The Riches of Our Inheritance: A Sermon on Ephesians 1
Brothers and sisters, let us turn our hearts and minds to the glorious opening chapter of Ephesians, a letter brimming with the profound truths of our salvation and our place in God’s eternal plan. Ephesians 1 is a symphony of praise, a testament to the immeasurable grace of God, and a roadmap for our spiritual journey.
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1. Authorship and Apostolic Greeting (Ephesians 1:1-2):
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, addresses this letter to the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus. Right from the start, we are reminded of the divine origin of the message. This isn't Paul's opinion or a human philosophy; it's a revelation from God, delivered by His chosen apostle. And the greeting, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” sets the tone for the entire epistle—a message of unmerited favor and divine tranquility.
2. Spiritual Blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3):
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” This is the foundation of our faith. Not some blessings, but every spiritual blessing. Not earthly trinkets, but blessings in the heavenly places. This is a declaration of abundance, a testament to the overflowing generosity of God.
3. Election and Predestination to Salvation (Ephesians 1:4-5):
Before the foundation of the world, God chose us in Christ. He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. This is a profound truth, not to be debated with fear, but received with awe. It speaks of God’s sovereign grace, His loving initiative in our salvation. We are not saved by chance, but by God’s deliberate and loving plan.
4. Redemption by the Blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7):
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” Our redemption, our release from sin’s bondage, is purchased by the precious blood of Jesus. It is not our merit, but His sacrifice that secures our forgiveness. This is the heart of the gospel—grace poured out through the atoning work of Christ.
5. The Mystery of God’s Will Revealed (Ephesians 1:9-10):
God has made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth. This is the grand narrative of redemption, the cosmic plan to reconcile all creation to God through Christ. We are part of this incredible story, participants in God’s unfolding purpose.
6. The Inheritance of the Saints in Christ (Ephesians 1:11):
“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.” We are heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ. Our inheritance is not a future hope alone; it is a present reality, a spiritual treasure that cannot be taken away.
7. The Seal of the Holy Spirit as a Guarantee of Salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14):
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” The Holy Spirit is the seal of our salvation, the down payment, the guarantee of our eternal inheritance. He is the presence of God within us, assuring us of our belonging to Him.
8. Paul’s Prayer for Believers (Ephesians 1:16-17):
Paul prays that the believers in Ephesus would receive “a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” He prays for spiritual understanding, for enlightened hearts, for a deeper grasp of our hope and inheritance. This is a prayer we should echo today.
9. Resurrection Power at Work in Believers (Ephesians 1:19-20):
Paul speaks of “the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.” The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us! This is not a passive faith; it’s a dynamic, transformative power that empowers us to live for Christ.
10. The Exaltation of Christ Above All Things (Ephesians 1:22-23):
“And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” Jesus is supreme! He is Lord of all creation, and He is the head of the church, His body. We are united with Him, part of His glorious plan to fill all things with His presence.
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Conclusion
Brothers and sisters, Ephesians 1 is a revelation of God’s immeasurable grace, His eternal plan, and our glorious inheritance in Christ. Let us meditate on these truths, let them transform our hearts, and let us live as those who are truly blessed, redeemed, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Amen.
