"The Glory of Heaven" Sermon: Ephesians 1:3-14

“The Glory of Heaven”

[Ephesians 1:3-14]

March 24, 2013 Second Reformed Church

            What do you think of the title of today’s sermon?  Does “the glory of heaven” mean anything to you?  Do you think about being thin and well?  Do you think about being with your loved ones – but not those people you don’t like?  Do you think it is some sort of Willy-Wonka land or Wizard of Oz-ville with golden streets and pearly gates and all the candy you can eat?

            We can’t possibly do justice to the entire passage we read this morning, so, for most of it, I would like to just point out the doctrines in our text, and we will concentrate on verses nine and ten of this morning’s text for the bulk of the sermon.  

            “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,”

            D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones comments that verse three of our text is a brief summary of the Gospel:  we bless God because He blessed us in Christ – through the historical facts of the Gospel – through which we receive all spiritual benefits.

            The Gospel is a work of God through the historical work of Jesus through Whom we are reconciled to God and saved from His Wrath.  The Good News of Jesus and what He did is that it is entirely the work of God – we contribute absolutely nothing, which is why all praise and blessing goes from us to God for His Work of blessing us through Christ.  If we had any part in it, we also would be blessed for our achievements, but we bless God because the blessing of salvation that we receive through God is His gift through Jesus and His Work.

 

As we saw, Paul explains later in this letter:  “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV).

            “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.”

            We who bless God – believers – were chosen by God before God created anything that is – before the foundation of the world – God chose the people that He would save.  There has never been a “plan b” – God’s intention was to create the Creation and God know that Adam would chose to sin against Him, so before the Creation existed, the Holy Trinity met together in council, and God the Father decided that He would save – out of all of humanity – a people for Himself, and God the Son decided that He would incarnate in the Person of a real human being that He would be able to merit salvation and survive paying the Wrath of God for all of our sin, and God the Holy Spirit decided that He would apply the work of Jesus the Son in all those who would ever believe and indwell them that they would be able to become what God called them to be:  holy and blameless.

            Here we see what the theologians call the “double imputation” of the work of Jesus:  Jesus lived a perfect life under the Law, so that could be imputed to us and we would be seen as holy, and Jesus paid the debt for every sin everyone who would ever believe would commit, so that we could be imputed as blameless.

“In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,”

Why did God choose some to save?  Because He loved us.  Paul wrote, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, ESV).

And God did not save us to be servants.  He did not just save us to be His people.  He saved us for adoption as sons (and daughters) – that we would be coheirs with Jesus.  We who believe, based on the love of God, own the Creation with Jesus.  We are brothers and sisters – though not co-equal with – the Incarnate Son of God.

 “to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”

And so, again, we praise God – we bless God – for giving us His Grace through Jesus Christ – for blessing us through Jesus with His Grace.  God has made us able to be His people and to be His sons and daughters through Jesus – it is a gift – it is nothing we could accomplish on our own.

 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,”

The redemption we have is through Jesus’ Blood.  We are forgiven for all of our sins because Jesus bled His Blood.  And this was a gift that only God could give.  The author of Hebrews reminds us, “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22, ESV).  Yet the blood of animals or a sinful human being could never be enough.  The only way that the offering of sacrifices could stop – that they would be fulfilled in a final sacrifice, would be if the One Who was sacrificed willingly took on the sin of all those who would ever believe, if He was sinless – that He was holy under the Law, and that He survived the Wrath of God for all of our sins.  That is the story of Holy Week.

 “which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ”

God has lavished His grace upon us.  How?  By giving believers wisdom and insight into the mystery of His Will.  What is Paul saying?  Paul is telling us that we learn about salvation through Jesus Alone only through the Scriptures.  God has given us the Scriptures and God has given those who will believe wisdom and insight to receive the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul explains in the opening of Romans that everyone knows there is a god – simply by looking around at the world – it is absolutely obvious – everyone knows there is a god.  I have heard it said, “God does not believe in atheists.”  It’s true, because God has made it clear to everyone that He exists.

However, what is not clear is the way to salvation.  Only those who have received grace from God – wisdom and insight – and the Scriptures to read and hear and hear preached can come to understand that Jesus and what He did on earth is the Only Way to salvation.

And, as we’ve seen in the past few weeks, we have salvation now, but the effects of salvation – all that Jesus set out to do – have not yet been completed:

“as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

Through the Scripture, we know the mystery of God’s Will which was to send Jesus – the Son of God Incarnate – to be the Savior of all those that God has predestined to believe – all those that He had elected to be His from before the foundation of the earth.

Yet, this is not the end of God’s Plan.  God did not just save His people and then leave us until we die.  No, God the Holy Spirit is working in us and all of Creation to carry God’s Plan to the fullness of time, which is the end of the age.  The Scripture tells us that these things begin to come together in the last days – which began with the incarnation of Jesus, as we read, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (Hebrews 1:1-2, ESV).  The last days began with Jesus and continue until the end of the age.

At the end of the age, all things will be united in Christ – that is all Creation in heaven and earth and all of the elect – all of those predestined – all of those who believe.  But what does it mean that all things will be united in Christ?

Paul explains, “[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,” (Colossians 1:15-19, ESV).

Jesus is God, and Jesus created everything that is, and everything was created through Him and for Him – everything holds together in Him – and – as we know from the book of Genesis – when God created everything, everything was “good.”

Now we are being told that Jesus will “unite” all of the Creation – except the damned – in Him.  The word that we translate “unite” means to “sum up,” “ include under one principle,” “gather together,” “make one,” “unify.”

Now, Paul is not saying that we and all the critters and the rocks and trees all get sucked into Jesus and become one being.  No, what he is saying is that we become one in purpose – that is, to glorify God and do His Will, just as His Son did on earth.

How will this occur?

Peter describes it this way:  “This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly” (2 Peter 3:1-7, ESV).

Peter says that the whole Creation will go through fire on the day of judgment and the ungodly will go to destruction.  Now, we need to be careful:  first, remember, there are at least two uses for fire:  removing something from existence and purifying.  The word fire is most definitely being used in the second sense here – on the day of judgment – at the end of the age, the heavens and the earth will be purified – more on that in a moment.  Second, destruction can also have at least two meaning:  the first, again, could be removing from existence, but that is not the word that is being used here – the word that Peter uses means to “destroy value,” to have “complete loss,” to receive “eternal punishment.”  Peter is making the distinction between the Creation and believers who will be restore through purification, and the dammed who will suffer eternally.

Now a passage we have looked at before:  “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:19-23, ESV).

What does Paul say?  The Creation – the critters and trees and lakes – are waiting for the glorification of believers.  What a strange thing to say, isn’t it?  Why would the Creation care to see the end of the age when believers are glorified and unbelievers enter enteral punishment?  Because at the same time believers are glorified, the Creation will be freed from corruption and be glorified as well.

We have the same scene in that oft quoted section of Revelation:  “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’

“And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ And he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death’” (Revelation 21:1-8, ESV).

Virtually the same image:  the Creation and believers will be “made new” – restored – glorified – and the dammed will enter enteral punishment.

What are all these passages telling us?  The glory of heaven is the restoration of the Creation and the elect to the praise of Christ and to the glory of the Triune God.  The glory of heaven is the restoration of the Creation and the elect to the praise of Christ and to the glory of the Triune God. 

God tells us in His Word – and only in His Word – what will happen at the end of the age.  We are in the last days – and we are working towards the end of the age – and God tells us that at the end of the age – according to His Will, according to His Purpose, according to the Plan that the Triune God set in motion before the foundation of the world – in the fullness of time – all of the Creation – everything in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the seas and all those who believe in Jesus Alone for salvation, will be united together in Christ and His Purposes – all praising Christ for Who He is and what He has done to cause the restoration of this fallen world and our reconciliation with God – that we would be glorified and give Him the glory forever and ever.

Death will be gone.  Sorrow will be gone.  Pain will be gone.  Illness will be gone.  Alcohol addiction will be gone.  Sex addiction will be gone.  Gambling addiction will be gone.  Drug addiction will be gone.  Lying will be gone.  Cheating will be gone.  All sin and evil will be gone.  And this will be the glory of heaven – the world – all of Creation – restored – with the elect – to the praise of Jesus Christ and to the glory of the Triune God.

Isn’t that better than wings and clouds and harps and unlimited candy?

The Westminster Shorter Catechism gets it right:  the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.  The primary reason for our existence is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.  That is the glory of heaven.  That is what we are hoping for and longing for.  That is what we will be received into on the last day – if we believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What’s our guarantee?   This is America – give me something so I can sue God if this doesn’t happen!

Paul gives two guarantees in the concluding verses that we read -- and both are for the same reason:  God wants to be praised, because He is deserving of praise.

            We read:  “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.”

            We have an inheritance in Christ – restoration and dominion over the restored Creation – and God has predestined this inheritance to be ours according to His Purpose and Plan and Will, so that we who believe would praise the glory of Christ.

            This is the same reasoning John gives us:  “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13, ESV).

            What is John saying?  You are a child of God because God made you a child of God – it had nothing to do with you.  Our egos might be a bit offended at that, but John is saying salvation is about God, not us.  God chose His people for His reasons, not based on us.

            And so Paul says, God is giving His people an inheritance because it is God’s Plan, so it will come to pass, because God is God, and you will praise the glory of Christ because it does come to pass.

            One more guarantee:  “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”

            The other guarantee is that when we heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ and God caused us to believe it, God gave us the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit as a guide and a guarantee, and a seal, that we would surely take possession of our inheritance to the glory of the Christ.

            Just as in those days officials would seal documents with a ring pressed in wax – or something like that – to signify that there was authority – force – behind the document before a person, God has sealed all those who believe with the Holy Spirit, so there is force—authority, a surety behind our receiving our inheritance.

            God has given us the Holy Spirit as a seal – that we would read the Scripture and know and understand the truth of the Gospel – and that in the fullness of time, all things will be united in Christ.  That is the hope we await.  That is the glory of heaven.

            The glory of heaven is the restoration of the Creation and the elect to the praise of Christ and to the glory of the Triune God.  When the end of the age comes, God will purify the earth and heaven, we will receive back our bodies glorified, and we will live here, with Jesus, in a world without sin and corruption.

            Let us pray:

            Almighty God, we thank You for giving us the Scripture.  Thank You for opening our eyes and softening our hearts and causing us to believe in the Gospel.  Help us to see that our future final union with Christ and all the rest of the Creation is found in the restoration of the Creation, our bodies, and the ridding of the world of sin and evil.  Help us to long for the day when You appear on the clouds to bring about the glory of heaven on earth.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.