Title: THE POWER OF GOD’S ELECTION

Focus: God has blessed us with his love, giving us identity and purpose in life.

Function: To encourage the people to draw strength and direction in life from God’s electing love.

Text: Ephesians 1:1-14

Today, Avery Mae has begun a baptismal journey that will last throughout her lifetime. God has promised to her his covenant love and saving mercy in Jesus Christ; he has given her the gift of the Holy Spirit and his abiding presence. Now, for the rest of Avery’s life, she will hear the call to serve the living God, and become a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. She may not realize it yet, but she is tremendously blessed with God’s electing love in Christ. And so are you and I who follow the Lord Jesus.

Today we begin another year of ordering our lives around God’s Word by coming together for public worship and declaring good news to any and all who seek purpose and love in their lives. Thank God that 2009 is also the year of our Lord! For as the Scripture says: “Our times are in (God’s) hands.”

We live in uncertain times—times where we, as a nation, face a transfer of power in Washington; where we as a country encounter a lot of hostility and animosity in other parts of the world; and where hatred and religious fanaticism have led to terrorism on a world-wide scale.

As a nation, we also face economic hardship, lay-offs and a financially uncertain future. No wonder then that so many people today struggle with questions of purpose and identity in life. In times of great uncertainty, fundamental questions stare us in the face. Questions such as: Who am I? and What is my purpose for living?

I don’t have solid answers and solutions to our world’s complex problems, but when it comes to the fundamental questions of life, the Scriptures come to us with good news today: God has blessed us with his love, giving us identity and purpose in life. Therefore, as we begin 2009, let us draw strength and direction in life from God’s electing love.

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Ephesians 1:1-14 speaks powerfully to us today. In the midst of great uncertainty, the Scriptures come to us with some rock-solid stability. For in Ephesians 1:1-14 we learn of the power of God’s electing love. Take note of this passage’s structure, nature and implication. For example, Ephesians 1:3-14 constitute one complete sentence in the original language. English translators needed 11 complete sentences or verses to capture the apostle Paul’s thought expressed in one, originally long sentence. Such is the structure of this passage.

That brings us to the nature of this long sentence. It’s a song, a doxology. It’s one large sentence filled with the music of God’s love as expressed in God’s actions in Christ Jesus. Think of this passage as an accordion. By extending the instrument and pushing musical buttons or notes, the accordion can bring forth delightful sound. So it is with Paul: by sounding the theme song of God’s electing love, the apostle Paul sings praises to God’s work in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:1-14 is a song of praise.

I want to emphasize the joy and music in this one long sentence, because for many Christians Paul’s reference to God’s electing love has become a stumbling block. When they speak and think of God’s election, they think of a harsh God who unfairly destines people to heaven or to hell. God’s electing love, however, is not something to agonize over, but to celebrate. Inspired by God’s Spirit, the apostle Paul praises God for his work of election. Shall we do anything less?

The structure and nature of this passage point to truth that is music to the ears of faith: God “chose us in Christ before the creation of the world.” God’s work of election in Christ provides us with strength and direction in life. In fact, God’s electing love gives us identity and purpose.

Let’s examine the passage and bring to the foreground the work of God’s electing love. We begin with the TIME of God’s election. Listen: (v.4) God chose us in Christ “…before the creation of the world….” Here we are drawn into the mystery and divine work of God’s love. It is a work that took place in eternity, before the creation of the world—before you and I had any clue of our Creator God.

Knowing that God’s electing love took place before the creation of the world should instill within us a sense of wonder, awe, and mystery. Such knowledge should keep us from making quick judgments. It should refrain us from drawing sharp, logical conclusions. We are dealing here with a particular work of God who is, who was, and who always will be.

Note also the BASIS of God’s electing love: (vs. 5) “In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will….” (vs. 7) “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace….” (vs. 9) “And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ.” (vs. 11) “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will….”

Here are the key words that point to the basis or reason for God’s election: God’s pleasure, God’s will, God’s good pleasure, the riches of God’s grace, God’s plan. Again, these keywords leave us with nothing less but wonder, awe, and mystery. No one is able to delve into and explain the mystery of God’s will and purpose and plan. Shall we then stand in judgment over God’s work of election? No, we shall embrace it with joy, praise, and humility.

Let’s be clear on this: God’s electing love has nothing to do with our wit, works, or worthiness. It is not something we earn. It is something that is to be found—apart from us—to be found in the Lord Jesus Christ. Note, for example, the FOCUS of God’s election:

(vs.4) “For he (God) chose us in him (Christ Jesus)….” (vs.5) “In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ…..” (vs.7) In him (Jesus Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins….” (vs. 9) “And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ….” (vs.11) “In him (Jesus Christ) we were also chosen….”

Clearly, we find God’s elective love wholly and completely focused on and in the Lord Jesus Christ. The eternal Son of God embodies God’s elective love. If you want to find it, you must go to Jesus. If you want to taste it, savor it, and bask in it, you must turn to Christ—in faith, resting securely, deeply trusting his work of incarnation, atonement, resurrection, ascension and lordship. Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Ascension, and Advent—all these feasts and festivals focus on God’s love of election as it is embodied and worked out by his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The mystery of God’s elective love does have practical implications for all believers. Note the PURPOSE of God’s election: (vs.4) “For (God) chose us in (Christ) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” (vs.5) “…(God) predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ….” (vs.11-12) “In (Christ) we were also chosen…in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” (vs.13b-14) “Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”

Twice, we learn that God’s elective love is to lead us to be instruments of praise: “to the praise of his glory,” says Paul. We also learn that God’s election aims at our conduct—we are to live holy and blameless lives in his sight. God also chose us in love for the purpose of giving us identity: we are his sons and daughters through faith in Christ Jesus; we belong to the family of God--solely because of God’s love.

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So let me introduce you to the power of God’s election. That power comes to us by drawing strength and direction in life from God’s elective love.

(1) All those who turn to Jesus Christ by faith, and all those who live under the umbrella of God’s covenant love in Christ—may declare with confidence: “I’m loved by God.” God has known us before he created this world. God’s love is from everlasting to everlasting. Though I may feel unloved by friends, family, or neighbors, God’s claim of love is on me. Though I may feel lonely, and find myself all alone, God’s love for me in Christ Jesus is from everlasting to everlasting. God loves me—as no one can, or has, or ever will. That’s a powerful comfort as we face life and enter 2009.

(2) All those who turn to Jesus Christ by faith, and all those who live under the umbrella of God’s covenant love in Christ (such as Avery Mae)—may declare with confidence: “I belong!” “I’m a child of God.” I’m part of the family or people of God.” You and I have a peculiar and special identity. That identity is sealed on our foreheads through the sign and seal of baptism. God’s claim of ownership is on our forehead. And God’s claim now calls you and me to live as members of God’s household or family. Believers in Christ have identity. We participate in the story of God; and our own story of life has meaning and purpose, because our stories are rooted in God’s story; we are part of his great plan of redemption; we belong to God!

(3) All those who turn to Jesus Christ by faith, and all those who live under the umbrella of God’s covenant love in Christ (such as Avery Mae)—may declare with confidence “My life has meaning and purpose.” “God has a plan, a task for me.” Each one of us must discover and use the gifts that God has given us; these gifts lead to all kinds of different vocations or careers in life. The one common denominator, however, that gives us purpose and meaning in life is this: we are to serve God to the praise of his glory!

What Avery Mae will be and do someday is not clear today. But her task or purpose in life is clear: she must learn to bring delight to God. Some of you are attending high school or college and have no clue, as yet, what you are to do with your lives. Be patient. It will become clear as time goes on. But don’t be confused: your and my task or purpose for living remains the same and is clearly expressed in Scripture: we are to live for the praise of God’s glory.

Folks, God has blessed us with his love, giving us identity and purpose in life; therefore, draw strength and direction in life from God’s elective love.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.