HIGH PRICE, NOT WHOLESALE by Dr. Shah, Clearview Church, Henderson, NC

Introduction: How many of you remember your parents or someone ever say to you – “Nothing is free” or “You have to work for you what you want in life”? What they are saying is that “Everything comes at a cost.” How about – “You get what you pay for” or “If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys”? What they are saying is that if something’s too cheap, then it’s not going to last. As someone said, “Buy cheap, buy twice.” Both those ideas are connected and very true when it comes to our salvation. We are in our series through Ephesians, and our message is titled “High Price, Not Wholesale.” Here’s the message: Your salvation and mine is free to us, but it wasn’t free. It was paid for by Jesus, the Son of God. Neither was it cheap. He paid the price with his own blood. In a world where people don’t feel valued and appreciated, it is time to see what God has done for you and me in Christ.

Ephesians 1 (page #1795) 7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence.”

Context: Last weekend, we learned that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ. While everyone receives God’s blessings, its only we believers who receive his spiritual blessings. In verses 4-14, Paul describes what these spiritual blessings are. In last week’s message, we began a 3-part series to learn how the entire Trinity is involved in blessing us. First, it is God the Father, then, it is God the Son, and finally, it is God the Holy Spirit. Today, we come to God the Son’s blessing.

Let’s pick up where we left off last weekend – Ephesians 1 (page #1795) 5 “having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” As a benefit of salvation, we have been “pre-appointed” to be adopted into God’s family. Keep in mind that salvation is not adoption; it’s the benefit of salvation. You and I get into God’s family by regeneration, not adoption. What does adoption do for us? Ephesians 1:6 “to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.” The Greek word for “made us accepted” is “charitoo” which has the idea of being “highly favored.” This is the same word as in the birth narrative of Jesus – Luke 1    28 “And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Mary may have felt unworthy to bear the Messiah. Later, she was treated as an outcast. The angel was sent to remind her that God’s favor was upon her.

Here’s a better translation of Ephesians 1:6 “to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us ‘highly favored’ in the beloved.” “Beloved” is a title for Jesus. At Jesus’ baptism, the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus. Matthew 3:17 says, “And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” Again, at the Mount of Transfiguration, Matthew 17:5 says, “…behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!’”This was a Messianic title before Christians began to use it. It signifies deep love between God the Father and God the Son. 

Here’s the point: God the Father highly favored his Son with deep love, and since we are in the Son, we are also highly favored by the Father with deep love.

Many of us have a tough time understanding “highly favored.” Here’s one way to see it – “God loves everyone, but I’m his favorite one.” You may think that’s not fair. Well, they can believe that as well. In fact, everyone in Christ can believe that!

Application: If many of us were honest, most of the time we walk around as if we are out of favor with God? The Ephesians must have felt that since they were late in coming to faith. How about you? The world may make you feel that way. Sometimes even family and friends may make you feel that way, but God calls you “his favorite one.” Let the truth set you free!

How has God the Son blessed us? – Listen again to Ephesians 1 (page #1795) 7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood…”

1. Redemption

On the surface, this may seem simple to understand, but there has been some debate over the meaning of the Greek word behind “redemption” = “apolutrosis.” Some scholars have argued that the word simply means “deliverance.” Among ancient Greeks, the meaning of the basic word “lutron” was ransom paid = for a slave to be set free. So also, in the Old Testament, “Lutron” is often the word behind some key Hebrew words. The word in Hebrew is “goel.” It had 2 meanings in the Old Testament. First, it had a criminal meaning. If someone were to kill a person, the nearest family member was responsible for bringing justice (not revenge) to that person. Second, it had a civil meaning. If a person died and lost their inheritance, the nearest family member was responsible for buying back and retrieving the property. If you remember, how Boaz married Ruth to save the family of Naomi because Elimelech her husband and their two sons had died. This “goel” had taken on a very special meaning for the people of Israel throughout history. God had become their Redeemer, the nearest family member who would bring justice to them and retrieve what was lost for them, even if they were not there to see it. Listen to these verses: Exodus 6:6 Therefore say to the children of Israel: “I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.” Proverbs 23   10 “Do not remove the ancient landmark, Nor enter the fields of the fatherless; 11 For their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you.” Psalm 103   2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction…” Isaiah 43:1 But now, thus says the LORD…O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.” Jeremiah 50:34 “Their Redeemeris strong; The LORD of hosts is His name. He will thoroughly plead their case…” Of course, Job 19:25 “For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth.” Another Hebrew word is “padah” which has the same meaning behind it of “ransom paid.” I can look at other cognate words like “lutron,” “lutruo,” or “lutrosis,” but let’s just look at one main one – Matthew 20:28“just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Principle: Salvation may be free for you and me, but it cost Jesus his life. He paid for it by his own blood.

Who did he pay? Not Satan, as Origen (185-254 AD) and Gregory of Nyssa (335-394AD) believed.The word “apolutrosis” is found 2 other times other than in Ephesians 1:7 –

• Romans 3 (page #1736) 24 “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness…”
• Hebrews 9:15 “And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”

The debt was paid on our behalf to God the Father by God the Son with his own life.

Application: How much do you value your salvation? As the song goes – 

“He paid a debt He did not owe,
I owed a debt I could not pay,
I needed someone to wash my sins away;
And now I sing a brand new song,
“Amazing Grace,”
Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.”

Back to Ephesians 1 (page #1795) 7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace”

2. Grace

Of course, we know the Greek word for grace = “charis.” It is a difficult one to understand. It is a combination of 2 Old Testament words – “hen” = “mercy of a superior to an inferior” and “chesed” = covenant faithfulness. The idea behind this is the “unbelievable acceptance of us” in Christ (See Klyne Snodgrass). But Paul qualifies grace with “riches” or wealth. Snodgrass, “This text is one of the most expressive texts on grace in the New Testament.” This goes beyond God brings us in and having us to sit together to a meal in his heavenly home. This is God lavishing all his riches on us. Jesus explained this very well in the parable of the Prodigal Son. Luke 15      22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

Application: Can you see the “riches” of God’s grace towards you? Sometimes, we are so full of earthly eyes that we forget where God has brought us from. Ever so often we need to take a trip down memory lane and see where God found us.

Illustration: My life had hit rock bottom at 20 years of age. I had lost everything that I had. My brother invited me to come to his home in Philadelphia. I reluctantly went but got left at the North bound exit before the Pennsylvania turnpike. The South bound exit was the same number but at a different place. I stood in the gas station from 6:30 to about 10pm. After they shut down, I went and stood inside a telephone booth just to keep warm. I was all alone with no idea as to what would happen next. I took out every piece of clothing I could and put it on. I put the phone on my ear just to pretend so no one would kick me out. In that moment, I remember praying – “God, I’m not sure what’s going to happen to me. I feel so low that I don’t think I can go any lower. If you get me out, I will follow you wherever you call me to go.” Now, it was about 2pm, and I began walking down this dark road. I could hear dogs barking in the distance. I heard a car coming behind me. It got closer and closer and then it stopped. It was my brother. I often think back to that moment, especially when I’m tempted to gripe and complaint.

Back to Ephesians 1 (page #1795) 7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence.”

3. Wisdom and Prudence

Once again, scholars have disagreed over the intent of “wisdom and prudence” here.

• Is it the “wisdom and prudence” of God in bringing us this incredible plan of redemption according to the riches of his grace? 
• Or is “wisdom and prudence” connected to the next verse? Is it the “wisdom and prudence” given to us by God to know the mystery of his will in gathering together in one all things in Christ?

I believe it is the first, with a connection to the second. In other words, God exercised his incredible “wisdom and prudence” in bringing us the plan of redemption. Salvation is the greatest demonstration of God’s “wisdom and prudence.” This was no cut rate plan. This was no mediocre plan. This was the greatest work of all.

Also, he has given us the same “wisdom and prudence” to help us see what great things he has in store for us. He wants us to know his unparalleled plan for the church of the ages and all creation.

Invitation: Have you received God’s incredible costly plan of salvation? Are you saved? Do you know someone who needs to receive this incredible gift in Christ? Do you know someone who has lost sight of what God has already given to them in Christ? Pray for them.