Grace through Sacrifice - Ephesians 1:1-9

As we are here today on this Memorial day weekend many of you are excited for the start of summer. You are excited for the opportunity to pull out your grills, go to the lake, and be in the sun.

I want to open today by asking you simply, what does Sacrifice mean to you?

Certainly were thankful for those who dies for the freedoms of this Country and that would constitute as sacrifice.

You see, on this memorial day there is a sacrifice that has been made for your freedom.

Many very young, so you and I could enjoy the company of friends and family on this coming Monday Memorial day.

Yet, in many of our privileged lives there have been even more sacrifices made.

Perhaps, you’r parents made sacrifices for you as you grew up.

Or perhaps monetary sacrifices have been made to benefit your education or wellbeing.

You see, in life there are many sacrifices made on our behalf.

Many times we overlook all of these.

Perhaps, we could consider the greatest sacrifice of all.

The sacrifice that has been made for your spiritual freedom.

There is one who died for you and I that we have receive salvation.

So on this Holiday of sacrifice may we not forget the greatest sacrifice of all, Jesus Christ

As we look into this word, we will see that Paul was talking to the church of Ephesus about this great sacrifice and all that God had done through it in their life.

I want to do the same with you today.

Let us truly consider, how great our God is today.

Ephesians 1:3–14 KJV 1900

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 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: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

I. A Sacrifice for all

You see in God’s most infinite grace he chose us.

he chose us to die for.

He chose us to give grace to.

God chose us to be the beneficiary of the greatest sacrifice of all time.

what I mean by that is, God has determined., whoever chooses to believe in him by faith will be his children.

Once again I will say

God has determined., whoever chooses to believe in him by faith will be his children.

You will be adopted into his Kingdom upon that decision.

Ephesians 1:5

KJV 1900

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

You see God’s willingness to forgive us despite our sin is unimaginable.

Upon our faith in Him, God has forgiven us through His grace.

and he has chosen those who seek his grace in faith, to be a part of His most Holy Kingdom.

You see, He was willing to make the sacrifice in order to wipe our slate clean and purify us.

He was willing to do so that we may not have to spend eternity in Hell.

Ephesians 1:7

KJV 1900

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

You see what Paul was talking about here in Ephesians was not that he had selected a certain people group.

In fact, that would be against the very nature of God.

I think of the soldier.

He has made a great sacrifice for his country.

That is an amazing calling.

Even with that great sacrifice, a soldier has sacrificed for only a select number of people.

Jesus has taking it even farther.

Jesus didn’t pick and choose a select number of people.

He didn’t decide to only die for a few.

He has sacrificed for all.

Jesus’s death on the cross of Calvary was an amazing feat of sacrifice that extends to you and I.

But, even as miraculous as that is in our life. The most miraculous aspect of what jesus did is that he did it for all.

He has chosen to die, so that we may live.

Through His Sacrifice he has given us a choice to live for Him.

II. A Choice of Faith

In Jesus’s Sacrifice he has given us a choice.

You see, faith is a very real part of our life.

Ephesians 1:13 KJV 1900

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Many we see carry a mentality of entitlement.

I have seen Christians who feel they are entitled to Christ’s grace.

People who believe that just by existing, or just by being a good person they have earned themselves grace.

However, according to Ephesians 1:13 there is a pattern to our receiving of Jesus's grace.

Jesus’s grace is not something that is earned, it is not something that is given and it is certainly not something as random draw.

Jesus grace is achieved through this pattern according to Ephesians 1:13

You hear the word of God.

Now you are hearing the word of God today and people may hear it through many avenues but today you are hearing the word.

You see the word of God, when spoken to you and I is the truth.

As scripture has taught us we know the one thing about the truth is the truth will set us free.

John 8:32 KJV 1900

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

So it is impossible for us to come to know Jesus Christ without first knowing the truth.

However, with knowing the truth also comes a choice we need to follow in.

2. Trust in the Truth

In order to receive God’s grace after you hear the Word (or the truth) you have to trust the Word.

In order to receive his grace you have to trust in the truth of His Word.

He has spoken through his word here today.

You have heard that His word says He lived a perfect sinless life, died on the cross of Calvary, and rose again on the third day so that He could offer you grace.

We have to believe these things with all of our heart.

You see Paul said that we have to have faith in the Gospel of our salvation.

That is to say that we believe and have faith in the truth of what Jesus has said in his word.

He also shared with us, we cannot achieve a relationship with the father, nor can we receive heaven without Jesus Christ and the plan of redemption that has been laid out before us.

If you believe that today you are on the right track.

The last thing for you to do is....

3. Trust in Him as your savior.

When you hear, and then you believe you must make the decision to follow him with your life.

You must ask him to forgive you of the sins you have committed and live for him.

In fact if you have heard today and choose not to believe this is the the future for you if you die today.

John 3:36 KJV 1900

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Friends, make a move today before it is to late.

Because when these three things take place in your heart, we are provided a wonderful promise.

III. Upon Redemption you are Sealed

You see, when God does these things in your life and you choose to follow him we really see what Christ’t sacrifice was all about.

Christ doesn’t leave his people lonely and without hope.

When we become His people, we are Sealed

Ephesians 1:13–14 KJV 1900

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

How wonderful.

Today, if you have chosen or will choose to follow Christ He will seal you into his kingdom.

You see, Paul told the Ephesians, hear, trust, believe and you will be sealed.

You see, because when you are saved, you are sealed, you inheritance of Heaven is promised through the Holy Spirit.

You see, when you choose to live your life for Him, when you choose to leave past sin and addiction in the dust, when you choose to trust in Him as your Father.

Your life will never be the same.

I believe that as Paul talked to the church of Ephesus in this letter Paul knew that the Ephesians would never be the same.

So I want to ask you today, as you contemplate Sacrifice.

Have you considered the greatest sacrifice of all that is Jesus Christ.

Have you considered, that as he hung on the cross he did so for all of mankind, yet he was thinking of you.

So friends, in this lies the question.

What is your choice going to be?

Are you going to choose to still live in sin, despite being told the truth?

If you have known the truth already, why have you chosen to continue in sin.

Romans 6:1–2 KJV 1900

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

So if you have heard the word, how is it that you still choose to live in sin.

Today is the day to change the trajectory of your life.

If you died, have you ever truly accepted Jesus as your Savior.

Now I am not saying, you prayed a prayer or you repeated after the preacher.

Have you really given your life to Him.

Perhaps, you are watching today and conviction has fallen on you heart.

You have realized that you need a Savior.

As you have witnessed what Jesus Christ has done on the cross of Calvary you see that not only do you need a Savior, you have found one.

Jesus Christ is here to be your Savior. today.

Do not wait another moment.

Allow Christ to seal you into salvation, in faith, through grace, today may you be transformed.