"Forgiveness and Abundance"
Ephesians 1:7-12
February 24, 2008
by C.W. Powell
Ephesians 1:7-12- “7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness 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: 11 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: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” (Eph 1:7-12 av)
Just as in rock climbing or mountain climbing, there are times when the foot needs a secure hold so that with great effort a new standing place can be achieved; so at other times it is enough to find a spot where only a moment’s touch is necessary, only a light push is necessary. So it is in great profound passages in the word of God: there are solid and secure standing places; there are others that seem more fragile, but solid enough to enable us to move to other places as we ascend the great mountain of our faith, always secure in our assurance that it is God that works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
I would like to emphasize three very solid standing places in this great passage. There are more than that, but I cannot preach everything that is here, and choose these because they are so foundational as to the understanding of this passage.
The three things are these:
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1. God has made known to us the mystery of His will. Vs. vs. 9.
2. God’s will is that all things be gathered together in one in Christ. Vs. 10
3. God’s will is that those redeemed by His blood trust in Christ and have an inheritance for the praise of His glory.
I. God has made known what before was a mystery, or unknown. Just as the election was according to the “good pleasure of His will—verse 5—so the calling of the Gentiles of which the Ephesians was a part of that good pleasure. Why the Ephesians and not the inhabitants of Scotland in that first century; why not those living in South America at that time? Why so many centuries after the creation of the world were the Ephesians called??—is according to His “good pleasure” –vs 8.
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A. It is God’s will to appoint some to eternal life, and it is God’s will that they be called at the time chosen by him.
B. This is the meaning of the phrase “dispensation of the fullness of time.” [Calvin interprets it: “a fit and proper season. We might call it the “right time.” A similar idea is in Galatians 4, where the time that a son receives an inheritance is the time appointed of the father—this is called the fullness of time. ] It will be according to God’s own time-table. Things happen according to God’s clock, not yours and mine. We have three-score years and ten, and sometimes by God’s grace he gives us a few more, sometimes a few less—so we get impatient. Some of the promises of God take many many years or centuries to come to pass, but they always do.
C. It is wisdom to know the times for things—in your own life, in your family, in the church, in work and play. Ecclesiastes says to every purpose under the sun there is a time and a place. Events have their own time and place, and this is the appointment of God.
D. 1Ch 12:32 And of the children of Issachar, [which were men] that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; It is wisdom to know the times and places, and this comes from God. Three questions are always most critical: Is it right; is this the time; is this the place?
E. Pr 27:14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.” “Weep with those who weep; rejoice with those who rejoice.”
F. So also, those called to work for the Master, are called in his own time, some in the morning, some at midday, some late in the evening. People come to Christ at all periods of life.
G. Time, of course, is not the only consideration, and it is not for us to know every time and every place, which God keeps to his own pleasure, so it is not an excuse to us to plead the times as if all things were known to us. We are not to tell our neighbor who asks for help, to go and come another time, when we have the ability to help him then.
H. There are many facets to this doctrine, and saying “it’s not the time,” can be an excuse not to do anything.
I. So this truth is no lobnger a mystery: God works according to His own time, according to His own good pleasure. As the writer of Hebrews says: “Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.” (Heb 2:8 av) “Yet” is a time word. It will happen and will happen, but not everything yet.
J. The immature want it all now; God says, not yet.
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A. All things of creation including angels and men will be united together in one. Let us look closely at Hebrews 12:18-24
18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb 12:18-29 av)
B. This unity is in Christ alone. “which are written in heaven” in the decree and purpose of God. You and I are to be united to the church now, and it is our duty to find that church and to love her and support her and love her officers and support her officers, as Paul is going to tell the Ephesians. We are to forsake the false church—which can also be known—and cleave to the true church, despised and afflicted though she be.
C. “gathered together” to place under headings. To systematize. Opposed to chaos. Get it organized. First things first; second things second; etc.
1. Jesus gathers his sheep into flocks, and places them under the shepherds of His choice. Two serious mistakes that Christians make: submit to false shepherds; refuse submission to God’s shepherds. As we read in “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” (Heb 13:7 av)
2. The teachings of the Bible are to be organized and placed under headings. This is systematic theology: those who resist this are enemies of the order that God has commanded. There is order in the world, damaged though it be; and there is order in theology, damaged though it be in our minds by our sins and folly.
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A. Everything flows from the cross of Christ. It is God’s will that Christ should suffer and that all the elect believe in Him alone for salvation.
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“38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (Joh 6:38-40 av)
“22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.” (Ac 26:22-23 av)
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” (1Pe 3:18 av)
B. This is the reason that Paul says that we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.
C. It is in this gospel of the cross of Christ that all wisdom and prudence lives in abundance. Please note:
“18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1Co 1:18-25 av)
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1Co 2:14 av)
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” (1Co 3:19 av)
D. Wisdom and Prudence to us has ABOUNDED. Runs over. Beyond measure. God has not been stingy to us and we are not to be stingy to others. IN love in forgiveness in grace in peace in joy in thankfulness. DO NOT SET AT NOUGHT THE GOSPEL, as if there is more to be found elsewhere. All things are in Christ and if you have Christ you have everything. Don’t fix your eyes somewhere else, but look to Him for all things: all things of wisdom and prudence. Wisdom: Sophia: This is the true sophistication; the true discrimination and true philosophy. If you love wisdom and are the true philosopher, come to the cross of Christ, for there is all wisdom there.
E. Prudence: The sameness of mind. The foundation of unity in Chrst, as we saw in our study of Philippians 2. The mind of Christ is true prudence. We are joined to His party, not republican or democrat or this faction or that faction, for Christ is not divided. If you want to know what prudence is, see it displayed in Jesus Christ.-
“1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Php 2:1-11 av)
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“38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (Joh 6:38-40 av)
With this I close. May God bless you.
Amen and Amen.