Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle Lesson just read, from Ephesians 1. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- Often we read biblical accounts but remain disconnected from them. It is difficult for us to identify with Solomon – he was a powerful king and extremely wealthy, and would play a prominent role in the history of God’s people, and the fulfillment of God’s promises regarding a Savior.
- Likewise, the accounts of Jesus’ young life – how He was filled with wisdom, and the favor of God being upon Him. He was, after all, the Son of God, and the glorious Savior of the world. We cannot really compare ourselves with Him.
- We also tend to come to these accounts from a kind of “secular” view of ourselves – as if we are to be instructed and influenced by such accounts, but not that we should become part of this history and participate in important blessings from God.
- It is true that our lives are not going to be recorded in an additional “bible,” but what we often fail to take into account is that our lives – our words and deeds – are being recorded in the annals of God’s history.
- The assurance of God’s Word, from the book of Revelation is this: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth, yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.” [Rev. 14:13]
- We are God’s workmanship in Christ Jesus, created for good works which God has beforeordained that we should be walking in them. [Eph. 2:10] And so a book is being written about us, about our lives, detailing how God has also blessed us with “WISDOM, STATURE, AND FAVOR WITH GOD.”
- It is clear from our text that:
I. What God Gave To Solomon And The Young Jesus He Seeks To Give Us As Well
A. He Has Chosen Us And Predestined Us To Be Holy In Christ As His Adopted Children
Text: “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.”
B. He Bestows Upon Us Every Spiritual Blessing
Text: “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.”
C. He Has Given Us Redemption, Forgiveness, And Knowledge Of His Will
Text: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight, making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose.”
Statement: Solomon prayed God for these things, this “WISDOM, STATURE, AND FAVOR WITH GOD,” and God granted them to Him in abundance. Obviously, Jesus was also blessed with these great gifts – preparing Him and strengthening Him for the mission given to Him. And according to our text, it is no different with us. It is astonishing – if we take a close look at it, just what blessedness God has bestowed upon us – according to His purposes and to the praise of His glorious grace! We are His creation and He is writing His story about us, and we are important characters in that story!
Application: It is true that pride and arrogance are grievous evils, and because of this sinful predilection, we are careful and cautious against allowing ourselves to fall into such sin. However, we often sell ourselves short when it comes to our importance to God, how dearly loved and cherished we are as His dear children. And hence we also do not see how precious and valuable our lives are as witness and documentation of His glorious grace and His praise! Again, this is nothing to be arrogant about – it is His work and His praise! But we are principle characters in the narrative, the history – and this will become crystal clear on the Last Day!
Transition: So let us consider carefully the important role that God has blessed us with, and how He prepares us for this role with His blessings of “WISDOM, STATURE, AND FAVOR WITH GOD.” It is true that we have many duties and obligations in life – and none of this changes; it is within these roles that we do our good works to the praise of His glorious grace! It is a blessing for us to be able to see this – and to seek more of His wisdom and grace, so that we are fully prepared and strengthened to do His will!
And when our time in this world is over our works will also follow us into our rest and retirement in death and heaven, for according to our text:
II. We Have Been Given An Eternal Inheritance [Riches]
Text: “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.”
A. This Has Been Granted To Us By His Word Of Truth
Text: “In Him you also, when you heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him.”
B. It Has Been Sealed To Us By The Holy Spirit, And Guaranteed
Text: “You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it.”
C. And Again, All Of This Is To The Glory Of God’s Grace
Text: “to the praise of His glory . . . to the praise of His glorious grace.”
Statement: Our story does end in this life, with death, but continues on forever in His glorious heavenly kingdom – according to “His plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth.” It is His gift to us, which He is working in us and through us by the blessings of “WISDOM, STATURE, AND FAVOR WITH GOD” that He has lavished upon us according to the purpose of His will. Our glorious destiny has been sealed and guaranteed to us by the gift of His Holy Spirit – and we will acquire possession of it! What God blessed Solomon with, what Jesus was blessed with, this is also what God has bestowed upon us by His Word of truth which has brought us to a life of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ!
Application: It would be a waste if we were to remain unaware of these things – but God would still accomplish them in us regardless, for it is His plan and purpose. But there is a great deal of benefit to us in understanding and realizing just how precious we are to God, and how important He has made us in cosmic history. Such “WISDOM, STATURE, AND FAVOR WITH GOD” does not turn us arrogant or boastful, but rather humbles us and centers our thoughts on how it is that we may serve God by bringing glory to His gracious love and mercy in Christ Jesus! This is His plan and purpose for us; may we rejoice to make it our plan and purpose as well.
Conclusion: I hope that our consideration of these words from Holy Scripture, God’s own Word, has made you aware of what God wants you to know about Him and about yourself, your place in His plans.
I hope that we will all be moved to understand and see our lives in this light – rather than in a bland and superficial “secular” light. We are part of holy history – God’s plan and purpose of revealing the glory of His grace and love for mankind.
May He grant that we find great joy in His blessings and a clear view of the important purpose He has given to each of us in life! Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.