From Feb. 14th 2021
We have just a few announcements
The Baby Bottles for the CareNET fundraiser are due back today, if you forgot, then there is no excuse and everyone will be mad at you for weeks.
At the end of the Sermon today, ill be inviting all of you to stand with me and sing the words of the doxology, as a way to slow our hearts down and give us a chance to digest everything we just took in.
If you missed Part 2 of our Bible Study last week, I actually remembered to record it all, and it is up on our YouTube and our Facebook page
Part 3 will be NEXT Tuesday the 23rd at 630pm
With that, the kids are dismissed.
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The past couple of Sundays we have been looking at Ephesians chapter 1.
We've seen that in verse 3, Saint Paul tells us that we have every spiritual blessing; and then we started talking about the ones that he listed.
Predestination
Adoption
Redemption
Forgiveness
Today, were going to look at verses 7-10
And next week we’ll look at verses 11-14
But today --- what kind of effect can we expect from the blessings?
What is the end result of God intervening in our lives, in His world?
Ephesians 1:7–10
[7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, [8] which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight [9] making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
( → → Opening Prayer ← ← )
In Jesus Christ alone, do we have redemption and forgiveness
The darkness of our past, has been made clean
The stains of our bad choices
The marks of other people’s bad choices
The filth that this world can throw at us, falls to the floor because the God of all creation lives within our hearts.
We are clean
New
Different
Forgiven
No longer can we be held down by the chains of our past; because the God-man Jesus Christ willingly took the punishment for our sins upon Himself, and died the death that we deserve.
Not only that, but He did not remain dead.
He rose back to life
He defeated death
And because the death that He died was in the place of whosoever believes, the life of whosoever believes is now lived through Him.
It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives within me.
We can have strength and purpose and direction and newness, because of the Son of God.
Because of Him, and the forgiveness given to us ------ we can be empowered to forgive other people
Yes we struggle, we fight, we argue and we hold tightly to our pride and unwillingness to forgive the people in our life who have hurt us -------- but the more we look at how we were forgiven, the more we will be able to forgive others.
The freedom bought for us by the blood of Christ, allowed us to be forgiven of our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Jesus Christ is freedom
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You see, when Paul began listing these blessings that we see in the first few verses, he tells us in what way these blessings were given to us.
God didn't just dish them out all careful like
The blessings weren’t juuuuuuust enough for us to squeak by into heaven
It says these blessings were “lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight”
He layered it on like a fat kid with frosting
He did not hold back any blessing from those who repent and believe in Him.
These blessings were given, because of who He is, and because blessings cant be earned.
Adoption cant be earned
Forgiveness cant be earned
Redemption cannot be earned
He freely gave His children His blessings
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He did this, not only because He loves us and wants us to live new and free lives ------ but because of the effects these blessings have on the life of a believer.
We talked about them all in the past few weeks, so im just going to summarize them real quick here:
We no longer have to live in shame and bondage to our past, be it 10 years ago, or this morning.
We are free from the eternal effects of our sin
We have been forgiven
We have the power to forgive others
We know that there isn't anyone beyond the reach of God, no matter how dark or evil their life may have been, because God does the choosing
We can rest easy in the loving arms of our heavenly Father
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God blesses us, according to His will ------ and it unfolds in our life daily, weekly, yearly.
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You see, these blessings that are available to everyone who believes ----- hints at the mystery spoken of in verse 9.
When Paul uses the word “mystery” here, he isn't saying “this is some unknowable fact that needs to be investigated.”
He uses the term “mystery” to refer to something that was once unknown, but is now known.
The blessings of God, that were lavished upon us ------ made known to us the mystery ------ that the promises of God from the Old Testament…..
About redemption and love and forgiveness and newness and safety and security ------ things that seem normal to us as Christians -------
aren't exclusive to the Israelites.
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Without getting too far off track into Old Testament stuff------ we can look at the way the pharisees acted toward Jesus, and the other people we read about in the New Testament---
And see that the Israelites thought of themselves---- based on the flesh, based on biology ----as God’s chosen people.
Meaning, people from other nations were excluded
People from other races ----- were excluded.
Your parents parents parents had to be able to trace their lineage backwards, and if you were an Isralite, you were God’s chosen people-----
And if you weren't an Isralite ----- then you were a gentile
A heathen
A sinner beyond the grace of God
Everybody look at how holy and righteous we are because of our earthly lineage.
We are the chosen race
My parents are special
My grandparents are special
My family is better than yours
We are the people chosen by God ---- and you aren’t
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But then ----- Jesus.
Jesus came onto the scene and blew the doors off of that kind of thinking.
The promises of God are open to ANYONE who believes, regardless of any earthly circumstances.
This is what was spoken of in Romans 9:6 and 9 that says:
“...For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel...This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.”
If you repent of your sins, and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then you are one of God’s chosen people.
Not because of your skin color
Not because of your nationality or lineage
Not because of your age or gender
The promise to redeem and save and forgive, is not limited by anything on Earth.
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So what is the mystery spoken of in verse 9?
That the promises of God would extend to people from every tribe, tongue and nation.
The only division that exists, is believers and unbelievers.
Redeemed & Enslaved // Forgiven and & Unforgiven
The Bible calls out to every human ever:
Do you want to be redeemed and freed from the slavery of sin? Then repent and believe
Do you want to be forgiven of the sins in your life? Then repent and believe
Do you want the promises of the living God to flow through your life?
Do you want to be innocent before a holy God?
Have your life take on new meaning?
Do you want to find the very reason why you exist in the first place?
Has your earthly family failed you?
Hurt you?
Abandoned you?
Disowned you?
Have there been things in your family that have been passed down from generation to generation that has left you feeling left out?
Unimportant?
Unloved?
Broken?
Useless?
Then repent and believe------
The Bible teaches us that the blessings of God are not limited by family, parents, children, biology, race, gender, or anything from Earth.
Have I repeated this enough? Because im going to a little bit more ---- because of how important this is.
Especially in a small town like Clyde
Some families get lifted up and looked up to like they are the ones who are important.
They are the standard.
They are special
They are important
Their stuff doesn't stink, and their kids walk around with chests full of family pride because of how much better they and their family are ------ than all the low life, bottom rung people they have to live around.
We all know those kinds of families----
Who look down on the addicts
Look down on the victims and the abusers
Look down on the poor and destitute
Saying if you didn't want your life to be in this shape then you should have just worked harder
We all know those shiny, smiling, superficial arrogant people
Who act nice to your face but behind closed doors they seethe with selfishness and pride
They are the good family over there-----and me and my family are just along for the ride
But the Bible tells us that that way of thinking is wrong
In fact, it teaches us that those kind of people are resistant to the Gospel ------ because they don't see themselves as needing help.
But us, us bottom feeder, poor, unkempt, left behind losers ------- we are the ones who respond
We the broken fatherless generation crying out for meaning and justice
We are the leftovers unwanted by society
We are the nobodies from nowhere who recognize that the only things in this life that have value, were given to us by God and not because of ourselves or our families
Mark 2:15-17 says this:
5 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
The promises of God apply to anyone who believes, with people from every time, every land, every family, every language, every culture, every nation, every tribe, and every race.
But if you want to exclude yourself from that, then assume you and your family are better than others.
Ephesians 1:7–10
[7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, [8] which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight [9] making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
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You see these blessings that He gave to His children, according to His purpose ------- revealed this mystery to us.
If someone says to you, that you are beyond the reach of God ----- politely tell them to shut it.
If you yourself begin to think that you are beyond the reach of God ----- politely tell yourself, to shut it.
If you hear someone who claims to be a Christian, say or hint or allude----- that someone else is beyond the reach of God ------ hit them with your Bible.
There are none beyond the reach of our Holy God
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I hope this sinks in------- and here comes more of that repetition ------
We should never exclude anyone when it comes to trying to reach them for Jesus.
And im sure you can think of a list of types of people who have been historically excluded from hearing the good news that God is available to anyone who repents and believes.
We are called to love and respect and preach the truth to everyone
Regardless of age // Race
Gender // Religion
Language // past life choices
Current life choices
There should be no Earthly circumstances that prevent you from telling them about Jesus Christ
We throw the seeds of His word on every type of soil, we water them ----- but it is God that gives the increase.
We never say:
“Oh that person won’t respond”
“That person won’t believe”
“They are too far gone look at the life they have lived and the things they have done, God could never reach that person.”
No!
The promises of God are open to all who repent and believe.
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So when we move forward from verse 9, we see that that mystery we just talked about------ came about “according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
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God blesses His children, and these blessings are the avenues that He uses to:
Help us // Change us // Grow us // Move and empower us
And they are the means by which He Free us and gives our life meaning
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And all of it happens at just the right time in our individual lives, and in the grand scheme of things.
This what that phrase “the fullness of time” means
God is never late
He won’t leave any of His children lost and wandering
God has not forgotten about you.
His timing is perfect, flawless, He didn't lose track of anyone
In the fullness of time God will unite all things to Him, things in heaven, and things on earth.
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Like I said last week, and it’s been kind of the whole vibe of this first chapter of Ephesians, and that is ----- that God has absolute control of His world.
There are many chapters throughout Scripture that speak about this reality, and Ephesians 1 is most assuredly one of them.
God will unite all things to Him, things in heaven and things on Earth.
I guess the apostle Paul forgot to put a spoiler alert before that verse.
There is a time, in the future, in the fullness of time, when Jesus Christ will return to Earth, and bring everything to its completion.
Everything will be restored, ordered properly
Everything will be united to Him, either in His love and peace and joy, or in His judgement and wrath.
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There will be no loose ends-----
No one will be left behind-----
There won't be anyone who “missed
the bus”
There won’t be any extenuating circumstances that over power God’s will for humanity that He didn't already allow to exist and plan for their unfolding in our life----
All fake and fictitious gods will bow their knees to Him
All Nations and Governments will crumble before Him
Every knee shall bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is lord------but that doesn't mean that they will do it willingly
Spoiler alert - God wins
He won't inch by in victory // It won't be a close fight //
------ in fact, it’s not even a fair fight
This world is not a prize in a game of tug of war with God and the devil on opposing sides trying really hard to make each of their plans succeed.
There is no contest----
There is no fight between them----
The only things the devil can do in this world, are things that God allows Him.
The devil even needs God’s permission to rebel against Him.
All things will be united in Christ because of what
Isaiah 46:8–10 says:
[8] “Remember this and stand firm,
recall it to mind, you transgressors,
[9] remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
[10] declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ (ESV)
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Everything will be made to exist in the way it was intended to exist.
God will accomplish all of His purposes
All wrongs will be made right----
All wicked acts done in secret will be laid bare before the throne of judgment
All hurts will be healed
All governments that oppress and enslave their people will fall in the screams of terror born cries of being face to face with a Holy God
Never again, will there be sickness
No viruses
No cancer
No broken bodies
The world beyond this one, that awaits all who have been adopted ----- is our home.
This world and the garbage that populates it, is not our home fellow Christian.
We live here--
Experiences the issues alongside everyone else--
But this world does not get the final say, God does
There is hope-----
Not because of what country we live in
Not because of who runs that country
Not because of our economic system
Not because of our families and how much clout or sway they have
Not because of our jobs or paychecks
Not because of our parents or friends
There is only one hope in this world, and His name is Jesus Christ ------
And He will unite all things to Him, things in heaven and things on Earth.”
When He returns and reunites this world to Himself
Righting all wrongs---
Punishing all evil---
There will never be death again
Never again, will we bury a loved one
There will be no sickness
No disease
No hurt
No pain
No sorrow
No suffering
When all things are united to our King-----
There will be eternal, unending, all encompassing:
Passion
Joy
Peace
Comfort
Intimacy
Worship
Delight
Adoration
Forever we will dance upon the golden shores of eternity
Forever enveloped in the overwhelming flawless and perfect love radiating from the God of all the cosmos toward His glorified Children.
Jesus Christ is freedom.
Repent of your sins and believe in Him.
In closing -------
I hope I hammered home the reality that there are no Earthly divisions that have any sway on who does and doesn't receive blessings from God.
If you believe, you have been adopted, and the blessings are yours.
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But sometimes ------
Its hard to see this, right?
When we have a bad day---
A bad week--- A bad year
There are times in our life when it seems like God has abandoned us and when we hear the preacher say these words----
Or we read them in Scripture----
And it just buries the knife of our hurt even deeper.
We begin questioning ourselves ------ Questioning our faith
“Have I really repented?”
“Did I really mean it when I asked God to forgive me….or was I just desperate?”
“Has God adopted me?”
“I don't see any blessings in my life….so I must not be one of His children.”
My family has been looked down on---
I have been set aside and forgotten, even by my own family
How can these things that I read be true if i'm not feeling them or living them?
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I have 2 answers:
Come back next week as we look at verses 11-14
John 10:27–30
[27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. [30] I and the Father are one.” (ESV)
If you have repented of your sins and believed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it is because you heard the voice of your shepherd, and went to Him.
And there is nothing in all of reality, able to snatch you from His hand.
( → → Doxology ← ← )
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below:
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
( → → Closing Prayer ← ← )