You are United with Christ

Outline

Ephesians 1:1-14 - Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 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. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

3 benefits of our unity in Christ

What is unity in Christ?

Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

I. Our Eternal Salvation Is Secured

A. We are given a new identity in Him

B. We are spiritually blessed in Him

C. We are holy and blameless in Him

II. We are Part of the Family of God

A. We are adopted in Him

B. We are redeemed in Him

C. We are forgiven in Him

D. We are illumined in Him

E. We are full in Him

F. We are inheritors in Him

III. Our Position Is Sealed by the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 1:13-14 - In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

The importance of being united around one purpose for life.

The importance of being united on one team.

The importance of being united with Christ.

This morning, we’re continuing our annual series Building Upon our Heritage in light of our 60^th anniversary as a church

We certainly want to reflect on all the amazing things we have to be grateful for in our 60 year history of our church.

We want to think about the foundation that was laid through a commitment to following the teachings of the Word of God.

We want to remind ourselves of a commitment to the Gospel.

We want to remind ourselves of the ways that our identity in Christ must govern the ways that we live as individuals and the ways that we carry that out as a church.

To sum all of that up, we are thankful for the way we have been established as a church that holds to the sufficiency of Scripture while clinging to hope of the Gospel.

However, we want to ensure that we are not going to drift away from that truth and pursue a different gospel.

So we have started out in a study of the book of Ephesians. And so far we have discussed some important truths, such as,

You are a saint –

You are blessed –

You are adopted in Christ –

You are chosen in Christ –

You are blessed in Christ –

you are forgiven in Christ –

You are redeemed in Christ.

SO far our approach has been to look at a phrase in one or two of these verses in the first 14 verses of Ephesians.

However, today we are going to change our approach and look at a phrase that is repeated multiple times in Ephesians 1:1-14 to lead us to another understanding of the outworking of the Gospel in our life.

We’re going to be looking at our unity in Christ (You are United with Christ) and the implications that come with it

Remember the power of the preposition.

We are not talking about the being around Christ.

We are talking about being united with Christ.

WE ARE IN CHRIST>

I’d like us to read this passage together—it will be up on the PowerPoint in a minutes

As you read this passage, I want you to notice how many times the phrase in Christ shows up.

And I want you to start thinking about the implications of this to our theology.

Text

Ephesians 1:1-14 – Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.

In love ⁵ He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

⁷ 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.

In Him ¹¹ also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, ¹² to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

¹³ In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

If you were counting, there are 10 possible “in Him” phrases

Each bear their own implication, but we’ll boil them down to 3 benefits of our unity in Christ

To start things off, it may be good to begin with an understanding of…

What is unity in Christ?

What does it mean to have unity in Christ?

This phrase certainly shows up a lot in our passage, but what does it mean?

A passage that explains this well outside of our text for this morning is Gal 2:20

Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

crucified with Christ When a man finds and knows himself to be linked with Christ, his life is altogether a new life. Crucified, then dead. Crucified, then the old life is put away. Whatever life a crucified man has must be new life. Whatever you have of life was not given you till you came into union with Christ. It is a new thing—as new as though you had been actually dead and rotted in the tomb and then had started up at the sound of the trumpet to live again.^[1]

Expound on these thoughts a bit more.

What makes this union increasingly profound is when we consider how the Father views the Son

Think back on a time in Jesus’ ministry when the Father commented on His view of Jesus

During Christ’s baptism and transfiguration, God the Father makes His love and approval clear by stating things like: “this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased…” (c.f., Matt 17:5)

In commenting on this passage, Puritan Richard Sibbes says the following:

What a support to our faith is this, that God the Father, the party offended by our sins, is so well pleased with the work of redemption! And what a comfort is this, that, seeing God's love rests on Christ, as well pleased in him, we may gather that he is as well pleased with us, if we be in Christ! For his love rests in a whole Christ, in Christ mystical, as well as Christ natural [e.g., dual nature], because he loves him and us with one love. Let us, therefore, embrace Christ, and in him God's love, and build our faith safely on such a Savior that is furnished with so high a commission. – Sibbes, The Bruised Reed, 3.

So to put the matter plainly: our union with Christ is what allows each of the descriptive positions we’ve discussed in this early portion of Ephesians.

You are adopted

Forgiven

Chosen

Redeemed,

Etc.

We have effectively been included into Christ’s very person, allowing us to partake of every benefit He enjoys.

“No saving good, no eternal good, no God-exalting good, no soul-satisfying good comes to us except as we are connected to Christ.” – John Piper

Looking at some of those implications, the first benefit of our union in Christ is that…

I. Our Eternal Salvation is Secured

Our first three “in Him” passages can be covered under this umbrella

Looking down at your text, we see that

A. We are given a new identity in Him

This is seen in the very first verse (please look with me): to the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus

First, we see that we’re given a new title: saint

(*explain))

Next, we see our first instance of prepositional confusion

The Greek is quite clear, and it’s properly translated here: faithful IN Christ Jesus…

One might expect a different preposition here: faithful TO Christ Jesus… faithful OF Christ Jesus

But this is an identity passage, and a part of our unity with Christ

So what are the spiritual implications of our new identity in Jesus?

The first is obvious—each one of us creatures were created by our Creator with a need for a rested identity

Some place it in a group affiliation: political agreement, philosophical adherence, moral alignment, etc.

Others may place it in ethnicity or their family origins

Identity can be found in what you like, what you do (for work, enjoyment, or otherwise); it can be attached to status or accomplishments

The options are almost endless—the idea is: we place our identity somewhere

When identity is lost, it can be catastrophic

*e.g., Michael Jordan on life without basketball or a different example

What’s different about our identity in Christ?

(1) it’s where our identity was intended to rest and

This frees us to live out our intended purpose for life

(2) nothing can make it untrue

With Christ’s finished work on the cross our new identity is eternally sealed with Christ.

Nothing can remove that identity from us.

Expound on these more.

Another implication of our found identity in Jesus is quite simple: the search is over

I can rest because I do not need to find my identity in my job, looks, muscles, position, wealth, achievements, or any other empty source of identity.

When we’re in Christ, we don’t need to attach our identity to anything else: we’re precisely where we were created to be

As an extension of this new identity…

B. We are spiritually blessed in Him

Our passage goes on to outline this in the next portion

Verse two says God has “blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ”

Pastor Viars expounded on this point in January as well—with Christ come unimaginable blessings that we know in part now, but we’ll come to realize in-full once we’re finally with Him

But our unity in Christ adds another element to the discussion

And it might be a less popular point than our last one…

What do you and I deserve—if we were not “in Christ”?

Eternal death

One sin = full guilt

Guilt = condemned

Condemned = death

Complete hopelessness

And yet, what has Jesus, Himself, done for us? (*gospel)

He took our place.

His righteousness credited to us

Justified

Pardoned

Rewarded

Our only hope

What should this elicit in our hearts—regardless of circumstance?? (thanksgiving)

Even in my suffering I have this to be thankful for

In the best moments of life I have this truth to be thankful for.

When I am anxious, I have this truth to be thankful for.

1 Thess 5:18 – in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Have you ever asked someone how are you doing and they say,

I am blessed or

I am better than I deserve

Does this mean you never mourn or suffer?

Does it mean that you just fake your way through life?

It’s simply a standing disposition: I’m blessed in Christ

(develop a bit more) – any illustrations?

Part of that blessing is the fact that…

C. We are holy and blameless in Him

This one may seem a bit disjointed—our passage mentions that we are “chosen in Him” if you’re looking at verse 4

But there’s a purpose clause attached to this election: “that we would be holy and blameless before Him”

This is a present reality, as well as an unfolding expectation

(*reality (we are holy/blameless) | capacity (we are to be holy/blameless))

Paul sought to encourage believers by telling them of the grandeur of salvation, but he also wanted to challenge them to live in keeping with God’s grace. Life from God results in transformed life with God. This expectation of “holy and blameless” living flows from God’s choosing people and separating them to himself.^[2] – (Klyne Snodgrass, Ephesians, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996), 48.)

Already in the first few verses, we have identity, disposition, and now purpose!

I don’t think I need to convince us why purpose is essential

Much like identity, without purpose, despair tends to move in and take up residence where there’s vacancy…

The examples of this are endless: look at anyone who sees no purpose to their life and you’ll likely see the presence of despair

Are we beginning to see the sheer power of our union with Christ??

Brothers and sisters: we are called to be that which we are: holy and blameless

How does our purpose in our union with Christ affect our life?

Holiness in personal choices

Holiness in our marriages

Holiness in our parenting

Holiness in our entertaining

Holiness in our thinking.

And to reiterate the broader point of these first three union passages: this is a part of our security that we enjoy when we’re in Christ

None of us needs to EARN our identity, EARN our disposition, EARN our purpose—it was won for us by Jesus!

How freeing is that?

If left to determine by own identity, I would fail miserably.

If left to determine my own disposition for life, I would be rocked by every disappointment of life.

If left to determine my own purpose for life, I would be hopeless.

This leads us into the second wonderful benefit of our unity in Christ…

II. We are Part of the Family of God

Now that our position with Christ is set.

Now that our outlook on life is set in Christ

Now that our purpose is defined with Christ

We turn our attention to what this looks like for our unity with Christ as part of the family of God.

There are 6 ways our being in Christ affects our identification as part of the Family of God.

The first three implications of our union in Christ relating to our new family have been handled rather extensively in our time so far in Ephesians

So we will recap these quickly…

A. We are adopted in Him

This is our fourth “in Him” statement, and it spans vv 5-6

“He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:5–6, NASB95)

The larger context describes the mechanics of our adoption (look at the passage with me):

it’s love that initiated the process,

Jesus served as the agent and the payment,

God’s kindness informed His will,

His grace was put on display,

and v 6 brings it back to our union in Christ

(Expound on these a touch more)

The implications of our spiritual adoption when we consider our union with Christ are simple: we’re no longer spiritual orphans…

We are secure in our new family

We are cared for our in our new family

We are loved by our new Father

We are known by our Father

Imagine an orphan, adopted by a King, who still worries about what he’ll eat, who will care for him, where he’ll sleep, and how he’ll get by

Expound on this more!

Brothers and sisters—it’s far more ridiculous when you and I worry about lesser matters!

Jesus talks about this in Matthew 6, calling us men and women of “little faith” when we’re anxious about life

We can trust our heavenly Father—he’ll care for us and keep us eternally secure

And as we saw a couple of weeks ago…

B. We are redeemed in Him

This speaks to our previous state—not only were we without a legitimate family, we were enslaved to sin and death (more on this in chapter 2)

But Christ bought us from our former state

The implications of our redemption relate to the next matter of union with Christ (forgiveness), but we can deal with both on a daily basis

If Jesus paid for our redemption, what more needs to be paid towards our redemption? (nothing!)

Is that how you and I live?

Though everything’s been covered, how often do we try to earn our redemption?

There’s great freedom in this!

Because what’ll really mess up our purpose (holy and blameless) is if we go to God with that and say: here’s my payment for my redemption

What’s He going to say? I already paid for that!! (*explain?)

Or worse—if we recognize how unholy and blameworthy we are apart from our union in Christ and say: I can’t be redeemed… I have nothing to give…

What’s He going to say, brothers and sisters? WE ought to rather say…

“nothing in my hands I bring—simply to thy cross I cling”

(*gospel plug—bring your nothing, b/c He gave everything)

This leads us to the fact that…

C. We are forgiven in Him

Not only has payment been given for our redemption; forgiveness has been granted for our sins

Our only hope for restoration is based on God’s forgiveness of our sins.

Original sin

Personal sin

Complete hopelessness

Through Christ’s payment of His life for our sin.

Our wages of sin that was death is forgiven by His free gift of salvation

Girl who accepted Christ last week during the Family Service.

D. We are illumined in Him

Looking down at our passage, we see this in the end of 8 and all through 9:

In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him

The trifecta of wisdom, insight, and knowledge are gifted to those who are in Him

Which is to say, our state before Christ joined us to Himself was much the opposite

We lived according to our own wisdom.

We tried to navigate life in our own way.

We had no real understanding or knowledge of the things of life that matter the most.

So we pursued the things of the foolishness of this world instead of…

The things of the wisdom that come from living life God’s Way.

What are the implications of this?

Explain the results of the one chasing Lady Folly (Proverbs 7)

Explain the joy of following Lady Wisdom (Proverbs 8)

E. We are full in Him

Verse 10 makes it clear: all things find their unity and fullness in Jesus

“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 1:10, NASB95)

This is a matter He continually pointed out in His ministry:

“if anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink”

“if anyone is hungry, let him partake of the bread of life”

“if anyone desires rest, let Him come to Me and find it”

“if anyone wants to know the way, hear the truth, live the life—it’s found in Me alone”

Every ounce of our spiritual thirst and hunger finds it’s full and final satisfaction in Jesus

The implication here is plain: go to Him, and remain in Him

Seek satisfaction nowhere else

Stop running to things that leave you empty and feeling like you need more.

(expound on this more)

And as if this wasn’t enough…

F. We are inheritors in Him

We might be exhausted at this point…

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:10–12, NASB95)

Our union with Christ gives us our identity, disposition, purpose, adoption, redemption, forgiveness, illumination, and fullness

Now, we hear that we’re to receive an inheritance??

This is spiritual Fogo da Chao.

Just more and more and more of the most delicious food you could ever imagine.

I was already full with the blessings I received because I am United With Christ, but now I understand that we still need to discuss the inheritance piece.

But this all speaks to the God we serve

None of this is earned of our own volition—just like an inheritance is given, not gained

And what is the inheritance?

Not the lake house

Not the huge investment portfolio

Not the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Orange with Black Racing Stripes

It is that we are with God

And with Him…

We want for nothing, because He’s all we were created to want

(develop a bit more)

illustration

III. Our Position is Sealed by the Holy Spirit

As if to emphasize the matter, our final union with Christ implication is bookended by two “in Him” phrases…

Ephesians 1:13-14 – In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

Next week, Pastor Viars is going to spell out the implications of our indwelling, or, the theological reality that those who are in Christ have God’s Holy Spirit resident within them—another awesome preposition

Though the implications will be detailed then, one point that God’s Word is seeking to make in this passage is our permanency when we’re in Him

Because what does it mean for something to be sealed? (*signet ring)

And who is permitted to break a seal? (*the one bearing the signet ring)

Do you have that ring? Does anyone you know have that ring? Does Satan (or anyone he knows) have that ring?

And if He was the one to seal it, does He have any intention on breaking it?

This, along with other passages, would say: certainly not

Rest assured, brothers and sisters in Christ—our union with Him is sealed and our God (who never breaks His promises) has pledged our inheritance

Isn’t it great to be “in Him”?

^[1] Charles Spurgeon, Galatians, ed. Elliot Ritzema, Spurgeon Commentary Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2013), Ga 2:19.

^[2] Klyne Snodgrass, Ephesians, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996), 48.