Redeemed By His Blood (Ephesians 1:7-10)
In Matthew 6, Jesus said not to lay up treasures for yourself on earth. Those treasures can be destroyed quickly. They never last. But Jesus also said to lay up treasures in heaven. What would that look like? Can you imagine that? Ephesians 1 is like walking into the treasure room and looking around. We can sense Paul diving into the gold and screaming, "We're rich!" There is enough here for all of us to be supplied for eternity. That is the beauty of Ephesians. When we enter into Christ, we enter into the storehouses of God's wealth and God's love.
In Ephesians 1:3, he says that God has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing. Then, in verses 4-6, he says that God chose us to be in Christ and receive all of the blessings of sonship. He decided long ago to adopt the humble who believe in Jesus into his family. This is a mind-blowing idea for us to meditate on and think about continually. What does it mean to be an adopted child of God? It means a lot of things. Paul explains what this means as we study this text further.
Five Blessings
Ephesians 1:5--10 (ESV) --- 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Ephesians 1 is like Paul taking inventory of all the treasures we share in Christ. In the last section, we talked about the past aspects of this blessing. God has planned this from the very beginning. Tonight we will focus on five words mentioned in this section: Redemption, Forgiveness, Grace, which he lavished upon us, mystery, and plan. These five ideas are what we will zone in on as we think about his blessings of salvation. These are all blessings that are currently ours.
Redemption From Slavery
The first idea is that we have "redemption through his blood." We are going to spend a little time on this because it is so important and so vague to many of us. What does that mean? We don't typically use this word today. There was a time when companies would redeem stamps, coupons, or coke bottles. That seems to happen less and less. We seem to care less and less about that because the payoff is so small. Redemption is the idea of buying something back. Here are a couple of passages that show God redeeming Israel in the Old Testament.
Deuteronomy 7:6--9 (ESV) --- 6 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,
Notice that this image has been used for a long time. In the Old Testament, redemption is the way God describes saving Israel from Egyptian slavery. There is one more example for us to consider. God again saves Israel from Babylonian captivity.
Isaiah 43:1--8, 14 (ESV) --- 1 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. 4 Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. 5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. 6 I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” 8 Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears!
14 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I send to Babylon and bring them all down as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice. 15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.”
In this text, God has again planned to redeem Israel. But this time, you get the picture that God is trading people for Israel to return. That is, in a sense, the picture of redemption. A price is paid on their behalf so that they can be set free from the slavery they have entered into. God says he wants to trade people for his people so that they can be set free.
But God does not come to save us from a literal captivity to a foreign nation. These two pictures, slavery in Egypt and Babylon, are supposed to help us understand our slavery to sin. Jesus helps us understand that in John 8.
John 8:31--47 (ESV) --- 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” 39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father---even God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
The words from Jesus in this conversation show the slavery that we all enter into. These Jews couldn't see it. They thought they were free men and women. They thought they had no one and nothing pulling their strings, but they were wrong. Satan was pulling their strings. He was the one deciding how they ought to live their lives. Jesus says that all who listen to Satan's temptations and reject the word of God are enslaved to sin. But Jesus has come to set men free from slavery. Now, let's look at one more text that clears up this redemption idea from slavery to sin.
Romans 7:14--24 (ESV) --- 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Romans 7 gives us a complete picture of the enslavement we are under. We know the right things to do, but we often find that we aren't doing the right things. We know the wrong things to avoid, but we often find that we have been doing the wrong things. Beloved, that is slavery. When we are forced to do what is against our desires, we are enslaved. Don't you wish there was a way for us to be set free from our slavery to sin? Don't you wish we could get away from the slave driver who is always pulling us in?
Romans 7:25--8:8 (ESV) --- 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 7-8 tells us that God has set us free from sin and death. Does that mean that we are entirely sinless now? Of course not! We are putting off the deeds of the flesh. We are setting our minds on the things of the spirit. We are living a repentant life. That doesn't mean we are perfect, but we are free from the condemnation we deserve.
Romans 8:13--15 (ESV) --- 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Paul is writing about our redemption and adoption in this text. We are letting the word of God be our guide for life. We are putting to death the deeds of the body. We are living as sons and daughters of God. Everything we do is based on the relationship we have with him.
God has purchased us from our slavery to be his children. He has removed the yoke of guilt and given us freedom.
Galatians 5:1 (ESV) --- 1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
I love this idea. Christ has set us free. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness. He has paid all our debts and cleared us of the punishment we deserve.
How did he do this? Many people are confused about this question. Some say that he put our punishment on Jesus. I want to point out that idea is not scriptural. God did not give Jesus eternal separation from God, which is what we deserve. God allowed Jesus to experience death on our behalf, but he did not pour out his wrath on Jesus. Please don't think of God as unable to forgive without venting his anger. Ephesians 1:7 tells us that he purchased us through the blood of Jesus. God gave Jesus over to us to bear our wrath and sins. He lived perfectly and poured out the most precious thing the earth has ever seen. Listen to the way Peter puts it.
1 Peter 1:17--19 (ESV) --- 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
Jesus' blood is more precious than any amount of silver or gold. It is more valuable than anything on earth. He likens it to a lamb without spot or blemish. It's like a pure and precious lamb. The blood of Jesus is so valuable that he can offer it one time for all the sins of mankind forever. All who receive that payment for their sins, that sacrificial blood, will be set free from slavery to sin.
Now we have moved from being slaves to sin to sons of God.
Forgiveness
The second word I want us to look at is forgiveness. Once we understand redemption, forgiveness makes much more sense. God paid the ultimate price for us to be redeemed from the slavery of sin. This idea of redemption carries with it the idea of forgiveness. Notice in Ephesians 1:7 that the two are synonymous. God didn't buy us from slavery to hold our sins against us and make us slaves again. He bought us to forgive us of our sins and make us what he has always wanted us to be.
We remember the story of the prodigal son. The son takes his inheritance and squanders it. Then, he decides to return to his father so that his father can make him a slave. But the father kills the fattened calf and welcomes his son home. This is what God does for us. He doesn't care about the sin. He pays for the sin to be removed so he can enjoy a relationship with his son. The son might be tempted to dwell on his sin, but the father wants a son who has learned from his mistakes and humbled himself to serve the father out of love. He just wants a son!
According To The Riches of His Grace
How much does God have to give? Verse 7 continues to say that his forgiveness is in accordance to the riches of his grace. Think about that for a minute. The amount of forgiveness God has to offer is as deep as the riches of his grace. How much grace is in God's heart? Where does it end? God has more grace to offer than we could ever imagine. If this was wealth, we couldn't go to him enough to spend all that he has. His supply is endlessly deep. Notice that he is not stingy. He doesn't only give us enough forgiveness to last us a few minutes. He lavishes it on us. When my mother-in-law makes Salisbury steak, my favorite meal by the way, I don't want a little gravy. I want to smother my steak with gravy. I want it all over my steak, potatoes, peas, and everything else. I want as much as will fit on my plate. When we go to God requesting his forgiveness, he loads us down with it. He lavishes it and fills our plate with more love and forgiveness than we need. It is essential to realize that the blood of Christ is so valuable that it never runs out. God gives us all that we would ever need in that one sacrifice.
Mystery
The latter half of verse 8 says that God "lavished his grace upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose." Before he created the world, God's purpose and plan was to reveal his graciousness and kindness toward mankind. He knew that we would go astray and sell ourselves into slavery. He knew that we would rebel against him. But he also knew that he would adopt some of mankind and shower them with love.
No one knew that throughout the Old Testament. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Israel, and the prophets were given a mystery. They weren't able to understand what God had in store for their descendants. In His wisdom, God knew that mankind needed time to see their sin and appreciate God's redemption from slavery. So, we have the mystery fully revealed to us.
The Plan
God set this mysterious plan forth in Christ. He is at the very center of God's plan. He is the key to it all. God decided to show himself through a man who perfectly represents God.
Hebrews 1:1--3 (ESV) --- 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Colossians 1:15--23 (ESV) --- 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities---all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God. He is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies and the one who reconciles us to God. Notice that Paul says it "the fullness of time" Jesus united "all things... things in heaven and things on earth." Jesus reconciled us to God. He reconciled us to one another. We have unity and harmony because of Jesus.
What does this mean? It means that we can abide in God, and he can abide in us. It means that we are joined to one another and joined to God in Christ. The example of Christ is for us to follow together. We are here for that purpose so that we might be to the praise of God's glory. I don't care if you are farther along than I am. I just want us both to be as close to the image of Christ as possible. This was God's plan from the beginning. He made us "in his image," and he wants us to be reborn so that we can become his image bearers once again. He wants us to be holy and blameless before him, and with his forgiveness, it is possible.
What is the Message?
Do we feel the excitement of this message and the humility this creates? All of this information about salvation shows us that I am not saved because of what I can do for God. I am saved because of what God has done for me. He has paid the price I cannot pay. God does what I can't do by offering Jesus' blood on my behalf. I become a part of Jesus' body. Jesus does not become a part of my body. It is not my church or your church. It is Christ's church. We are his children. He is not our child. He is our Father, and he loves us.
It is a beautiful thing to understand the riches of these blessings. Our record of sin is nailed to the cross. His blood pays for every sin. Forgiveness is available in abundance. God's will for you is to receive His grace and be transformed by it. He wants us all to enter into Christ and become image bearers for his glory.
Application
There may be some who are trying to redeem themselves. They try to do enough righteous works or stop sinning to be good enough for God to save them. That's not how it works. We receive forgiveness of sins when we humbly ask for God's redemption. The blood of Christ can cover our sins. God can add us to his family, and his grace will overflow toward us who believe.
We can be united with God and set free from our slavery to sin. We can put to death the sins that linger and trust in God's redemption for those that we struggle with. If we want to apply this text to ourselves, we need to make Christ everything to us. He has paid the price for us to be forgiven. He has given us a continual hope of heaven after this life.
What would that look like? We should always be evaluating what we do and asking, "Will this glorify God?" If the answer is no, we need to let it go. Our love for God's glory must be so strong that we let okay things go so that we can do more for him. Faithfulness is not about coming to church. It is about being a working part of the body of Christ and glorifying God with our lives.
Conclusion
Is that your heart? Do you understand what God has done for you? Do you want to make Christ the center of your life? Let us help you with that.