Word of Salvation – September 2017
We’ve Got It All
By Rev. Craig Van Echten
On Ephesians 1:1-6
Textual Theme (what): Paul begins the letter with a doxology and praises God for the Spiritual blessings that believers enjoy through Christ which are given on the basis of God’s grace and for the purpose of God’s worship.
Original Purpose (why): To encourage the believers by showing them the blessings they have in Christ.
Proposition (what and so what): Let the Church praise God because in Christ we’ve got it all!
Ephesians 1:1-6
Brothers and sisters,
How good is it to get a new or upgraded car! Maybe you can remember some of the excitement. Maybe it was the power of a V6 or V8 motor. The quick acceleration. May it was the electric windows that you never had before. Or maybe the space, the aircon, or the looks?
But what happens 6 months down the track? Well, you get so used to the car, that it just becomes average. You are used to electric windows, you could imagine life without them. You are used to power steering, you couldn’t imagine life without that. So what were once great blessings, becomes average.
It can be like that with our salvation. Christianity can seem average. Ho-hum. A bit blah.
Yeah, I’m a Christian. And yeah I go to such and such church. Maybe you’ve felt a bit like that lately?
The passage we look at this morning does not leave us feeling average about our Christianity. There is nothing so-so here. Rather, the passage we are looking at tells us that ‘we’ve got it all.’ This section as Calvin says is intended to rouse our hearts to gratitude. To set them all on flame. So be prepared to have your heart set on fire!
Let the Church praise God because in Christ we’ve got it all!
This morning we are going to see,
Firstly, the Introduction to Ephesians, Secondly, the theme of the passage,
Thirdly, the blessing of Election, and finally, the blessing of Adoption
So let’s begin with the background and introduction to the Letter. The letter is addressed to the Ephesian church. But a lot of scholars believe that the letter was intended for other churches as well. So we should think of a wide audience.
Now some background to the Ephesian church since it is mentioned. This church was established on the Apostle Paul’s second missionary journey. Here the Apostle ministered for up to 3 years during 53-56A.D.
In those days Ephesus was quite a significant city, one of the top five in the Roman empire. Also, here in Ephesus the temple of Artemis, or Dianna was located. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world
Now in Acts 19-20 the establishment of the Church in Ephesus is part of this great expansion of the Gospel. By this time the Gospel had gone from Asia minor to Europe. Soon it would reach Roman, the very heart of the empire. And so the Church in Ephesus is another testimony to God’s promise to bless all nations.
Let’s now turn to the letter itself. In the first century there was a certain pattern to letter writing. There was the author, recipient, greeting and then the main body of the letter. The letters we find in the N.T generally follow that pattern, but with a little bit of Christian spice.
The author of the letter is the Apostle Paul who writes as He is carried along by the Holy Spirit. He purposely mentions his apostleship which conveys his authority.
And he sends this letter to the Ephesians whom he calls saints. It is not that they are super Christians. It is not talking about their level of holiness. Rather, it is talking about our status before God. The word “saint” which means “holy ones” can be applied to all who are in Christ. For in Christ they wear His white robes. It is a great reminder of the way God looks at us through Christ.
Then we read the greeting of Paul. Again not your standard greeting. But packed with theological content. It’s a greeting found in most of the N.T letters in one form or another. And we also use a form of this greeting at the beginning of our services.
Why is it significant?
Well Grace speaks of God’s unmerited favour upon sinners. It is the embrace of God for His sinful sons and daughters.
And Peace, which was a common Jewish greeting, is about wholeness and prosperity. It is the smile of God that comes to us because of the cross.
One day Christians will be called to heaven. The moment we set our foot before God, there is no better greeting to receive. Grace & Peace to you my child.
Then following the introduction we have the body of the letter. The first three chapters are about theology. Then the next three are about practice. Doctrine comes before duty. And they both belong together like a married couple.
Now that we have looked at the introduction, let us secondly, look at the theme of this section. Verse 3 sums it up well. “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.”
From the outset the tone is set. This section is about praise! “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
And time and time again the song comes back to the chorus which is praise.
Verse 6 “To the praise of His glorious grace.”
Verse 12 “In order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.”
Verse 14 “…the promised Holy Spirit who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.”
And why should there be such a resounding note of praise?
Because we have been blessed “with every Spiritual blessing in Christ.” In other words, because ‘we’ve got it all!’ We are rich beyond measure! We are absolutely rolling in Spiritual blessings. This is not to denigrate physical blessings. Praise God for food, health, strength, cars, houses etc. But, these blessings are in the minor key. Spiritual blessings are in the major key. Because as you’ll see these blessings make us rich beyond compare.
This morning we are going to look at two blessings in particular. The blessings of Election and adoption.
So thirdly, notice the blessing of Election. Yes you heard it right, the blessing of election. In some circles election gets a bad rap. But, if we understand it rightly, we see that election is part of this symphony of praise. The doctrine of Election is there to rouse our hearts. Let’s see why?
Verse 4 says, “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.”
We see here that “He” that is God the Father chooses a people. God’s choice of some and not others shouldn’t surprise us. In the O.T God chose Abraham, God chose Israel. According to Romans 9 God chose Jacob and not Esau. In the N.T God continues to choose a people.
1Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.”
And we see that this choice is all by grace. See God chooses us before we are even born. Before we even do a thing in this world. Before the Creation of the world. It is not on the basis on anything in us.
As Romans 9:11 says “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” Was one better than the other? Not at all. It says, “Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad” – in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls” Before Jacob was born, He was chosen.
So we are chosen by grace. Nothing in my hands I bring. To God be the glory great things He has done!
Now God’s choosing of a people to be saved can raise some uncomfortable questions if not handled rightly.
- a) Some say ‘Election is not fair.’ How can God choose some and not others. Why not choose all? It’s not fair!
In some aspects Election is a hard doctrine to stomach. But we must let God be God. He is the potter and we are the clay.
Why do we say He is not fair? Shouldn’t the starting point be that no one deserves to be saved? It’s not fair that God saves anyone!
Afterall, when we question God’s fairness, we are actually, making ourselves wiser than God. Deut 32:4 “He is the rock, his works are perfect, and all His ways are just.”
- b) Some say, if God chooses people to be saved why evangelise. Won’t they just come!
No, the doctrine of election does not lead to fatalism. Because God works through means to achieve His ends. So, in fact, God’s election can even be an encouragement to evangelize. In Acts 18 Paul was getting discouraged. God comes to Paul in a dream and says, “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no-one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” Knowing that God has His elect is a great motivation to get out there and gather them in.
So, Brothers and sisters, God’s election is a precious Bible doctrine. Hard, but precious. And let me show that it is also a blessing to celebrate.
God’s election is the bedrock of our confidence. God doesn’t leave His children to be tossed about in the storms of life. He is their anchor. Romans 8:38 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any power, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” No one can snatch God’s chosen people out of His hand. He is with them through thick and thin. He is with them to the end.
What a terrible thing it would be to be wondering on your death bed. Will God accept me? I’ve been such a poor Christian. The doctrine of election assures us we are safe in God’s hands.
William Romaine, a great Preacher in the 18th century said on his death bed. “How good is God! What comforts does He give me! What a prospect do I see before me of glory and immortality! He is my God in life, in death, and throughout eternity.” That’s the blessing we have!
Before I go on, there is also a challenge here. Election changes my life. Notice the purpose of election. One of the purposes of election is to be “holy and blameless.”
You see some say now I can live how I like. It is like saying I’m going to be an Eagles fan but I’m holding on to my Collingwood flag. Too many Christians in reformed churches think like this. However, to be one of God’s elect is life changing. The fruit of election is transformation. True?
So, here is the challenge: Is your life changing? Are you looking more like that holy nation? If not, are you really a Christian? Do you need to repent of your sin and turn to Christ?
Finally, we should notice the blessing of adoption. This is another blessing that should rouse our hearts. In fact, adoption is one of the highest privileges of the Christian. And a unique privilege to Christianity. This is certainly one of those blessings that are taken for granted.
In verse 5 we read “he predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His please and will.”
Adoption was very common in Greek and Roman culture. In that culture an adopted son was deliberately chosen to continue the name of his father. And the adopted son was given all the privileges of a natural son. In every way he was treated like a son. And he would inherit the whole estate. And it was just children who were adopted but also adults.
So God uses this concept of adoption to convey a far greater and glorious truth. That through Christ Jesus we can be adopted into the family of God. So much so that God will treat us like His own Son. Like Jesus, we can call God, our Father. And with Christ we inherit all the blessings of being His children.
What a blessing that we should be called the children of God!
This is the Almighty God we are talking about.
Psalm 113:4 say, “The LORD is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens.”
Yet, in adoption, this awesome God draws near to relate to us as children. We can say to the Creator of the universe, “Father.” There should still be respect, awe and reverence. But when we think of God as Father we are also able to be close .
Are you someone who sees God as cold and distant? Come and delight in this amazing blessing! In Christ you are a child of God.
Recently I was reading a book called ‘Behind the veils of Yemen.’ In it there was a fifty year old widow sitting in the centre of a room. She was surrounded by friends, wearing black, who were going through some sort of grieving ritual. In particular they said to the widow, ‘you must not cry. It is haram [forbidden], you must say al hamdulilah [praise the God] No doubt God deserves our praise in all circumstances, but He is also ready to wipe our tears away. Islam like every other religion has no concept of a personal God.
Calling God our Father is the unique blessing of Christianity. Don’t take this amazing blessing for granted. For without this blessing we remain alienated from God.
1Jn. 3:1 “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”
Conclusion
So we’ve seen just a little this morning of the great feast of blessings.
In Election God is our bedrock of confidence
In Adoption Almighty God is our Father
Are you enjoying these blessings? Have you forgotten about them like the blessings of a new car?
Let us praise God “who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every Spiritual blessing in Christ.”
Amen (2370 words)