EPHESIANS 1:11-23 – The Privileged Status of the Church
A Translation and sermon by Nate Wilson for Worship in the Park, Manhattan, KS 26 Aug 2007
10 … Christ …
11 . In whom also we were allotted,
being predestined
according to the purpose of the One who is working all things according to the counsel of His will,
12. Resulting in us (the ones having first hoped in the Christ) being into praise of His glory,
13 . In whom also you having heard the word of the truth - the good news of your salvation,
in whom also you having believed,
were sealed
in the Holy Spirit of the promise,
14. Who is a down-payment of the inheritance of us
into redemption of His possession
into praise of His glory.
15, Though this I also,
beginning to hear the faith according to y’all in the Lord Jesus and the love to all the saints,
16. I never stop giving thanks for you,
making a reminder upon my prayers
17. in order that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of the Glory may donate to you
a spirit of wisdom and
of revelation in knowledge of Him,
18. the eyes of your heart having been enlightened, resulting in [you] knowing:
what the hope of His call is,
what the wealth of the glory of His inheritance in the saints is,
19. and what the hyperbolic greatness of His power into us believers is,
according to the energy of the might of His strength,
20. which He worked in the Christ when
He raised out of the dead
and seated Him in His right hand in the heavens
21. above every ruler
and authority
and power
and lordship
and every name being named -
not only in this age
but also in the one which is about to be.
22. and everything He subordinated under His feet,
and to Him He gave headship
over everything in the church,
23. which is His body,
the fullness of the One who is filling all in all.
A)
Opening
Illustration:
Archie Roosevelt could pillow-fight with the President b/c he was the
President’s son
B) The privileged status of the church with God demonstrated by its names
1. His Possession (v.14)
a. Isa 43:1
2. His inheritance (v.18)
a. Isaiah 19:25
b. Jeremiah 12:7, 8, 9
c. Joel 3:2;
3. The saints (v.18)
4. Believers (v.19)
5. The church (εκκλησια “called out ones”) – v.22
6. His body (v.23)
7. The fullness (v.23) – this word can mean either
a. the container which is filled
i. Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col 1:27)
ii. be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18)
b. or that which fills the container
i. be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth (Gen 1:22)
ii. the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord (Hab. 2:14)
iii. bear much fruit (John 15:8)
iv. Gordon Clark “the church fills His hands… and His mind.” (John 10:28; Psalm 139:17)
C) The description of the privileged status:
1. v.18 – the Hope of His Call
a. Naming – Isa 43:1
b. Possession – Isa 43:7
c. Invitation – Matt 22:9
d. Destination – “upward call” Phil 3:19 – the basis of hope
2. Wealth and Glory in the saints
3. v.19 Access to unlimited Power
a. Transliteration “hyperbolic” – lit. “thrown over” hyperbolic curve, knocked out of the ballpark
b. Heap of synonyms for power in v.19
c. Greatest example of that power is in v.20-22
i. Christ raised from the dead
ii. Christ given authority over every form of power (Heb 1:3; Rom 8:38; Col. 1:16; Col 2:18; Eph 3:10; Eph. 6:12)
iii. Both in this age and the one to come
iv. This powerful person is our head!
D) How to get that privileged status
1. v.11 – Allotted/determined and predestined by God, (called v.18)
2. v.13 – Hear the word of the truth, the good news of your salvation
a. What is the good news of salvation? Jesus died on the cross to reconcile you to God!
3. v.12/13 – Believe/hope
a. Hearing is not enough
4. v.13 – Sealed in the Holy Spirit of the promise
a. Rom 4:11 – Abraham received circumcision as a seal of the righteousness of faith
b. John 3:33, 6:27 – Holy Spirit at Jesus’ baptism
c. Jesus promised the Spirits coming in John 14:26 and 15:26;
d. 1 Cor. 1:22 – apostles anointed and sealed with Holy Spirit
e. Eph 4:30 – you were sealed by Holy Spirit
f. Rev. 7 – servants of God sealed on their foreheads
E) What is next?
1. Grow in the knowledge of God His blessings (Paul’s prayer v.17-18)
a. 2 Pet. 1:3
b. Colossians 1
2. Praise His glory (The purpose for which you were put in this privileged position v.12 & 14)
a. Isa. 43: 7 & 21
F) Conclusion
1. If you have heard and believed
2. You have been sealed with the Holy Spirit
3. You have a special privileged status – hope, glory, power
4. So take advantage of your privileges:
a. March into the throne room of God in prayer
b. Dive into His word to grow in knowledge
c. Fulfill your destiny by praising Him!
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