Ephesians 1:3-14 Blessed be God Part 2

Made to Worship We were made for worship Look at how people treat the things they love Favorite bands, sports teams, tv shows, artists, restaurants We praise the things we love So the question is not “do I worship?” The question is “what or whom do I worship?” If the answer is anything but God, then we are idolators.

Paul’s Focus In Ephesians 1:3-14, Paul focuses his worship on God and provides reasons why God is to be praised. “We should praise the triune God. We should praise Him for who He is and what He has done.” –Tony Merida This passage begins and ends with praise Vs. 3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” Vs. 14 “to the praise of his glory”

Paul’s Focus Paul also focuses on the Triune nature of God Vs. 3 “Blessed be the God and Father” (God the Father) “of our Lord Jesus Christ” (God the Son) “every spiritual blessing” (These blessings come from God the Spirit)

God as Trinity The work of God the Father The work of God the Son Vss. 4-6 The work of God the Son Vss. 7-12 The work of God the Spirit Vss. 13-14

God the Father’s Work He chose us to be holy and blameless before him He predestined us to be his adopted children through Jesus’ work He works everything according to the purpose of his will

God the Son’s Work (vss. 7-12) Jesus has redeemed us (forgiven us) through his blood shed on the cross Vss. 7-8 Gives wisdom to understand the revelation of God’s will Vss. 9-10 Provides an eternal inheritance for those who are united to him by faith Vss. 11-12

We Have Redemption in Him Ephesians 1:7-8a “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us.”

“In him we have redemption” In whom? Jesus Christ Again, all of the blessings from God come to us only by our union with Christ by faith! Redemption “Redemption denotes liberation from bondage or imprisonment.” –Tony Merida By what/whom are we enslaved? Sin and Satan

Redemption The clearest biblical picture of redemption is the Exodus The people of Israel were in bondage in Egypt Exodus 2:23-25 God mightily delivered them out of their bondage to Pharaoh Exodus 15:13

Redemption A great New Testament description of redemption is found in Colossians 1:13-14 “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Biblical redemption involves being liberated from bondage to an evil master, and obtaining a new, good, gracious, loving master.

“through his blood” In order for there to be a redemption from the consequence of sin, that consequence/price must be paid by another. The wages of sin is death (separation from God), and the shedding of blood is necessary for sins to be forgiven. Hebrews 9:22 “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” We can only be redeemed because Jesus has paid the price of our redemption! (Isaiah 53:5-6)

Jesus’ Death Pays Our Price 1 Peter 1:18-19 “you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” Revelation 1:5 “him who loved us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.” Revelation 5:9 “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

“the forgiveness of our trespasses” “the permanent cancellation of or release from the punishment for sin because it has been paid for by Christ’s sacrifice” (Hoehner). These trespasses are more than mere mistakes, they are willful acts of rebellion against God. Refusing to honor him as God. Refusing to turn from our sin. Refusing to love others. These sins deserve punishment!! “However, this verse shows that as a result of redemption in Christ through his blood, God has cancelled or forgiven sins and the necessary punishment that goes with them . . . Christ in his sacrificial death has taken the punishment for us” (Hoehner).

“according to the riches of his grace” The fact that God has forgiven our sin and rebellion against him, and has chosen us to be his children even though we were his enemies, demonstrates the incredible wealth of his grace (unmerited, undeserved favor). “It took the wealth of God’s grace to redeem and forgive the sinner. The cost of sin was the supreme sacrifice of God’s Son Jesus Christ” (Hoehner).