THE BLESSINGS OF THE SON

BLESSINGS OF THE SON – “REDEMPTION”

Ephesians 1:2-12 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood,...

We Have Recently Examined... The Blessings From The Father.

1. He Has Chosen Us (v 3-4).

2. He Has Adopted Us (v 5,11).

3. He Has Accepted Us (v 6).

In Chapter 1 we will also notice These Blessings From The Son.

1. He Has Redeemed Us (v 7a).

2. He Has Forgiven Us (v 7b).

3. He Has Revealed The Mystery of God’s Will (v 8-10).

4. He Has Made Us Heirs With Himself (v 11-12).

We want to focus today on the first of these... REDEMPTION.

Let's do this by considering what...

1.   CHRIST REDEMPTION MAGNIFIES. 7 In whom we have redemption.

·     The Compassion of God. Micah 7:18-19 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgressio? He retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

·     The Grace of God. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

·     The Loving-kindness of God. Psalm 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

·     The Goodness of God. Psalm 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive.

·     The Forbearance of God. Romans 3:25 God hath set forth Christ to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.

·     The Faithfulness of God. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2.   WHAT CHRIST HAS REDEEMED US FROM (v 7a). In whom we have redemption. To Redeem [apolotrosis] = Liberation procured by the payment of a ransom.

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. 

1Timothy 2:6  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

He has redeemed us from. . .

·     The Curse of The Law (a works salvation). Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law.

·     The Grave. Psalm 49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave.

·     Death. Hosea 13:14 I will redeem them from death.

·     Destruction. Psalm 103:2,4 Bless the LORD, O my soul,... Who redeemeth thy life from destruction.

·     All Iniquity. Titus 2:14 Christ gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity.

·     This Present Evil World. Galatians 1:44 Christ gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world.

·     Vain Conversation [a wasted life]. 1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers.

Our Redemption Is Costly. ...through his blood!

Isaiah 53:1-6 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? ² For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. ³ He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.   ⁴ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. ⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Our Redemption Is. . .

·     Precious. Psalm 49:6-8 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

·     Plentiful. Psalm 130:7 Hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. Plenteous = multiply, exceedingly, abundance.

·     Perpetual. Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Blessings of the Son – “Forgiveness”

Ephesians 1:7-12 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

We Have Examined So Far The blessings of...

·     The Father - He has Chosen (v 3-4); Adopted (v 5); Accepted (v 6).

·     The Son - He has redeemed us (v 7a).

Today we will pick up were we left off last time and examine "The Blessing of Forgiveness."

Henry Ward Beecher was an pastor, editor and abolitionist. "I can forgive but I cannot forget" is only another way of saying "I cannot forgive."

Alexander Pope, English poet, “To err is human, to forgive divine.”

1.   FORGIVENESS DEFINED.

STRONG’S | used 17 times. It means release from bondage or imprisonment; pardon of sins, remission of the penalty. To release (a person) from punishment; exempt from penalty.

WEBSTER’S | The act of forgiving; the pardon of an offender by which he is considered and treated as not guilty. The pardon or remission of an offense or crime. Syn = Absolution, Amnesty.

2.   FORGIVENESS PROMISED.

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Jeremiah 31:34 I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

3.   FORGIVENESS GRANTED.

By God! Daniel 9:9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;  Mark 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

Through Christ!

·     Paul Testified. Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

·     John The Baptist. John 1:29 Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Freely! Isaiah 43:25  I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Readily! Nehemiah 9:17 Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.

In Abundance! Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

To Those Who Believe! Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

4.   FORGIVENESS REINFORCES...

The Compassion of God! Micah 7:18-19 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression..? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdueour iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

The Mercy & Loving-kindness of God! Psalms 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

The Justice & Faithfulness of God! 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The Forbearance of God! Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (expiate, make atonement, appease)through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance (to refrain, cease judicial activity against a person) of God;

5.   GOD’S FORGIVENESS LEADS US TO...

Turn To God! Isaiah 44:22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

Love God! Luke 7:41-47 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. ⁴² And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? ⁴³ Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. ⁴⁴ And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. ⁴⁵ Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. ⁴⁶ My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷ Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

Reverence God! Psalms 130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

Praise God! Psalms 103:2-3 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Blessings of The Son | “God’s Will Revealed”

Ephesians 1:7-12 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; ⁸ Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; ⁹ Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: ¹⁰ That in the dispensa-tion of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: ¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: ¹² That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Ephesians 3:9-11 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; ⁹ And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: ¹⁰ To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, ¹¹ According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

Today we are going to examine one more blessing of the Son! He has made known unto us the mystery of His will. (v 9).

The word mystery is used 22 times in the NT; Six times in Ephesians (1:9; 3:3, 4, 9; 5:32; 6:19).

DEFINITION OF MYSTERY (Gr Musterion): A hidden purpose or counsel not obvious to the understanding. A religious truth that is perplexing to reason and knowable only through divine revelation.

IMPORTANT TEXT: 1 Cor 4:1-2 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

SEVEN NT MYSTERIES: The Mystery Of...

1.   Godliness (1 Timothy 3:16).

2.   The Indwelling Christ (Colossians 1:27).

3.   Christ & His Church (Ephesians 5:32).

4.   The Restoration of Israel (Romans 11:25).

5.   Iniquity (2 Thessalonians 2:7).

6.   The Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-55).

In Our Text, Paul mentions A Seventh Great Mystery God has revealed to us through Christ...

7. The mystery of His will (v 9).

Jesus Said, All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. John 15:15

1.   THE WILL OF GOD COMES FROM HIS WISDOM & PRUDENCE (v 8).

Wisdom = a discerning intelligence. Prudence = an understanding that reflects mental and moral excellence.

·     Job said God Is... perfect in knowledge (Job 36:4). 

·     The Prophet Isaiah reminded Israel... There is no searching of his understanding (Isaiah 40:28). 

·     David proclaimed... Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it (Ps 139:6).  Gods understanding is infinite (Ps 147:5).

The Will of God is what you would have chosen, had you known what God has known all along!

2.   THE WILL OF GOD IS NOT HIDDEN TO US (v 9). Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Definition:

·     Will [thel'-ay-mah] is used 62 and means desire, pleasure. It is what God has determined should be done. In this instance, it refers to the purpose of God to bless mankind through Christ.

·     Good pleasure [yoo-dok-ee'-ah] = good will, kind intention, benevolence, delight.

·     Purposed [prot-ith'-em-ahee] = to place before, to expose to view.

The Will of God is meant to be... Desirable, Pleasant, Good, Benevolent, Delightful and Something to look forward to!

The Will of God Is...

Unchanging! Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

Sovereign! Daniel 4:35 He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Faithful & True! Isaiah 25:1 O LORD.. thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

Jesus said, Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. John 15:15

3.   THE WILL OF GOD IS SPECIFIC (v 10). That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

The Author! God (v 10).

The Cohesive Center! Christ (v 10).

The Time Factor! ...in the dispensation of the fullness of times (v 10).

The Purpose! ...that He might gather together in one all things in Christ (v 10).

The Beneficiaries! Having made known unto us the mystery of his will (v 9).

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blessings of The Son – “Our Inheritance” | Ephesians 1:11

Previously: We Have Examined...

·     The Blessings of The Father - He has Chosen; Adopted; Accepted (v 3-6).

·     The Blessings of The Son - He has Redeemed us; Forgiven us (v 7); made known His will (v 9).

 

Today's "blessing of the Son" is found in (v 11).  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Defining Terms: Inheritance = an allotment or assignment of possessions, heritage, and birthright.

Inheritance:

• The first thing most people think of when they hear the word inheritance is money, possessions, wealth and famous families.
• There have been enormous transfers of wealth in recent history.
• The greatest inheritance is not found in material wealth; it is found in Christ!
  
  

A Parallel Passage: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5

Our Inheritance: According to 1 Peter 1:4 our inheritance is going to be glorious!

• It is Incorruptible = unspoiled, inpenatrable.

• It is Undefiled = moral, godly, sinless, clean, pure, holy.

• It Fadeth not away = perennial, perpetual, never ending, unchanging.

• It is Reserved = kept, watched over, tended to, preserved, held fast.
  
  

To recognize the value of our inheritance we have to know...

1.  WHAT WE LOST IN ADAM. We lost our...

Innocence & Gained Sin (Rom 5:12).

Life & Received The Penalty of Death (Rom 5:12).

Fellowship With God & Began Hiding From Him (Gen 3:9).

Peace & Began Living In Fear (Gen 3:10).

Glory & Became Naked (Gen 3:10-11).

Blessing & Received A Curse (Gen 3:17).

Service & Received Temporal Rewards (Gen 3:18-19).

Dignity & Became Outcast (Genesis 3:23-24).

2.  WHAT WE HAVE RECEIVED IN CHRIST. Through Salvation we have become...

Joint-heirs With Christ. Romans 8:17 ...if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.  READ Ephesians 1:18-23.

Heirs of Promise. Galatians 3:29 If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

·     Peter preached... For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2:39

·     What Promises? Here Are Just A Few: Forgiveness if sin, adoption, Preservation, The coming of Christ, A home in heaven, Rest, Peace, Joy, Future glory, No more pain, sorrow or tears.

Heirs of Eternal Life. Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
 
Heirs of Salvation. Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

·     What Is Salvation? It is the deliverance of God from the penalty and punishment of sin.

·     Paul, speaking of Christ, says - He delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us. 2 Corinthians 1:10

Heirs of The Kingdom. James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

·     Jesus Christ Is King of Kings & Lord of Lords! Someday soon Jesus will establish His kingdom on earth. Rev 11:15 The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

·     The Word of God says Christ  hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Rev 5:10