Ephesians 1:7-10
Introduction
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.—Ephesians 1:7-10
Welcome to Week 3 of our study through Ephesians! This week, we see the extravagant love of God on full display. Marilynne Robinson wrote, “I experience religious dread whenever I find myself thinking that I know the limits of God’s grace since I am utterly certain it exceeds any imagination a human being might have of it. God does, after all, so love the world.” Today, we are learning about redemption and the great price with which God bought us out of slavery.
Our English word “lavish” comes from the Old French “lavache,” which means “a deluge of rain.” When we lavish someone with gifts or serve a lavish spread of food, it means we have drenched or flooded them with it and overdone it!
Have you ever been lavished with attention or gifts? What was that like, and how did it make you feel? Likewise, have you ever lavished someone else with something? What was it, and why did you do it?
Welcome to Week 3 of our study through Ephesians! This week, we see the extravagant love of God on full display. Marilynne Robinson wrote, “I experience religious dread whenever I find myself thinking that I know the limits of God’s grace since I am utterly certain it exceeds any imagination a human being might have of it. God does, after all, so love the world.” Today, we are learning about redemption and the great price with which God bought us out of slavery.
Our English word “lavish” comes from the Old French “lavache,” which means “a deluge of rain.” When we lavish someone with gifts or serve a lavish spread of food, it means we have drenched or flooded them with it and overdone it!
Have you ever been lavished with attention or gifts? What was that like, and how did it make you feel? Likewise, have you ever lavished someone else with something? What was it, and why did you do it?
Discussion Questions
1. Share two of your most significant observations.
2. Share one application you plan to put into practice.
3. What does “redemption” mean? See 1:7, 1:14; Deuteronomy 7:8, Romans 3:23-25; Colossians 1:13-14.
4. How do verses 7-8 change how you think God views you?
5. In what way(s) was God’s will a mystery before the coming of Christ?
2. Share one application you plan to put into practice.
3. What does “redemption” mean? See 1:7, 1:14; Deuteronomy 7:8, Romans 3:23-25; Colossians 1:13-14.
4. How do verses 7-8 change how you think God views you?
5. In what way(s) was God’s will a mystery before the coming of Christ?
Dig Deeper: Redemption (ἀπολύτρωσις, “apolytrōsis”)
What are the limits of redemption?
Is redemption possible for everyone, no matter what they have done?
What is the relationship between redemption and justice?
The greatest act of redemption is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through Him, we can truly love God with all that we are and love our neighbor as ourselves. In John 8:34, Jesus says everyone who sins is a slave to sin, and redemption is language from the slave market. The Greek word used here, “apolytrōsis,” refers to the act of paying to free a slave. Of the ten times it occurs in the New Testament, seven are in Paul’s letters -three of which are in Ephesians. Paul’s readers understood the word to signify release from bondage through paying a price. The price paid is the “blood” of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Timothy 2:6; 1 Peter 1:18–19) - His sacrificial death. It is both present and future. We have been redeemed from the power and penalty and sin, and someday, we will be redeemed from the presence of sin. All our Christian faith is a blend of the now and the not yet of what we already possess in Christ and what we still await.
If you are not a member of a Small Group at Faith Bible and want to join one, complete our online form to get started.
ALSO - If you would like to lead a new Small Group, join us every second Sunday of the month at 10:30am in the Large Conference Room for Small Group Leader training.
Is redemption possible for everyone, no matter what they have done?
What is the relationship between redemption and justice?
The greatest act of redemption is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through Him, we can truly love God with all that we are and love our neighbor as ourselves. In John 8:34, Jesus says everyone who sins is a slave to sin, and redemption is language from the slave market. The Greek word used here, “apolytrōsis,” refers to the act of paying to free a slave. Of the ten times it occurs in the New Testament, seven are in Paul’s letters -three of which are in Ephesians. Paul’s readers understood the word to signify release from bondage through paying a price. The price paid is the “blood” of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Timothy 2:6; 1 Peter 1:18–19) - His sacrificial death. It is both present and future. We have been redeemed from the power and penalty and sin, and someday, we will be redeemed from the presence of sin. All our Christian faith is a blend of the now and the not yet of what we already possess in Christ and what we still await.
If you are not a member of a Small Group at Faith Bible and want to join one, complete our online form to get started.
ALSO - If you would like to lead a new Small Group, join us every second Sunday of the month at 10:30am in the Large Conference Room for Small Group Leader training.
Posted in Sermon Notes