Redemption, Forgiveness, Grace, and a Perfect Ending Ephesians 9:7-10

Paul had a special relationship with the church at Ephesus. He helped start the church and stayed there for a couple of years before sending Timothy to be their pastor.

Ephesians 1:3-10 (ESV)

I. Redemption is only possible through the blood of Jesus.

What is redemption? Preacher story example... A boy and his father build a sailboat and take it to the lake to sail it. While at the lake the boy loses his sailboat. He was very sad. Sometime later the boy and his father were in town and the boy saw his sailboat in a shop window. The boy told the store owner that it was his sailboat in the window. The store owner said sorry but I bought that from a fisherman and if you want it you will have to buy it. The boy was sad, but also was glad that he knew where his sailboat was at. So the boy worked hard and earned the money that he needed to buy the sailboat back. When he finally got his hands on his sailboat he told it how much he loved it and not only did he craft the boat but he gave all that money so that he could buy it back. That is redemption...to be bought pack, to be set free, a price is payed so that you can redeem something.

Did Jesus have to die for our sins? Some people believe that a loving God have to hold sins against people. They don't believe that there was a need to shed blood. But that is not what scripture teaches us...and songs... "There is power in the blood"..."What can wash away my sin"..."The blood that gives me strength".

Scripture says...

Matthew 26:39 (ESV) "And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'"

1John 2:2 (ESV) "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."

Galatians 3:13 (ESV) "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us- for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree'-"

 

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Isaiah 53:3-6 & 10 (ESV) "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgression; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned-every one- to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand."

Jewish people do not like to hear Isaiah 53 read because it describes Jesus and his death.

It seems like there is a "cosmic rule" that sin brings death and it requires blood to cover the sin. Adam & Eve sinned and the first blood shed in the world/garden was to provide "covering" for their "nakedness" their sin. This means that something had to be "sacrificed" for their sin. The Old Testament had a sacrificial system, but it was only a temporary covering of the sin, it was insufficient. Then Jesus arrived and John the Baptist said of him "behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." Jesus took our place and our sin was placed on him. God punished Jesus for our sin.

Colossians 2:13-15 (ESV)

1John 3:8 (ESV)

John 12:31-33 (ESV)

Matthew 28:18-19 (ESV)

Jesus' blood was necessary to pay your ransom

II. How vile and disgusting is your sin.

We often don't see how awful our own sin is, but we notice our neighbors sin. 

Luke 18:11-14 (ESV) "The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Jesus had a problem with the Pharisee. They honored God with their lips, but their heart was far from him. The high priest Annas' family had a hold on the office of the high priest. The lied, cheated and murdered to stay in power. They cheated people in the temple. This family is believed to have had a lot to do with things being sold in the temple. Jesus does not only look at our actions, but also our hearts.

Romans 3:23 (ESV) "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"

Your stuff is disgusting too...unforgiveness in your heart, hate, gossip, sowing discord, back biting. These things destroy you, your relationship with God, with your family, the church, your sin will destroy everything. 

1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV) "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost."

You have got so much to be forgiven for.  Jesus shares the parable of the Unforgiving Servant. The unforgiving servant owes his master a HUGE amount and his master forgave him of his debts. The unforgiving servants goes to another servant who owes him money and demands him to pay his debts. When the master finds out what the servant had done he was punished. There is a connection between our forgiving of others and God forgiving us. You can never out forgive God. We have to forgive one another. Nothing will ruin your life more than the bitterness that comes out of unforgiveness. We need to do some self evaluation.

III. Yet how precious you are in the sight of God.

Romans 5:8 (ESV) "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

John 3:16-17 (ESV) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

God, even though we were so reviled, then God you so much that he sacrificed his Son for YOU!

Who killed Jesus? The Jews killed Jesus, but also the Romans killed Jesus, God the Father killed Jesus, Jesus killed Jesus, and YOU killed Jesus. God loved us so much that he sent his Son to die on the cross for YOU.

IV. God dumps grace on his people.

You didn't need a little grace sprinkled on you, you needed to be immersed, to be baptized in grace. God lavishes grace on his people.

John D. Rockefeller one of the richest men of the in the world at his time. He was not well liked, so he thought he needed to help his "image" so he dressed up in a suit and top hat and loaded his pockets down with dimes and nickels. He gave nickels and dimes to poor children and took a photographer along to document. This is nothing like God's grace! He LAVISHES his grace on us, his never ending grace.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV) "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

So what are we doing with God's grace? What good works are flowing out of the grace you've been shown? Are you sharing? Are you caring? Are you forgiving?

V. God will bring about the perfect ending.

Ephesians 1:10 (ESV) "as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him."

Jesus is the answer to every problem. He will right every wrong, heal every hurt. We believe that Jesus is coming back. The most quoted Old Testament verses in the New Testament is Psalms 110.

Are you ready? No time like the present!

Revelation 21:1-5 (ESV) "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.' And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'"

Intro to the Book of Ephesians

 Ephesus was the capital city of the Romans in Asia Minor. It was on the Aegean Coast of present day Turkey. It was a magnificent city.

1. Theater had a 24,000 capacity. It was built in the 4th century B.C. It took 60 years to build.

2. They had 4 aqueducts that brought water into the city. They had public baths and public toilets. They had a sewer system.

3. They had several temples dedicated to Emperor Hadrian. Paul's extensive efforts their led them to transform one of the temple into a church during the 4th century A.D.

4. The Agora was a huge public market, where people came to sell/buy their goods. They also had a State Agora, which was a public location where people came to discuss politics, economics and philosophies. 

5. A valuable port City in 1400 B.C. It was long and deep cove that was well protected landing spot.

6.The temple to Aritmis (the Greek goddess and protector of the city). According to Herodutus it was one of the "7 wonders of the ancient world". It was 418' long X 239' wide with 100 marble pillars 56' high. (The Greek goddess Artimis later became the Roman goddess Diana.)

7. Today Ephesus is visited by 1 million tourist a year. Many of the sites still stand today. You can see a lot of them on the internet.

Now the story of the church at Ephesus. Paul made 3 missionary journeys. On his s2nd missionary journey he visited Ephesus. 

Acts 18:19-21 (ESV) "And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. But on taking leave of them said, 'I will return to you if God wills,' and he set sail from Ephesus."

Later on his 3rd missionary Paul returned to Ephesus.

Acts 19:8-10 (ESV) "And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks."

Ephesus was a hub of activity, but it was surrounded by 230 independent communities. So when revival broke out at Ephesus it spread to the surrounding communities. But where the Holy Spirit moves opposition will arise.

Acts 19: 23- 20:1 (ESV) "About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, 'Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into dispute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.' When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!' So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel. But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!' And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, ' Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky?  Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious no blasphemers of our goddess. If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give justify this commotion' And when he said these things, he dismissed the assembly. After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia."

Paul saw the opposition arose and decided to leave, but there were a lot of Christians there and they continued to spread the Word. Paul comes back at the end of his 3rd missionary journey, but does not go to Ephesus, but stopped in Miletus, which was 68 miles by land/38 miles by sea.

Acts 20:19-38 (ESV) "serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " "And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And the accompanied him to the ship."

Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians from prison in Rome (Acts 21-28). Most believe that Ephesians was a circular letter, meant to read in many churches around Ephesus. The church was not a building it was the body of people. In Revelations chapters 2 and 3 the 7 churches mentioned were in the surrounding area around Ephesus. So this letter was circulated in many places. The book of Ephesians does not address problems with the church like you see in Corinthians and Galatians. But the book of Ephesians is not a correction. He is writing to them about the basic doctrines of Christ and here are the applications that goes with it. He was there for 2 years, so these people were not baby Christians. He goes deeper in depth than he does in other letters. He addresses doctrinal issues first and then moves on to application later in the letter.

Ephesians 3:20-21 4:1 (ESV) "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, "

The first 3 chapters are heavy theology and the final 3 chapters are practice, how you put that theology into practice.

Now the intro into the book.

Ephesians 1:1 (ESV) "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus."

An apostle is someone sent forth with a message...from God. Paul did not choose this position. Jesus appeared to him in a vision and told him that he was chosen to follow Jesus. He was chosen by God. Paul said this was written to the saints. Anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ is a saint. You have been set apart. You are holy unto Him.

Ephesians 1:2 (ESV) "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

This was a standard greeting.

Ephesians 1:3 (ESV) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,"

The important word in this verse is "has". It is past tense. Jesus has already blessed you with every spiritual blessing. As we move through the book of Ephesians we will see these spiritual blessings in the first 3 chapters. We will find heavy doctrine and controversial doctrine in these 3 chapters.

Ephesians 1:4-6  (ESV) "even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."

Here is a big question... If you are a Christian

1. Did you freely (of your own will) CHOOSE to accept Christ?

2. Did God PREDESTIN you... without your permission?

Today the majority of Christians hold to free will/personal choice, BUT 200 years ago the predominant view was election...God chose you....predestination.

2 views

1. Free will (libertarianism) Humans have free will to accept or reject Jesus Christ, his sacrifice as Lord and Savior. This emphasizes personal responsibility. God's foreknowledge does not force a person to accept or reject Jesus.

2. Pre-destination (determinism/ Calvinism/Fatalism) God is completely sovereign and He has predetermined the fate of every individual before the foundation of the world. Unconditional election. Free will is limited and salvation is entirely God's choice and not yours.

3. Compatibilism (middle ground) This vies says both concepts can co-exist and that the 2 vies are not mutually exclusive. We do make choices and ultimately God is in charge and He uses our choices to accomplish His will. This view says...

    A. God is absolutely sovereign and can do whatever He wants whenever He wants.

    B. In His sovereignty He has allowed individual to make their own choices (concerning Christ).

So what view does Scripture support? Both!

Ephesians 1:11 (ESV) "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,"

Romans 8:28-30 (ESV) "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified ha also glorified."

I Timothy 2:3-4 (ESV) "This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

Titus 2:11 (ESV) "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,"

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

1 John 2:2 (ESV) "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins cof the whole world."

The Bible teaches election (God's choice), it also teaches human resposibility.

Romans 1:19-20 (ESV) "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."

So how do we harmonize this? We can't! But God can! It seems to be a contradiction in Scripture is an appearance of a contradiction, but it is not a real contradiction. God knows the answer even though it is confusing to us. I lean toward free will personally, but I cannot ignore the verses that talk about predestination. You can get bogged down in this, but Scripture teaches both. Instead of dealing with the universal application of this. Do all people get a calling from God? My suggestion is that you deal with it personally.

John 6:44a (ESV) "No onecan come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him."

So instead of "does God call all men?" Has the Holy Spirit called you, drawn you, invited you?

Basically there are 2 kinds of callings people experienced.

1. An emotional calling- The Holy Spirit gets ahold of your emotions, feelings. You can't prove scientifically that God is calling you, but you KNOW He has spoken and called you.

2. An intellectual calling- You eventually came to the rational conclusion that the Gospel is true. You just know it to be correct. (example C.S. Lewis)

Sometimes it can be both. They both can be valid. Rather than argue the 2 position, the real question is....Has God called you? And if so how what was your response? If you say "Yes" to the Holy Spirit (God the Father/Son) then eventually you need to make your decision public.