Title: Worship Ministry Community (Ephesians 1:3-6)
Contents
The first chapter of Ephesians we read today is the so-called prison epistle, written by the Apostle Paul in chains in a Roman prison where he was caught preaching. However, at the beginning of 1:3, it begins with ‘Blessed be you.’
He is in prison. But, not lamenting, not murmuring, but he is shouting, “Blessed be you.” In our worship, hymns are the most pleasing to God.
However, it is particularly noteworthy that hymns and worship were offered not only in times of peace and joy, but also in the midst of hardships and trials.
Then, why does the Apostle Paul emphasize that we could and should praise even in the midst of such suffering? It is because all Christians are blessed in heaven. Paul testifies that the reason God made us His children is to glorify God's grace and glory. That's right. Even in the midst of hardships and trials, the reason we worship God with praise and glory is because there are treasures on earth and spiritual blessings that are incomparable in heaven, so we believe that we should continue to praise Him. Apostle Paul introduces the spiritual blessings of heaven that our community should live and praise.
1. It is the blessing of God the Father.(3-4)
The spiritual blessing that God the Father has given us is that he has chosen and predestined us.
Election (v. 4) before the foundation of the world and adoption in Christ. v. 5
(Adoption) God's total grace is hidden here.
It is by God's grace that we were chosen and foreordained before the foundation of the world to make us holy and without blemish in Christ. God wants our church to be a worshiping community in which we first give thanks and praise the glory of this grace. It is rare to find in Korea, but in many Western countries based on the Christian spirit, adoption is common. There are people who adopt a different ethnicity, even with a completely different blood, and adopt them as their children. Of course, even though they have their own children, they don't even know their parents. And they don't ask if the little baby is physically defective. I asked a single parent who adopted a Korean orphan even though they have three children.
Koreans rarely adopt, and even if they do, they ask who the parents are, and the child must be handsome and a man. You carefully asked why you adopted such a defective child. He replied: “Did not God make us his children in Christ when we were sinners?” he asked rather.
He said that the devotion of himself and his wife was only a small reward for the grace God had given him.
That's right. God's Unconditional Election It is the grace of God that He chose me, who was a humble sinner, without any conditions. This is why our community should praise and worship God.
“For the praise of the glory of his grace, which is freely given to us in him whom he loves” (1:6).
2. It is the blessing of God the Son.(7-12)
God the Son refers to Jesus Christ. Here, the blessing of God the Son is Redemption and Revelation. Jesus died on the cross to redeem us.
Redemption means paying a price and buying us back. I bought it again and gave it freedom. At the time the New Testament was being written, it is said that 3/2 of the population of Rome were slaves. Slaves captured from various places are being traded at high prices. Reminiscent of this sight, he paid the price to free us from slavery to sin and Satan. This means restraint
(7) In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
If God the Son has given us these blessings, I believe that we should praise him and worship him in glory.
The Lord has not only redeemed us in this way, but has also blessed us to become people who now know and live the secrets of heaven.
Verses 8, 9, “For he hath made us abundant with all wisdom and understanding, to make known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, ordained in Christ for the dispensation of the fulness of times.”
To whom do you tell secrets? Who knows my secret best?
Jesus said that he would let us know his secrets. You have made us close friends.
(John 15:15) “From now on I will no longer call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing, and I have called you friends, because all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
This is a wonderful blessing for us. I pray in the name of the Lord that we will become a worshiping community that gives praise and glory to the Lord.
3. The Holy Spirit is the blessing of God. (13-14)
What is the blessing of God the Holy Spirit? It is a blessing that seals and guarantees.
[Ephesians 1:13-14] 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 Spirit, which is the guarantee for our inheritance, redeeming what we have obtained to the praise of glory.
What is Inches? That is to stamp. This refers to ownership. When we hear the gospel and accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we receive the authority of children of God. At this time, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit and belong to God. That's right. If you believe, please say Amen. You have stamped your seal with your strength as belonging to God. No one can hold hands.
(Isaiah 43:1) Now says the LORD, who created you, Jacob. O Israel, the one who formed you now speaks. Fear not, I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.
We are not simply God's. Verse 4 I say that you are precious and honorable and that I love you.
Isaiah 43:21 says that this people I have formed for myself, that they may sing my praises. And he said that he gave the Holy Spirit and became the guarantee of the company. verse 14
(14) This is the guarantee of our inheritance, that we may redeem what we have obtained, to the praise of his glory.
What is a corporate guarantee? This refers to the blessings the saints will enjoy in this world and in the kingdom of heaven to come. The Holy Spirit, who enters into us when we receive Jesus, is the guarantee of our blessings that we enjoy.
A deposit is a guarantee that you will be sure to pay. Brothers and sisters, are you lacking and suffering right now? However, please believe that the Holy Spirit will be the guarantee of the blessings we will enjoy. I bless you in the name of the Lord to become a worshiping community that praises and worships that glory.
God the Father's election and adoption, we believe that our church, blessed with the redemption and revelation of God the Son, the sealing of God the Holy Spirit, and the guarantee of the enterprise, should become a worshiping community that praises the grace and glory.
“I do not regard my life as precious in the least to complete my course and the mission I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Rev. Yoo Byung-eui)