Theology of the Cross

There is being preached in pulpits around America a false theology – that God’s goal is to make everyone happy.  Rightly understood, the brutal bloody cross of Christ demonstrates (among other things) the holiness of God.  God’s goal/desire is that we be made holy.  God suffering and dying in the person of Jesus Christ gives a clear picture of sin.  This is how God chose to deal with the sin problem – God’s answer to man’s problem.  As the believer begins to align himself with God trials and sufferings are inevitable but should be used to make us more holy in our walk. 

It appears in the contemporary church that Jesus is treated as merely an ambulance on a rescue mission.  However the Bible paints a different picture.  In fact before God created man the plan of salvation was in place.  Jesus willingly and loving left the glories of heaven and entered this sin cursed world.  He humbled Himself and became obedient to death in crucifixion – the cross.  This is an awesome act of willing submission and love.  Believers are called to this same lifestyle; a lifestyle of humility and service to others. 

Today in the contemporary church one can see that the culture bus has been backed up to the church house and unloaded – “ok tell us what you want!”  In light of the cross is it difficult to find room for human reason, culture and the hope of prosperity.  How could we desire anything less than the awesome privilege of walking with Jesus and suffering with Jesus.  Paul knew Jesus but he desired to still “know Him” (Phi 3:10) – in Christ’s power (not his own) and the “fellowship of His suffering” which is how one is conformed into His image and “His death”.  Paul served Christ faithfully for 30 years at this point yet he was pressing on for the prize – not a big bucket of money or awards etc. – but rather Christ’s righteousness.  When we think of this “what’s in it for me” religion and eschatology, in the midst of the “resurrection chapter” (1 Cor 15) Paul says “awake to righteousness and sin not for some have not the knowledge of God; I speak this to your shame.” It was not just Paul that knew Christ and desired to know Him more, also Moses (Ex 33) walked with God in sweet fellowship and suffering – no one had like this since Adam – yet (v. 13) “that I may know thee”.

Preaching Jesus!

  David Brainerd, the famous missionary to the American Indians, proclaimed this truth throughout his ministry. He said, “I never got away from Jesus and Him crucified in my preaching. I found that once these people were gripped by the great evangelical meaning of Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, I did not have to give them many instructions about changing their behavior.”

When Charles Spurgeon lay on his deathbed, he testified to a friend, “My theology now is found in four little words: “JESUS died for ME.” I don’t say this is all I would preach if I were to be raised up again, but it is more than enough for me to die upon.”

Simple truths we preachers need to be reminded of!

Praise be to God – Ephesians 1.3

To God be the Glory (1 of 5)

Praise be to God – Eph 1:3

Phillips writes about a trip to London as a child – on the grounds of Hampton Court – was a maze of hedges – visitors could go through that maze – and they did.  He says the paths were narrow – and the hedges were high – all the paths looked the same – and he says after a few turns they were lost.

In the middle of the maze were chairs – so they could sit and think things over – and unravel the mystery of the maze.  He says they wandered around for quite some time – until someone came and brought them out.  He says that although it defied their attempts at analyzing – it was laid out according to a plan – for those who had seen the blueprint – it was no mystery – it was only a mystery to those who are content – who casually attempt to find their way through.

That is the same thing with (Eph 1:3-14) – it is laid out according to a divine and definite plan.  The way Paul opens this letter isn’t the norm – usually he opens with an introduction – and then a thanksgiving.

Here he opens with an outburst of praise – to who or what? – praise to God.  The praise is grounded in the fact that in Christ – God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing.

Have you contemplated that recently  – all that God has done for you – does it make you want to shout a shout of praise?

You see the sermon is important – we learn from the sermon – we learn doctrine from the sermon – BUT folks – doctrine rightly understood – leads to doxology – praise!  I believe that when we discover who God is – and the wonderful plan of salvation He wrought in Christ – we WILL praise Him!

Paul spells out – the divine saving purposes – from eternity to eternity.  This verse we have before us  – tells us about God’s blessing on believers.  God is the provision of spiritual blessings – you see in the OT God was Jehovah Jireh – God our provider – now He hasn’t changed – He is still provider.

However in the OT it was a relationship of such – that when the people were obedient – they were blessed – when they were disobedient – they lost their stuff – and were chastised.

In our Christian life – God is provider – first of all from the foundation of the world – Jesus was the Lamb led to the slaughter – God provided THE way of salvation – in Christ.

Now don’t get me wrong – every good and perfect gift – commeth from above – if you have anything – it is because God allowed you to have it.

But what Paul is praising God for – what prompts this doxology from Paul – is that every spiritual blessing is rooted in Christ – with its location in the heavenly realm.

Let’s look into these blessings….

1. I.                    WHEN: ETERNITY PAST

He says in this verse – “who HATH” – this is something that is past tense – the blessing has already been given – even before you got it – it was good as done.  This doxology is distinctively Christian – you see the person to whom the praise if directed – is the God of the OT – He was praised as the God of Israel – the God of Shem – God most high – and Lord.  Paul says – “I know Him now as (v. 3a)” – look @ (v. 17) – eternal God – has chosen that through the manifestation of Himself – in the form of His Son – Jesus Christ – to grant access to believers (vv. 5-6).  Believers have gained access to the Father (2:18) – which the believer enjoys with freedom and confidence (3:12).  All of this – handled back in eternity past – Jesus wasn’t a last minute search and rescue mission.

I love what he says here – “Hath blessed us” – the word “blessed” is the word “eulogeo” – it means to speak well of.  You may recognize the “logos” in that word.  God spoke well of you – WHEN? – in eternity past – same word is used of Mary – (Luke 1:42).

Not only that – we must keep in mind – we are blessed by God’s Word – the logos of God.

So the blessing and prospering of believers occurred in eternity past.

1. II.                  WHAT: EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING

“With every” – en pase – speaks of quantity – what is he doing – he is emphasizing God’s benefits to every believer – of every kind of blessing.  Everything that God has done – is for His glory and our good – HE has blessed us – He desires to benefit us.  Just like a loving father – who desires the best for his children – God is the believers heavenly Father – and he desires the best for us.  Yes – sometimes we feel like God isn’t listening – or He hasn’t answered a prayer the way we thought it should have been.

Aren’t you glad that sometimes God doesn’t answer our prayers – or better yet – says NO.

You see in a sense God didn’t have to send Jesus – but then in another sense – he did have to send Him.  God wants so much for you and I to be blessed with spiritual blessings – His very nature is LOVE and GRACE – it was bubbling over – He couldn’t help but intervene.  It’s like this – when you and I come to realization of who God is – what He has done – and all the blessings He has just given to us – our praise ought to be spilling out.  In the same sense – in our relationship with one another – IF the love has been poured in – it ought to be pouring out.

You see  – folks are going to do stuff – often times it is not intentional – but what gets me – is when people start talking and holding grudges.  If truly the love of God has been unloaded on you – and your brother or sister in Christ does something – the response of reconciliation should be quick and in love.  Something else about this phrase – “every spiritual blessing” – it speaks to our being enriched by God – for our spiritual lives.  You see the prosperity false preachers say to you – God wants you to be rich – financially.  My question to them is – what about those that are sold out and on fire for Jesus – and they are poor.  The blessings that God has given to us – are given that we would have the power and the ability to live the spiritual lives God has called to live.  Now since they have “already” been bestowed on believers – remember in eternity past – we should NOT ask for them.

Look @ (Josh 1:3-4) – they didn’t ask for it – nor were they told to ask for it – God says just enter in – and enjoy.  The Israelites could have just stood out there on the border of the Promised Land – and not gone in.  Just like with you and I – we appropriate “every spiritual blessing” BY FAITH!

Now God does bless materially at times – but this is not the context here – he is thinking in heavenly terms – you see material possessions PALE in comparison to spiritual riches in Christ.

You see Paul details the “blessings” he is talking about (vv. 4-14) – election, adoption, redemption, forgiveness, God’s purpose, and assurance of salvation.

 

1. III.                WHERE: IN HEAVENLY PLACES

You may have noticed that “places” is italicized – indicates it was added by the translators for emphasis.  What he is talking about here – is the REALM of our blessings – they are in the heavenly realm – in contrast to WHAT?  In contrast to the earthly realm – you see most folks want it fast and now.  You see these blessings are spiritual – NOT material – that pokes all kinds of holes in what we hear readily today.

The realm of these blessings and benefits of God – are heavenly – look @ (Heb 3:1 and 6:4) – there we are told that the call and the gift have their source in heaven – as opposed to earth.  That surely agrees with our present context – the spiritual benefits that come from heaven – are for believers united with Christ – and where is He? – (v. 20).  To summarize – as a born again child of God – we reside on earth – but have been enriched with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies – necessary for our spiritual well being.

When – eternity; what – every spiritual blessing; where – in the heavenly realm….

1. IV.                HOW: IN CHRIST

The sphere of this blessing – of this enrichment – is IN CHRIST – friends allow me to tell you today – that it all is wrapped up in Christ – everything!  Literally what is being said here – spiritual blessings given by God – are “in Jesus only.”  It is only by means of our union with Christ – that any of these spiritual blessings come to us.  Even our election is in Christ – ‘God chose us IN HIM from the foundation of the world.”

You see if you leave out – “In Christ” – you will never have any blessing at all.  Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega – all things were created by Him and for Him – in order to be born again – you must place your faith in the complete work of Jesus Christ.  In Adam sin has rained down on the human race – yet on behalf of mankind – Jesus Christ propitiated God’s wrath.  Anyone who believes God’s provision have been made IN CHRIST – becomes united in Christ.  And it is this union with Christ – who is in heaven – where the believer partakes of all the spiritual benefits from heaven.

Have you believed God? – if so friend – brother – sister – rejoice and praise God – not only today – but every day.

If you haven’t – do it today!