Introduction

·        Illustration: Christians, like diamonds, need to be cut away from the "rough" in order to gain their full value.

·        The book of Ephesians shows us the diamond-like value of every believer.

Transition: In this passage, we will examine five of the benefits of being a believer found in the "riches of his grace."

We are redeemed.

·        The word redemption comes from Greek meaning, "to release from captivity."

·        We are all slaves to sin, and to be set free, someone has to pay the price.

·        Jesus' blood paid the price for our redemption.

      -     1 Peter 1:18–19; Hebrews 9:12; Mark 10:45

      -     Illustration: A lodge owner's dog dies in the process but saves a guest lost in a             snowstorm.

We are forgiven.

·        Romans 3:23

·        In salvation, we find total forgiveness for all our sins, past, present, and future.

·        Illustration: A quote from Max Anders on our inability to save ourselves.

      -     Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 44:22; Jeremiah 31:34; Micah 7:19; 1 John 1:9

·        We are forgiven according to the riches of his grace. 

·        God chose to give us this grace "according to the riches of his grace", not out of his riches. There is a bid difference.

Illustration: John D. Rockefeller, one of the richest men in the world, used to give waifs on the street a dime out of his riches.

·        God lavishes grace upon us in an extravagant way.

We have understanding.

·        Illustration: Andre Maurois said, "The universe is indifferent.  Who created it?  I have not the slightest idea."

·        When God is factored out of the equation, life is indeed meaningless.

·        God gives believers both wisdom and prudence.

·        Regardless of our educational background, God gives believers understanding that unbelievers will never know.

      -     1 Corinthians 2:14–15

We have the mystery.

·        Christ is the center of all God's purposes in the universe.

      -     Colossians 1:16; Romans 8:19–21

·        Because we have the mystery, we don't share the world's pessimism.

We are heirs.

·        Note that this phrase is in the past tense: "We have obtained an inheritance."

·        Before God created anything, he predestined every believer to receive this inheritance.

·        God wills and wants to give us all things.