Look What God Has Done Ephesians 1:1-14

Welcome to Christmas Day; Christmas Day also being on a Sunday this year. The next time it will fall on a Sunday will be in 2033. You might think it should happen every 7 years, but you have to account for leap years and that’s why it is mixed up a bit. There are no accidents with the Lord; everything is planned. As it happens, we have been going through Ephesians this week and Paul spoke of a time before the advent, before Christ’s birth, even before the birth of the world.

We have just read these words, “he chose us in him before the foundation of the world.” (Ephesians 1:4) You see the obvious implications of this verse. It shows firstly that God not only knew but planned things before we were even here.

1.     He created the world – plants, animals, sea creatures, as well as the sun, moon and stars

2.     He created Adam and Eve – the first humans to all humanity

3.     He oversaw the events of the garden of Eden – the fall

4.     He determined every event and kingdom from that time to this day

5.     He oversaw your birth, where you grew up, the schools you went to, God determined your road life map. Those who are younger, God has already planned out your life on earth. That is a great comfort when we understand the character of God.

But before any of that, including your present existence on the earth, was ever a reality, before any creating, either celestial or spiritual, you were known. He knew you! He knew the tragic events that would unfold in your life; He was the one who saw you at the highs and was with you right through the lows.

But why is this important? Because of the character of this pre-knowing God. We now have through this predestined journey; we have been adopted as sons. Whether we are sons or daughters, this means we have the full rights as sons of the inheritance. How is it possible? Through grace. (verse 6)

Bought back – redemption through His blood – the cross, Christ’s death, it says was lavished on us in all wisdom and insight. (verse 8)

Paul said, “making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time.” (verses 9, 10)

A commentator, John Stott, put it well by saying, “When people ask us the speculative question why God went ahead with the creation when he knew that it would be followed by the fall, one answer we can tentatively give is that he destined us for a higher dignity than even creation would bestow on us.”

God had something far better planned for us than to live eternally in this body of flesh on the earth, even a body without sin. His higher purpose was that we would be given a full inheritance, with spiritual bodies dwelling in a new heaven and earth with Him: far better than the original creation which He made, even though it was described as “good”.

God had a better plan. Paul said, “plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

That plan’s earthly unfolding happened, because “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

This blessing came through the Christ child – Jesus being born in a stable in a backwaters town of Bethlehem, not even the capital of Jerusalem.

His later life events would surround that city: His miracles, His teaching and ultimately the cross, death and resurrection; but it all began here.

Paul said to the Galatians, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4)

Look at what God has done for us this morning as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour. It was all secured in His mind; before any part of creation our inheritance in heaven was secured. There is no better news than this!

So, on this last Sunday of the year, which happens to be Christmas Day, maybe some of the year has been tough; God has been over it. Maybe your year has been filled with abundance and blessing all the way through, but I suspect like most of us it has had a mixture of both, because that is life as we live with the joys and trials of it.

Jesus was born to save us, but he also said we need to be born; born from above. This is possible as He draws you to Himself. Maybe that is what’s happening with you this morning. Don’t waste any more time. This year is gone and another one is upon us.

Be born again! As Christ was born and given as a gift, don’t reject the greatest gift ever offered to humanity, our Saviour Jesus!