God's Sovereign Work in Salvation and Unity

 

Summary

In this sermon, the focus is on the profound mystery of how God brings individuals into the Christian faith, emphasizing that it is entirely the work of God through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, highlights that both Jews and Gentiles are made fellow heirs in Christ, sharing the same inheritance. This unity in Christ transcends all previous divisions and distinctions, making them irrelevant. The sermon underscores that becoming a Christian is not a result of human merit or understanding but is akin to receiving an inheritance by lot, guided by God's predestined purpose.

The means by which God accomplishes this work is through the "word of truth," the gospel of salvation. This truth is not merely a set of doctrines but the good news concerning Jesus Christ—His person and His work. The sermon stresses that no one can become a Christian apart from this word of truth. It is not about having a religious experience or living a good life; it is about understanding and accepting what God has done in Christ. The gospel is the message of reconciliation, where God, through Christ, has reconciled the world to Himself, not counting people's sins against them.

The sermon also highlights the essential role of the Holy Spirit in applying this truth to individuals. The Holy Spirit opens hearts, enabling them to receive and believe the gospel. This divine work is not mechanical or coercive; rather, it persuades the will, making the truth attractive and desirable. The Christian, therefore, is one who hears the word, believes it, and places their hope and trust entirely in Jesus Christ. This trust is not only for the past and present but also for the future, providing assurance and confidence in the face of life's uncertainties and even death.

Key Takeaways:

- The unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ illustrates the profound work of God in abolishing divisions and making all believers fellow heirs. This unity is a testament to God's purpose and grace, transcending human distinctions and emphasizing the centrality of being "in Christ." [02:21]

- Becoming a Christian is not based on human merit or understanding but is akin to receiving an inheritance by lot, guided by God's predestined purpose. This highlights the sovereignty of God in salvation, where His eternal will determines who becomes a Christian. [06:58]

- The "word of truth," the gospel of salvation, is the means by which God brings individuals to faith. It is not about religious experiences or good works but about understanding and accepting what God has done in Christ. This truth is essential for genuine Christian faith. [12:02]

- The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in applying the gospel to individuals, opening their hearts to receive and believe the truth. This divine work is not coercive but persuasive, making the truth attractive and desirable, leading to genuine faith and transformation. [31:13]

- A Christian is one who places their hope and trust entirely in Jesus Christ, not only for the past and present but also for the future. This trust provides assurance and confidence in the face of life's uncertainties and even death, rooted in the unchanging love of God in Christ. [41:55]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to Ephesians
[00:25] - Restoration through Christ
[00:45] - Unity of Jews and Gentiles
[01:24] - Fellow Heirs in Christ
[02:03] - Becoming a Christian
[03:04] - God's Work in Salvation
[04:10] - Inheritance by Lot
[06:03] - Predestination and God's Purpose
[07:37] - Means of Salvation: The Word of Truth
[09:26] - The Gospel of Salvation
[11:13] - Misconceptions about Christianity
[14:55] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[19:30] - Reconciliation through Christ
[24:14] - The Spirit and the Word
[31:13] - The Spirit's Work in Believers
[33:09] - Hearing, Believing, Trusting
[39:11] - Hope and Confidence in Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 1:11-14
- 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
- Acts 16:14

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Ephesians 1:11-14, what does it mean to be "fellow heirs" in Christ, and how does this concept relate to both Jews and Gentiles? [01:24]

2. In the sermon, how does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the process by which individuals become Christians? What role does the "word of truth" play in this process? [07:37]

3. What is the significance of the Holy Spirit in the process of becoming a Christian, as explained in the sermon? [24:14]

4. How does the sermon explain the concept of receiving an inheritance "by lot," and what does this imply about human merit in salvation? [04:39]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ serve as a testament to God's purpose and grace, according to the sermon? [02:21]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of the "word of truth" and its importance in the Christian faith? How does this differ from merely having a religious experience? [12:02]

3. In what ways does the sermon describe the Holy Spirit's work as persuasive rather than coercive, and why is this distinction important for understanding Christian faith? [31:13]

4. How does the sermon explain the assurance and confidence that Christians can have in the face of life's uncertainties and even death? [41:55]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the idea of being a "fellow heir" in Christ. How does this understanding impact your view of other believers, especially those from different backgrounds or cultures? [01:24]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of the "word of truth" in becoming a Christian. How can you ensure that your faith is rooted in this truth rather than in personal experiences or good works? [12:02]

3. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your own faith journey. How have you experienced the Spirit's work in making the gospel attractive and desirable to you? [31:13]

4. The sermon describes salvation as an inheritance received "by lot," guided by God's purpose. How does this perspective influence your understanding of God's sovereignty in your life? [04:39]

5. In what ways can you place your hope and trust entirely in Jesus Christ for your past, present, and future? How does this trust provide assurance in your daily life? [41:55]

6. How can you actively seek to understand and accept what God has done in Christ, as opposed to relying on religious experiences or good works? [12:02]

7. Reflect on a time when you felt uncertain or fearful about the future. How can the assurance of God's unchanging love in Christ help you face similar situations with confidence? [41:55]

Devotional

Day 1: Unity in Christ Abolishes Divisions
In Ephesians, Paul reveals the mystery of God's plan to unite Jews and Gentiles as fellow heirs in Christ. This unity is a profound testament to God's purpose and grace, transcending human distinctions and emphasizing the centrality of being "in Christ." The divisions that once separated people are rendered irrelevant in the light of the inheritance shared by all believers. This unity is not just a theological concept but a lived reality that calls for a new way of relating to one another, grounded in the love and grace of God. [02:21]

Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."

Reflection: Is there a division or barrier in your life that needs to be broken down in light of the unity we have in Christ? How can you actively pursue reconciliation and unity in that situation today?


Day 2: Salvation as God's Sovereign Gift
Becoming a Christian is not a result of human merit or understanding but is akin to receiving an inheritance by lot, guided by God's predestined purpose. This highlights the sovereignty of God in salvation, where His eternal will determines who becomes a Christian. It is a humbling reminder that our faith is not something we achieve but a gift we receive, rooted in God's grace and purpose. This understanding calls us to a posture of gratitude and humility, recognizing that our salvation is entirely the work of God. [06:58]

Ephesians 1:11-12 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: How does recognizing your faith as a gift from God change the way you view your relationship with Him? What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude for this gift today?


Day 3: The Gospel of Salvation as the Word of Truth
The "word of truth," the gospel of salvation, is the means by which God brings individuals to faith. It is not about religious experiences or good works but about understanding and accepting what God has done in Christ. This truth is essential for genuine Christian faith, as it is the message of reconciliation where God, through Christ, has reconciled the world to Himself. The gospel is not just a set of doctrines but the good news concerning Jesus Christ—His person and His work. [12:02]

Colossians 1:5-6 (ESV): "Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth."

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your understanding and acceptance of the gospel today? How can you share this "word of truth" with someone in your life who needs to hear it?


Day 4: The Holy Spirit's Role in Faith and Transformation
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in applying the gospel to individuals, opening their hearts to receive and believe the truth. This divine work is not coercive but persuasive, making the truth attractive and desirable, leading to genuine faith and transformation. The Spirit's work is essential in the life of a believer, as it is through the Spirit that we are empowered to live out our faith and experience the transformative power of the gospel. [31:13]

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (ESV): "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: How have you experienced the Holy Spirit's work in your life recently? What is one area where you need to invite the Spirit's transformative power today?


Day 5: Trusting in Christ for Past, Present, and Future
A Christian is one who places their hope and trust entirely in Jesus Christ, not only for the past and present but also for the future. This trust provides assurance and confidence in the face of life's uncertainties and even death, rooted in the unchanging love of God in Christ. It is a call to live with a forward-looking faith, anchored in the promises of God and the hope of eternal life. [41:55]

Hebrews 6:18-19 (ESV): "So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God for the future? How can you actively place your hope and trust in Christ in that area today?

Quotes


The amazing thing is that we can confronted by in the church is that it consists of Jews and Gentiles we says the Apostle who first hoped in Christ the Jews you also you pagans Ephesians were outside the Commonwealth of Israel and enemies and aliens of far removed from God we are birthed together Christ is made of this Twain one. [00:54:39]

The thing that God has done in Christ for us is that he has made us fellow heirs that's his way of putting it you see in whom also we have obtained an inheritance we use of obtained an inheritance but so of the Gentiles so we are fellow heirs together we are looking forward to the same things God has prepared the same things for us. [01:36:18]

It is my being in Christ we are all in Christ and there we are the same all these other divisions and distinctions are abolished and become irrelevant the important thing about the Christian is that is in Christ well then that it's the next question how does anyone become in Christ how is it that we were ever brought in through Christ. [02:10:11]

The Apostle used and he chose it very deliberately to be endowed with an inheritance by lot now why do you think he chose that particular work well surely it's quite obvious he does it deliberately he wants us to see at the very beginning that it doesn't depend upon any merit in us not upon anything we you see when you get any benefit as the result of drawing a lot or casting a lot. [04:50:29]

It appears in general as if it were accidental and by lot but rarely it isn't there is someone guiding the lot who is that well it's God and God does it in this way being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will God's great purpose God's purpose which he determined with himself which he him of works he carries it out he guides the lot as it were he directs it all three destined it's predetermined this matter. [06:10:37]

God uses means and here we are told exactly what the means are which God uses in order to make us Christians in order to put us in Christ in order to make us inheritance of this great inheritance which God has prepared for us in our Blessed Lord and Savior well now what are the means well here's the answer he puts it in verse 13 in whom he also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth the gospel of your salvation. [07:37:02]

No one can become a Christian apart from this word of truth now how important it is for us to realize this let me put it negatively you don't become a Christian simply by having an experience you don't become a Christian simply by having a different feeling from what you formerly have now there are so many people who think that that makes us Christian because they've had some sort of experience because they feel different because they're now living a different kind of life they think they're of necessity Christian but that is himself you cannot be a Christian apart from this word of truth the gospel of your salvation. [10:36:41]

The Christian is one who realizes that his entire position depends alone upon the person and the work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the word of truth the gospel of our salvation why the men whom I've just been describing is in exactly the same position as an Old Testament Jew they believed in God they try to please God and to keep his commandments and to worship Him and they sacrifice tremendously if for doing so many of them that was the whole position of the the Pharisee did fest twice in the week he did give a tenth of his goods to the poor he did worship God he lived in a sense for God as he understood it but he was not a Christian. [14:39:05]

The word of truth the gospel of your salvation what is salvation well before you begin to talk about having a happier and a better life you must talk about deliverance from the Rasta come you can't be a Christian without having a conviction of sin to be a Christian means that you realize you are guilty before God that you are under the wrath of God who delivered us from the rough to come so spoke to those Thessalonians and it was his message everywhere that God is appointed the day in which he's going to judge the whole world in righteousness by Jesus Christ by nature we are all under the wrath of God. [18:00:77]

The Spirit is in the word yes but the Spirit must be in my heart also and open it before I can receive the word you see it is the spirit that quickeneth it is the spirit that enlightens us from the death of sin in which we are all by nature it is the spirit that gives us the Faculty of belief it is the spirit that gives us this new principle of life which makes all these things possible well I've already read the verse to you on previous occasions let me read it again in the second a pill chapter of this epistle to the Philippi to the Ephesians the eighth verse for by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God faith is the gift of God the faculty is the gift of God he enables us to believe by the spirit and apart from this operation of the Spirit we remain dead to the word. [31:44:04]

God persuades the will he makes the truth attractive to us so that no man has ever believed the gospel against his will he is being given to see it in such a way that He desires it he admires it he likes it examine your own experience was there a time when you saw nothing in these things but now they're everything to you made the difference well there's a change in you it was the result of God's operation in the Holy Spirit upon you that a truth which would appear to be to be you to be boring and uninteresting and unattractive suddenly becomes the most wonderful thing you've ever heard of the same truth may have been the same preacher you used to see nothing in it you now see everything well what is it well you were different you now have this principle in you of life and a faith and the ability to comprehend them to understand you've been given an understanding and anointing an action by the Holy Spirit as the Apostle John puts it. [35:04:85]

The Christian is one who centers is every hope on the Lord Jesus Christ when he thinks about his past and looks back at it he is given peace not simply because he believes that God is a God of love was ready to forgive no he's given peace about his past because he knows that his past sins were laid upon the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross on Calvary's Hill it is that Christ has borne them and carried them away that gives him confidence and hope and trust as he reviews his path nothing less if it isn't Christ and Lee you've no hope and you're no Christian as regards the present he's aware of his weakness he is aware of his unworthiness he is aware of the terrible power of sin and temptation what is the basis of his open confidence and trust it is still the same it is the Lord Jesus Christ. [39:59:38]

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Transcript
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