Okay, now we're turning again
to Ephesians. Ephesians chapter 1, and as you've
noticed, I've not been in a big hurry to cover much ground, much
territory, but have taken our time, and I intend to do that
through this study. It may take several, several
months, probably half a year, maybe longer, but that's okay. I'm not interested in being in
a hurry And I don't really have anywhere to go but go home to
be with him. Yeah, I understand. Okay. The title of the message
today is taken from verse 11. In whom also, in whom. That's the key. That's the key
to the gospel. Salvation is in a person. Salvation
is in whom, in whom. in whom also we have earned an
inheritance." That's not what he says. We have obtained, obtained
as a free gift of grace, an eternal inheritance, eternal, it's an
eternal inheritance. We have obtained this inheritance
in Christ Jesus. So that's the title of the message.
in whom we have obtained an inheritance." Now notice carefully as we look
at these verses, I want to bring you to study this evening from
verse 8 down to verse 11. And as we look over these verses,
notice carefully that we're chosen in Christ, we're predestinated
to be one with Him, we're accepted in the Beloved, It says in verse
7, in whom we have redemption, in whom we are redeemed, we're
redeemed in Christ, chosen in Christ. It says in verse 3 that
in Christ we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ. And then he talks about in whom,
verse 11, in whom also. I mean, can you add much more
to what we already have in Christ? Also we have this glorious, glorious
inheritance. All grace now and all glory hereafter. Oh, the necessity to be one with
Christ and to be found in Him. Salvations in the Lord Jesus
Christ. Oh, that I may win Christ and
be found in Him. He's everything. in salvation. Now, verse 7 and 8, "...in whom
we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the richness of His grace." Now notice verse
8, "...wherein this one, this Lord Jesus Christ, in His grace
and His mercy, He hath abounded toward us. He is abounded toward
us in all wisdom and in all understanding. He abounds toward us, those whom
He has chosen, those for whom He has predestinated us unto
adoption, those for whom He died. He has abounded toward us in
all wisdom and understanding. wherein our great and gracious
Redeemer hath abounded." Now, if you look that word up, it
also has this meaning, superabounded, abundantly abounded toward us. Abundantly abounded toward us
in saving, redeeming, mercy with abundance. Abundantly. He does
everything He does abundantly. He saves us abundantly. He keeps
us abundantly. And He, by His grace, He abounds
toward us. If God be for us, who can be
against us? He abounded, now notice, He abounded
toward us. We didn't abound toward Him.
Not first. He abounded toward us. We didn't abound toward Him. He sovereignly, of His own good
purpose and pleasure, sought us out, called us out of darkness,
and made Himself known unto us, or else we never, with an emphasis
upon never, we never would have believed the truth. We never would have fallen in
love with the Lord Jesus Christ. He has abounded toward us. in saving mercy. Now, the reason
it has to be that way is because of this, John 3, 19. Now listen,
this is condemnation that light is coming to the world and men
love darkness rather than the light because their deeds were
evil. Left to ourselves because of
our total depravity, we would never see Him as precious and
altogether lovely. We love darkness which is really
self and sin. We love darkness, not light,
not truth, not Christ. Left to ourselves now, that's
our state, that's our condition. Thank God that He does. Supernaturally
and super bound toward us. Toward us. Now, talking about
depravity. In Ephesians chapter 2 verse
1. And you, who were dead in trespasses and in sin." Notice
the three words, hath he quickened, are actually found in verse 5. So, you who were dead in trespasses
and in sin. It seems like those who put this
together, the authorized King James, I guess they say, they
couldn't wait to talk about quickening. They couldn't wait to verse 5,
where it's found, they had to put it here first. And that's
okay. You hath he quickened who were
dead, but we were dead in trespasses and in sin. And that being so,
we would never have abounded and sought mercy where mercy
is found in Christ Jesus. Look at verse 2, where in time
past you walked according to the course of this world." How's
that? That's away from God. "...according
to the prince of the power of the air, Satan himself being
our inspiration, the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience, among whom also we have had our conversation
in time past in the lust of the flesh, fulfilling the desires
of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath,
Even as others, that next word is so key, B-U-T, but God. Who made you to differ from another? It's because He has abounded
toward us that we have any interest in the gospel of God and grace.
But God, who is rich in mercy for His great love wherewith
He loved us, even when we were dead in sin, hath quickened us
together with Christ. By grace are you saved." Now
look down at verse 12 of Ephesians 2. This is why we insist upon
that salvation totally all of grace. He abounds toward us. Verse 12, the reason being that
at that time He said you are without Christ. That's us by
nature without Christ. Being aliens. from the commonwealth
of Israel, aliens and idolaters, strangers from the covenants
of promise, having no hope and without God in the world, but
now in Christ Jesus. You who were sometimes far off
are made nigh by the blood of Christ. He abounds toward us
through that covenant sacrifice in His blood. Now turn to chapter
4 of Ephesians. Verse 17-18, This I say therefore,
and testify in the Lord, that you henceforth walk not as other
Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding
darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance
that is in them because of the blindness of their heart. Now that's us by nature. Thank
God that He does abound toward us. in irresistible, sovereign,
saving grace because of our, what we call, total depravity. Now a lot of folks talk about
depravity, but they don't talk about total depravity. They don't talk about inherent
total depravity. Because of our condition by nature
being totally dead in sin, had the Lord not superabounded toward
us, we never Underscore it, no, never would have believed the
Gospel. We love Him because, what? He first loved us. Herein is
love, not that we love God, but that He loved us and sent His
Son to be the satisfying sacrifice for our sin. Had He not chosen
us and predestinated us unto the adoption of children, we
never would have sought mercy where mercy is revealed and found
in Christ. Now, He mentions two things back
in Verse 8, wherein he hath abounded toward us, he hath abounded toward
us in all wisdom and all understanding. Now these two things, he has
super abundantly abounded toward us in wisdom, in wisdom. All men by their sinful nature
are unwise, unwise. in spiritual things. The wisdom of this world is totally
contrary to grace and the gospel. All men by nature, their sinful
nature, are unwise and foolish in spiritual things. We read
it a moment ago. The natural man, the carnal man,
receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. It has to be revealed
unto us. The fool has said in his heart,
what? There is no God. Now, whenever you hear some atheist
or agnostic pop, popping off, and we see that a lot in our
day, they like to brag and make, make a big statement about there
is no God, and you just mark it down. The scripture calls
that man a fool. He's a fool. The fool has said
in his heart, there is no God. But what happens to His people,
those chosen covenant people? What happens in those people
in regeneration and conversion, He makes us to know wisdom in
the hidden part, inwardly, in the heart. Notice, don't turn,
let me just remind you what we just read a minute ago. But we
speak the wisdom of God in a mystery. even the hidden wisdom which
God ordained before the world unto our glory or unto our salvation."
God ordained that. This mystery is revealed in Christ,
how God can be just and justify the ungodly. Now Psalm 51, 6
says this, "...Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts, And
in the hidden part, thou shalt make me to know wisdom." And
I tell you what, we can see this also as wisdom personified. And I mean by that, the Lord
Jesus Christ, He is wisdom. We read in Colossians 2 verse
3, it says this, "...in whom," in the Lord Jesus Christ, "...in
whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." In
Him. In whom? The Lord Jesus Christ. He is our wisdom. Now, I want
you to turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 1. The Lord Jesus Christ,
He is our wisdom. This is the wisdom that James
talks about in James 3, 17. The wisdom which is from above
is pure and peaceable. Now, 1 Corinthians chapter 1,
verse 30. But of Him. You see verse 13, "...but of
Him, of God, are you in Christ, Christ Jesus, who of God, the
Lord Jesus Christ, is made to me everything I need. He is my
wisdom, He is my righteousness, He is my holiness, He is my redemption,
that according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory,
in the Lord. He is my wisdom. He has abounded toward me in
all wisdom in Christ Jesus. Now, the second thing he mentioned
in verse 8 is this word prudence. This word prudence. And if you
look it up, it has to do with understanding. Understanding. He's given us an understanding.
He has bounded toward us in all understanding, or He has given
us a spiritual understanding. When the Lord abounds toward
us again in regeneration, He gives us a spiritual understanding
that is right knowledge of who we are, who God Almighty is,
and who the Lord Jesus Christ is and what He did for us. He
gives us an understanding of these things. Now I want you
to find 1 John chapter 5. 1 John chapter 5. 1 John chapter 5 verse 20. We know that the Son of God has
come and He's given us an understanding that we may know Him that is
true and we are in Him that is true. Even in His Son, Jesus
Christ, this is the true God and this is eternal life. This
is spiritual understanding to see salvation in the Lord Jesus
Christ. Now I want you to find just over
one book from, two books over from Ephesians. Turn to Colossians
chapter 1. Colossians chapter 1. Paul prays this way for the church
in Colossians chapter 1 verse 9 He said for this cause we also
since the day we heard it About your love verse 8 who also declared
unto us your love in the spirit For this cause we also since
the day we heard it do not cease to pray for you and to desire
that you might be filled filled with the knowledge of his will
and all wisdom and and spiritual understanding, that you might
walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful
in every good work, increasing in the knowledge of God." So
he prayed for them that the knowledge of his will would be revealed
in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, spiritual understanding. Now
back to Colossians chapter 1. The Apostle prays this way for
them in Ephesians 1, verse 16. Ephesians 1, verse 16. Ephesians
1, verse 16. Ephesians 1, verse 16. Ephesians 1, verse 16. Ephesians
1, verse 16. Ephesians 1, verse 16. Ephesians
1, verse 16. that ye may know what is the
hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his
inheritance in the saints." In the saints, given to the saints.
So, he hath abounded toward us, back in our text, verse 8, wherein
he hath abounded toward us through that redeeming blood sacrifice
according to the riches of his grace, or the richness of his
grace, he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom. and all understanding."
Aren't you glad that He didn't leave us to ourselves? Now look
at verse 9, "...having made known unto us the mystery of His will."
I believe He's talking about the redemptive will of God, "...according
to," there's this word according, "...according to His good pleasure,
which He hath purposed in Himself." Salvation is on purpose. And all whom God wisely saves,
He saves on purpose. His purpose and His grace. When
the Lord does abound toward us, He reveals unto us the mystery
of His sovereign redeeming will in Christ Jesus. Now here's what
we read. Let me read this to you in John
6.13. Having made known. That's a revelation. That's a revelation of Christ
through the Gospel. When the Spirit of Truth has
come, that's what our Lord said, talking about the Holy Spirit,
He will guide you into all truth, for He shall not speak of Himself,
but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak, and He will
show you things to come. He shall glorify Me, for He shall
receive of Mine and show it unto you. He's hid these things from
the wise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes, even so, Father,
it seems good in your sight." That's the sovereign revelation.
Notice, having made known unto us the mystery of His will. Now, I read this statement years
ago and don't know where I read it, but it stuck with me. It
takes God to reveal God. It takes God to reveal God. He must command the light to
shine out of darkness, and God must command that light to shine
in our hearts that we might see the redemptive will and glory
of God in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, having made known
unto us the mystery of His will, how God can be just, and justify
the ungodly. How can that be? How can He be
a just God and Savior? How can God in His holy character
show mercy to one who is so sinful and not compromise His holy character? Now that's the mystery of the
Gospel. And the answer of that question is Jesus Christ and
Him crucified. How God can be just and justify
the ungodly. And we find that in Scripture.
Let's find Romans chapter 3. I think so, Romans chapter 3. Verse 23 declares, "...all have
sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified
freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ
Jesus, whom God..." Whom? Now, again, it gets back to the
person of Christ, the person and work of Christ, the person
and sacrifice of Christ, "...whom God set forth for ordained."
to be the sacrifice for our sin, to be a propitiation through
faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission
of sins that are passed through the forbearance of God, to declare,
I say at this time, His righteousness, that He might be just and the
justifier of them which look to the Lord Jesus Christ. How can He be a just God and
a Savior? Only in Christ. I want you to
find another scripture, and this comes by revelation, Romans 16,
verse 25, Romans 16, verse 25. Now to him, now to him that is
of power to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching
of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery. which was kept secret since the
world began, but now is made manifest, revealed, and by the
Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting
God, made known unto all nations for the obedience of faith, to
the only wise God, be glory through Jesus Christ forever, forever. Amen. He hath made known unto
us the mystery of His will, all according to His sovereign purpose,
having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according
to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Himself." Now, this
purpose is an eternal purpose. Find Ephesians chapter 3, Ephesians
chapter 3, look at verse 7, notice verse 7. whereof I was made a
minister, Ephesians 3, 7, according to the gift of grace given unto
me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less
than the least of all the saints, is this grace given, that I should
preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
to make all men see what is the fellowship of this mystery. which
from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created
all things by Christ Jesus, to the intent that now unto the
principalities and power in heavenly places might be known by the
church the manifold wisdom of God according to the eternal
purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Now back
to the text, verse 9. known unto us the glory of His
redemptive will, seeing salvation accomplished and completed by
Christ and in Christ Jesus, all according to His good purpose. Both with respect to the persons
to whom it is made known, His sovereign purpose, with respect
to the time when He makes it known, both these are as He pleases
and as He has purposed in Himself. The gospel is sent when, where
He has determined, and within Himself where it shall go. The
persons who are called are all according to His purpose and
grace. You see so clearly the sovereignty
of God in salvation. He'll have mercy on whom He will
have mercy. Now, look at verse 10 in our
text. Verse 10, that, that, in the
fullness of time." That word, dispensation, has to do with
stewardship. I believe that word's rendered
that way in other places. But he's saying this, "...in
the fullness of the times appointed by God." The times appointed
by God, the fullness of times. He might gather together. He
might gather together in one all things in Christ. both which
are in heaven, and which are in the earth, even, even in him."
Now, you can't get away, in this text, this whole chapter emphasizes
the importance of in whom. It emphasizes, as the gospel
does itself, salvation is in this person, the Lord Jesus Christ. In the fullest of times appointed
by God, He will, as the Good and Great Shepherd, gather together
all things done to Himself, for His glory. This includes all
elect angels and all elect sinners. It says there, in heaven and
earth, which are in Him, elect angels and elect sinners, will
all be brought together in one in Christ Jesus. Now, Ephesians chapter 1, look
at verse 21. The Lord Jesus Been raised from
the dead, it says in verse 20, God set him at his own right
hand in heavenly places, far above all principality and power
and might and dominion. And every name that is named,
not only in this world, but also in that which is to come, and
hath put all things under his rule, under his dominion, gave
him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body,
the fullness of him that filleth all in all, that in the fullness
of time he might gather together in one all things in Christ Jesus."
Now he is a good shepherd. Our sin brought, what did it
bring? Our sin brought separation. Our
sin has separated us from God. Our Savior brought in everlasting
righteousness and Reconciliation so here's what we have in Adam
all died in Adam all sin and Adam we have a great separation
from God in the Lord Jesus Christ and through his Righteousness
that he brought out for us through his glorious redeeming blood
we have what? reconciliation Gathered together
one in Christ Jesus. That's what he's saying here
our great and good shepherd We have peace with God God was in
Christ Reconciling us unto himself. We have peace with God through
his blood all things Turn to Colossians chapter 1 and notice
this Colossians chapter 1 verse 19 For it pleased the father
it pleased the father that in that in him should all fullness
dwell, Colossians 119, having made peace through the blood
of his cross by him to reconcile all things unto himself. By him,
I say, whether they be things in earth or in heaven, I said,
elect angels and elect men. And you that were sometimes alienated,
enemies in your mind, by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled."
Gathers together in one, all things in Him. "...in the body
of His flesh, through death, to present you holy, unblameable,
unreprovable in His sight." And we do continue in the faith. We do continue in the faith.
Gathered together. I want you to stay with that
phrase and find Isaiah 40. We're gathered together in one
in Christ Jesus. Isaiah 40. Look at verse 9. Isaiah 40, verse
9. Oh, Zion, that bringeth good
tidings. Get thee up into a high mountain.
Isaiah 49. 40, verse 9. Oh, Jerusalem, that
bringeth good tidings. Lift up thy voice with strength.
Lift it up, be not afraid. Say unto the cities of Judah,
Behold your God. Now watch it. Behold your God
will come with a strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him.
Behold, his reward is with him and his work before him. He shall
feed his flock like a shepherd. He's a good shepherd, the great
shepherd, the chief shepherd. He shall gather the lambs with
his arm. That's his power. And shall carry
them in his bosom, that's his love, and shall gently lead those,
like our great shepherd, lead those that are with young. Now,
turn to Isaiah 43. He shall gather together in one
all things in Christ. Our Lord said, of all that you've
given me I've lost nothing, but shall raise it up again at the
last day. Isaiah 43. 4. Since thou wast precious in my
sight, thou hast been honorable. I have loved thee, therefore
will I give men for thee and people for thy life. Fear not,
I am with thee. I'll bring thy seed from the
east, gather thee from the west. I'll say to the north, give up.
To the south, keep not back. Bring my sons from far, my daughters
from the ends of the earth. Everyone that is called by my
name for I have created him for my glory. I have formed him Yea,
I have made him he will gather his people together in one Now
back to the text Gather together in one all things
in Christ both which are in heaven and and which are on the earth,
even, even, even in him, in him. Now look at verse 11. In whom? In whom? Also we have obtained an inheritance. We have an eternal inheritance
being predestinated to sonship, being predestinated to adoption.
We have an inheritance. according to the purpose of him
who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will."
That's the third time he said this. He works all things after
the counsel of his own sovereign purpose and will. Not only is
this true, predestinated to sonship, not only chosen in Christ, redeemed
and enlightened and gathered, but also predestinated to obtain
this eternal inheritance in Christ Jesus. in whom we have this eternal
inheritance and all things according to his sovereign will and eternal
purpose." His eternal purpose. Now, our inheritance in Christ
Jesus, this inheritance that we have in Christ Jesus, find
1 Peter. 1 Peter. You know, an inheritance is something
that's earned by someone else and then freely given to you. Your parents, when they're getting ready maybe
to, in their later years in their life, and really it's good to
do this in the early part of your life, to write out a last
will and testament, designating your inheritance to certain son,
certain daughter, whatever. And that's a good thing to do,
but the inheritance that the son or daughter receives It's
not because they've earned it, it's because mom and dad has
worked hard and saved and earned it and has freely given it to
their children. And that's what God does for
us. Our inheritance comes at the obedience and sacrifice of
the Lord Jesus Christ. We didn't earn it, He earned
it and He gives it to His family, His adopted sons. So we read
in 1 Peter chapter 1 about this inheritance Verse 3, Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according
to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again to a living hope by
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance,
to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, that fades not away,
that's reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power
of God. through faith unto salvation,
ready to be revealed, revealed again in the last day." In the
last day. Our inheritance in Christ is
certain and sure. And you know what our inheritance
is? It's Him. It's Him. You know, a lot of
people make a big deal about mansions and, you know, they
talk about streets of gold. You know streets of gold, not
in the Bible? It's streets. It's singular. Look it up. It's
street. Christ is glory. He is glory
for me. And our inheritance is Christ.
Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ Jesus. He's made
us heirs of God. Find Colossians chapter 1 again.
Look at verse 12. Colossians 1 verse 12. Our inheritance
is earned and merited by Christ and freely given to us. He that
spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall
He not with Him also freely give us all things? Now, Colossians
chapter 1, look at verse 12. Giving thanks unto the Father
who hath made us meet. That word there is fit. To be
partakers of the inheritance of the saints in Christ. Light. He is light, isn't He?
who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated
us into the kingdom of God's dear Son, in whom we have redemption
through His blood and the forgiveness of sins, who is the image of
the invisible God." Now, look at verse 11 again. "...in whom
also we have obtained an inheritance." We've obtained it. We didn't
earn it. We didn't earn it. He did. It's freely given to
us, an inheritance. being predestinated according
to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel
of His own will. Now, we receive not the spirit
of the world, but the spirit which is of God, that we might
know the things that are freely given to us of God. God said,
I love them freely in the book of Hosea. I love them freely. It's free salvation. It's free mercy, free grace.
Sovereign grace. Now, look at verse 12 in closing. That, it all works to this one
glorious end. That, we should be, we should
be to the praise of His glory. We have trusted Christ, who first
trusted Christ. We have trusted Him. And notice
the word there, trusted, in verse 12, the center reference
there, hope. Our hope is in Christ. We have
an everlasting consolation and a good hope through grace. Christ,
He is our hope, all of it. All that our great and sovereign
Lord does in saving His people is to the praise of His glory.
It says this three times in this first chapter. You notice verse
6? Ephesians 1, to the praise of the glory of His grace. Again
in verse 14, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the
redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of His glory.
And then again in verse 12, that we should be to the praise of
His glory who hopes for all mercy and all salvation in the Lord
Jesus Christ. The grand design of redemption
And the grand design of God's salvation and the grand design
of our inheritance is to the praise of His glory. Now notice if you will, Ephesians
chapter 2 verse 7. It's all about His glory. That in the ages to come He might
show the exceeding riches of His grace toward us through Christ
Jesus, that He might show the exceeding riches of His grace. Throughout eternity, the song
of glory is, worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive all
honor, glory, blessing, and power, both now and forever. Unto Him who loved us and washed
us from our sin in His own blood, to Him be all the honor and glory
He's made us kings and priests under our God. To Him be glory
and dominion forever and ever." You see what he's saying there?
That we should be to the praise of His glory. And we have looked
to Christ. We first trusted the Lord Jesus
Christ. We have trusted Him. Even those
early believers hoped in one person, Christ. They looked by
faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. Seeing we are surrounded by so
great a cloud of witnesses, you remember that message from Hebrews
12, 1 and 2. Abel, what was Abel's hope? By faith, Abel offered unto God
a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Abel's hope was Christ,
Christ in him crucified. How about Job? Some say that
Job lived before Abraham did. Could be. Job 19.25, what was
Job's hope? Job's hope said, I know. Job
said this in Job 19.25, I know that my Redeemer liveth. My Redeemer
lives. Abraham. Abraham's hope was Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ. John 8.56, Our Lord said, Your
father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it. Oh, he was
glad. He was glad. Our Lord even said
of Moses, Moses, John, in chapter 5 of John, he said this in verse
46, Had you believed Moses, you would have believed me. He wrote
about me. The book of Genesis, Exodus,
Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Numbers, all about The Lord Jesus Christ. It's all about Him. That tabernacle,
those sacrifices, those lambs, that priesthood, it's all about
Christ. Even those early believers, they
trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for all their salvation. And
it's all to the praise of His glory. I remember reading a book
years ago. If you can get a copy of it,
it's worth reading. A book by Jonathan Edwards. Jonathan Edwards was probably
the theologian in this country back in the early 1730, 1740,
1750. One time he was president of Princeton University. And
he wrote a book called The History of Redemption. The History of
Redemption. And I remember this statement.
I read this book 20 years ago. But I remember this statement
about it. He said, the grand design and redemption is the
glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's the sum of it. And that's
the truth. And he is right. To the praise
of the glory of His grace.