“We are in Christ!”
(Ephesians 1:1-14)
Series: Christ and the Church [on screen]
Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD
First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida
January 10, 2021
The Passage
Ephesians 1:1-14
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will:
To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ 10 as a plan for the right time—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.
11 In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.
13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.
Introductory Comments:
I’m very excited to start this new series in the book of Ephesians. Ephesians is both a theological and practical work that is beneficial for the church throughout all ages. The main theme of the book is Christ and the Church and the relationship between them.
The author, the Apostle Paul, wants his readers to know who Christ is, what He has done, and how what He has done impacts the Church that He founded.
Today, we’ll begin the journey of learning what God is saying to us through the beautiful words of the book of Ephesians.
Before we begin our journey, let’s pray together.
(prayer)
Since this is our first sermon in this series, a little bit of introductory information is necessary.
Introduction
First of all, it is widely accepted that Paul was indeed the author of the book of Ephesians.
It is believed to be a letter written to the church in Ephesus, an ancient city in Asia Minor, which is now modern-day Turkey. In fact, there’s a city today near the ruins of Ephesus in Turkey that is named Efus. I’ve been to the restored ruins of Ephesus and if you ever get a chance to go you will thoroughly enjoy it. It is quite impressive. Here’s a picture of part of the ruins of the city today.[show picture on screen]
One noteworthy aspect of this letter is that it is written in a very general manner. That is, Paul is not so much addressing a particular question, a particularly heresy, or a particular challenge. Rather, Paul is writing in a general way about the relationship between Christ and the Church. In fact, many scholars believe that Paul wrote this letter with the intention of it being read not only to all of the smaller churches that were present in the city of Ephesus but also to the surrounding cities in Asia Minor.
Indeed, Ephesians is a very helpful letter to be read and lived out for any follower of Jesus Christ.
Let us now look at verses 1 and 2 as we wrap up the introductory remarks.
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will:
To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
So, Paul is writing as an “apostle.” Remember, Pastor Dirck reminded us last week that “apostle” means a “person sent.” So, Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, whom he calls the “faithful saints,” and he is extending a warm introduction of grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. By the way, it’s worth noting that Paul will speak of all three members of the Trinity in the book of Ephesus, including in today’s passage.
Paul then delivers a monumental passage filled with theological truth, deep mystery, and beautiful knowledge of the work of God. This makes up the rest of our passage.
The repeated emphasis of this passage is that we are in Christ. In fact, in this passage, the phrase “in Christ,” in one form or another, is present over ten times (depending on how you count it).
So, without further ado, let us discover three ways that we are in Christ.
First, we are . . .
I. In Christ before this world (vv. 3-6) [on screen]
Let us read these next few verses of the passage. Look with me, if you will, at verses 3-6:
3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.
Well, church, these are powerful verses with mysterious truths, which I could spend the entire sermon discussing, but alas, we’re covering through verse 14 today.
Nevertheless, look here at what Paul is doing in these four verses: Paul is blessing God, because of how God has blessed us, and he is stating the results of that blessing.
Paul is blessing God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ . . .
. . . because God has chosen us before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless.
. . . and because God predestined us for adoption as sons.
. . . resulting in the praise of God’s glorious grace.
How wonderful and beautiful are these divine blessings of God!
Let’s talk about these blessings for just a moment.
First, notice in the second part of verse 3 that Paul says that God has, “blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ.”
Folks, God doesn’t hold back when it comes to blessing His children! God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing; the blessings are ours!
How has He blessed us? He has done so in Christ!
Notice, secondly, in verse 4 that we are in Christ before the foundation of the world. That is, before the world was ever created.
What a divine mystery this is! How does all of this work out? Well, we don’t know for sure, but Paul is very plain about what he is saying. Before any of us were ever born, before the city of Bartow was founded, before any Christians came to America, before the apostles left Galilee, before Jesus walked the earth as a human, before Moses recorded the Ten Commandments, before Noah built the ark, before Adam and Eve walked in the Garden of Eden with God, God chose us to be His own! What a beautiful miracle!
For what purpose did God choose us? Well, Paul makes that clear as well. Look at verse 4: to be holy and blameless in love before him.
Obviously, something must happen in our lives before we can be holy and blameless, right? We don’t just start acting holy all of a sudden. Well, God addressed that before we were ever born as well.
Verse 5 speaks of this work. Look at it again: He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself.
Paul doesn’t say that God looked ahead to figure out who would later be His children. He doesn’t say God all of a sudden realized who His children were. Paul doesn’t say God figured that He might as well adopt those who really loved Him. Paul said, under the divine inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit, that God chose His children and predestined them for adoption.
By the way, Paul uses the language of sons here, which is good because at the time of his writing this, only the sons were able to gain an inheritance. So, Paul is saying that all of God’s children are adopted as heirs, or as sons.
Now, some have said that when Paul says that we are chosen and predestined that he doesn’t really mean that we are chosen and predestined.
I’ve heard some say that God does not choose or predestine His children, but rather He chooses or predestines the method of salvation. In short, that particular interpretation of Ephesians 1 is irresponsible and ridiculous. Paul is not speaking of ideas and methods; he is speaking of people and lives.
I’ve also heard it said that God does not choose or predestine individuals but the entire group of His children. Well, with this, I say let’s not play semantics. If I invite the entire section of pews to my right to join me for lunch at Catfish Country, that means the same thing as if I named each and every one of them by name (by the way, this is just an illustration; don’t meet me at Catfish Country). Further, do you mean to tell me that God who is all-knowing and all-powerful doesn’t know all of the individuals who make up the group of His children? God knows and He chose all His children, and He doesn’t even get our names mixed up like I do with my sons. Our adoption is God’s work, not our own, it was initiated in Christ, before the foundation of the world, so that we could be saved and sanctified as God’s children.
Well, what is the purpose of our being chosen, or elected by God, and predestined for adoption?
Well, again, it is to be holy and blameless, but not only that. Paul also says God adopted us “for himself” (verse 5), and “according to the good pleasure of his will.” Church, God choosing us to be adopted into His family, saved from our sins, and to live holy and blameless lives is all for His glory and according to His good pleasure!
Again, Paul takes us to verse 6, where he says, “to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.”
We thank God for His work that He accomplished in us, through the work of Jesus, by His grace, so that He can be glorified more and His grace displayed more, so that Jesus, the Beloved One, and God the Father can be magnified!
Isn’t that incredible?!?!
Before the world was formed, you and I were in Christ.
Also, we are . . .
II. In Christ in this world (vv. 7-10) [on screen]
Although our being in Christ began before the foundation of the world, it certainly didn’t stop once the world was founded.
Let’s look at verses 7-10:
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ 10 as a plan for the right time—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.
Again, we see “in him” and “in Christ” mentioned again. Let’s pause a moment and talk about being in Christ.
To be in Christ means that we receive and partake in the blessings that He has secured on our behalves.
Pastor Tony Evans says it’s like a spouse and children who benefit from the medical insurance policy of a policyholder. There is nothing that they have done to secure that medical coverage, yet the work of the policyholder has benefits for them.
The work of Jesus allows us to be in Him, meaning He pays our sin penalty and we receive the rewards of His righteousness.
On this earth, we experience some of the benefits of being in Christ, most notably our redemption. Paul says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses . . .”
To be redeemed means to be bought back. There is a payment and penalty for our sins and trespasses, but in Christ, we have been redeemed; our sins are forgiven!
This work of God, done through Jesus, was done in the richness of the grace of God. Paul said this grace was poured out on us! It is ours for the taking! We can enjoy and consume ourselves in the rich grace of God!
Illustration: This reminds me of one of my childhood favorites, Winnie the Pooh. [show picture on screen]What did Pooh really love to eat? Honey! Can you imagine Winnie the Pooh in a room full of unending honey? He could eat and eat and eat to his heart’s desire. Imagine that the honey never ran out and he never got sick from eating too much. What a day that would be for Pooh! Well, we have unending access to the great riches of God’s grace, realized through the work of Jesus Christ, and revealed to us by God’s Holy Spirit. Let us enjoy it to our heart’s desire! What a day that is for us!
In verses 9 and 10, Paul makes it clear that God is revealing His plan of redemption to us so that we can understand the mystery of His will, this mystery that was revealed for God’s pleasure through Christ and in Christ.
This plan that began before the world began, this mystery that was hidden until Christ brought it to revelation, these blessings that have been poured out for us have made it possible for us to know God, be adopted as His children, understand the treasures of Jesus, and live for His glory!
Oh, what beauty found in the riches of God’s grace discovered in Christ! The things of heaven and the things of earth collide in a beautiful buffet of the grace of God, the work of Christ, the adoption of God’s children, the forgiveness of sins, and the holy lives of God’s people.
We are in Christ in this world.
Finally, we are . . .
III. In Christ after this world (vv. 11-14) [on screen]
Let’s just read the first part of verse 11 for a moment.
In him we have also received an inheritance . . .
An inheritance implies something that is guaranteed for us but we have not yet received. Well, Paul tells us that in Christ there is something that is guaranteed for us but we have not yet received, at least in full. After this world is over, we are still in Christ, and we will still experience the benefits of being in Christ!
Let’s discover this in the rest of the passage. Look at verses 11-14:
11 In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.
13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.
Why have we received an inheritance? Verse 11, “. . . because we were predestined.” This inheritance is secured for us in the future because of what God did in Christ before the world ever began. Is this mind-bogglingly beautiful, or what?
After all, Paul says in verses 11 and 12 that God has a plan and He “ . . .works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.”
This inheritance that is secured by our election, predestination, and adoption should result in those of us who are in Christ bringing praise to the beautiful glory of God.
Paul speaks further of this future inheritance by speaking about the marvelous work of God’s Holy Spirit.
In verse 13, Paul says that in Jesus when we heard and believed. By the way, even though we have chosen and predestined by God, God’s process is still that we will hear and believe. We heard and believed in the Gospel of Jesus and we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of God. I’m going to tell you this about the seal of the Holy Spirit, church: nothing can break this seal! The blessings of God, predestined by God the Father, secured by the work of Jesus, and sealed by the Holy Spirit of God, are guaranteed both in this life and in the life after this world. Your changed life now and your inheritance for the future are sure!
Here’s the process, broken down for you, church: God predestines and chooses us, Jesus is obedient and accomplishes our salvation, the Holy Spirit begins to call us to Himself, the Gospel is proclaimed, we hear it and believe it, and we receive our redemption and are sealed by God’s Spirit. What a miracle!
The Apostle Peter speaks of this in 1 Peter 1:3-4: “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” [on screen]
Because we are in Christ and because we are sealed with God’s Holy Spirit we have a great inheritance awaiting us. Paul says what we are experiencing now is a down payment of what will come by God the Father ordaining, Jesus working, and the Holy Spirit pouring out power.
We will eventually experience full redemption to the praise of Jesus’ glory! There is salvation, blessings, and heavenly realities that await us after this earth, and that inheritance is secured for us now who are in Christ.
Concluding Thoughts:
We were in Christ before this world, we are in Christ in this world, and we are in Christ after this world.
The riches of God are prepared and promised before time began and they are ours after time will end.
That takes us to our bottom line:
Bottom Line: We experience the riches of God in Christ before, during, and after this life. [on screen]
(repeat)
Simply put, this is a miracle of God. There are aspects to this that we may not understand, and that makes sense because this is a miraculous work of God. However, there is a lot of this that we can understand and that should drive us to thanksgiving, praise, and glory given to God.
Challenge yourself to live out this passage this week in the following ways:
Weekly Challenge: [on screen]
1. Ask yourself if you are in Christ. [on screen]
This is the most important question you will ever ask yourself. Take some time this week and ask yourself if you are in Christ. If you’re not sure, don’t waste another moment until you are sure that you are in Christ.
2. Revel in the riches of God in Christ. [on screen]
To revel in something means to get great pleasure in something. Revel in the blessings and benefits of God that come from you being in Christ. Take some time this week and reflect upon the beautiful miracle that has taken place in your life.
3. Reveal the riches of God in Christ. [on screen]
As Pastor Dirck said last week, with great power comes great responsibility. We hold within our hearts, minds, and lives, the most beautiful and valuable riches in all creation: the riches of God in Christ. We must reveal those riches to others.
Closing:
Have you dove into the deep well of the riches of God’s grace? Are you in Christ?
If so, live in Christ! If not, come to Jesus today! Receive your adoption as God’s child today! Be sealed by God’s Spirit today!
(Gospel presentation)
(closing prayer)
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