Abundant Spiritual Blessings (2)

(God’s Magnificent Work Through Christ)

Eph 1:7-14

The passage can be divided into the following sections:

1. Spiritual Blessings (3)

2. The Father’s Initiative (4- 6)

3. Redemption through Christ (7-10)

4. Sealed with the Holy Spirit (11-14)

In the Armenian sermon, we covered the first one.

1. Spiritual blessings

2. The Father’s Initiative (4-6)

Here we move to an important concept: How God chose us.

I know for some this doctrine is disturbing. I will try to explain, bear with me.

I have talked about this before, and I have given the example of the train tracks. Two tracks next to each other; if we remove one track the train will not go forward.

There is an important biblical foundation: God is sovereign; God is in control of everything; God knows everything. This is biblical and one can find this all over the Bible. God takes the initiative to invite us to know Him and have fellowship with him. He initiates.

Paul says, “…for He chose us in him before the creation of the world…” (4)

That is the part of God, but there is also our part in response to this initiation. God calls and we are free to respond. God called Abraham, God called Moses, God called Samuel. Christ called his disciples, Christ called Paul. However, all these names chose to respond by accepting the call.

In John 6 we read that Jesus is saying none can come to him unless the Father draws them to Him. (John 6:44) However in Matthew we read also Jesus saying, “Come unto me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). So it is up to us to go or not to go.

-For 2000 years people struggled with these two concepts trying to explain how this formula works. If you ask me, it is beyond us to comprehend fully the mystery of these two concepts- God’s sovereignty and our freedom of choice.

I will go further explaining the verse. You see the verse explains why God chose us. “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.”

Please notice that when God chooses someone, or a nation, He does not do so to punish the others. He does so to make the chosen one an instrument to bring the “Good News” to the others.

The selection of one is designed to lead others to God and His blessings.

-He chose us not to be the “privileged”. No, we are called to be Holy. This means God is calling us to be Christ-like. He chose us so our lives will be transformed. That happens when we develop a deep a relationship with our Father who helps us change from our old nature into a new Christ-like nature.

-God loves relationships. You see we are God’s DELIGHT.

Isaiah describes how we can be God’s delight:

“You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate,
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her…

For as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your sons marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you.” (Is. 62:4-5) (ESV)

Do you see the imagery here? God is our partner, like in a marriage. There is intimacy and bonding in a marriage relationship. There is commitment and love in a marriage relationship.

Furthermore, Paul describes how God loves to have relationship with his creation. We are also adopted by God through Jesus Christ, so we have full rights of sonship.

3. Redemption through Christ (7-10)

“⁷In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace...”

This choice that God made, this initiative that he took was accomplished through His Son’s sacrifice on the cross. The result was forgiveness of sins. You see there is no salvation, without forgiveness of sins. Salvation cannot be achieved with our “good” works. It is only by the Grace of God through Christ. Yet here comes our part again in accepting that we are sinners and asking for forgiveness.

One has to see that Paul used the Old Testament language, the word REDEMPTION. The Israelites had the experience of redemption when God delivered them from Egypt. When the people left Egypt, they experienced the exodus.

Here we experience the second exodus, when we leave the old life and move on to the new life.

All this is God’s plan. In the next 3 chapters Paul is going to talk about it more. This mystery is made known to us through Christ. And this is the process: time will come to its fulfillment and all nations will come to Him. IN HIS TIME.

4. We are Sealed with the Holy Spirit.

Notice what is happening here. When we believe, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. Do you see triune God in work? Each has its role in transforming our lives.

We start our spiritual journey with faith in Christ, and the Spirit of the Lord continues to nourish us and gives us the assurance of our salvation.

The idea here is that God is guaranteeing our inheritance. History is in movement. God is leading history towards a new heaven and a new earth. Paul is saying the seal of the Holy Spirit already gives us a little bit of that new order. It is the down-payment.

I hope this introduction will excite you to study this letter further. It is the story of salvation the way Paul explains to his audience. Now it is our turn to be part of this story.

What is the application of all these?

a. Do you experience God personally? God chose you for a reason. Your salvation is not just for you. Can you be a blessing to others?

b. Do you experience Spiritual Blessings? (Salvation, forgiveness of sins, grace, peace, inner joy, spiritual nourishment, fellowship, various life experiences)

c. Enjoy the Holy Spirit’s seal. Ask God for the Spirit’s gifts to be used in your for His glory.

Amen