Transcript
During this time in God’s Word together we’ll be looking at Ephesians 1:8-16.
The story is told about a small town that only has one church and no barbershop. So to stem the tide, the preacher pastors the little Bible church and during the week becomes the town barber.
In this little town lived a successful man who decided that he wanted to show off his wealth by getting a daily shave at the Pastor’s barbershop.
Now, when the preacher had to go out and visit the sick and shut-ins, his wife Grace picked up the shears and razoring responsibilities.
But it just so happened that Grace was holding fort when the successful man came in for his first shave and shave him she did. “How much do I owe you?” he asked Grace. “That’ll be twenty-five dollars.”
Even though it seemed a bit steep, the man paid up and left the shop feeling very successful. The next morning he woke up and rubbed his chin. And his face was as smooth as it was the day before.
The same thing happened the following morning and the next, too.
Perplexed, the successful man went back to the barber shop and asked how he kept his clean-shaven look.
This particular day the pastor was in, and his answer to the successful man’s question was, “Friend, you were shaved by Grace—and once shaved, always shaved.”
Well that’s the truth of the Bible: we are saved by grace and once saved, always saved. Having heard the Word of truth, the gospel of salvation, that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again, we are saved, and we are secure in Christ.
For whatever the reason, many don’t like the teaching of once saved, always saved. But it is the undeniable teaching of this passage of Scripture. And we should rejoice in it. Our eternal security is one of our spiritual blessings in Christ.
Ephesians 1:8-9 says, “Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made know unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself.”
God saves us by His grace, and His grace is lavished and abounded toward us in this. And His grace is also abounded “toward us” in giving us wisdom and prudence.
“Wisdom” speaks of knowledge and understanding concerning the things of God, His overall will, His Word, and His divine plans and purpose for the ages, the understanding of ultimate things such as life and death, God and man, eternity.
“Prudence” speaks of insight into this wisdom as far as its relevance to our lives, or a practical understanding leading to a right course of action for how we live.
And we can have wisdom and prudence concerning the things of God because God by His grace has made known unto us “the mystery of His will.”
The mystery of His will isn’t that God’s will is sometimes mysterious. It’s a clear, plain body of truth that God has fully revealed through the Apostle Paul.
The “mystery of His will” is the sacred secret, once hidden, but now made known and fully revealed and this revelation through Paul reveals God’s will and gives us the full picture of God’s plans and purposes for mankind and for the earth and for the heavens.
The “mystery of His will” gives us “wisdom” concerning the things of God and in our understanding of the Word of God.
It reveals what God is doing today, so that we can live in “prudence” giving us insight and practical understanding for how we should live, living in accordance with grace and the revelation of the Mystery, God’s truth for today.
God according to His grace has granted us understanding and insight into His master plan by making known unto the Body the mystery of His will.
And this mystery reveals that God has temporarily set aside Israel and reveals God’s purpose for the Church of today, the Body of Christ.
It reveals our heavenly hope and calling, and reveals Christ’s heavenly ministry today as the Head of the Body, which we see in the Book of Ephesians and all of Paul’s letters.
Not only are our great riches in Christ revealed to us in the book of Ephesians, but also the revelation of the mystery is revealed to us in all its fullness.
Paul states the “mystery” was not made known in other ages in 3:5, but that now it has been made known in 1:9, and how it was revealed by Christ to himself in 3:3.
And that now God desires all men to see and understand it in 3:9, and Paul prays for boldness to proclaim it in 6:19,20, and so we also should do the same.
God has revealed the mystery of His will to His Church in His Word “according to His good pleasure,” according to His kindness. It pleases Him to abound His grace toward us and reveal His eternal plans and purposes to us. It is one our spiritual blessings to see it and to know it. For those of us who’ve seen it, it definitely is a blessing.
Regarding God’s overall eternal plans and purposes, Ephesians 1:10 says,
“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.”
Verse 10 we find how God will sum up all things in Christ in the eternal state. The “mystery of His will” reveals God’s plan and purpose for heaven. The rest of God’s Word reveals God’s plans and purposes for the earth.
The distinction remains in eternity between those in heaven and those on earth, as Paul speaks of those who are reigning in heaven, the Body of Christ, and those reigning on the new earth, Israel, the prophetic saints.
Paul says that at the end, in the fullness of times, at the ultimate consummation, all will be summed up in Christ, Christ will be over all, Christ will be in all, all will be one in Him. God’s plan is wrapped up in Christ. But notice what is missing.
Paul says in Philippians 2:10: “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.”
Those under the earth are not mentioned in the eternal state. The unsaved of all ages have no place and are not included in God’s plans and purposes for eternity, and are forever removed from His presence. This should give us a burden for the lost.
Ephesians 1:11,12 reads, “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.”
In light of the fullness of times, the eternal state, Paul says that in Christ we, the Body, have obtained an inheritance, a heavenly inheritance, according to Christ’s predetermination and according to His purpose & will.
God predetermined that believers in the Body of Christ would rule and reign in Christ over the heavenlies for eternity.
As adopted sons, we are heirs and as heirs we have an inheritance in heaven. Reservations have been made for each of us, who have trusted Christ as Savior. These reservations will never be canceled because we are secure in Christ.
Our Lord in His earthly ministry said to Israel in His Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5). That’s Israel’s hope and what they inherit, whereas the Body of Christ inherits heaven, as it is our hope.
Through Paul, Christ in His heavenly ministry tells the Body of Christ, “Blessed is the Body, for we will inherit the heavenlies.”
For eternity, the Body of Christ will be “to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.” Christ will be glorified through us, His people, His Church, that have been purchased by His shed blood, who are holy and without blame because of Him.
He’s done such a glorious thing in us, in saving us and blessing us, giving us an inheritance, and it’s all cause for praise and glory going to Him.
Paul then says in Ephesians 1:13: “In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.”
Verse 13 tells us how a sinner becomes a saint: hearing the gospel and believing the gospel. That’s it. The gospel of salvation is the good news that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. By grace are we saved through faith.
The moment we trust Christ, the Holy Spirit baptizes, places us into Christ, into the Church the Body of Christ, and seals us there for eternity.
The Holy Spirit Himself is the seal. We are sealed in Christ by the power of God and nothing and no one is greater than God, so nothing can and nothing will ever break that seal. God keeps our soul and salvation secure by His power.
Just as in legal matters, a seal indicates ownership and authority, so it does in salvation. By God’s authority, the Spirit takes up residence, and we belong to God forever.
In Esther 8:8, King Ahasuerus told Esther and Mordecai this: “You yourselves write a decree concerning the Jews, as you please, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring; for whatever is written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring no one can revoke.”
In Esther’s day, when royal business was conducted and royal decrees were written, hot wax was placed on the document and they were then sealed or imprinted with the king’s signet ring. The King’s seal signified that no one could reverse his decree.
Likewise at salvation, when we trust Christ, the Spirit is our seal, and so our salvation and what is written in God’s Word about us being saved and belonging to God, no one can revoke. By the sealing of the Spirit, it tells us that our salvation is irrevocable.
God will not go back on His Word. When we are saved, we are sealed, we are God’s forever and nothing will ever change this fact. We are eternally secure in Christ.
During the first part of the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, no safety devices were used, and 23 men fell to their deaths.
For the last part of the project, however, a large net which cost $100,000 was employed and put up underneath the workers.
At least 10 men fell into it and were saved. But the interesting thing is, that 25% more work was accomplished when the men were assured of their safety.
We are assured of our safety in God’s Word. Knowing this should cause us to serve Him more, with confidence, not being concerned about our eternal destiny.
We should be motivated to do more for Him because of His grace, just resting and trusting in the truth of our eternal security.
Ephesians 1:14 further drives home our security: “Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.”
The Spirit is also “the earnest of our inheritance.”
Putting earnest money down is a down payment pledging and guaranteeing a purchase and completed transaction. So “Earnest” speaks of a down payment, a pledge, a guarantee.
The fact that every believer possesses the indwelling Spirit of God is “a pledge” that all God’s promises to the believer will be fulfilled.
The indwelling of the Spirit is the “down payment” of God’s future plans for us.
He is the “guarantee” that God will finish the transaction of our salvation and He will redeem the purchased possession of our bodies, and we will be glorified and receive a resurrected glorified body. The purpose of God is fixed and to guarantee it He gives us the Spirit as a pledge.
Our whole person is and will be redeemed, spirit, soul, and body. When God starts something, He brings it to its end and finishes it (Phil. 1:6).
The fact that you are the temple of the Holy Spirit, that every believer possesses the Holy Spirit, He is the pledge, He is the guarantee that you are glory bound.
The Holy Spirit is given to us to show that God is absolutely going bring us to glory and glorify our bodies, and forever we will be testimonies to His amazing grace and His faithfulness to His Word and His promises.
Our salvation will be complete at that point of the redemption of the purchased possession, when these physical bodies are the recipient of redemption and glorification at the Rapture. And all the Body of Christ will be in heaven forever.
As it’s been said, “We are signed, sealed, and we will be delivered!”
Max Lucado says this, “Many live with a deep-seated anxiety about eternity. They think they’re saved, but they still doubt, wondering, ‘Am I really saved?’ Christ promises us a new life that could not be forfeited or terminated.
“God stakes His claim on us. Bridges are burned, and the transfer is accomplished. Ups and downs may mark our days, but they will never ban us from His heaven. Christ bottom-lines our lives with His grace!”
Our eternal life and our eternal security are dependent on the power of God and the promise of God and the shed blood of the Son of God.
Eternal life is not based on feelings, but on facts, on God’s truth. Assurance comes from what has been written in the Word of God. And God’s Word shows we are secure in Christ.
Regarding our salvation, it’s been said, “God the Father thought it, God the Son bought it, the Word of God taught it, the mind caught it, faith brought it, God the Holy Spirit wrought it, the devil fought it, but I’ve got it.” We’ve got it for eternity.
For what the Spirit has done and does for us, Paul says in verse 14 that He is worthy of praise: “unto the praise of His glory.”
Ephesians 1:6 says, “To the praise of the glory of His grace.” That “His” is a praise to the Father. Ephesians 1:12 says, “That we should be to the praise of His glory.” That “His” is a praise to the Son. Ephesians 1:14 says, “unto the praise of His glory.” That “His” is praise to the Holy Spirit.
So Verse 6: Praise to the Father, Verse 12: Praise to the Son, Verse 14: Praise to the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is involved in our blessing in Christ.
Praise the Father for His plans and purposes for the Body of Christ from eternity past, for being holy and without blame before Him in love, for our adoption as full grown sons and being made accepted in His Son.
Praise the Son for our redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, for making known unto us the mystery of His will, and giving us our heavenly inheritance.
Praise the Holy Spirit for sealing us in Christ, for being our earnest, the guarantee of our glorification, the redemption of our bodies. Glory to the Triune God for His grace and all He has done for us.
Many years ago, a young princess was shielded from the fact that she would be the next ruling monarch of her country lest this knowledge would spoil her.
When she was finally made aware of this fact by a teacher when she was older, the young girl’s response was “Well, then I will be good.”
The knowledge of her position changed her outlook on living.
When we realize our glorious and blessed position in Christ, it should change our outlook on living as well, and to strive to do what’s right and to obey and please God who has given us a high position in Christ and blessed us richly in Him.
God’s grace and all He has done for us in Christ is what transforms our lives.
Paul goes on in Ephesians 1:15 and 16: “Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.”
Paul says here “Wherefore I also,” and this points back to what has already been said. It means “For this reason,” or “on this account,” or “Because of this also.”
In light of all these blessings that believers enjoy in Christ, on account of all that is true of you in verses 3-14, and because of their faith and love, Paul thanks God for the Ephesians and prays for them, and prays for further blessing for them in vv. 17-23.
Paul recognizes the Ephesians’ “faith in the Lord, and love unto all the saints” which he had heard of while in prison, whether by letter or from friends who visited him in prison.
This is how the Christian life is to be lived: with faith toward God and love toward all men. Paul speaks of the believers’ vertical relationship, “faith in the Lord Jesus,” and the believer’s horizontal relationship: “love unto all the saints.”
The “faith” Paul speaks of is our day by day faith, our daily trust in Him. We are saved by faith. And believers are to live by faith.
With confidence, we place our eternal destiny completely in His hands, that “salvation is of the Lord” and that He has the power to save, that He has done everything necessary to save us and we trust Him.
So as we place the salvation of our souls completely in His hands, we’re taught to place our daily lives completely in His hands. We to live trusting Him, keeping our eyes upon Him, trusting the One who is infinitely trustworthy.
As Proverbs 3:5,6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
“Trust” in Proverbs 3:5 in the Hebrew means “to rest one’s full weight, to put all of your weight on.” An example would be like when you go to bed tonight, you will lie down trusting that that bed will fully support your weight.
Kids run and jump into and on the bed, and then when you get older and you just fall and collapse into bed, but you don’t give it a second thought.
You don’t do it half-hearted, tentatively, wondering, fearing, questioning if the bed will hold you.
Tonight you won’t keep one foot on the floor and put one leg on the bed, and test it first, so that you can get up if the bed won’t support you. You’ll just turn, fall into, flop backwards, putting all of your weight on the bed, never doubting the bed will hold you.
When we put your trust in God, we are to do the same. We are to put all our weight on Him, trusting Him, “with all your heart.” We are to trust Him and not doubt, trusting His will, His direction, His plan, His wisdom, that He knows what is best.
This is the kind of faith in the Lord that the Ephesians were living by daily, and how God wants us to live as we trust Him and walk by faith.
Eugene Peterson states, “Christians travel the same ground that everyone else walks on, breathe the same air, drink the same water, shop in the same stores.
“They read the same newspapers, are citizens under the same government, pay the same prices for groceries and gasoline, fear the same dangers, are subject to the same pressures, get the same distresses, are buried in the same ground.
“The difference is that each step we walk, each breath we breathe, we know we are preserved by God, we know we are accompanied by God, we know we are ruled by God.” That’s living by faith.
The Ephesian church was demonstrating faith in God and demonstrating love unto all the saints. It’s been said that, “Love is the outgrowth of faith.”
As we live by faith, grow in Him and His Word and in His Person and character and we grow by faith in His love, God’s love which has been inworked by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5), is outworked in our lives.
The word “love” here is God’s love, “agape” love, it is God’s giving, sacrificial, selfless, active love. Indifference has no place in this love.
And this love by the Ephesians was demonstrated not to just certain saints, but “unto all the saints.”
It’s been rightly said, “Christian love is indiscriminate; it does not pick and choose which believers it will love. Christ loves all believers, and they are precious to Him. By definition, therefore, Christian love extends to all Christians.”
In Stockholm, Sweden, a woman was injured as she rushed to catch a streetcar. She stumbled in front of the moving car and was caught beneath it. The police sent for a crane to lift the car off her body.
While waiting for the crane a crowd of people gathered. One man pushed through the crowd, crawled beneath the car, and said to her, “Take my hand.”
As she took his hand she felt his presence and courage. This calmed her and prevented her from going into shock. After the crane arrived and the woman was released, she said, “I never thought an outstretched hand could mean so much.”
God has stretched out His hand to help us in our great need. In response to that hand and His love for us in rescuing us from our sins and hell, love should meet love. His love for us should be met by our love for Him in offering our lives for Him. We love Him because He first loved us, I John 4:19 says.
And we, in turn, should imitate God and also be willing to help others and offer our outstretched hand to them, and love others as God loves them.