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 power of prepositions

According to one source (EF English Live), these are the 9 most common prepositions: “with, at, by, [towards], in, for, from, of, on.”

*lifeboat illustration

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

*reminder of current study

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

*rely on the text—please turn there (pg. 150)

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

*explain reading “in Him” portions together

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?

While this passage clearly contains the implications of our unity in Christ, there is little by way of definition

The closest any human relationship can come to illustrate this unity would be… marriage

*Matt 19, quoting Gen 2 – “2 shall become 1 flesh; therefore, what God has joined together…”

But even this illustration falls woefully short of the real thing

Because I am still me and my wife is still she

Scripture seems to paint a much more powerful picture of the unity we have with Jesus

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.

While a guy I like to call “single Stefan” certainly died on June 9^th, 2012—my marriage still falls short of describing the union we enjoy with Christ

Spiritually speaking, each one of us who have given ourselves over to the Lordship of Christ died with Him on the cross

What are the connotations of this reality?

Jesus rose from the dead 3 days later—therefore, I too rose from the spiritual grave

For a more extended commentary on this point, read Romans 6

But if you look at this verse in Galatians, Christians currently exist in a curious state of spiritual death and life (*explain based on Gal 2:20)

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 “indicative” statuses we’ve discussed in this early portion of Ephesians

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

I want us to stop there and think about that a moment…

Any other preposition could have been used to describe how we relate to Christ

And yet the most impactful—the most intimate is reserved for those who embrace His cross…

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 (*Aaron discussed in Jan—indicates status as well as affiliation (*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., Chrisopher Reeves

What’s different about our identity in Christ?

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

(2) nothing can make it untrue

*explain both

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

Sticking with the illustration of my marriage…

*thankful to be off the dating scene

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 comes unimaginable blessing 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”? (*explain)

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

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

I can’t remember who said it, but it’s been noted that one of the slimiest creatures to walk the earth is the brat… (*explain)

On the contrary, what does the Word of God say?

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

My favorite illustration of this passage comes by way of Betsie Ten Boom / Corrie Ten Boom (*new barracks in concentration camp (The Hiding Place))

Our spiritual blessing in Christ doesn’t mean we’re to fake happiness in the midst of sorrow

It’s simply a standing disposition: I’m blessed in Christ (*He could give me nothing else and I’d already have the exact opposite of what I deserve)

In other words: don’t be a brat—be blessed…

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/expectation (we are to be holy/blameless))

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

And yet, for those who are in Christ, our purpose is given to us—and it’s something we would not have otherwise chosen (holy/blameless)

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

What area of our life is this inherited purpose going to effect?

All aspects! (*holy/blameless in relationships | parenting | work | leisure | conduct | communication | everything!)

To sum up, our purpose is to be like the One whom we are in (*1 Thess 4:3 | Rom 8:29)

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!

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

II. We are Part of the Family of God

This comes with a whopping SIX implications

It’s no surprise, given that this is a theme we’re going to see running throughout the whole book of Ephesians (*Family Manual)

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

To recap…

A. We are adopted in Him

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

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

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

(*secure | cared for | loved | known)

But 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

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 last week…

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 also relate to the next matter of union with Christ (forgiveness), but we can wrestle 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 relieving ourselves of the burden of purchasing our own redemption—as though that were possible

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

This may seem like a distinction without a difference from our last point, but the implications for our lives are not quite the same

How we view this will affect how we view God—as a tender and forgiving Father or as an oppressive overlord

Josh Griener phrased the distinction best when he placed it in a hypothetical situation of failure…

*I messed up… (hope dad doesn’t find out VS better tell dad)

Someone who understands their forgiveness in Christ won’t HIDE (*explain?)

Someone who understands their forgiveness in Christ won’t WALLOW endlessly in guilt and shame (*explain, in light of James 4:8-10 + Rom 8:1)

Someone who understands their forgiveness in Christ won’t have an inordinate fixation on their sin (*healthy introspection vs obsessive thinking)

Our adoption puts us in a new family, our redemption cuts ties with our former life, and our forgiveness erases all past, present, and future debt—it’s all the same to God

This leads to our seventh implication of our union with Christ…

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

*CS Lewis’s Perelandra (Ransom dragged into an underwater cavern on Venus)

We were like Ransom, only worse: we thought we were able to see

It wasn’t until Christ’s light flooded our pitch-black world that we now see properly, though through a glass dimly

What are the implications of this?

Time would fail to mention each, but one of the illuminating works of Christ in us is His revelation of spiritually discerned matters through His Word

For a more extended commentary on this matter, I’d refer you to 1 Corinthians 2

But the simple fact is this: we’re able to understand His Word

Before you brush that off as insignificant—recognize what could have been (*explain each)

(1) God could have chosen to never make Himself known to us

(2) God could have chosen to reveal Himself, but it would be incomprehensible to us

And yet, He spoke to us, revealing Himself, His will, His plan, and so much more

And because we are in Christ, we’re able to know these mysteries

So don’t fail to look at the Light!!

Don’t return to darkness, thinking you’ll stumble upon the correct path: look to God’s Word and trust that He has made Himself known to those who are in Him

Which leads us to the fact that…

E. We are full in Him

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

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

And as if this wasn’t enough…

F. We are inheritors in Him

We might be exhausted at this point…

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??

It’s like Thanksgiving, where mom just keeps brining out course after course after course, and just when you think the waves of food are over, then comes… dessert

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 the main implication for us regarding our inheritance in Christ is one that would shock us

Not land, not riches, not property, not heirlooms—but GOD HIMSELF

And with Him, all things…

In the family of God, we want for nothing, because He’s all we were created to want

And it can’t be taken away…

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.

In two weeks, 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”?

Conclusion

I typically like to have one main take-away in a sermon—something we all can collectively consider out of a passage

Given the implications of our union with Christ and the broad diversity that it entails, that was almost impossible—so instead, we have 10 or more to choose from…

Perhaps you needed to be reminded of your new identity in Christ, lest you try to attach it to any other matter

Or maybe you needed a reminder of your spiritual blessing: namely, that our standing disposition should be one of unshakable thanksgiving

Each of us needs a reminder of our purpose: growing in our love and likeness to Christ as we stive to be holy and blameless by His power and for His glory

Regarding our new family, perhaps you needed God’s Word to point out your adoption, lest you fall back into spiritual orphancy | your redemption, lest you try to buy what has already been purchased | your forgiveness, lest you neglect He who has forgiven you | your illumination, lest you stumble through your own way | your fullness, lest you seek spiritual satisfaction anywhere outside of Christ, and | your inheritance, lest you place ultimate value on anything other than Jesus

Lastly, you may have needed the simple security that those who are in Christ remain in Christ, because the seal of the Holy Spirit is on that cannot be broken