Taking Pride In Jesus

Ephesians 1:7-14

CPT: Christ’s power is revealed in his plan to save , which leads to ultimate praise.

CPS: Because of the power and plan revealed in Christ , the people of God must take pride in praising him.

Question: Why should we take pride in praising Christ?

Transition: The reason we should take pride in praising Christ is because

1. Christ offers a true sacrifice (vs.7-8).

-Christ blood redeems vs 7

The Anchor Yale Dictionary gives a great definition of Redemption

“Redemptions means to buy back. It speaks of buying back a slave or a captive, making free by payment or a ransom.”

S.M. Baugh said, “The Ephesians here would be familiar with this redemption language because most Roman cities, many people would have been slaves, and others would not have claimed much wealth.

The Ephesians would know what it means to be held captive.

Paul wanted this Ephesians to know that the power of the blood of Christ has set them free from the bondage of slavery. There is power in the blood of Christ.

Exodus 6:6 ESV

Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment.

1 Corinthians 7:21–23 ESV

Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.

There Power In The Blood hymn here:

Would you be free from the burden of sin? There's power in the blood, power in the blood Would you o'er evil a victory win? There's wonderful power in the blood

There is power, power, wonder working power In the blood of the Lamb There is power, power, wonder working power In the precious blood of the Lamb

Would you be free from passion and pride? There's power in the blood, power in the blood Come for a cleansing to Calvary's tide There's wonderful power in the blood

There is power, power, wonder working power In the blood of the Lamb There is power, power, wonder working power In the precious blood of the Lamb

Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow? There's power in the blood, power in the blood Sin stains are lost in the life-giving flow There's wonderful power in the blood There is power, power, wonder working power In the blood of the Lamb There is power, power, wonder working power In the precious blood of the Lamb There is power, power, wonder working power In the blood of the Lamb There is power, power, wonder working power In the precious blood of the Lamb

- Christ blood brings forgiveness vs7

Paul shows that the blood forgives of our trespasses.

“Forgiveness is the wiping out of an offense from memory; it can be effected only by the one affronted one eradicated, the offense no longer conditions the relationship between the offender and the one affronted, and harmony is restored between the two (AYBD)

You need to know that the blood of Jesus is the reason that your sins can be forgiven and forgotten.

1 John 1:9 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I think we limit Christ power to forget our sins. David said

Psalm 103:12 ESV

as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

-Christ blood brings grace

Paul wanted the Ephesians to know that they had been given an overflow of God’s kindness in Christ. He lavished this grace, wisdom, and insight.

- Christ blood gives wisdom

2. Christ provides true sight (vs.9-12).

-Christ plan brings peace vs. 9-10

Paul reminded the Ephesians here of God’s power and his plan which brings peace to his people. It brings peace because they know He is in control.

Colossians 1:16 ESV

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

Colossians 1:20 ESV

and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

-Christ is our prized possession vs.11a

Paul wanted the Ephesians to know have an inheritance that the world can not offer . Although some would see some earthly possessions as beneficial. Some also would see making a profit as a silver smith being something of value. Paul wane the Ephesians to know that they had a prized possession that money couldn not buy.

Solomon said,

Proverbs 8:17–21 ESV

I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.

In Christ the Ephesians have an all they need in this life and in the life to come. We also see another way we have true sight in Christ.:

-Christ gives purpose in pain 11b

God predestined us that is he predetermined our destiny because that waw his will. The Ephesians can be encouraged that whatever they go through in this life that God has a plan because of Christ.

Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

We have sight as result of Christ, this is why we praise Him:

-Christ purpose leads to praise vs. 12

We have reason to praise the Lord because he has allowed us to see. We see his plan, he’s the possession, we see purpose behind all the pain, which leads us to praise his name.

We take pride in this powerful Christ who allows us to see clearly and praise correctly.

3. Christ gives trustworthy security (vs.11-14).

We have seen the Ephesians put their hope in their possessions . But those who have trust Christ have a security that is beyond worldly possessions.

- Christ gospel is our only hope 13

They heard and believed this gospel which brings hope we have because

-Christ sealed us with the Holy Spirit 13

There is nothing that can take this away. In some sense we have be marked with the Holy Spirit. Some of the slave holders would make marking on their slaved to show that they were their property. We have been branded with the Holy Spirit. There is nothing that can take this away. This gives true security to those who have trust Christ.

Paul said that the Holy Spirit is a guarantee of this inheritance. so ultimately we have a 100% guarantee for those who the Holy Spirit that we will receive this inheritance. This sounds like true security.

- Christ deserves our honor 14

Because of the power and plan revealed in Christ , the people of God must take pride in praising him. He ends this section by saying to the praise of his glory.

This is what we who have embraced Christ must do. We must praise Him!