Praise God! Elected from Eternity to Eternity
by Pastor Edwin Lehmann on July 17, 2021 in Ephesians 1:3-14
Sermon for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost July 18, 2021
Text: Ephesians 1:3-14 CW 3 Year Series B 21:2270
Theme: Praise God! Elected from Eternity to Eternity.
That was a mouthful! Not just because there were many complex thoughts in it, but in the Greek text that was all one sentence! Our translations break it down into 10 sentences. But in Greek it’s one long sentence made up of 203 words. I counted them. Boy, if I had written a paper in school and made it one long sentence, over 200 words, my teacher would have flunked me!
We don’t do that in English. It’s too hard to follow. But there is a reason for the Holy Spirit having Paul write it that way. Every thought in that long sentence hangs on the others. They mesh into one unit, a song of praise to God for his astounding grace to you.
It begins with a teaching known as the Doctrine of Election or Predestination. To many the Doctrine of Election is difficult. But it’s not as complicated as people make it. And it is not given to worry or distress us. It is given as a great comfort and assurance that as we cling to Christ alone in faith, we are His in time and eternity. Yet, ironically, people are afraid to teach it.
One of my seminary professors told the story of a student who came to him after he taught the Doctrine of Election in class. The student ssid, “I feel that I now understand it much better than I have ever understood it before. But I still am going to avoid it as much as possible, and I would never teach it to children.”
That’s probably the way a lot of people feel. They’re afraid because they think people will draw all sorts of wrong conclusions from it. That’s sad because this teaching is very simple and given for our comfort. It’s only difficult if you don’t stick to what the Bible says about it. It’s only frightening to those who say things that God never says about it. And if you refuse to study it, you rob yourself of a Gospel treasure. You just have to start at the right place. Then you will sing for joy with Paul: Praise God! He has elected us from eternity to eternity. Start at the right place:
I. Blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ
“God has blessed us in Christ,” Paul says, “with every spiritual blessing.” If you are to benefit from this teaching on election, you must first know that God has blessed you with every spiritual blessing in Christ. That’s important, and the right place to start. It
begins with a God’s-eye view of things, not a man’s-eye view. “God has blessed us in Christ.” What are those blessings?
God loves you. If you want to know if God loves you, remember that God says He loves the whole world (Jn.3:16).
Jesus died for you. If you want to know that He died for you, go to where it says that He died for all (2 Co.5:15; 1Pt.3:18).
He redeemed you to Himself. If you want to know if He did, recall that He gave His life as a ransom for all (1Tm.2:6; Mt.20:28).
He forgives you. If you want to know if He takes away your sin, remember the Bible calls Him the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and proclaims that He reconciles the world to Himself, not counting man’s sins against him (Jn.1:29; 2 Co.5:19).
God wants you in heaven. If you want to know if God wants you in heaven, remember that God wants all to be saved (1 Tm.2:4).
In countless ways the Bible tells you that God has blessed you with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Like Paul said, He has lavished the riches of His grace on us.” It’s guaranteed to you, “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the down payment of our inheritance.”
In ancient times the seal on showed ownership. It told others, “This is mine.” When the Holy Spirit comes to you and gives you faith to say, “Jesus died for us,” that Spirit is like a stamp on the cover of your heart telling you, “You are mine.” That’s great comfort. You couldn’t say that without the Holy Spirit. He’s sealed you to Himself.
He’s also the evidence to you of a down payment. The purpose of a down payment on a car or a house is an indication that there is more to come. Knowing that Jesus is your Savior is an assurance to you that many more blessings from God will follow. “Praise God!” Paul says. “In faith you are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” That’s the right place to start when you talk about this Doctrine of Election. By faith all are yours!
So, we know that God has blessed us. He has made known to us “the mystery of His will.” That means the hidden things of our salvation that we would not know if God the Holy Spirit had not revealed them to us. He has revealed it in His Word and He guides us to believe it through the Holy Spirit. So, we know that Christ is our Savior and that our sins are forgiven. That you must know before you can benefit from this doctrine. Start there.
When Martin Luther was a monk in the monastery, he was
greatly troubled by the doctrine of election. He worried about it day and night. One day he told the head of the monastery about his fears. Dr. Staupitz advised, “Brother Martin, first find yourself in the wounds of Christ, and then you can be sure of your election.” That’s good advice, dear friends. Luther never forgot it.
First, find yourself in the wounds of Christ, washed clean for “the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses from all sin” (1 Jn.1:7). You have to begin at the right place – with all the blessings you have in Christ. These things are certain. God has promised them. Start there and you will see this doctrine as another great blessing in which you will find much value and comfort.
II. How good eternally God has been to you.
Now, when you know that you have been redeemed through Christ and you begin to look around in the world, you see that there are so many people who do not know the Savior and believe in Him. So, you might begin to ask, “Why is it that I am a Christian… that I was baptized…that I heard the gospel…that I believed it?”
Sometimes our sinful hearts try to tell us that we are Christians because we are smarter than others, or better than others, or not quite as stubborn to resist God like others are. But that is corrected by the Doctrine of Election which tells how good God has been to you eternally. God to you, not you to God! God in His grace, not you, has brought it about in your life.
Paul writes, “He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has graciously given us.”
Did you note the whole emphasis: “He, He, He, His, He graciously gave us.” He did it! How good God has been to you long before the world was created! Think of that – before creation!
Too often men speak of being Christians as though it were a matter of their own doing, like “I made my decision for Christ” or “I chose Christ,” as if the power lies in us! But Jesus told His disciples, “You did not choose me; I chose you” (Jn.15:16).
Likewise, the choosing of Amos in our OT lesson today was God’s doing. Amos wrote, “The Lord took me from tending the flock and said, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.” (Am.7:15).
God told Israel, “The Lord your God chose you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession. The Lord did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than others, for you were the fewest of all. But it was because the Lord loved you” (Dt.7:6f).
We are God’s children not because we made a decision, but because God did. God made you His own not because you were better than others, not because you did more good things, not because you were prettier, kinder, nicer, or smarter, not because you didn’t reject Him as much as others did; it was grace that did it. The Bible says (2Tm.1:9), “God saved us and called us with a holy calling not on account of our works but on account of His own purpose and grace, given us in Christ before the beginning of time.”
God chose you, predetermined you to be his child; made His saving will known to you; brought you to Himself in Christ. He gave you His Holy Spirit to believe it and guarantee that more is to come; He gave you an eternal inheritance. Why? To His praise and glory because He wanted it. How eternally good He has been to us who believe in Christ. He did it all before the world was created.
Humanly speaking, I don’t get it. But this is what He has declared. That’s astounding! What an inexpressibly hot love He must have. Elected from eternity to eternity! Praise God! What comfort and assurance He gives! He said it. Believe His Word!
Rejoice in your status before Him. And should you ever become discouraged, depressed, or afraid, remember – by grace in Christ God has elected you from eternity to eternity to be His. Don’t look at others. Look at Christ. He won’t let His people fall.
“Praise God who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ!” God grant it to us in faith for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Zion Lutheran Church of Springfield
4717 S Farm Rd 135 (Golden Avenue)
Church phone: 417.887.0886 Pastor’s cell phone: 417.693.3244
www.zionluthchurch.com email address: revelehmann@gmail.com
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The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost July 18, 2021
“Jesus called the Twelve and began to send them out two by two. He gave them authority over unclean spirits….They went out and preached that people should repent.” Mk.6:7,12
F o r O u r V i s i t o r s
We extend a warm and sincere welcome in our Savior’s name. Please sign our guest book, located to the right just outside the sanctuary. If you desire more information about Zion Lutheran Church or are in need of spiritual guidance, please call upon our pastor at any time. We are delighted to have you join us today and invite you to return soon.
U p o n E n t e r i n g G o d’ s H o u s e
“Blessed be the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for battle. He is my stronghold; He is my deliverer and my shield, so I take refuge in Him. How blessed are the people whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 144).
W h a t T h i s S u n d a y i s A b o u t
Chosen, Called, Sent. In every age God calls people to faith through the Means of Grace. From eternity He chooses them to be with Him in eternity. Such an election is a wondrous teaching of grace, a doctrine of pure comfort for the believer. Receive it in faith for what it is and do not turn it into something it isn’t with conflicting human opinions.
From these saints God then calls qualified individuals and sends them through the Church into the world to proclaim His saving Word. The process is graciously guided and controlled by Him who is the Lord of the Church until the last of the elect is brought in. From beginning to end, all is a matter of grace.
God grant us joy and peace in His choosing, calling, and sending by which we believe in the truths of salvation, prepared for us in Christ.
To that end we pray: Almighty God, we thank You for planting in us the seed of Your Word. By Your Holy Spirit help us to receive it with joy and to bring forth fruits in faith and hope and love; for Jesus’ sake. Amen
– T h e W o r d o f G o d f o r T o d a y –
The Old Testament Lesson: Amos 7:10-15
The priest Amaziah accused Amos of insurrection and profiteering in prophesying the defeat of the Kingdom of Israel. But the prophet was speaking for the Lord and defended his calling by declaring that he did not choose to be a prophet. Rather God had called him to the task.
The Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 1:3-14
There are two calls in a Christian’s life: the call to faith and the call to service. Within the call to faith is the doctrine of election – in eternity God calls His own to be His forever. These He calls to service, in different ways and times, to use their gifts to proclaim His saving truths.
The Gospel Lesson: Mark 6:7-13
For the first time Jesus gathers His Twelve Disciples together and sends them out two by two. As they go in His name, they were to trust that He would take care of them. They were to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and deliver sinners from the power of the devil.
O u r P r a c t i c e o f H o l y C o m m u n i o n
The Lord’s Supper is a wonderful gift in which we receive Jesus’ own body and blood to forgive our sins and strengthen us in faith. It is a gift given with certain responsibilities. The Sacrament is intended for those who have been instructed, understand, and confess as one what they are receiving and doing. Through it we express our unity of faith (1 Cor.10:17). Therefore, we ask that only confirmed members of Zion Lutheran Church or our sister congregations of the WELS or ELS approach to receive Communion. If you would like to become a communicant member of Zion or have any questions about our practice, the pastor would be happy to meet with you after the service.
The Organist: Jane Rips is not with us today
The Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann
Point to Ponder: “If you cling to the Lord Christ, you are certainly one of the many whom God from the beginning has chosen to be His own; otherwise you would not come and listen to this revelation or accept it…. For what the Scripture says about it is not recorded in order to worry and frighten poor, troubled souls, who feel their sin and would gladly be rid of it, but rather to comfort them.”
— Martin Luther on Faith Is the Result of Election Not the Reason for It
Outline of Our Worship
The Preparation
Opening Hymn: #241
Order of Worship: Service of Word and Sacrament Hymnal page 26
The Ministry of the Word
Amos 7:10-15
Ephesians 1:3-14
Hymn Response: #380
Mark 6:7-13
The Gospel Response: pg.30
Sermon Hymn: #548
Sermon: Ephesians 1:3-14 Praise God! Elected from Eternity to Eternity.
Our Response to the Word
The Nicene Creed: page 31
The Offering & Prayers Hymnal page 32
Lord, Bless Us
Order of Holy Communion: Hymnal pages 33-35
(Visitors: Please read box inside about the practice of Holy Communion)
Distribution Hymn: #318
Thanksgiving & Blessing: Hymnal pages 36-37
Silent Prayer
The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost – Series B
Old Testament: Amos 7:10-15 – Amaziah Opposes Amos as God’s Prophet
10Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent a message to Jeroboam king of Israel:
Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to endure all of his words. 11This is what Amos says: “Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel will certainly go into exile away from its own soil.”
12Then Amaziah said to Amos, “You seer, get out of here! Flee to the land of Judah. You may eat food and prophesy there. 13But you must never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the sanctuary of the king and the national temple.”
14Then Amos responded to Amaziah:
I was not a prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet. Rather, I was a sheep breeder and I took care of sycamore fig trees. 15But the Lord took me from tending flocks, and the Lord said to me, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”
Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 1:3-14 – God’s Rich Blessings in Christ
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
4He did this when he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ. He did this in accordance with the good purpose of his will, 6and for the praise of his glorious grace, which he has graciously given us in the one he loves.
7In him we also have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in keeping with the riches of his grace, 8which he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight. 9He made known to us the mystery of his will in keeping with his good purpose, which he planned in Christ. 10This was to be carried out when the time had fully come, in order to bring all things together in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth.
11In him we have also obtained an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in keeping with the purpose of his will. 12He did this so that his glory would be praised as a result of us, who were the first to hope in Christ.
13In him, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and in him, when you also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14He is the down payment of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own possession, so that his glory would be praised.
Gospel Lesson: Mark 6:7-13 – Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
7Jesus called the Twelve and began to send them out two by two. He gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8He instructed them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their money belts. 9They were to put on sandals but not to wear two coats. 10He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that area. 11Any place that will not receive you or listen to you, as you leave there, shake off the dust that is under your feet as a testimony against them.”
12They went out and preached that people should repent. 13They also drove out many demons. They anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) copyright © 2019 The Wartburg Project.
C a l e n d a r & A n n o u n c e m e n t s f o r Z i o n L u t h e r a n C h u r c h
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A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today
It’s not easy giving a faithful proclamation of God’s Word. Public ministers serve as God’s representative to a sinful world, and the world is often not willing to accept God’s message of truth. The Old Testament prophet Amos found that out; St. Paul found that out; Jesus’ newly-called apostles would find that out. Yet faithful public preachers are a most necessary and divinely-instituted way in which the Gospel of Jesus is proclaimed to all nations. Thank God for faithful public preachers and teachers of the gospel! By them Jesus gives us the Bread of Life.
The Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 1:3-14 (answers are found on the back side)
- What comforting teaching of Scripture does Paul address in these verses?
- What is the “mystery of [God’s] will” (v. 9)?
Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Dea Windsor; Clyde Johnson; Dave Ballou; Greg Miller; Lou Schulz; Norine Richardson; Barbara Long; Jodi Milam; William & Laurie Moon; Patsy Mickelson; Lance & Jodi Milam; Pauline Jaeger, Randy’s mother, diagnosed with cancer; Ken Burns, former member at Zion in hospice care in Iowa.
Meeting Postponement With the absence of some congregational leaders and people today, we are postponing the regularly scheduled quarterly meetings to a later date. We will inform you ahead of time as to when the meetings will be held. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but it seemed better to the council to postpone to a later date.
No Face Mask Regulations Facemasks are no longer required in a church setting. If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, especially with the upswing in Covid cases in our community, you may do so. Masks, disposable gloves, and sanitizer are in the narthex and the fellowship hall for your use. We are again passing the offering plate in our worship service.
Forward in Christ’s latest edition for July has arrived. There are plenty of copies for family and friends in the narthex. Also copies of the Daily Devotions written by Pastor this past week on Psalm 144 will be found there.
Family Bible Study Week For any who might be interested, Peace LC in Marshfield will hold a family Bible study this coming Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 6:30-8 pm each evening. There will be Bible study for all ages, crafts for the children, and snacks. Friday evening, we may hold a swimming party at the city pool. See Pastor Lehmann for more information if you are interested in joining them.
The Week in Review
Last Sunday’s Worship Attendance: 32; Bible Class: 13; Midweek Bible Class:6; Offering: $1,590 .
Next Sunday’s Lessons:
Pentecost 9: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:13-22; Mark 6:30-34 (Series B)
Answers to Today’s Epistle Lesson Brief Study:
- Paul tells the Ephesians and us that our salvation was planned by God before the creation of the world. God chose us in Christ to be his children. Sadly, some have undermined this comforting doctrine of eternal election with their speculations about God’s hidden will and have frightened the consciences of Christians. Paul wants us to be comforted by his words, not frightened! God loved you and chose you in Christ from all eternity! Believe it; it’s true!
- The mystery (something that is hidden for a time) of God’s will to which Paul refers in this letter is that God’s salvation is for all people, not just for the descendants of His Old Testament people. The “you” of verse 13 is the Gentile Christians in Ephesus. (cf. also Eph 3:4-6).
This week I am praying for……
