New Light – “Richer Than You Knew”

(Ephesians 1:3-14) – Most of us instinctively avoid checking what we fear will disappoint us—but in Christ, the opposite is true. We are richer than we know. Ephesians 1 pulls back the curtain on what God has already deposited into the lives of those who belong to Jesus. In a world that often feels random, fragile, and exhausting, Paul gives us three stabilizing truths: we have something to look forward to, someone we can count on, and someone we can surrender to.

1.  Something to Look Forward To (The Plan) (Ephesians 1:9-11)

• “Brilliant minds” – legendary poets, Nobel Prize winners, great philosophers – have all speculated that there is no purpose or plan for human life, that it’s all “random,” “signifying nothing,” “a vapor.” But as Paul reminds us, God has an overarching plan for the world – and for our lives.
• All of history is marching forward under God’s guidance toward the restoration and renewal of creation under the ultimate authority of Jesus Christ. Even when the world feels like it’s rotting all around us, we can see God at work (if we look), redeeming and restoring all things back to himself.

2.  Someone to Count On (The Holy Spirit) (Ephesians 1:12-14)

• Paul reminds his Gentile (non-Jewish) readers that when they believed (decided to trust Jesus), they were sealed (marked and identified as God’s) with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is God’s “down payment” on the gift of life that is to come for believers – now and for eternity.
• The Spirit performs many functions in the lives of believers – he convicts us when we’re living outside of God’s design for us, comforts us when the “rotting” world around us takes its toll, guides us on the paths that will lead us into the center of God’s will/plan for our lives, and assures us that, no matter what, we are now part of God’s eternal family.
• Like a wishful hiker hoping we’re doing better than we are, we often “twist the map,” but the Spirit faithfully corrects and guides us – if we’re willing to surrender to his leading. The comfort comes in knowing that we are never alone on our journey – God himself dwells within us.

3.  Someone to Surrender To (Jesus) (Ephesians 1:3-5,9-10)

• Ultimately, as Paul reminds us, God’s plan for the world will culminate in everything coming under Christ’s authority. One day all of heaven and earth will be made new again, the “rotting” will be over, and Jesus Christ the King will rule his people with love and justice forever.
• Because he is the one, true, eternal King, we are called to surrender our lives completely to Jesus. For most of us, the idea of surrender may feel threatening in a culture of self-rule, but we weren’t made to carry the weight of being the ultimate authority in our lives. We weren’t made to be our own saviors, our own moral authorities, or to create our own destinies; we were made to surrender to the leadership and care of a good, good king – King Jesus.

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE

These passages may provide additional insights related to the subject of this week’s message. All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted.

Proverbs 3:5-6; Jeremiah 29:11; John 14:23-26; Acts 2:38-39; Philippians 4:19; Colossians 1:27

Video of the Week: Holy Spirit by the Bible Project

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QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

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1. “Brilliant minds” have come to the conclusion that life is random and meaningless, with no ultimate purpose. If you believed that yourself, what do you think your life would look like?

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2. What difference does/would it make in your life to view all of history (including current events) through the lens of “God is working out his plan that will culminate with Christ’s eternal reign and the restoration of creation”?  How would/should that affect your day-to-day living?

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3. As a follower of Jesus, have you ever felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life personally guiding, convicting, comforting or assuring you?  Describe the experience(s).

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4. Read Ephesians 1:13-14 again. Paul says that the Holy Spirit enters us when we surrender to Jesus to be a “guarantee [of] the inheritance he promised.” What, exactly, do you believe that “inheritance” to be?

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5. If you’re being honest, what would you say is one area of your life where you struggle to fully surrender to King Jesus and his plan - where you tend to live as if everything ultimately depends on you—your effort, your control, your moral performance? Explain your answer.

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6. What is one practical step you can take this week to live like someone who is “richer than you knew”—resting in God’s plan, relying on the Spirit’s guidance, or surrendering control to Christ?