Living in the Abundance of Christ's Redemption

Ephesians 1:7-14 reveals the heart of God’s plan for us: all of life is all for Jesus. Every spiritual blessing we have is found in Christ, and the central focus of our lives must be on Him—His person, His work, and His redeeming love. Redemption is not just a theological concept; it is a present reality for those who have trusted in Christ. Through His blood, we have been bought back from slavery to sin, our debt has been canceled, and we are forgiven—past, present, and future. This forgiveness is not given out of God’s riches, as if He spared a little, but according to the vastness of His grace, which He has lavished on us. There is no sin too great, no past too dark, that the blood of Jesus cannot cover.

God’s grace is not stingy or measured; it is abundant and complete. He knows us fully—our weaknesses, our failures, our rebellion—and yet, in His wisdom and understanding, He still chose to redeem and forgive us. Like a parent who adopts a child with full knowledge of the challenges ahead, God’s love is not deterred by our brokenness. This should move us not to hide our sins, but to bring them to Him, knowing that He already knows and has made a way for us to be cleansed and restored.

But redemption is not the end of the story. There is a fullness ahead. All of creation groans for the day when everything will be made new, when Christ returns and unites all things in Himself. The brokenness, chaos, and pain we see and feel are not the final word. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit, a guarantee of the inheritance to come. This sealing is God’s mark of ownership and assurance that what He has begun, He will complete. In the meantime, we are called to live for the praise of His glory, to grow, to change, and to make visible the invisible God through our lives.

For those who have not yet received this redemption, the invitation is simple: admit your need, believe in Jesus—His life, death, and resurrection—and confess Him as Lord. For those who have, let the reality of your redemption and the hope of what’s to come move you to worship, to courage, and to a life wholly devoted to Jesus.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Redemption is a present reality, not just a future hope. Through the blood of Jesus, we are not merely offered the possibility of forgiveness; we possess it now. Our debt is fully paid, and we are set free from the power and penalty of sin—not by our own efforts, but by Christ’s finished work. [19:44]
• 2. God’s grace is given according to His riches, not out of them. He does not give sparingly or reluctantly, but lavishes His grace upon us in abundance. This means our forgiveness is as vast and complete as God Himself, leaving no room for shame or fear that our sins are too great to be covered. [27:10]
• 3. God redeems and forgives us with full knowledge of who we are. He is not surprised by our failures or weaknesses; in His wisdom and understanding, He chose to love us anyway. This should free us from hiding and prompt us to bring our sins into the light, trusting in His complete acceptance and cleansing. [32:40]
• 4. The brokenness of the world and our own lives should make us long for the fullness to come. Hardships, suffering, and the ongoing presence of sin are reminders that this is not the way it’s supposed to be. But God promises a day when all things will be made new, and this hope anchors us in perseverance and longing for heaven. [58:28]
• 5. The sealing of the Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee of our future inheritance. This mark of ownership assures us that our salvation is secure, not because of our faithfulness, but because of God’s. The Spirit awakens us, convicts us, and keeps us, calling us to continual growth and a life lived for the praise of His glory. [61:52]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Introduction and Ephesians Overview
• [03:45] - Struggles with Assurance and Forgiveness
• [06:30] - Spiritual Blessings in Christ
• [09:20] - Reading Ephesians 1:7-10
• [11:00] - All of Life is All for Jesus
• [13:15] - Redemption Realized: What It Means
• [19:44] - The Power and Necessity of Christ’s Blood
• [27:10] - Grace Lavished, Not Measured
• [32:40] - God’s Wisdom and Knowing Love
• [38:00] - Responding to Redemption: Worship and Honesty
• [44:15] - The Mystery Revealed in Christ
• [49:00] - Redemption Realized, Fullness Ahead
• [55:32] - Longing for Restoration and Heaven
• [58:28] - Suffering and the Hope of Renewal
• [61:05] - Sealed by the Spirit: Assurance and Security
• [63:41] - Growing and Changing Together
• [65:39] - Invitation to Respond and Receive Christ
• [69:46] - Prayer for Salvation
• [70:59] - Celebrating New Life and Next Steps
• [71:54] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Reading

Ephesians 1:7-14 (ESV) — 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.

Observation Questions

1. According to Ephesians 1:7, what do we have “in him” (in Christ), and how is it made possible?
2. How does Paul describe the way God gives us grace and forgiveness in verses 7-8?
3. What does it mean that believers are “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” in verses 13-14?
4. In the sermon, what illustration did the pastor use to explain the difference between giving “out of” riches and “according to” riches? ([27:10])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says redemption is a present reality, not just a future hope. Why is it important for believers to see forgiveness as something they already possess, not just something they hope for? ([19:44])
2. The pastor compared God’s grace to a parent adopting a child with full knowledge of the challenges ahead. What does this teach us about God’s attitude toward our weaknesses and failures? ([32:40])
3. The “sealing” of the Holy Spirit is described as a guarantee of our inheritance. How does this assurance affect the way a Christian faces doubts or struggles with sin? ([01:01:52])
4. The sermon talks about the brokenness of the world making us “long for the fullness to come.” How does this longing shape the way we live now? ([58:28])

Application Questions

1. The sermon said, “There is no sin too great, no past too dark, that the blood of Jesus cannot cover.” Is there something in your past or present that you have trouble believing God can forgive? What would it look like to bring that honestly to God this week? ([19:44])
2. God’s grace is described as “lavished” and not given sparingly. Do you ever find yourself thinking God’s forgiveness is limited or that you have to earn it? How does understanding the abundance of God’s grace change the way you approach Him after you sin? ([27:10])
3. The pastor said God redeems and forgives us with full knowledge of who we are. Are there areas of your life you tend to hide from God or others out of shame? What step could you take to bring those into the light, trusting in God’s acceptance? ([32:40])
4. When you look at the brokenness in your own life or in the world, do you find yourself discouraged or longing for heaven? How can the hope of Christ making all things new help you persevere through current hardships? ([58:28])
5. The sermon emphasized that the Holy Spirit “seals” us and guarantees our inheritance. When you struggle with doubts about your salvation or God’s love, what practical reminders or habits could help you rest in this assurance? ([01:01:52])
6. The pastor challenged the church to “live for the praise of His glory” and to make the invisible God visible through our lives. What is one specific way you can show God’s love or kindness to someone this week as a response to your redemption? ([01:03:41])
7. For those who have not yet received Christ, the invitation was to admit your need, believe in Jesus, and confess Him as Lord. If you have not taken this step, what questions or hesitations do you have? If you have, how can you share your story of redemption with someone else this month? ([01:05:39])