Who we are “In Christ”:Who we are “In Christ”:God’s Unique PossessionGod’s Unique Possession

Ephesians 1:3-14Ephesians 1:3-14

Forest Hills Bible ChapelForest Hills Bible Chapel

16 December 200716 December 2007

Ephesians 1:3-17Ephesians 1:3-17

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.his sight.

Ephesians 1:3-17Ephesians 1:3-17

In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and willaccordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, — 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. with all wisdom and understanding.

Ephesians 1:3-17Ephesians 1:3-17

9 And he made known to us the mystery 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.together under one head, even Christ.

Ephesians 1:3-17Ephesians 1:3-17

11 In him we were also chosen, having 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.praise of his glory.

Ephesians 1:3-17Ephesians 1:3-17

13 And you also were included in Christ 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.praise of his glory.

God’s Unique PossessionGod’s Unique Possession Fact #1: We are blessed in the heavenly Fact #1: We are blessed in the heavenly

realms with every spiritual blessing in realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ – v. 3.Christ – v. 3.

The “heavenly realms” indicates the The “heavenly realms” indicates the presence and realm of God Himself.presence and realm of God Himself.

We are “in Christ” – we belong to Him by We are “in Christ” – we belong to Him by His grace, and we are His possession.His grace, and we are His possession.

God can no more separate us from His God can no more separate us from His presence than He can separate Himself presence than He can separate Himself from His Son.from His Son.

God’s Unique PossessionGod’s Unique Possession This reminds me of one of my favorite This reminds me of one of my favorite

movie quotes -movie quotes - Max Detweiler in “The Sound of Music” Max Detweiler in “The Sound of Music”

(1965) – “I love rich people. I love the way (1965) – “I love rich people. I love the way they live. I love the way I live when I’m they live. I love the way I live when I’m with them.”with them.”

God’s Unique PossessionGod’s Unique Possession Fact #2: He has chosen and predestined us to be Fact #2: He has chosen and predestined us to be

his holy, blameless children – vv. 4-5.his holy, blameless children – vv. 4-5.

It is significant that the language of election before It is significant that the language of election before the foundation of the world occurs here in the the foundation of the world occurs here in the context of thanksgiving. It is part of an expression context of thanksgiving. It is part of an expression of gratitude for God’s inexplicable grace, not a of gratitude for God’s inexplicable grace, not a logical deduction about the destiny of individuals logical deduction about the destiny of individuals based on the immutability of God’s decrees. And, based on the immutability of God’s decrees. And, unlike the language of Romans 9:13, 18, 22, Eph unlike the language of Romans 9:13, 18, 22, Eph 1:4 provokes absolutely no speculation about the 1:4 provokes absolutely no speculation about the negative side of election, reprobation. Over-negative side of election, reprobation. Over-whelmed by the blessing of being chosen in Christ, whelmed by the blessing of being chosen in Christ, (Paul) does not attempt to find explanations but (Paul) does not attempt to find explanations but can only praise the God who is the source of such can only praise the God who is the source of such blessing.blessing.

God’s Unique PossessionGod’s Unique Possession Fact #3: We have redemption and Fact #3: We have redemption and

forgiveness, in accordance with his grace – forgiveness, in accordance with his grace – vv. 6-8.vv. 6-8.

The only reason we are here is because of The only reason we are here is because of God’s grace.God’s grace.

If God has related to us fundamentally on If God has related to us fundamentally on the basis of His grace, then we ought first the basis of His grace, then we ought first and foremost to show grace to one another.and foremost to show grace to one another.

Grace is essential for a community of Grace is essential for a community of imperfect people who are “in progress.”imperfect people who are “in progress.”

God’s Unique PossessionGod’s Unique Possession Fact #4: God has made known to us the Fact #4: God has made known to us the

mystery of His will – vv. 9-10.mystery of His will – vv. 9-10. The bottom line is that, in a very basic way, The bottom line is that, in a very basic way,

we know what God is doing in the world.we know what God is doing in the world. This is not a reason for us to be proud and This is not a reason for us to be proud and

arrogant; it is a reason to glorify God.arrogant; it is a reason to glorify God.

God’s Unique PossessionGod’s Unique Possession Fact #5: God has chosen us in Christ, so Fact #5: God has chosen us in Christ, so

that our lives might be lived for His praise – that our lives might be lived for His praise – vv. 11-12.vv. 11-12.

Our lives belong to Christ, and we are to Our lives belong to Christ, and we are to live for His glory and praise.live for His glory and praise.

We are to be “trophies” of We are to be “trophies” of His grace.His grace.

God’s Unique PossessionGod’s Unique Possession Fact #5: We are included in Christ, and Fact #5: We are included in Christ, and

marked with a seal – the Holy Spirit.marked with a seal – the Holy Spirit. We have been safeguarded as belonging to We have been safeguarded as belonging to

the King of kings.the King of kings.