A few weeks ago, my pastor inspired my soul with a wonderful message. He spoke out of Ephesians 1 and told of five blessings that the Father gives us through Christ. His hope was to show us the supremacy of Christ in the bible and in our own lives. For me he succeeded. I want to share them with you. I hope they feed your mind with thoughts as sweet as French Silk Pie and as satisfying as Prime Rib steak.
Ephesians 1:4-14
1. The Father chose us before the foundation of the world and set us apart for holiness through Christ.
“4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.”
The Father chose to set his love upon me before I ever existed. He does not love me for my own goodness or my own moral righteousness. I was born dead in my trespasses (Eph 2:1-3) and wicked at heart (Romans 8:7-8). I did not seek God on my own, and apart from His grace, I would not seek Him now. I was running as hard and as fast as I could towards the gates of hell. My Father in heaven reached out his hands of mercy and embraced my heart, whispering softly in my ear; “I will not let you go. You are mine.”
2. The Father predestined us for adoption as sons through Christ.
“5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will”
This was a predetermined act. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, chose to elect some to be saved for the glory of the Father’s praise. They did not do this out of a foreknowledge that some would later choose God. The Greek text does not allow for that interpretation and it does not fit with the context of the bible. First of all we do not have the moral ability to choose a righteous God (Romans 8:7-8; Romans 9). Our hearts are abundantly wicked and our minds are set on our flesh (Romans 1 & 8). Secondly, God would not receive the glory that is do Him. If we could choose Him, we could boast in our salvation. We would not be saved by grace, but by our own doing (Phil 2:8).
3. The Father redeemed us through Christ.
“7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses,(U) according to the riches of his grace”
The Son willingly submitted Himself to the Father’s will in saving sinners. Christ, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross for the redemption of sinners. On the cross, Jesus nailed our sin so that the out debt would be wiped away. The enmity between the Father and me would be settled and peace would reign in my heart.
4. The Father made known the mystery of His will in according to His purpose in Christ.
“9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ”
It is no small thing for the supreme God of the universe to reveal to us His will to save sinners for His glory and our joy. He is not obligated to share what His desires are for His world. Consider it a double portion of grace in knowing that your heart has been spoken to by God. He has made known His good and pleasing and perfect will for your life; magnify Christ in life and death.
5. The Father has sealed us in Christ with Holy Spirit.
“13In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”
The word sealed refers to a believers salvation. Paul refers to a mark that is given to a letter to identify and authenticate the document. The document is thereby officially under the authority of the one who sent it. Every believer is given the Holy Spirit to identify us as Christ’s possession,. Just as a man gives a woman an engagement ring, promising to marry her, so does Christ give us the Holy Spirit. John MacArthur says this about the text:
“ The Holy Spirit is given by God as His pledge of the believers’ future inheritance in glory.”
I just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I bet she is beautiful! Can't wait to see her!
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