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 upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 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, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 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, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. —Ephesians 1:7-14

God’s plan of salvation, which was

I. Present - The provision of the Son 1:7-12

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 upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 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, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. —Ephesians 1:7-12

• A. Redemption 1:7-10
  
  1. Defined – set free 1:7a
  2. Accomplishment – forgiveness 1:7b-8a
  3. Extent – “lavished upon us” 1:8b-10
     a. Grace
     b. Wisdom & insight into
     
     1. Mystery of His will
     2. Uniting of all things in Him
        

• B. Heritage 1:11-12

  1. Two views of the passive tense 1:11a
     a. “Were made an inheritance” – we are God’s inheritance – Malachi 3:17; John 6:37, 39

     “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. —Malachi 3:17
     37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. … 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. —John 6:37, 39

     b. “We have obtained an inheritance” – we receive an inheritance - I Peter 1:3-4

     3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, —I Peter 1:3-4

     c. Conclusion

     1. Both legitimately viable
     2. Context (1:13-14) lends itself to the second – “we have obtained”
  2. God’s purpose – “Praise of His glory” 1:11b-12
     a. Established by His plan & practice 1:11b
     b. Resulting in His praise and glory 1:12

The

II. Future – The pledge of the Spirit 1:13-14

13 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, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. —Ephesians 1:13-14

• A. The pledge explained 1:13-14a
  
  1. We are sealed = the guaranteed of genuineness/sign of ownership 1:13
  2. Guaranteed = the earnest or deposit of what is to come 1:14a

Our lives should reflect the

Small Group Questions

1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?

3. Paul never seemed to get over the excitement of his salvation, why does it feel like the modern church has?

4. How can we structure our lives to bring glory to God’s name?

5. If you polled the people that are closest to you, would they say your life reflects the greatness of your inheritance?