Mar 20
22
New Testament Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed 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 upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 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, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 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, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:1–14, ESV).
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[Please excuse any and all typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church, but without the benefit of proofreading.]
Introduction
Dear friends, I understand that some of you listening in today are longing to hear a word of encouragement given the unusual, difficult and unsettling situation that we find ourselves in. Please know that words of encouragement will be delivered in this sermon, but I would ask you to be patient with me. My desire is to first make some introductory remarks concerning our passage for today. After that, we will then move carefully through verses 3 through 6. And there is plenty to be encouraged by in this text, friends. The truths conveyed here are deep and substantial truths. The encouragement found here is real and lasting.
As I have said, in this lesson today we will focus our attention only upon verses 3 through 6 of Ephesians 1. But as we do, it is important to know that verses 3 through 14 belong together. In fact, if we were to look at this passage in the Greek (which is the language in which Paul originally wrote) we would notice that this is one very long sentence. In other words, there are no periods at all in the Greek text in verses 3 through 14 . And some, when hearing this, wrongly assume that Paul was a bad writer, guilty of the literary sin of run on sentences. But this view is misinformed. We must recognize that this letter was meant to be read aloud within the church, and that Paul wrote with great skill, utilizing literary divices common in his day which signaled to the reader when to take breaths when reading aloud, but without the use of periods. Not only did the structure of the Greek text help the reader to read well — taking breaths at the appropriate time so as to put emphasis upon certain themes — it also helped the listener to listen well. I’ll spare you the details. For now, please rest assured that when this passage — verses 3 through 14 — was read aloud in the Greek language the audience heard a well crafted, majestic, and poignant opening statement in this letter from Paul to the Ephesians (see S.M. Baugh commentary on Ephesians).
And what is the point of verses 3 through 14? Where does the emphasis lie? Well, Paul begins his letter with majestic praise. He enthusiastically blesses God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is eager to give glory to the Triune God for all that he has done for us, in and through Jesus the Christ. In this opening passage which runs from verses 3 through 14, Father, Son and Holy Spirit are extolled for their unique and particular contribution to our salvation in Jesus the Christ. In verses 3 through 6a, God the Father is praised, for “he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will…” (Ephesians 1:5, ESV). In verses 6b through 10 the Son is praised, for he, in the incarnation, has “redeemed us by his blood”. And in verses 11 through 14 the Holy Spirit is praised, for by him we were “sealed”, he being, “the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13–14, ESV). And so verses 3 through 14 give all glory to God. More specifically, they give glory to the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for our redemption in Christ Jesus. For in him — that is to say, in Christ Jesus — “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of [God’s] grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth” (Ephesians 1:7–10, ESV).
This opening passage is important, for it sets the tone for Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. And what is the purpose of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians? Clearly, the purpose of this letter is to give all glory to God. Paul’s aim is to move the Christian to see how rich we are in Christ Jesus, and to exhort us to live lives worthy of the calling to which we have been called.
It is worth noting at this juncture that the book of Ephesians is divided neatly into two parts. Chapters 1 through 3 are doctrinal — they teach us about what God has done for us by sending the Christ. And chapters 4 through 6 are filled with practical application — they instruct us to live lives pleasing to the Lord based upon what God has done for us in and through Jesus the Christ.
The purpose of Paul’s letter (which I have just said is to “give all glory to God by showing how incredibly rich we are in Christ Jesus”) and the two part division of this letter (which I have just said is first about doctrine, and then about practical application) is easily observed at the transition between chapters 3 and 4.
In 3:14-21 we find the conclusion to the doctrinal half of Paul’s epistle. And I want for you to listen carefully to his concluding remarks, for they are instructive: [3:14] “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:14–21, ESV). Did you catch that? Paul’s stated purpose is to give all glory to God. His prayer is that God would grant us the “strength to comprehend… the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that [we] may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Paul’s stated objective for the first half of his epistle is to help us comprehend, catch or grasp something. Notice that in the same sentence Paul acknowledges that this thing that he trying to help us grasp does, in fact, surpasses knowledge. In other words, though this thing may be known truly, and though we might forever grow in our comprehension of it, it cannot be understood exhaustively, for it is in fact too deep, too wide and too high for us. And again, what is the thing that Paul wants us to lay ahold of? His desire is that we comprehend the depths of love that have been showered upon by God through in Christ Jesus.
[APPLICATION: Friends, I have found that sometimes even the people of God struggle to comprehend God’s love for them in Christ Jesus. This may be especially true in times of difficultly. God’s love for us in Christ Jesus is so great that we will never be able to comprehend it fully. His love for us never changes. How could it?! He determined to set his love upon us, not because we were deserving, but by his grace alone. But sometimes we struggle with comprehension. Sometime the things we experience in this world, our own fleshly emotions, and even the evil one himself, will say, “God does not love you”. And in moments of weakness we might even begin to entertain those lies. I do believe that Ephesians will serve as remedy to this spiritual malady, for Paul’s purpose is strengthen our faith in love so that we “comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that [we] may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
But notice that his purpose in writing is not only to inform about the riches that are ours in Christ Jesus, but to also move us to live lives worthy of the calling to which we have been called. Look now at Ephesians 4:1 and see how Paul opens the second half of his epistle, which is about holy living. Pauls says, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1–3, ESV).
I would like for you to notice two things about the ordering of this Epistle (and of Paul’s other letters too).
First of all, notice that Paul begins with teaching sound doctrine, and then he exhorts the Christian to walk worthy before him. The order is significant. First doctrine, then application. Doctrine is always practical, friends. Our ability to live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord corresponds to our knowledge of his word. This is why Paul says in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” Paul’s view was that true transformation takes place in the life of the Christian through the renewal of the mind. And so pay close attention to the truths that are set fourth in the first half of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Allow these doctrines (teachings) to transform your mind. Receive them as the word of God. Believe them as true. I now for certain that believing these doctrine will be used by the Lord to empower you to “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Secondly, notice that Paul begins with gospel and then afterwards presents us with God’s law. When I say “gospel” I am refering to the good new of all that God has done for us in Christ Jesus. By “gospel” I mean the good news that God, by his grace alone, and by no merit of our own, has set his love upon us, has reconciled us to himself, has forgiven us all of our sins, and has given us life everlasting. The gospel says, look at what God has done for you you! And by “law” I mean, that which God requires of us. Gospel says, this is what God has done. Law says, this is what you are to do. And here I am saying that the order of things is of great significance. First, Paul presents the gospel, and then he gives us law. If God’s love for us were dependent upon our obedience, law would come first, and then gospel — but then the gospel would be no gospel at all! But because God’s love is a free gift, law follows gospel. We obey God — we worship and serve him — not to earn his love, but because he has determined to set his love upon us. God has graciously called us to himself, and now, out of gratitude and with love in our hearts we “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which [we] have been called” (Ephesians 4:1, ESV).
I have said much now about Paul purpose for writing: His aim is to give all glory to God and to awaken within us an awareness of the great love with which he has loved us in Christ Jesus.
If I were to identify a central theme in this epistle it would be the one that Baugh sets forth in his commentary on Ephesians: “Unity in the inaugurated new creation.”
Friends, Christ, through his life, death, burial and resurrection has accomplished, not only your salvation, but he has been given all authority in heaven and earth. He has earned, not only the forgivness of your sins, but glory in the new heavens and earth. Through Christ the new creation will be ushered in. Only through Christ — by faith in him and through union with him — will anyone enter this new creation. And this new creation has been inaugurated through him by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is here now, Indeed it is true, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV). Paul is eager to see Christians — Jew and Gentiles, rich and poor, slaves and free, husbands and wives, parents and children — live at peace given their union in Christ Jesus and their shared inheritance in him. “Unity in the inaugurated new creation”, is the central theme of this epistle.
Let us now turn our attention to Ephesians 1:3. As we go there you will quickly see that all of the blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus are rooted in God’s decision to set his love upon us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.
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Verse 3
Notice that In verse 3 Paul blesses “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…”
As I have previously said, the focus of verses 3 through 6 is upon the Father and the particular role that he has played in our redemption.
When Paul says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…” he is in essence saying, may the Father be praised!
And notice that the Father is here called “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Of course, if we are in Christ Jesus he is our Father to. But here Paul’s concern is to emphasize the relationship between God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord, for God is our Father, only if we are are united to Jesus the Son.
In the Old Testament we can find many instances where the name of God is blessed by his people. The common saying is, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel” (1 Samuel 25:32, ESV). But here, and elsewhere in Paul’s other writings, the saying is adapted so as to emphasize, not the nation of Israel, but Jesus the Christ. For it is through our union with Christ, and not our union with ethnic Israel, that God is our Father. He is the God, not only of the Jew, but also the Gentile.
And why does Paul bless the Father? Well, it is because the Father has “blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…” (Ephesians 1:3, ESV). No doubt, there are many reason to bless God’s name. But here Paul is focused upon one reason in particular — and it is the greatest of all reasons! He blesses the Father because the Father has “blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…”
To be blessed by God is to have God kindness bestowed upon you.
But notice that Paul is not referring here to the kindness of God, generally speaking. Instead he refering specifically to the kindness that God has bestowed upon us in Christ Jesus.
Furthermore, he is not here refering to the kindness that God shows to all people. Yes, it is true that God is kind to all. He blesses all in that he “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45, ESV). But Paul is not here referring to that generic blessing which God bestowed upon all, but to the blessing which God has bestowed upon those who are in Christ Jesus, united to him by faith.
Remember that Paul is writing to “the saints who are in Ephesus… faithful in Christ Jesus.” He is writing, not to the world, but to the church of God and the faithful within it. When Paul uses the pronoun “us” he is refering, not to the world, but to those who are united to Christ by faith.
It is these — the faithful ones who are in Christ Jesus — that have been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…”
The English word “spiritual” can easily by misunderstood. Often when we think of things that are spiritual we think of non-material things — things having to do with the soul of man, heavenly things. And often the word is used in that way in the scripture . But when Paul uses this Greek word here translated as “spiritual” he is referring to those things which are “of the Holy Spirit” and have, to quote Baugh, “their origin and ultimate fulfilment in the ‘high-heavenlies’ which were obtained by the last Adam, the ‘life-giving spirit’ who is ‘from heaven’, and in the likeness of whose resurrection body believers will be conformed in resurrection into ‘spiritual bodies’ (see esp. 1 For 10:3; 15:40, 44-50).”
Brothers and sisters, these “spiritual blessings” that are ours in Christ Jesus are blessings “of the Spirit” of God. They are blessings from heaven which which will have their ultimate fulfillment in heaven — that is to say, the new heavens and earth. And notice what Paul says: God the Father and blessed us “in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.”
Friends, in Christ we are rich. In Christ we are well supplied and have our every need met. These blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus are “spiritual”. They are of the Spirit and will have their ultimate fulfillment in the new heavens and earth. But they are ours now, by the power of the Holy Spirit, by whom we are sealed. Baugh notes that “The Holy Spirit is himself the link between this world and the new creation so that his presence with the elect is the ultimate blessing and the guarantee of future heavenly blessings” (Baugh, 79).
[APPLICATION: Brothers and sisters, sometimes we have difficulty comprehending the hight, depth and breadth of God’s love for us in Christ Jesus because we are looking at the wrong things for evidence of his love. We tend to look at the things of this world for evidence of God’s love for us. Instead, we must always look to Christ, his cross, and to the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places that he has lavished upon us to comprehend his love.
Never has God promised us health, wealth and prosperity, friends. If you have believed the lie that he has promised these things, then it is no wonder you feel as if God has failed you when any one of those things (or all of them) is lacking. We liven in a fallen world, friends. Poverty, sickness and death touch even the faithful. But what has God promised? That in Christ there is the fogginess of sins; that if you are in him he will keep you and bring you safely to your heavenly home; that he will never leave you nor forsake you, etc. And those who have been made alive by the Spirit know that these spiritual blessings are the greatest of all blessings, for they will last for all eternity in the new heavens and earth.
To illustrate that this is what Paul had in mind when he spoke of being blessed “in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places”, I want for you think of the sufferings that Paul had endures as a faithful servant of Christ Jesus before writing these words. And think of where he wrote these words from! Not from a pleasent palace, but from prison! Considered from a worldly perspective, Paul was not blessed — not at! In fact, some might say that he was cursed and forsaken by God. But Paul knew better, didn’t. Has he sat in that prison cell, and as he considered his life of suffering as a servant of Christ Jesus, his impulse was not to complain against God, to bless him, saying, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…”
Another way to get at this principle is to ask the question, where is your treasure, friends? Where is treasure, and therefore, where is your heart? If you heart and treasure are wrapped up with the things of this earth, you will be undone when the blessings of this earth elude you. But if your treasure and heart are in heaven, then never will you be undone. For those spiritual and heavenly blessings are yours and Christ Jesus, and nothing — not even death — can take them from you. In fact, death will only be the gateway by which you come to possess those blessing even more fully.]
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Verse 4
In verse 4 Paul identifies the reason or principle cause of our being blessed in Christ Jesus, staying, “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world…”
Why are we blessed “in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places”? Why has God the Father shown us this kindness? What has he set his favor upon us in this way?
Pay careful attention. The reason is not rooted in us, but in him. The text says, “even as he [the Father] chose us [the believer] in him [Christ] before the foundation of the world…”
The passage is very clear. The thing that has caused us to be blessed in Christ Jesus is God’s choice of us in eternity past. Again, He [God] chose us [the believer] in him [that is, in Christ] before the foundation of the world…[that is, before the world was created].”
This is the doctrine of election clearly stated. The word translated “chose” in verse 4 is ἐκλέγομαι. It means to chose, to select, to pick out, to elect. It appears 22 in the New Testament, always with reference to the selection of people or things out of a group.
For example, in John 15:6 Jesus spoke to his disciples saying, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.” (John 15:16, ESV). In John 15:19 Jesus continued, saying, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:19, ESV). And in 1 Corinthians 1:27 Paul wrote to those Christians in Corinth, saying, “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God” (1 Corinthians 1:27–29, ESV).
[APPLICATION: When all of the texts that speak of God’s election of some to salvation in Christ are considered it is clear that his choice to elect of some (and to pass over others) was rooted, not in the goodness or deservedness of the one chosen, but in the gracious and sovereign will of God alone. Friends, there is no room for boasting, therefore, in those who have been chosen. There is only room for humble appreciation and gratitude for God’s free and unmerited favor.
This doctrine of election is both humbling and it is also deeply comforting. It is comforting for it revealed that the root and cause of our salvation in Christ Jesus is God’s goodness and faithfulness, and not ours. We did not merit or election. We did not earn our salvation. And we cannot loss it, therefore, for it was a gift from the beginning. God will surely finish the work that he began in us — he will bring it to completion.]
As we continue on in verse 4 notice that God the Father’s choice of us in Christ before the foundation of the world, was for a purpose. It was so that “we should be holy and blameless before him.” This was the goal of the election of particular believers: that they stand before God holy and blameless. Holiness has reference to our moral purity. Blamelessness has reference to our freedom from guilt as transgressors of God’s holy law. Both things are given to the one who has faith in Christ. In the moment we place our faith in him, we are washed clean from our sins. Christ’s shed blood cleanses us from all unrighteous. And we are also declared not guilty, for Christ has paid the price for our sins, and his righteousness is imputed to us. This was the purpose of God’s election of the believer, that they stand holy and blameless before him. And is it not also God’s purpose to sanctify us — that is to teach to actually live holy lives and keep his law out of gratitude for all that is ours in Christ Jesus? Of course it is. This is why Paul will soon urge us to, “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love…” (Ephesians 4:1–2, ESV)
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Verses 5 – 6
In verse 5-6 we learn even more about God’s election of us in Christ Jesus. A different word is used here to describe our election. Instead of the word “chose”, we find the word “predestined”. Picking up now at the very end of verse 4 we read, “In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:4b–6, ESV).
The word “predestined” means to foreordain, to decide before hand, or to determine something ahead of time. And this is what God has done: he, from all eternity, before he cerated the heavens and earth, determined to do something for his elect.
Verses 4b through 6 are very instructive. In a very short space they reveal a lot about God’s predeterminations.
One, here is revealed the motive of God’s predestinating: His love. We read, “In love he predestined us for adoption to himself…”
You should know that there is some debate over where to place the phrase, “in love” in our English translations. Some translations tag “in love” on to the end of the previous sentence, so that it reads, “that we should be holy and blameless before him in love” (Ephesians 1:4, ESV). “In love” would then be a reference to the desired conduct of the believer. The Christian is to live a holy life characterized by “love”. And while this is indeed true, I do believe that the ESV has it right when it makes the phrase “in love” the opening of the sentence found in verse 5. God’s “love” was what moved him to predestinate some to adoption as sons. This is certainly consistent with what that most famous verse, John 3:16, revels, when it says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, ESV). What “moved” God to send the Son so that all who believe in him “should not perish but have eternal life”? It was God’s love, friends!
Two, here is reveled the goal of God’s predestinating: our adoption as sons. Again, “In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons” Not only did he chose us to be holy and blameless. More than that, he predestined us to be his beloved children. Later in Ephesians, Paul will remind us that by nature — that is, according to our natural birth — we were children of wrath. But here we learn that God determined ahead of time to reconcile us to himself and to adopt us as sons. The women in the church should refrain from taking offense at the phrased “as sons”. This thought that all of God people, male and female, have been adopted “as sons” is actually very important to Paul’s argumentation in this letter. By nature we belonged to another family, and had another father — the father of lies. But Christ, the eternal Son of God come in the fleshed has reconciled us to God. And in Christ — through union with him — we are one. Jew and Gentile, slave and free, rich and poor, yes, male and female are one in Christ. We stand in him and before God on an equal plane.
Three, here is reveled the mediation: all of this was predestined to be accomplished through Jesus the Christ. How would we be reconciled to God? How would we be adopted has his children? Through Christ and his finished work on the cross. Yes, even the life, death burial and resurrection of Christ was predestined. This is exactly what Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, saying, “this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men” (Acts 2:23, ESV).
Four, the principle cause of God’s predestinating is revealed: all of this was determined “according to the purpose of his will…” Why did God chose who he chose? Why does God do what he does? Much remains mysterious to us, but one thing we know for sure, God was not responding to or reacting to something in the creature. He predetermined to reconcile some to himself through the work of Christ and by faith in his name, and this was done “according to the purpose of his will.”
Five, the result of God predestinating is here revealed: all of this is “to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6, ESV). Friends, God’s grace is truly glorious! His grace is remarkable. How marvelous it is to think that God woud set his love upon sinners such as you and me. Far from being a reason to complain against God, the doctrine of election or predestination should move us to praise. To think that God Almighty would set his love upon any of the children of men who have rebelled against his most holy name, is marvelous.
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Conclusion
Christian, I know that many of you were wanting to hear an encouraging word this morning given the unsettling situation that we find ourselves in. And frankly, I couldn’t think of a more encouraging message than one that is delivered to us here in Ephesians.
Everything in this world is fleeting, transient, momentary. This is always the case. But from time to time something will disrupt the rhythm of life and remind us that it so. Everything in this world is temporary, changing, unstable (from our perspective).
But God does not change. He is not fleeting, transient, or momentary. To contrary, he is constant, immutable, eternal. And if you are in Christ Jesus — that is, if you have turned from your sins and have put your trust in him — it is because God, in eternity past, determined to set his love upon you. No, it was not because of some merit that he foresaw in you. It was not because he foresaw that you would believe, but it was “according to the purpose of his will”. And in Christ, you are rich. You are well supplied. You have an “to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…” (1 Peter 1:4, ESV). And even now, God has bestowed upon you “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places”. In Christ you have been made holy and blameless. In Christ you have the adoption as son.
And friends, here is why the Christian is able to bless God and to praise him for his grace even while the world around us shakes and totters. Our trust is not in the transient things of this world, but in God who is unchanging. And our treasure is not here either, where moth and rust destroy, but it is in heaven. And our confidence is not in man — not in ourselves, or in any other — but in God who is ever faithful.
Friends, if you are listening in this morning and do not yet know Christ — if you, in this time of uncertainty, have come to see how temporary and unstable life on this earth is — and if you would like know the love of God, to have the forgiveness of sins the adoption as sons, and the sure hope of life everlasting — then turn from your sins, confess them to God and ask for his forgivness, trusting only Jesus Christ, who is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. If the Lord is drawing you to himself this morning — if he is calling you to faith in Christ — then do not be silent. Please, call me, or some other faithful Pastor in your area, so that you might profess your faith through the waters of baptism, and grow in Christ within his church, his beloved bride.
For those who have faith, this time of uncertainty is a time of testing. Do you really believe what the scriptures say, friends? Do you believe it to the point that it it produces hope and peace within your heart, enabling you to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1, ESV).
Christian, God loves you. To comprehend this, look not to the things of this world, but to the risen Christ, and to the spiritual blessings that are yours in him.
