Amazing Grace
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3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Introduction
Paul writing from prison in Rome AD60. One of best written letters, crafted from prison - not long before executed) - (what w/you tell Church before due to die?) Paul decides to write to them about a central truth that makes the gospel hang together and it’s this word GRACE.
Paul writes Ephesians 1 like an excited child telling a story? Overflowing with enthusiasm, hardly stopping to take a breath, speaking long sentences. Eph 1v3-14 was written as one sentence (Greek). Tremendous hymn of praise which flows out of Paul from his deep gratitude and dependence on God. He starts by Blessing God for Blessing us with every conceivable blessing. Think of it we can bless God! Here today, in our worship, we can bless the Lord. Did we come here this morning to bless him?
What are the blessings that we receive? - 3 ways of looking at these blessings (Dickens).
[1] Blessings of the Past
[2] Blessings of the Present
[3] Blessings of the Future.
[1] Blessings of the Past
The First explanation has caused great controversy over the last 2000 years, Paul speaks of the blessing of ‘election’ (being chosen).
On 1st May 1558 John Calvin started preaching through Ephesians and preached for 48 sermons. Started with these words “Although we cannot conceive either by argument or reason how God has chosen us before the foundation of the world, yet we know it by Him declaring it to us & experience itself vouches for it sufficiently”
If Calvin cant explain it in 48 sermons, what chance have I!
NB ‘Election’ this is not a human idea of Calvin (or Augustine) it’s divine revelation. Paul speaks v4 about a time ‘before the foundation of the world.’ Before creation, before time, in eternity past (when only God existed) Paul says in eternity past God formed a purpose in his mind and that purpose involved Christ and those he would adopt as sons and daughters. He chose us in Christ. It isn’t easy to understand. Before the foundation of the world God had you and I in mind, he chose to have a family and we were in it!
[2] Blessings of the Present
The Second way is to appreciate the Blessing of the present.
V5 teaches us God destined us to be his adopted children (the present effect of Gods past choosing). He intended us to be not just human beings but adopted as his family having the same rights as birth children. [Adopted kids within my family]. This is our present blessing made possible through the ‘riches of his grace which he lavished upon us.’ Paul says GRACE is the central truth that makes the gospel (good news) hang together. Phil Yancy ‘Grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us more and grace also means there is nothing we can do to make God love us less
. No amount of pride, racism, pornography, adultery or even murder. Grace means God already loves us as much as an infinite God can possibly love…. Grace means that I, even I who deserve the opposite, am invited to take my place at the table in God’s family.’
We find it hard to accept that God would adopt us as his child without some kind of performance. The Grace of our LJC works another way. Grace depends not on our performance but on his performance.
We cant earn it, we simply have to accept his gift. Jesus scored the winner on the cross and (final whistle) when he rose again. Jesus performance not mine has gained my adoption into God’s family and my freedom from sin and my holiness. All I have to do is believe in Jesus (redemption) receive his forgiveness and follow Him. (Adopted) v 13 tells us when we do this ‘when you hear the word of truth and believed in HIM (Christ) you were marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit. Seal is an indelible mark (permanent). (cattle branded – external seal, HS is internal branding)
(This is why I believe in personal salvation – every person has to come to a place of believing and receiving Jesus for self, it’s the only way to gain the HS mark/seal.
‘These sheep, what have they done?’ Echoes of the Grace of LJC who gave himself for our sin. The shepherd slain so that the sheep may be set free.
[3] Blessings of the Future
Finally blessing past, blessing present and Thirdly, blessing future. God does more than choose us in the past, adopt us in the present, we are part of God’s plan for the ‘fullness of time.’(v9,10)Remember Paul is imprisoned, cuffed to a Roman guard, dictating this letter to be read to the Ephesians. It is as though his body is confined to chains, his heart and mind are focussed on eternity.
Our thoughts of heaven are rare. We are so occupied with our present day cares & worries that we forget that we are on a journey to a heavenly inheritance. V14 talks of the guarantee/pledge of our inheritance. The guarantee is a foretaste of future glory. E.g. if I was to leave you £100,000 in my will = future glory but if I give you £10,000 of it now, it is a foretaste of what is to come. Likewise our adoption is a foretaste of something more glorious (face to face), our ministry, healings, blessings in HS are foretastes of the Inheritance to come when we will be whole, will worship completely v14 ‘to the praise of his glory.’
