Inheritance Through Christ

Prepared by: J.A.O. Vergara  |  December 2020

9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. 

~Ephesians 1:9-14 [NASB]

INTRODUCTION

We knew already that Paul is that this letter was written by Paul while he was in prison at Rome.  We also knew that at this time, Ephesus was the most important city in western Asia Minor (now Turkey).  We also knew that the city has their patron goddess Diana, their provider for hunting and fertility. 

Because of the busy city life and because of the many pleasure and leisure activities, Paul warned the Ephesians Christian.  Though the letter was not meant for correction, and that it was written to encourage the church at Ephesus, we must also remember that John called out the church at Ephesus that they have forsaken their first love, they have stopped doing the things they were doing for God and in Christ (Revelation 2:1-7).     

 PROCLAIMATION

In verses 9-10, Paul proclaimed that God has revealed to the church His mysterious will regarding Christ.  And in verse 11, by being united into Christ, the church has received the promised inheritance from God. That in God’s appointed time, He will bring everything in heaven and in Earth to be under the authority of Christ. Yes, by accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, you been given the right to called a child of God (John 1:12)

ASKED QUESTIONS

Q1:  To whom are the revelation given?

Q2:  When was it revealed?

Q3:  Why did God revealed it?

Q4:  How should we respond to the revelation?

It is my prayer that as we learn, relearn, or unlearn few things today, we would have a deeper understanding on these things. I also pray that God will grant us all with His wisdom and grant us understanding as we continue in seeking about His truth.

TEACHING LESSON

Q1: To whom are the revelation given?

TL 1: In Lesson 2, we learned that Paul was telling the Ephesian Christians how worthy God is to be praised for He has blessed the disciples with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because of being united with Christ.

In verse 1, Paul has intended this letter not to every Ephesian, but to faithful followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Since this is a written document, there is always the greater possibility that non-Christians could read the contents of this letter.  However, these words do not come as a divine revelation to all because the worth of the heavenly promises of God comes only to those who hoped for the promises of God and have put their faith on the One True God.

Q2:  When was it revealed?

TL 2:  God has revealed this mystery to all mankind by the time He has purchased the freedom of humanity through the blood of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ (v.7).

Q3:  Why did God revealed it?

TL 2:  Because He is just being God, the very Loving God.  Because God has decided in advance to adopt humanity into His own family (v.5).

He did this because of His own purpose of bringing first the Jews, then the Gentiles, unto bringing Him praises and glory (v.12).

He did this because it gave Him pleasure by so doing it (v.5).

Q4:  How should we respond to the revelation?

TL4:  Actually, the real question here is “have you truly responded to this revelation?”

If you would say Yes or Amen with all confidence in Christ, then we have not much to talk about.

However, if for a moment, you could not answer this with sincere confidence, then brother/sister, we might have a little problem here.

You must understand that being genuinely united with Christ has the assurance of having the gifts of the Holy Spirit (v. 3). Furthermore, being united with Christ has enabled us to receive the inheritance from God (v.11).

CONCLUSSION

Now, it has been clear to us the kind of relationship between God and His Church.  It has always been the will of God to save humanity, especially His Church, and that He has granted to His chosen people the Holy Spirit in order to seal His promised inheritance and enabling the Church to praise and glorify Him (v.14).

The climax of all this is the ultimate plan of God at His appointed time, that He will subject all things under the authority of Christ (v.10), which later on, God will subject Christ unto His own to make God to be all in all ( 1 Corinthians 15:26-28)

CHALLENGE

Now, as Apostle Paul has reiterated:

And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago [v.13, NLT].

If you have responded to the proclamation, do not go weary in praising and glorifying God.  And for you, yes you who are not still certain about the quality of your response to the proclamation of God’s ultimate plan, then I challenge you now to truly commit yourself to God through Jesus Christ, and ask God to grant you various gifts of the Holy Spirit. And let us pray together that God would grant you wisdom and understanding.