Why is the Reformation Still Important Today? - Dr. Joel Beeke Sermon

Ephesians 1:13a

 

Ephesians 1:13a

The Ninth Blessing: You Heard the Word of Truth

 

Eph 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 

          1.       You Heard the Word of Truth

a.       “Men are born again by the pure word of God” – Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones

b.       God’s word is the seed that produces faith

                                                              i.      1 Peter 1:23-25 

c.       Men cannot hear the word of God unless it is shared with others

                                                              i.      Romans 10:13-17 

          2.       The Word of Truth Produced Faith in Your Heart

a.       To be saved, men must receive God’s word as truth

                                                              i.      1 Thessalonians 2:13 

b.       When the word of is received it enables the believer to stand in faith

                                                              i.      1 Corinthians 15:1-2 

c.       The word of God should lead us to a relationship with the Word of God

                                                              i.      Colossians 2:5-7 

d.       The Word of God produces a total transformation

                                                              i.      John 3:3-7 

e.       The Word of God makes us alive

                                                              i.      Ephesians 2:1-3 

          3.       This is the Gospel of Salvation

a.       What is faith?

                                                              i.      Without faith it is impossible to please God

1.       Hebrews 11:6 

                                                            ii.      Faith cleanses us from sin

1.       Hebrews 10:22 

                                                          iii.      Faith gives us a boldness before the throne of God

1.       Ephesians 3:12 

                                                           iv.      Faith gives us a steadfastness in hard times

1.       James 1:6 

                                                             v.      Faith is the hope for the future

1.       Hebrews 11:1 

                                                           vi.       Faith is given to those whom God chooses

1.       Acts 13:47-48 

Ephesians 1:12

 

Ephesians 1:12

The Eighth Blessing: You Have Been Given Faith

 

Eph 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 

         1.      God’s People Have Been Given Faith

a.       We are all children of Abraham

                                                              i.      Old Testament Israel – ethnic Israel

1.      Christ did not come to abolish the law

a.       Matthew 5:17 

2.      The Apostle Paul made it clear that he was not trying to abolish the teaching of the OT

a.       Acts 24:14 

3.      Abraham was not saved by following the law but by faith like you and me

a.       Romans 4:1-3 

4.      All who have been given faith by God are Abraham’s children

a.       Galatians 3:24-29 

5.      God has not forgotten His promises to ethnic Israel

a.       Romans 11:26-27 

                                                            ii.      New Testament Israel – Gentiles grafted into God’s work with His people

1.      God plans to make a people that are a blend of ethic Israel and the peoples of the world

a.       1 Peter 2:9-10 

2.      God had always planned to give faith to the peoples of the world

a.       Genesis 22:15-18 

3.      Gentiles have been grafted into God’s work with Israel

a.       Romans 11:17-20 

         2.      The Faith Given to Them Brings Glory to God

a.       The story of faith throughout history brings God incredible glory

                                                              i.      Ephesians 2:11-22 

Hymnology Season 1 (All Music)

Invitation to Study Ephesians

This is a very helpful series...

Ephesians 1:11

 

Ephesians 1:11

Seventh Blessing: You Have Been Given an Eternal Inheritance

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 

         1.      You Have Been Given an Incredible Inheritance

a.       Christ will someday reign over all things - Colossians 1:16-18 

b.      In Christ we will one day reign with Him - Revelation 1:5-6 

c.       We have been given an inheritance because our sins are forgiven - Titus 3:7 

d.      We are given an inheritance because we serve our Lord Jesus - Colossians 3:24 

e.       Our Inheritance is to be glorified with Christ - Romans 8:17 

f.        Our inheritance will last for ever - Psalm 37:18 

g.      Our inheritance produces gratefulness in our soul - Colossians 1:12 

h.      Our inheritance cannot be purchased - James 2:5 

i.        Our inheritance is incorruptible - 1 Peter 1:4 

j.        Our inheritance changes the way we treat others - 1 Peter 3:9 

         2.      The Inheritance that You Have Been Given Cannot Be Lost

a.       God worked to make our inheritance possible even before we existed

                                                              i.      The destiny of our salvation is already set

1.      Romans 8:29-30 

b.      God planned the blessing of our inheritance before we were born

                                                              i.      The Triune God has a glorious plan for you

1.      Romans 11:34-36 

                                                            ii.      God does what He wants

1.      Isaiah 46:9-10 

2.      Job 42:1-2 

                                                          iii.      No detail is missed by the sovereignty of God

1.      Matthew 10:29 

                                                          iv.      God even works through the sins of man

1.      Acts 4:27-28 

                                                            v.      Why is it this way?

1.      Psalm 115:1 

Ephesians 1:10

 

Ephesians 1:10

The Sixth Blessing: We are the First to Whom God Reveals His Ultimate Plan

 

Eph 1:10  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 

        1.      Everything Will be Gathered Together Under the Authority of Christ

a.       In the Old Testament it was a people brought under the authority of Christ

                                                              i.      God chose Israel to set His love upon

1.      Deuteronomy 7:6-9 

                                                            ii.      God is not done with Israel

1.      Romans 11:26-27 

b.      In the New Testament it is a representation of all the peoples of the earth

                                                              i.      Galatians 3:26-29 

c.       Someday it will be everything

                                                              i.      Hebrews 1:1-2 

        2.      Everything in Heaven

a.       Christ won the war in Heaven

                                                              i.      Revelation 12:7-9 

b.      Payment for all sin, once for all, was made in heaven

                                                              i.      Hebrews 9:23-24 

         3.      Everything on Earth

a.       Christ won the final victory over Satan on the cross

                                                              i.      John 19:30 

b.      Everything will eventually bow the knee to Christ

                                                              i.      Philippians 2:6-11 

c.       Everything on earth will eventually be renewed

                                                              i.      2 Peter 3:12-13

        4.      Some Day all Will be Complete in Christ

a.       Isaiah 11:6-10