world! We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace!

When the Bible says forgiveness of sins here, the word forgiveness is the Greek word “aphesis” which is derived from the Greek root word “aphiemi” which means to let go, give up a debt, forgive, remit, to keep no longer! You see friend, when you come to know the Lord Jesus Christ, He takes that record of sins that you had been piling up and the Bible says in...

(KJV) — As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

He completely obliterates your record of wrongdoings, wipes the slate clean and gives you a new start! The Bible says in…

(KJV) — Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Do you need a new start this morning? Do you need the slate to be wiped clean? Sadly, I’d dare say there are some folks sitting here right now or watching online and you’re still a slave to sin! You haven’t trusted in Jesus, you haven’t taken the step of declaring Him as Lord of your life. You haven’t allowed Him to redeem you off of Satan’s slave block! Why don’t you do that this morning? Why don’t you make that move right now before it’s too late? You don’t even have to wait until the end of service, you can come right now!

Now that we understand The Redemption of Christ, let’s look at The Revealing of Christ.

Sadly, I’d dare say there are some sitting here right now or watching online and you’re still a slave to sin! You haven’t trusted in

That is what the Lord Jesus meant when He said, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" ().

The very word for redemption in verse seven, apolutrosis, means that God never asks you what you have done for Him. That is the glorious thing about grace: when God saves you by grace, it doesn't put you in debt to Him. He bought you in order to set you free. Someone else will ask, "But aren't we supposed to serve Him?" Certainly. But it is on another basis, a new relationship -- the relationship now is love. The Lord Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (). He didn't say, "Because I'm dying for you, you are to keep My commandments." He said, "If you love Me." Today, if you love Him, He wants your service. If you don't love Him, then forget about this business of service. One hears so much today about commitment to Christ. Friend, you and I have very little to commit to Him. We are to respond in love to Him, and that is a different basis altogether. We love Him because He first loved us. I heard this story many years ago, and it's the kind of story that you are not supposed to tell today, but I still tell it. I guess I'm still a square. It illustrates a great truth. In the South -- and I hate to say, in the days of slavery -- there was a beautiful girl who was put on the slave block to be sold. There was a very cruel slave owner, a brutal fellow, who began to bid for her. Every time he would bid, the girl would cringe and a look of fear would come over her face. A plantation owner who was kind to his slaves was there, and he began to bid for the girl. He outbid the other fellow and purchased her. He put down the price and started to walk away. The girl followed him, but he turned to her and said, "You misunderstand. I didn't buy you because I needed a slave. I bought you to set you free." She simply stood there, stunned for just a moment. Then she suddenly fell to her knees. "Why," she said, "I will serve you forever!" Now that illustrates the basis on which the Lord Jesus wants us to serve Him. He loved you. He paid a price for you. He gave Himself and shed His blood so that you could have forgiveness of sins. This is all yours if you are willing to come to Him and accept Him as your Savior. Now what if someone says, "But I don't love Him." Then He is not asking you to serve Him. But if you do love Him, then He wants you to serve Him. That is what it is all about. Never forget, your redemption and your forgiveness are "according to the riches of his grace." Now we are ready for the second work of God the Son on behalf of the church: Christ revealed the mystery of His will.

The Revealing of Christ — (Vs. 8-10)

The Bible says here that God has abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence. The word wisdom here is the Greek word “sophia” and it means seeing and knowing the truth. Then we have the word Prudence which is the Greek word “phronēsis” which means seeing how to use and do the truth. It is seeing the direction to take. It is understanding, insight, the ability to solve day to day problems. It is a down-to-earth practical understanding of things.

Sophia is the insight into the true nature of things, phronēsis is the ability to discern modes of action with a view to their results

John Phillips — Prudence is the effective use of wisdom.

The Bible says that God has abounded toward us in both wisdom and prudence making known unto us the mystery of His will! What it’s saying is that God has given to us the ability to understand His will!

The thing to keep in mind though is that wis

The word “dispensation” here in Verse 10 can mean "a stewardship," "an order," or "an administration."

An English version of this Greek word would be "economy." It is an order or a system that is put into effect; it is the way of doing things and here it is speaking of the way that God is going to do things!

Notice that it says in the dispensation of the fullness of of times. What it’s saying is that everything is moving in one direction and that’s God’s direction!

God is moving everything forward to the time when Christ will rule over all things in heaven and earth. This is the fullness of times when everything is going to be brought under the rulership of Jesus Christ.

All that is past, present, and future is moving toward the time when every knee must bow and every tongue must confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

This is the mystery (plan) that is revealed to us, "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him."

This Revealing of Christ has been made known unto us and we must share it with those who may not know and understand His ultimate will because the Bible says in...

(KJV) — 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

The devil has men, women, boys and girls fooled into believing they can get to heaven on their own; that it’s no big deal; that if they do enough good works surely they’ll make it; that time is of no essence; that there’s always tomorrow to get things right!

Friend there is always tomorrow until there’s not! And if you don’t get things right before tomorrow never comes, you’ll die lost and undone in your sins, be separated from God forever and ultimately be cast into a lake of fire and brimstone where the fire is never quenched and the worm dieth not!

Don’t let that become your reality because God has so much more awaiting those who put their trust in Him! Which takes us to the next part.

We’ve seen The Redemption of Christ and The Revealing of Christ, now let’s see the Reward of Knowing Christ.

Our Reward in Christ — (Vs. 11)

The Bible says for those of us who know Christ, we have obtained an inheritance! This ties back in with last week’s message where we learned that when we trust in Christ we are adopted as Sons and Daughters and made heirs with Christ!

(KJV) — 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

(KJV) — But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

(KJV) — To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

Our Reaction to Christ’s Work — (Vs. 12)

We were predestined to receive an inheritance! Do you see that! And not just any inheritance but the inheritance that comes from being a child of a King! Our Father owns it all because He created it all and when you come know His Son as your Lord and Savior, you then get to take part in that inheritance!

Isn’t that wonderful!

And lastly this morning, I want us to see what Our Reaction to Christ’s Work should be!

Our Reaction to Christ’s Work — (Vs. 12)

Because we have been redeemed, Because we have been enlightened to the mystery of His will, Because all who have trusted in Christ has been given an inheritance in the heavens, we should take every opportunity we have to praise His Holy name and serve Him!

You see, the difference between the people of Paul’s day and the people of our day is today many of us feel to privileged. We feel like the world owes us something.

We feel like as long as we give God an hour or two on Sunday mornings that’s all He needs of our time. The rest of it is mine. I’ve put in a hard week at work so I’m going to enjoy what little time I have off doing what I want to do instead of what God wants me to do.

Friend if this is your mindset this morning, your missing the big picture!

This man named Jesus, God incarnate, left the splendor of His glory, His riches in heaven, His safe haven, to come to this world to save us from ourselves! He came to save you!

He was born, lived a perfect life, then was beaten and mangled beyond recognition, spit upon, laughed at, mocked, scourged to the point that the very flesh was ripped from His bones, then he was nailed to a cross for all the world to see.

He came to save you! He was born, lived a perfect life, then was beaten and mangled beyond recognition, spit upon, laughed at, scourged to the point that the very flesh was ripped from His bones,

He gave every drop of blood He had on that cross to redeem us from out sins, He paid the ultimate price, He gave His life so that you could have eternal life!

And you think giving Him a couple hours of worship and praise during the week is plenty enough of your time! I don’t know your heart this morning friend but if that’s your mindset, you ought to be ashamed!

He died for you and all He asks in Return is that we live for Him! Doesn’t seem like to big a task to ask, does it?

I’m going to try to finish driving home this point by telling you a little story I read this week while studying.

In the South, back in the days of slavery, there was a beautiful girl who was put on the slave block to be sold. And there was a very cruel slave owner, a brutal fellow, who began to bid for her. Every time he’d bid, the girl would cringe and a look of fear would come over her face. But there was also a plantation owner who was kind to his slaves there, and he began to bid for the girl. He ended up outbidding the other fellow and purchased her. He put down the price and started to walk away. The girl followed him, but he turned to her and said, "You misunderstand. I didn't buy you because I needed a slave. I bought you to set you free." She simply stood there, stunned for just a moment. Then suddenly she fell to her knees and said, “But why? Sir I will serve you forever!"

Now that illustrates the basis on which the Lord Jesus wants us to serve Him. He loves us. He paid a price for us. He gave Himself and shed His blood so that we could have forgiveness of sins. And this is all yours if you are willing to come to Him and accept Him as your Savior.

The very word for redemption in verse seven, apolutrosis, means that God never asks you what you have done for Him. That is the glorious thing about grace: when God saves you by grace, it doesn't put you in debt to Him. He bought you in order to set you free. Someone else will ask, "But aren't we supposed to serve Him?" Certainly. But it is on another basis, a new relationship -- the relationship now is love. The Lord Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (). He didn't say, "Because I'm dying for you, you are to keep My commandments." He said, "If you love Me." Today, if you love Him, He wants your service. If you don't love Him, then forget about this business of service. One hears so much today about commitment to Christ. Friend, you and I have very little to commit to Him. We are to respond in love to Him, and that is a different basis altogether. We love Him because He first loved us. I heard this story many years ago, and it's the kind of story that you are not supposed to tell today, but I still tell it. I guess I'm still a square. It illustrates a great truth. In the South -- and I hate to say, in the days of slavery -- there was a beautiful girl who was put on the slave block to be sold. There was a very cruel slave owner, a brutal fellow, who began to bid for her. Every time he would bid, the girl would cringe and a look of fear would come over her face. A plantation owner who was kind to his slaves was there, and he began to bid for the girl. He outbid the other fellow and purchased her. He put down the price and started to walk away. The girl followed him, but he turned to her and said, "You misunderstand. I didn't buy you because I needed a slave. I bought you to set you free." She simply stood there, stunned for just a moment. Then she suddenly fell to her knees. "Why," she said, "I will serve you forever!" Now that illustrates the basis on which the Lord Jesus wants us to serve Him. He loved you. He paid a price for you. He gave Himself and shed His blood so that you could have forgiveness of sins. This is all yours if you are willing to come to Him and accept Him as your Savior. Now what if someone says, "But I don't love Him." Then He is not asking you to serve Him. But if you do love Him, then He wants you to serve Him. That is what it is all about. Never forget, your redemption and your forgiveness are "according to the riches of his grace." Now we are ready for the second work of God the Son on behalf of the church: Christ revealed the mystery of His will.