Broken: Because I am separated from God by sin
Broken Because I Am Separated From God By Sin
Ephesians 1:3-14
I. Introduction
A. Genesis 3 – Man’s sin caused a separation from God and their wonderful relationship with Him
1. 3:8 – Shame caused them to hide from God
2. 3:22-24 – God threw them out of the garden, the place of the intimate relationship with God
B. “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every person, and it can never be filled by any created thing. It can only be filled by God, made known through Jesus Christ.” (Blaise Pascal)
C. Ephesians 1:3 – We have every spiritual blessing in Jesus Christ – It is in Christ that we have them and those outside of Christ may not expect them
II. God Chose Me (4-6)
A. Illustration – When Lisa and I were corresponding we sent pictures. She chose me in some part by her sweet grace, but also I had to work for her affections – I sent the best pictures, I sent roses, I wrote sweet letters. We cannot court God in the same way. There is nothing with which to buy His affections. It is simply His choice to love us
B. Exegesis
1. Before the creation of the world - You were chosen before time began – He knew you and loved you
2. To be holy and blameless – God chose you for holiness
a) Imputed
b) Personal sanctification
3. He predestined us to be adopted as His sons
a) Not gender inclusive – In that day, the daughter would not have received the bulk of the inheritance, the first-born son would. We are all sons of God, all receiving full inheritance
b) For the saved, it was God’s preordained plan that we become Holy and blames – Romans 8:29-30 – Not the progression of foreknew, predestined, called, justified, glorified –
c) Adopted – We are sons and daughters of the living God
(1) We are not His slaves, His trophies, or just His people
(2) We are His sons – He has brought us into His family – He has given us a deep love relationship as His children, one of eternal devotion
4. Grace - Given us in the one He loves (Jesus) (6) – sums it up – God has given us grace in choosing us
C. Application
1. IN Christ we are no longer separate, but brought near to God for a very special love relationship
a) Intimacy of fellowship
b) Unconditional relationship
2. It is everlasting – He chose us before Time and adoption is forever –
3. Live in this relationship
III. Jesus Redeemed Me (7-12)
A. Exegesis
1. Redemption – through His blood
a) purchasing a slave to buy their freedom
b) We have been redeemed from sin – we are no longer traveling the path to destruction, but God has purchased our pardon through the cross that we might live in Him
c) The price paid was His own blood
d) It bought us forgiveness of sins
e) In accordance with God’s grace – lavished on us
2. with all wisdom and understanding
a) Made known the mystery of His will –
(1) His good pleasure which He purposed in Christ – Namely that it is grace that saves, not works. We don’t save ourselves, we simply place ourselves at His mercy in Christ
(2) To bring all things together under one head – Christ
3. We were chose – For His praise and glory
B. Application –
1. God loved us so much that He saved us through Jesus Christ
2. Live in your redemption –
a) You are no longer a “sinner” or a slave to sin
b) You are redeemed – Live in accordance with the Grace of God
c) Enjoy the grace of God
(1) Don’t be fearful of sin
(2) Live holy, not our of fear, but out of love and obedience
IV. The Holy Spirit Sealed Me (13-14)
A. Illustration – Guarantee of authority and not to be opened until the intended time
B. Exegesis
1. You were marked in Him With a seal
a) When you heard the word of truth – the gospel of your salvation
b) Having believed
2. The seal – the promise of the Holy Spirit –
a) A deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – His people
b) This is until we are all glorified when all things are brought under the headship of Christ
C. Application
1. We know we are His by whether or not the Holy Spirit is living and active in You
a) Romans 8:4-13 – What living by the Spirit looks like
2. If HE is God has redeemed you and made you His for all eternity – No turning back
3. Know that if you are His you are always His. He loves you in a way that you will never again be separated from Him
V. Conclusion
A. Do you know that you are chosen, redeemed, and sealed?
B. Place yourself at God’s mercy
1. know that you are a sinner
2. Know that His salvation is by His grace
3. Repent of sin and believe that Jesus is Lord