Ephesians 1:7-10 | February 15th
Sermon Overview
The Work of Christ: Understanding Redemption, Forgiveness, and God's Eternal Plan
In a world filled with guilt, shame, and uncertainty about the future, many people wonder if there's hope for true freedom and forgiveness. The apostle Paul addresses these deep human needs in Ephesians 1:7-10, revealing three profound truths about what Jesus Christ has accomplished for us.
What Did Jesus Pay to Set Us Free?
Paul begins by declaring, "In him we have redemption through his blood." The word "redemption" comes from the Greek word "apolotrosis," which describes making a payment to free someone from slavery. In ancient times, this term was used when someone would pay to purchase a slave's freedom—not to make them their own slave, but to set them completely free.
The Price of Our Freedom
Jesus himself explained his mission in Mark 10:45: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." Before placing our faith in Christ, we are slaves to sin—thinking thoughts we wish we never had, saying things we regret, and doing things we wish we could undo, over and over again.
The price required for our freedom was death itself, because "the wages of sin is death." We needed someone infinitely innocent to pay what we could never pay. As Romans 5:8 tells us, "God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
A Complete Payment
When Jesus hung on the cross, his final words were "It is finished"—"Tetelestai" in Greek. This same word was stamped on ancient receipts meaning "paid in full." Jesus didn't make a down payment; he made the complete, final payment for our freedom from sin's slavery.
How Complete Is Our Forgiveness?
Paul continues by emphasizing "the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of his grace which he lavished on us." The word "trespasses" refers to sinful acts—deviations from the path of righteousness. We've all experienced this, as Isaiah 53:6 describes: "All of us like sheep have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way."
Understanding God's Justice and Mercy
Every human being understands justice because we're created in God's image. When we see injustice, something inside us cries out for what's right. God, being perfectly just, must punish sin. But here's the beautiful truth: Jesus satisfied that justice on our behalf.
The forgiveness we receive means being "loosed from that which binds us." Like the Old Testament scapegoat that carried away the sins of Israel into the wilderness, Jesus both paid for our sins and took them away completely.
The Extent of Our Forgiveness
Psalm 103:12 gives us a powerful picture: "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." Unlike north and south, which eventually meet at the poles, east and west never meet—they go on infinitely. That's how far God has removed our sins.
For believers who have lost the joy of their salvation through ongoing sin, 1 John 1:9 offers hope: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
What Is God's Plan for the Future?
Paul reveals that God has made known to us "the mystery of his will...with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of times, that is the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on earth."
We're Not Left in the Dark
Jesus told his disciples in John 15:15, "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you." God wants us to understand his plan and our role in it.
This current life isn't all there is. We've been given the high privilege of being used by God for his kingdom purposes while we wait for the complete fulfillment of his plan.
Who Are You Really?
Understanding these truths should transform how we see ourselves. We're not spiritual paupers—we're children of the King. Like the story of Little Lord Fauntleroy, who discovered he was heir to a great estate, we need to begin thinking and acting according to our true identity now.
There are three reasons to live like who we really are: First, there are decisions and actions right now that require our attention as God's children. Second, we need to practice now for the expanded role that will come when we're with Christ in eternity. Third, we are children of the King, and that reality should impact how we live.
Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to live according to your true identity as a redeemed child of God. Instead of walking in guilt and shame over past failures, embrace the complete forgiveness and freedom Christ has purchased for you. When you're tempted to act like a spiritual pauper, remember that you're royalty in God's kingdom.
Ask yourself these questions:
In a world filled with guilt, shame, and uncertainty about the future, many people wonder if there's hope for true freedom and forgiveness. The apostle Paul addresses these deep human needs in Ephesians 1:7-10, revealing three profound truths about what Jesus Christ has accomplished for us.
What Did Jesus Pay to Set Us Free?
Paul begins by declaring, "In him we have redemption through his blood." The word "redemption" comes from the Greek word "apolotrosis," which describes making a payment to free someone from slavery. In ancient times, this term was used when someone would pay to purchase a slave's freedom—not to make them their own slave, but to set them completely free.
The Price of Our Freedom
Jesus himself explained his mission in Mark 10:45: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." Before placing our faith in Christ, we are slaves to sin—thinking thoughts we wish we never had, saying things we regret, and doing things we wish we could undo, over and over again.
The price required for our freedom was death itself, because "the wages of sin is death." We needed someone infinitely innocent to pay what we could never pay. As Romans 5:8 tells us, "God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
A Complete Payment
When Jesus hung on the cross, his final words were "It is finished"—"Tetelestai" in Greek. This same word was stamped on ancient receipts meaning "paid in full." Jesus didn't make a down payment; he made the complete, final payment for our freedom from sin's slavery.
How Complete Is Our Forgiveness?
Paul continues by emphasizing "the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of his grace which he lavished on us." The word "trespasses" refers to sinful acts—deviations from the path of righteousness. We've all experienced this, as Isaiah 53:6 describes: "All of us like sheep have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way."
Understanding God's Justice and Mercy
Every human being understands justice because we're created in God's image. When we see injustice, something inside us cries out for what's right. God, being perfectly just, must punish sin. But here's the beautiful truth: Jesus satisfied that justice on our behalf.
The forgiveness we receive means being "loosed from that which binds us." Like the Old Testament scapegoat that carried away the sins of Israel into the wilderness, Jesus both paid for our sins and took them away completely.
The Extent of Our Forgiveness
Psalm 103:12 gives us a powerful picture: "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." Unlike north and south, which eventually meet at the poles, east and west never meet—they go on infinitely. That's how far God has removed our sins.
For believers who have lost the joy of their salvation through ongoing sin, 1 John 1:9 offers hope: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
What Is God's Plan for the Future?
Paul reveals that God has made known to us "the mystery of his will...with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of times, that is the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on earth."
We're Not Left in the Dark
Jesus told his disciples in John 15:15, "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you." God wants us to understand his plan and our role in it.
This current life isn't all there is. We've been given the high privilege of being used by God for his kingdom purposes while we wait for the complete fulfillment of his plan.
Who Are You Really?
Understanding these truths should transform how we see ourselves. We're not spiritual paupers—we're children of the King. Like the story of Little Lord Fauntleroy, who discovered he was heir to a great estate, we need to begin thinking and acting according to our true identity now.
There are three reasons to live like who we really are: First, there are decisions and actions right now that require our attention as God's children. Second, we need to practice now for the expanded role that will come when we're with Christ in eternity. Third, we are children of the King, and that reality should impact how we live.
Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to live according to your true identity as a redeemed child of God. Instead of walking in guilt and shame over past failures, embrace the complete forgiveness and freedom Christ has purchased for you. When you're tempted to act like a spiritual pauper, remember that you're royalty in God's kingdom.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Am I living like someone who has been completely forgiven and set free from sin's slavery?
- Do I truly believe that Jesus paid the full price for all my sins—past, present, and future?
- How would my daily decisions change if I consistently remembered that I'm a child of the King?
- If I've lost the joy of my salvation through ongoing sin, am I willing to confess and receive God's restoration?
Day 1: Breaking Free from Slavery
Devotional
Have you ever felt trapped by patterns you couldn't break? Maybe it's anger that erupts before you can stop it, or words that slip out before you think. We've all experienced that frustrating cycle of doing things we regret, over and over again. This is what it means to be enslaved to sin - bound by chains we cannot break on our own. But here's the incredible news: Jesus came specifically to set captives free. In ancient times, when someone wanted to purchase a slave's freedom, they had to pay the full price - no payment plans, no partial amounts. The Greek word 'apolotrosis' describes this complete transaction. Jesus didn't just make a down payment on your freedom. He paid the entire price with His life. When He cried out 'It is finished' on the cross, He used the same word merchants stamped on receipts: 'Tetelestai' - paid in full. Your freedom wasn't purchased with silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. This means you're no longer defined by your past mistakes or current struggles. The chains that once bound you have been broken. You may still battle temptation, but you're fighting from a position of victory, not defeat. Christ has already won your freedom.
Bible Verse
'For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.' - 1 Peter 1:18
Reflection Question
What areas of your life still feel enslaved to old patterns, and how might knowing Christ paid the full price for your freedom change how you approach those struggles?
Quote
"Jesus came to pay, to pay a price that we could never pay, to free us from sin and its bondage."
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for paying the full price for my freedom. Help me to live as someone who has been set free, not as someone still bound by chains You've already broken.
Have you ever felt trapped by patterns you couldn't break? Maybe it's anger that erupts before you can stop it, or words that slip out before you think. We've all experienced that frustrating cycle of doing things we regret, over and over again. This is what it means to be enslaved to sin - bound by chains we cannot break on our own. But here's the incredible news: Jesus came specifically to set captives free. In ancient times, when someone wanted to purchase a slave's freedom, they had to pay the full price - no payment plans, no partial amounts. The Greek word 'apolotrosis' describes this complete transaction. Jesus didn't just make a down payment on your freedom. He paid the entire price with His life. When He cried out 'It is finished' on the cross, He used the same word merchants stamped on receipts: 'Tetelestai' - paid in full. Your freedom wasn't purchased with silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. This means you're no longer defined by your past mistakes or current struggles. The chains that once bound you have been broken. You may still battle temptation, but you're fighting from a position of victory, not defeat. Christ has already won your freedom.
Bible Verse
'For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.' - 1 Peter 1:18
Reflection Question
What areas of your life still feel enslaved to old patterns, and how might knowing Christ paid the full price for your freedom change how you approach those struggles?
Quote
"Jesus came to pay, to pay a price that we could never pay, to free us from sin and its bondage."
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for paying the full price for my freedom. Help me to live as someone who has been set free, not as someone still bound by chains You've already broken.
Day 2: Forgiveness That Goes the Distance
Devotional
Imagine trying to walk from east to west. You'd walk forever and never arrive because east just keeps going - there's no point where east meets west. This beautiful impossibility illustrates how completely God has forgiven you. When we mess up, our natural tendency is to carry guilt like a heavy backpack. We replay our failures, wondering if God is still disappointed or if we've somehow used up His patience. But God's forgiveness isn't partial or temporary - it's complete and permanent. The moment you placed your faith in Christ, your sins weren't just covered; they were removed. Not hidden under a rug, not temporarily set aside, but completely separated from you. God doesn't have a mental file of your past mistakes that He occasionally reviews. They're gone - as far as the east is from the west. This doesn't mean sin doesn't matter or that we shouldn't confess when we fall short. But it does mean we don't have to live under a cloud of condemnation. When guilt tries to whisper that you're not really forgiven, remember the infinite distance between east and west. That's how far your sins have been removed. You're not walking around with a spiritual debt hanging over your head. The receipt has been stamped 'paid in full,' and the record of your wrongs has been completely erased.
Bible Verse
'As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.' - Psalm 103:12
Reflection Question
What past mistakes do you still carry guilt about, and how would your daily life change if you truly believed they've been removed as far as east is from west?
Quote
"Do you know that God has taken away your sins? The moment you place your faith, your trust in Christ as Savior, they're gone. You're separated from them. You need not carry the guilt and the shame."
Prayer
Father, help me to release the guilt I've been carrying and to walk in the freedom of complete forgiveness. Remind me daily that my sins are gone forever.
Imagine trying to walk from east to west. You'd walk forever and never arrive because east just keeps going - there's no point where east meets west. This beautiful impossibility illustrates how completely God has forgiven you. When we mess up, our natural tendency is to carry guilt like a heavy backpack. We replay our failures, wondering if God is still disappointed or if we've somehow used up His patience. But God's forgiveness isn't partial or temporary - it's complete and permanent. The moment you placed your faith in Christ, your sins weren't just covered; they were removed. Not hidden under a rug, not temporarily set aside, but completely separated from you. God doesn't have a mental file of your past mistakes that He occasionally reviews. They're gone - as far as the east is from the west. This doesn't mean sin doesn't matter or that we shouldn't confess when we fall short. But it does mean we don't have to live under a cloud of condemnation. When guilt tries to whisper that you're not really forgiven, remember the infinite distance between east and west. That's how far your sins have been removed. You're not walking around with a spiritual debt hanging over your head. The receipt has been stamped 'paid in full,' and the record of your wrongs has been completely erased.
Bible Verse
'As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.' - Psalm 103:12
Reflection Question
What past mistakes do you still carry guilt about, and how would your daily life change if you truly believed they've been removed as far as east is from west?
Quote
"Do you know that God has taken away your sins? The moment you place your faith, your trust in Christ as Savior, they're gone. You're separated from them. You need not carry the guilt and the shame."
Prayer
Father, help me to release the guilt I've been carrying and to walk in the freedom of complete forgiveness. Remind me daily that my sins are gone forever.
Day 3: Standing in Someone Else's Victory
Devotional
Picture standing in a courtroom where the verdict has already been decided. The judge looks at you, but instead of seeing your failures, he sees the perfect record of someone who stood in your place. This is the reality of what Christ accomplished for you. God's justice demanded that sin be punished - and it was. But Jesus stepped forward and took that punishment upon Himself. When God looks at you now, He doesn't see someone who needs to be condemned; He sees someone whose judgment has already been satisfied. This is why you can have such confidence in your relationship with God. It's not based on your performance or your ability to measure up. It's based on Christ's perfect performance on your behalf. You're not hoping God will accept you; you're standing with the One who has already secured your acceptance. The enemy may try to convince you that you're still under judgment, that God is angry with you, or that you need to somehow earn your way back into His good graces. But these are lies. Your judgment day already happened at the cross, and Jesus took the verdict that was meant for you. You can approach God with confidence, not because you're perfect, but because you're standing with the One who is. When you're united with Christ, His victory becomes your victory, His righteousness becomes your righteousness.
Bible Verse
'Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.' - John 5:24
Reflection Question
How does knowing that your judgment has already been taken by Christ change the way you approach God in prayer and daily life?
Quote
"When you stand with the one who's already taken your judgment, you're free. You shall not be burned."
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for standing in my place and taking the judgment I deserved. Help me to live with the confidence that comes from knowing I'm accepted in You.
Picture standing in a courtroom where the verdict has already been decided. The judge looks at you, but instead of seeing your failures, he sees the perfect record of someone who stood in your place. This is the reality of what Christ accomplished for you. God's justice demanded that sin be punished - and it was. But Jesus stepped forward and took that punishment upon Himself. When God looks at you now, He doesn't see someone who needs to be condemned; He sees someone whose judgment has already been satisfied. This is why you can have such confidence in your relationship with God. It's not based on your performance or your ability to measure up. It's based on Christ's perfect performance on your behalf. You're not hoping God will accept you; you're standing with the One who has already secured your acceptance. The enemy may try to convince you that you're still under judgment, that God is angry with you, or that you need to somehow earn your way back into His good graces. But these are lies. Your judgment day already happened at the cross, and Jesus took the verdict that was meant for you. You can approach God with confidence, not because you're perfect, but because you're standing with the One who is. When you're united with Christ, His victory becomes your victory, His righteousness becomes your righteousness.
Bible Verse
'Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.' - John 5:24
Reflection Question
How does knowing that your judgment has already been taken by Christ change the way you approach God in prayer and daily life?
Quote
"When you stand with the one who's already taken your judgment, you're free. You shall not be burned."
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for standing in my place and taking the judgment I deserved. Help me to live with the confidence that comes from knowing I'm accepted in You.
Day 4: From Servant to Friend
Devotional
There's a profound difference between being someone's employee and being their friend. An employee follows orders without understanding the bigger picture, but a friend is brought into confidence and trusted with important information. Jesus has moved you from the first category to the second. In the ancient world, servants were kept in the dark about their master's plans and purposes. They simply did what they were told without understanding why. But Jesus said something revolutionary: 'No longer do I call you servants... But I have called you friends for all things I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.' This means God doesn't just want your obedience; He wants your partnership. He's not keeping you at arm's length, wondering if you can be trusted. Instead, He's inviting you into His confidence, sharing His heart and His plans with you. As His friend, you have access to wisdom and understanding that goes beyond mere rule-following. You can pray with confidence, knowing you're talking to someone who considers you a close companion. You can face decisions knowing you have insight into God's character and purposes. This friendship isn't based on your worthiness but on His grace. He chose to elevate your status not because you earned it, but because He delights in having you close. You're not just a worker in God's kingdom; you're a trusted friend and confidant.
Bible Verse
'No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends for all things I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.' - John 15:15
Reflection Question
How might your relationship with God change if you truly believed He sees you as a friend rather than just a servant?
Quote
"No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends for all things I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for calling me Your friend and sharing Your heart with me. Help me to live in the confidence of this intimate relationship You've given me.
There's a profound difference between being someone's employee and being their friend. An employee follows orders without understanding the bigger picture, but a friend is brought into confidence and trusted with important information. Jesus has moved you from the first category to the second. In the ancient world, servants were kept in the dark about their master's plans and purposes. They simply did what they were told without understanding why. But Jesus said something revolutionary: 'No longer do I call you servants... But I have called you friends for all things I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.' This means God doesn't just want your obedience; He wants your partnership. He's not keeping you at arm's length, wondering if you can be trusted. Instead, He's inviting you into His confidence, sharing His heart and His plans with you. As His friend, you have access to wisdom and understanding that goes beyond mere rule-following. You can pray with confidence, knowing you're talking to someone who considers you a close companion. You can face decisions knowing you have insight into God's character and purposes. This friendship isn't based on your worthiness but on His grace. He chose to elevate your status not because you earned it, but because He delights in having you close. You're not just a worker in God's kingdom; you're a trusted friend and confidant.
Bible Verse
'No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends for all things I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.' - John 15:15
Reflection Question
How might your relationship with God change if you truly believed He sees you as a friend rather than just a servant?
Quote
"No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends for all things I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for calling me Your friend and sharing Your heart with me. Help me to live in the confidence of this intimate relationship You've given me.
Day 5: Living Like Royalty
Devotional
Imagine discovering you're actually the child of a king, but you've been living like a beggar on the streets. The revelation of your true identity should completely transform how you see yourself and how you live. This is exactly what has happened to you spiritually. You're not a spiritual pauper hoping God might notice you someday. You're a child of the King of the universe. This isn't just a nice metaphor - it's your actual identity. You have royal blood flowing through your spiritual veins, and you have access to all the resources of your Father's kingdom. But here's the challenge: you can be saved and still live like a pauper if you don't embrace this reality. Many believers go through life feeling unworthy, insignificant, or powerless, not because it's true, but because they haven't grasped who they really are. Living like royalty doesn't mean being prideful or entitled. It means making decisions with the confidence that comes from knowing your true worth. It means approaching challenges knowing you have your Father's resources behind you. It means treating others with the dignity that reflects your own royal status. Your identity as God's child should influence every decision you make, every relationship you build, and every dream you pursue. You're not just getting by in this world - you're representing the royal family of heaven.
Bible Verse
'Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.' - Colossians 3:1
Reflection Question
What would change in your daily decisions and relationships if you consistently remembered that you're a child of the King?
Quote
"Do you realize that you're no longer a pauper, that you're a child of the King?"
Prayer
Father, help me to embrace my identity as Your child and to live with the confidence and dignity that comes from being part of Your royal family.
Imagine discovering you're actually the child of a king, but you've been living like a beggar on the streets. The revelation of your true identity should completely transform how you see yourself and how you live. This is exactly what has happened to you spiritually. You're not a spiritual pauper hoping God might notice you someday. You're a child of the King of the universe. This isn't just a nice metaphor - it's your actual identity. You have royal blood flowing through your spiritual veins, and you have access to all the resources of your Father's kingdom. But here's the challenge: you can be saved and still live like a pauper if you don't embrace this reality. Many believers go through life feeling unworthy, insignificant, or powerless, not because it's true, but because they haven't grasped who they really are. Living like royalty doesn't mean being prideful or entitled. It means making decisions with the confidence that comes from knowing your true worth. It means approaching challenges knowing you have your Father's resources behind you. It means treating others with the dignity that reflects your own royal status. Your identity as God's child should influence every decision you make, every relationship you build, and every dream you pursue. You're not just getting by in this world - you're representing the royal family of heaven.
Bible Verse
'Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.' - Colossians 3:1
Reflection Question
What would change in your daily decisions and relationships if you consistently remembered that you're a child of the King?
Quote
"Do you realize that you're no longer a pauper, that you're a child of the King?"
Prayer
Father, help me to embrace my identity as Your child and to live with the confidence and dignity that comes from being part of Your royal family.