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The unsearchable riches of Christ

After Conversion what then? Pt 5

Scripture: Eph 1:15-23.
The word “what” in verse 19, brings us to the third petition of Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians. It is the lengthiest of the petitions. It is a request that the people of God be acquainted with the greatness of God’s power which was put forth on behalf of God’s people.
I. SADLY, WE ARE IGNORANT OF THE EXTENT OF THE POWER GOD’S EXERCISES ON OUR BEHALF
The mightiness of God has gone forth on our behalf. This what God would have us know. What has been experienced by every true believer is no common or small matter. No, we have been the subjects of the efficiency of God’s mighty power. Having considered the calling of which every believe is the subject and the riches of our inheritance, it inevitable that Paul would wish us to know the of the power that is at work in us to accomplish God’s will in us.
The splendor of the inheritance which is ours would tend to create anxieties over whether or not our sinful failures and rebellions will finally deprive us of heaven. The greater the treasure a man carries, the more nervous he is about losing it! But consider: For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure, Philippians 2:13. This is the secret of what we are. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ephesians 3:20. God is working in us to accomplish the ends for which we have been called by His grace.
1. The Christian is the product of God’s power. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek, Romans 1:16. We are God’s workmanship, Eph 2:10, Phil 1:6. We are a new creation, 2 Cor 5:17.
2. Were we to understand this better, how humble we would be. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture, Psalm 100:3. Man can not claim any part in this work. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins, Ephesians 2:1.
3. Were we to understand this better, how grateful we would be. John 5:1-9. Here is a picture of each one of us. Unworthy, helpless, afflicted, dying. Here is a picture of sovereign grace at work. Christ spoke to this man only and healed him and that when he was in ignorance of Who Christ was.
4. Were we to understand this better, how happy we would be. We are kept by the power of God, 1 Peter 1:3-5. Do we fear for the creation? Are we fearful of the earth disintegrating or the stars falling? No, for God upholds them. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made, John 1:3. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, Hebrews 1:3.
This is the happiness of the psalmist, Ps 46; 118:6.

The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Pt17

After Conversion . . . . What Then? Pt 4.

Scripture Ephesians 1:15-23.

Stream or download The unsearchable riches of Christ, Pt17

Paul lists three matters about which he desires the Lord to teach the Ephesians more fully.
1. The hope of God’s calling, verse 18.
2. The riches of the glory of God’s inheritance in the saints, verse 18.
3. The greatness of God’s power, verses 19-23.
We wish to look at the second of these topics.

These words need careful reading before we enter upon an exegesis of them.

I. GOD WOULD HAVE US TO BE INFORMED ABOUT OUR INHERITANCE
1 Cor 2:9-10.
1. It is a chief means of sustaining the saint. What comfort, what encouragement, what joy it will afford. God’s people have always had their eyes upon the world that is to come. Hebs 11:10; 13:14.
2. We are to set our affections on it. Col 3:2. You cannot set your love upon that of which you know nothing.
3. It is to occupy our thoughts. Isa 26:3.

II. EVERY CHRISTIAN IS GOD’S HEIR
1. Everything we have in Christ is by way of an inheritance. It is not of works or of merit but freely given. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me, Acts 26:18. See verses 11, 14.
2. As we have already noticed, we have received the down payment of our inheritance. A knowledge of sins forgiven and reconciliation with God and an assurance of heaven is the down payment.
3. The full inheritance will be entered upon in heaven. 1 Peter 1:3-5.

III. CONSIDER THE TITLE GIVEN TO OUR INHERITANCE
The riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. Paul labours to give expression to the magnifience of the inheritance of the saints.
1. It is a rich inheritance. It refers to the abundance of treasure.Mark 10:21.
2. It is a glorious inheritance. It is an inheritance that is brightened by the glory of God. It comes from His hand and bears His glory. The heavens declare the glory of God, Psalm 19:1. How much more that which has been purchased by the blood of Christ. 2 Cor 4:17.
3. It is God’s inheritance. It is prepared by His hand. John 14:1-3. It is to be like Christ, 1 John 3:2; Phil 3:21. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him, 1 Corinthians 2:9. Hebs 11:16;

The unsearchable riches of Christ, Pt16

After Conversion . . . . What Then? Pt 3.

Scripture: Eph 1:15-23.

Stream or download The unsearchable riches of Christ, Pt16

We have been considering Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians and how it highlights both God’s method of instruction and the matter He would have us instructed in. We noted last week how that knowledge comes by the grace of the Holy Spirit Who opens the eyes of our understanding.

Just what we should come to understand is not left to ourselves any more than any pupil pick what they wish to study.

Christian knowledge is progressive. The Ephesians knew much, verse 9, but we must add to what we know.

There are three subject matters which the Holy Spirit particularly instructs us in. These are listed in verses 18-19.

We will deal with the first of these today, in the will of God.

The hope of his calling.

The “hope” spoken of here is not that hoped for, heaven with all its glories, but the thing, hope, itself. Hope in the Bible has not the meaning commonly given to it today. It means “confidence,” “assurance.”

I. The Christian is a person of hope.

This is elementary but vitally important. He possesses a confident expectation of passing to glory when he dies.

1. Man by nature is without hope. Paul says that in 2:12. No hope of heaven, no hope of escape from hell. Men may entertain hopes but they are empty, vain hopes. When the sinner dies, he has no hope awaiting him. 1 Thess 4:13.

2. The gospel offers sinners hope. It presents to us salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. Our response should be to lay hold upon that hope, Heb 6:18-19.

3. The believer’s hope is an anchor. We are anchored to Christ the Rock. We face death in peace and calmness, Ps 16:9.

II. IT IS THE PRIVILEGE OF THE BELIEVER TO GROW IN HOPE.

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13. Filled, abounding. In a world of dwindling hopes and confidences; a world of suicides and brokenness of spirit, how good to possess an ever strengthening hope.

1. It grows as we become more acquainted with it. It is revealed in the Word of God, Col 1:5.

2. It grows as we live in accordance with our hope. 1 John 3:3.

3. It grows as we openly confess our hope. 1 Peter 3:15.

III. THE BELIEVER’S HOPE IS THE RESULT OF GOD’S CALLING.

The call of God may be heard generally in the gospel. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent, Acts 17:30. But there is also an effectual or particular call. This call is referred to in Rom 8:28-30.

1. It is His calling. It is God who has called us to this hope. He spoke personally and directly to us by His Word and His Spirit. He is the fountainhead of our hope. Therefore, it shall not fail us.

2. It is a heavenly calling. Hebs 3:1, Phil 3:14. It is from above and calls us upward. Hebs 12:1-2.

3. It is a holy calling. 2 Tim 1:9. You can easily tell those who are answering this call, 2 Thess 1:11-12, Eph 4:1. There life concurs with their calling.