Most of us are acutely aware that we are created for a purpose. When there is no purpose being fulfilled in our lives, we become desperately unhappy, always seeking, never finding, always attempting to gain approval yet at very best we gain a temporary satisfaction. There is nothing worse than coming to the end of days and in looking back over our lives find that we have nothing to show for having lived.
Many of us trudge along, most days barely making it, hoping tomorrow will bring some great and wonderful adventure into our lives, yet waking up to find that today is just as dull and uneventful as yesterday. I am alive, yet still can’t quite figure out the reason why. Every now and again there is just a flicker of hope. A flicker of enthusiasm, a little daydream about greatness, but even that is quickly dampened when you wake up to the realization of just how small, insignificant and hopeless your really are.
When I come to that realization, when the connection breaks down between my present existence, and a great and glorious destiny, and all I can see is the great chasm between, I am left with one of three options:
I can kill myself; or
I can numb myself (with alcohol or drugs or television or pornography or romance novels or computers or frantic work or frantic play); or
I can seek to reestablish the connection by finding what my true destiny really is
This is our attempt – our QUEST in this journey of faith through the book of Ephesians. The goal is not to merely find encouragement along the path of numbness, with the reminder of great promises and blessings that are available along the way, nor is it to try to develop a list of tips or information that we can apply to our otherwise insignificant lives, but rather an empowering through the impartation of inspired words that have the power to bring a transformation of the mundane, hopeless life into something gloriously and wonderfully ordained by God Himself, and hand picked, in other words customized for each one of us since before the foundation of the earth.
Now I have just said a whole lot right there, so lets go once again to Ephesians 1: 3-14 to try to unpack exactly what that all means. Remember, this is one long sentence. It is an Oratorio, or a grand doxology of praise broken into three individual thoughts each ending in an exclamation of praise to God.
There is something else to notice about these three thoughts: They confirm our understanding of the work of the three persons of the God head, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Given by God. Vs. 3-6
Given Through the Son Vs. 7-12
Guaranteed By the Holy Spirit Vs. 13-14
We saw last week that it all begins with God, and in all things God is deserving of our praise. Most certainly for our spiritual blessings, which is specific here, but not limited to that. This ought to be the pattern of our lives, because it is for His pleasure we are created and therefore our complete and utter satisfaction must rest in him. This is easy to declare when things are going very well for us in our homes, in our business, in our finances, but it is not dependant on our circumstances. It is dependant upon the level of believability we have in the fact that God well and truly has our destiny in His hands. That we may not ever be absolutely certain of what tomorrow holds, and we might find ourselves in the middle of the darkest passage of our lives with not even a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel, but the one thing we can be sure of is who holds tomorrow. So the greater the satisfaction I find in Him, the more He becomes glorified in my life, and so I can then begin to understand in some small way how Paul, in the midst of his incarceration in a Roman prison can say “All Praise to the glory of God the Father of our Lord Jesus who blesses us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus!
Today I want to start to take a closer look at one of the scariest doctrines for many Christians, which should in fact be one of the most encouraging doctrines. The doctrine of Election. We actually make it scary, because we make it complicated. It is really a lot simpler than what we think.
But before we go there, before we get too far away from these three divisions we have just referred to, we have discussed the Sphere of the blessings at some length, and I want to look at the Source of the blessings…In Christ.
A) Aquifer – Our source of water supply – many restriction re: building etc. to protect our supply. Water restrictions in dry season. It is an invaluable resource that brings many benefits into our lives.
B) Like Christ – Enumerable blessings – flow into to our lives – come thru the source of Christ
Difference is that they are unlimited in their abundance.
C) All of these Spiritual blessings – that flow to us from the heavenlies are made available in Christ –
1) What exactly does that mean ?
Think of it this way 2 Cor 1:20 Paul made this Statement
20For all the promises of God in Him[ JESUS ] are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
A) Now it has been estimated that there are 7,847 Promises that God has made for the believer in Jesus Christ
Promises of Health & Happiness / Promises of security / Promises of Strength –
But here is the thing we need to understand – All of the Promises that people claim – Follow an OT Principle in Duet 11
Where the Lord says If you follow me in all your ways / If You love me w/ all your heart / If you do what I command – Then I will …….
C) So those Promises follow this If then Formula – Well that is a Problem for you and me !!!
Do I always love the Lord with all of my heart. Do I walk in all of His ways. Do I holdfast only to Him?
The answer, sadly, is No. Therefore, if I’m not doing the ‘ifs’, I can’t expect to receive the ‘thens’.
But what Paul declares there in 2 Cor 1:20 Is that all the Promises are Yes = Certain / Amen – Accomplished – Only in Christ
And here is the good news once again: You and I are In Christ – so those Promises are available to us.
Jesus has fulfilled all the ifs – in the O.T. JESUS loved the Father – perfectly
Jesus did keep all the commandments/ Jesus did walk in all his ways flawlessly – Jesus did hold fast to the Father
Therefore the “thens” that follow are given to Him
1) What that means for us who are believers is this We have been placed in Him so – those Promises & Blessings are Available to us.
2) Does that mean we are actually partaking in them? Do we automatically benefit from the Aquifer? Or is there something we have to do to get that water? We have to turn on the tap!
How many Promises are we talking about ? All the Promises Paul says
What a RANGE of vision this expression opens up! Peter in 2 Peter 1 called them Exceedingly great & Precious promises …knowledge of Him
Promises that are so wonderful that we can’t fully comprehend their greatness & so wide in Range – never Fathom their Reach !!!!
Promises of pardon to the seeking sinner
Promises of justification to the believing child of God
Promises of sanctification to him who is struggling against sin
Promises of the supply of spiritual food to the flock of Christ
Promises of guidance
Promises of preservation
Promises of peace & joy
Promises of hope
Promises of unending love
Promises of assurance in death
Promises for judgment
Promises for glory
Promises that reach to all eternity.
All of those Promises are Certain & accomplished in Christ !!!!
As long as I am in Christ – those Promises are available to me
If that sounds too good to be true, think of it this way . . .
Suppose I’m in SAfrica and I find myself craving a hamburger, fries…not just any old hamburger…a Whataburger, double patties with cheese and Jalapenno!
The 6 dollars I have in my pocket will buy just that at any number of Whataburger here in San Antonio, but I have to get here first.
1) So, if I can get to SA then I will have a Whataburger, double patties with cheese and Jalapenno! But I only have $6
So I call United Airlines and say, I need to get to San Antonio. You guys go there all the time. Can you give me some directions. ‘What is your mode of transportation?’ the official asks. ‘I’m broke,’ I say. ‘So I’m going to walk.’ He says something like ‘Do you realize there are mountains to climb, rivers to ford, and a little pond called the Atlantic Ocean to cross?’ ‘Yes,’ I say, ‘but if I can do it, then I can have a burger.’ Go west,’ he says. ‘And good luck.’
But then, after a moment, he says, ‘Wait a minute. I’m interested in your plight. I am Whataburger fan myself. And It just so happens that a United Jumbo Jet 747 flight 403 is leaving for SA in about an hour. I’ll use some of my privilege miles and reserve a seat in first class for you.’ I am thrilled beyond belief. So AS I get on the jet and find my seat, I’m not worried about maps or concerned about directions because I’m in the Jumbo Jet and I know the Jumbo Jet will make it.
So there I am on the 747, looking forward to my Whataburger.
But then something amazing happens.
As I’m sitting quite comfortably in the plane, a steward comes by with a thick, juicy steak, a steaming baked potato, sautéed vegetables, crisp salad, flaky croissant, and Bluebell Home Made Vanilla ice cream.
All of a sudden a Whataburger doesn’t seem that appealing. What I’m being given on the plane is so much better.
Although I thought the Jumbo Jet was simply a way to get me to Whataburger, in reality, I’m finding more satisfaction than I ever could have imagined just being on the jet.
So too, we say, ‘Oh, Lord, I need help.’ But as we talk things over with Him, we find that although we initially thought if He answered our prayer, we’d be happy, we realize it was Him we were craving all along. You see, although we think we need Jesus to give us bread, He says, ‘I AM the Bread,’ (John 6:35).
We think we need Him to give us direction, but He says, ‘I AM the Way,’ (John 14:6).
We think we need Him to open up a job or a relationship or a ministry for us, but He says, ‘I AM the Door (John 10:7).
It’s Me you’re craving. All the promises of God are not something which come FROM Me, but are found IN ME!!!!
Spiritual blessings are not just from Him but they are found in Him
It is in Him we live and move and have our being. Piper says, “The more satisfied I am in Him, the more Glorified he is in me!” Once we understand that the fullness of our satisfaction is found in the realization that because of what he has done for me, the least I can do is give him ALL my devotion, ALL my service, ALL my passion, and even if none of the blessings come my way, and even if hell is my only reward…He is worth it. The result of this abandonment to His Lordship is the source of every blessing we can imagine.
So little by little we find ourselves saying, ‘Whether the relationship develops, the sickness is healed, the job opens — it’s all irrelevant compared to what I’m discovering just by spending time with You, Lord.’ So the amazing thing is this: Not only is all that we enjoy because of Him, but all that we crave is found in Him.
As we Merely make it our aim to seek Him – draw near to Him – the Lord sends blessings our way that are perfect for the situation we find ourselves in
And this leads us into our journey through the rapids of the doctrine of election.
Chosen in Christ
One thing we need to understand going in, is we can never truly understand the mind of God.
Spurgeon wrote: “To try to fully explain the doctrine of election will cause you to lose your mind. But to deny it, will cause you to lose your soul”.
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Somebody has well said, “The truth of election is a family secret.” It is not something that we go out and proclaim to the world. They would not understand it at all. It is a family secret that God loves to whisper in the ears of His beloved children.
God\’s Choice of Individuals for Salvation
God\’s purpose in the salvation of his people is invincible—it cannot fail—because it is based first not on our choosing God but on God\’s choosing us. Verse 4: \”He [God] chose us in him [Christ] before the foundation of the world.\”
Your salvation did not begin with your choice to believe in Christ—though your choice was real and necessary. Your salvation began before the creation of the universe when God planned the history of redemption, ordained the death and the resurrection of his Son, and chose you to be his own through Christ. This is a great objective ground for assurance. And we should consider it deeply.
Many Deny That God Elects Individuals
There are many, many people who do not believe this. They do not believe that God chose who will be saved and who will be passed over and left to unbelief and rebellion. They insist that this text only teaches that God chose Christ and an undefined number of those who choose to be in Christ by faith. They say that Ephesians 1:4 is not an election or choosing of individuals, but an election of Christ and the church; but what individuals are part of the church, God does not decide. It\’s like the Play offs. The NBA officials don\’t choose a specific team of men to go to the Championship; they choose that the winners of the playoffs go, whoever they are. God does not choose who will be in Christ and who will be saved. That lies ultimately in the power of man\’s autonomous will, which God chooses not to rule.
\”Chose Us in Him\”
They say that the wording of verse 4 proves this interpretation: \”God chose us in him.\” But this wording will not settle the issue. If anything the wording points the other way: it says he chose us. Not an undefined mass of people, but us, you and me personally. He chose us. The word is means select from a larger group. And the way he did it was in relation to Christ. Christ was not an afterthought to election. God chose us to come to salvation in Christ, not apart from Christ. But it was us that he chose. These words are not strained at all in carrying this meaning that God chose particular people to be his children through their union with Christ.
But I say the words of verse 4 alone will probably not settle this issue. But if we look at what Paul says elsewhere about this, we can be sure about what he means, namely, that God chose his people individually and personally before the foundation of the world to be saved; and he chose them to be saved through union with Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:27–30
First notice what the point of God\’s choosing is in 1 Corinthians 1:27–30.
27 God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
What this text says very clearly is that God chose particular kinds of people to be in the church. He did not just choose the church and leave its composition to man. He chose foolish individuals and called them into Christ. He chose some weak individuals and called them into Christ. He chose some low and despised individuals and called them into Christ. So that no one might boast in anyone but the Lord.
And then to make this crystal clear he said in verse 30 (literally): \”From him [God] you are in Christ Jesus.\” Or as the NASB says, \”By his doing you are in Christ Jesus.\” Or the NIV: \”It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus.\” In other words, it is just as though Paul knew that someone would come along some day and say that God does not choose who is in Christ, but only chooses Christ and any who put themselves in Christ. So he says, in verses 27–29, that God chose the individuals who would make up the church in Christ. And he says in verse 30 that it is by God\’s doing that they are put in Christ.
The glorious, unshakable, objective foundation of your being a Christian is that God chose you to be one. God put you in Christ. So I say with Paul (in verse 26) \”Consider your calling!\” Consider how you came to be in Christ! Think about it. It will take all boasting off of man and put it all on God. So verse 31 ends the section: \”Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.\” This is the boast of assurance. This is the exultation of considering our calling and our election, and seeing that it\’s all of God, and feeling a tremendous peace and confidence and courage and strength and love well up inside to keep us going in the face any opposition. Because \”who can bring any charge against God\’s elect!\” (Romans 8:33).
James 2:5
James (2:5) teaches the very same thing from a slightly different angle: God chose the poor to come to faith and be in the church, so be careful that you not discriminate against him. Listen, my beloved brethren. Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man.
Here again God has chosen not an undefined mass of people, but particular poor individuals to be rich in faith and to be treated a certain way. The personal, individual nature of election has very practical consequences. If God has chosen to bring the poor into Christ, don\’t dishonor them!
Closing Confession of Faith
So I come back to Ephesians 1:4, \”God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world.\” And I close with my own personal confession of faith in this great biblical truth of election by John Piper..
Before the creation of the universe God thought of me. He fixed his gaze on me and chose me for himself. He did not choose me because I already was in Christ of my own doing, but that I might be in Christ. He did not choose me because he saw me as a believer, but so that I might become a believer. He did not choose me because I chose him, but so that I might choose him. He did not choose me because I was holy or good but so that I might become holy and good.
Everything I am and all I hope to be is rooted in God\’s freely choosing me. My faith, my hope, my work are not the ground of electing grace but only its effect. And so there is no ground for boasting except in God. And in the face of fear and loss of assurance and all my own defect, I speak this word of trust: \”Who shall bring any charge against the Lord\’s elect!\” (Romans 8:33).