Predestined and Sealed in Christ
A Sermon on Ephesians 1:11
Originally preached Feb. 13, 1955
Scripture
11In 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:
Sermon Description
Political peace and social unity is something often heard about in the media and how communities need to strive to embrace unity and lay down their tribal identities that divide people. How might Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones respond to this kind of plea? More importantly, how does the apostle Paul talk about unity? In this sermon on Ephesians 1:11 titled “We…Ye Also,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds on the great themes of unity, harmony, and peace in the letter to the Ephesians. In the church, there is no nationalistic boasting from the Jews nor philosophical snobbery from the Greeks for they are all one in Christ. The apostle Paul, who first boasted in his flesh as a Hebrew of Hebrews, now boasts that he is an apostle to the Gentiles. How did this come about? It comes about from God’s grand purpose of reuniting all things together in Christ. It is only when one looks to their inheritance as Christians can true peace and true unity be realized. Only by setting affection upon the spiritual inheritance in Christ can true reconciliation take place. The world does not know this or understand this unity. Hear Dr. Lloyd-Jones speak to this important topic that has implications for lives today.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon begins by introducing Ephesians 1:11-14 as the passage that will be examined. The sermon notes that this passage is part of one long sentence in Ephesians that begins in verse 3.
- The sermon highlights how Paul's writing style in this passage is marked by elaboration and repeating ideas. The sermon compares this passage to an overture in an opera that introduces key themes.
- The sermon identifies the key theme of this passage and Ephesians as a whole - that God is restoring harmony and unity through bringing Jews and Gentiles together as Christians.
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The sermon outlines 5 main points Paul makes about Christianity in this passage:
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Christians are "in Christ" - in a new relationship with Christ. This is the only way for unity.
- There are blessings and an inheritance for those in Christ. Christians share in this inheritance together.
- Paul explains how people enter into these blessings - through God's will and purpose.
- The Holy Spirit acts as a seal and guarantee of these blessings.
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The ultimate purpose is for God's glory.
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The sermon focuses on the first point - that Christians are reconciled in their new relationship to Christ. This is the only way to overcome divisions. Mere teachings or ethics are not enough. Regeneration is needed.
- The sermon examines Paul's statement that "in Christ we have obtained an inheritance." It argues this means Christians have become inheritors and gained a share in God's plan. Christians are fellow heirs with each other and with Christ.
- The sermon describes the Christian's inheritance - God's restoration of harmony, being with Christ, reigning with Christ, a new heaven and new earth. Christians can look forward to this and not be overly focused on this world.
- The sermon concludes by asking if we have a share in this inheritance through being in Christ.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon Questions and Answers
What does "in whom also we have obtained an inheritance" mean in Ephesians 1:11?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, this phrase means that Christians have been made "possessors or inheritors by lot" or have been "endowed with an inheritance by lot." The apostle Paul is emphasizing that believers have obtained a stake in God's great cosmic plan of restoring harmony to the universe. This inheritance refers to our future participation in the restored harmony of the cosmos, where we will "see God," "be with Christ and enjoy His glory," and "reign with Christ." It's an "inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, that fadeth not away reserved in heaven."
What is the main theme of Ephesians according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies the main theme of Ephesians as the Christian Church being the supreme illustration in time of God's gigantic cosmic plan to restore harmony. He states, "That's the theme that the apostle takes up here... God, I say, is in this plan restoring harmony. And the greatest illustration that the world has seen so far of the carrying out of that plan is what is to be seen in the Christian Church." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this epistle is "one of the great Church epistles" in which Paul gives "his richest teaching with regard to the nature and the character of the Christian Church."
How does God reconcile Jews and Gentiles according to Ephesians 1:11-14?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that God reconciles Jews and Gentiles by bringing them into a new relationship in Christ. He states, "What reconciles Jew and Gentile, and the only thing that can ever reconcile them is that they should be together Christians in Christ." This reconciliation happens because:
- Both Jew and Gentile are condemned by the law and shown to be sinners
- Both can only be redeemed by the blood of Christ
- Both receive the same Holy Spirit
- Both are given the same divine nature
- Both become part of Christ's body and are "in Christ"
As Lloyd-Jones puts it, "It's only as we all are in Christ that we are reconciled."
What are the five main points Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies in this passage about Christianity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines five key points about Christianity from this passage:
- "That which makes us Christians is that we are in Christ" - Christianity is about being in a new relationship with Christ
- "There are certain things that are true of us as Christians because we are in Christ" - We receive an inheritance and specific blessings
- "The explanation of the way in which we enter into these blessings" - How God works and how man responds
- "The guarantee of the fact that we have these blessings" - The Holy Spirit as the seal guaranteeing we'll never lose our inheritance
- "The ultimate object of all this is the glory of God" - Everything is "unto the praise of his glory"
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say that applying Christian ethics without regeneration won't work?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that merely applying Christian teaching or ethics won't solve world problems because unregenerate people cannot live the Christian life. He states, "There is no greater heresy in a sense, than to expect Christian conduct from people who are not Christians. Why should they behave in a Christian way? They don't agree with it. They don't accept it."
He emphasizes that "you can't live the Christian life before you're a Christian" because "a dead man can't act" and "all who are not in Christ are dead in trespasses and sins." That's why he says, "Regeneration is essential. And God is going to produce this final harmony again by a regeneration. A new creation, new men in a new world."
What does Paul mean by "who first trusted in Christ" according to the sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that this phrase (verse 12) proves that the "we" in verse 11 refers to the Jews rather than all Christians. He provides two possible interpretations:
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If translated as "who first trusted in Christ," it refers to the chronological fact that "the Jews believed in Christ first, that the first Christians were Jews."
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If translated as "who before hoped in Christ" (as in the revised version), it's "a reference to the fact that throughout the Old Testament dispensation, the Jews were looking forward to the hope of the coming Messiah."
Either way, Lloyd-Jones concludes this phrase indicates Paul is speaking about Jews who believed before the Gentiles.
How does the inheritance described by Lloyd-Jones change a Christian's attitude toward worldly things?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that understanding our heavenly inheritance fundamentally changes how Christians view earthly possessions and status. He explains: "A man who's ever had a glimpse of those [heavenly] rides very lightly to this life and to this world. He has set his affections on things above, not on things on the earth."
This heavenly perspective eliminates the root causes of conflict: "People who believe that and do know that that is true of themselves are not very interested in this world and what happens in it. Why do the nations fight? Because they want something... Possessiveness, selfishness, greed. They are the only things they know about."
The Christian instead focuses on "that inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven."
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.