You're listening to Mountain View Church Audio, Christ-centered teaching from the Wilderness City, Whitehorse, UConn. Here's this week's message. Blessed be your name in the land that is plentiful, where streams of abundance flow. Blessed be your name. Blessed be your name when I'm found in a desert place, though I walk through the wilderness. Blessed be your name. Every blessing you pour out, I'll turn back to praise.
When the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say, Blessed be the name of the Lord. Blessed be your name. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Blessed be your glorious name. Blessed be your name. When sun's shining down on me. When the world's all as it should be. Blessed be your name. Blessed be your name.
Every blessing you pour out, I'll turn back to praise. When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say, Blessed be the name of the Lord. Blessed be your name. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Blessed be your glorious name. Give and take away.
You give and take away My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be your glorious name Most of us spend a lot of energy trying to prove our purpose in life.
We chase it at work or on teams. We're trying to reach a level of status or maybe accumulate followers. Full disclosure that I've chased it too. I might be out on the river and I search for it in how I fish or where I fish, or maybe here in the studio through a piece of content. I'm just catching myself sometimes thinking if I do this a little bit better or if I can make it work somehow or do something different, then maybe I'll be more settled or more satisfied. But I'm tricking myself. I'm tricking myself into thinking that that's where I'll find purpose and belonging. And I know I'm not alone. Sure, the situation might differ, but...
Maybe you get this. Maybe you've experienced this. Thankfully, scripture reveals a different story. In Paul's letter to the Ephesian church, we're invited to think differently about purpose and belonging. Instead of scrambling to piece together our identity, we learn to receive it in and through God's son, Jesus Christ. My name is Jeremy, and I'm the lead pastor of Mountain View Church. Today, we're continuing our series titled Identity, Found in Him. Over the next half hour, you'll discover that identity is connected to an inheritance that's offered through Jesus. And with that inheritance, you receive purpose, brought into God's plan, and all to bring glory to him.
Hello, my name is David Johnson. Our scripture reading today is from Ephesians, chapter 1, the first 12 verses. You're welcome to follow along with a physical Bible. They're located under the seats in front of you. The table of contents is in the third or fourth page in, and Ephesians is in the New Testament. That's the second set there in the table of contents. Alternatively, you can download a Bible app or visit Bible.com. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us in all wisdom and insight, 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 to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who are the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
Over the past couple of months, we've been walking through this passage verse by verse. If you're just tuning in, it would be worth going back to previous messages. Because at this point in the text, Paul has already described what God has done for us in Christ, but now he's going to explain why God has done it. Now being said, I realize you might not be able to go back, so let's do a short recap. Starting in the first two verses of Ephesians 1, Paul provides an introductory greeting to the saints in Ephesus and provides a foundational statement on their identity in Christ.
Moving on to verses three through 10, Paul lays out that what of our identity, which are the tangible yet deeply theological blessings that define who we are because of Jesus. He explains that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. He says that we're chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless. We were predestined for adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ. And in Christ, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.
and that God lavished on us in all wisdom and insight and made known to us the mystery of his will to unite all things in Christ. Again, that first big section that we completed over the last few weeks answers the what of our identity in Christ, what God has done for us, what we've received through Christ, and who we already are because of his grace. But today, we make a shift to the why. Why did God give us all these blessings in Christ? We need to understand the heart behind all those rich doctrines that Paul laid out for us.
Every one of them flows out of a deliberate sovereign plan, revealing God's purpose and glory. In Christ, we receive an inheritance, join in his purpose, and live for his glory. This is crucial. If we only focus on what God has done for us, we might treat the gospel like a personal comfort. But Paul wants the Ephesians, and in turn us, to see that the personal is tied to the eternal. God's blessings aren't random. They're part of his grand purpose, all to glorify himself through his people, through us. But let's dig a little deeper into the why.
The first being so that we would obtain an inheritance in Christ, even though we didn't deserve it. That word inheritance speaks of belonging, of being part of God's family. In Christ, we're not just forgiven and freed. We're written into the family story. Before you've ever earned it, before you could prove yourself worthy, God had already decided to include you in his inheritance plan. Some of you might remember when your parents handed you a set of keys.
One for the front door, maybe the back door, maybe even a key to the family vehicle. And that set of keys might have been a rite of passage or a marker of maturity, but it wasn't meant to be a reward that you earned somehow. That set of keys is a symbol of sorts, a belonging, and in a way, your inheritance, that you belong, that you're a part of the family. Those keys said, this is your home. We are your family.
And even as children become young adults and they move out, some parents say, hang on to that set of keys just in case you ever need them. It's another way of saying, you'll always belong here. You'll always have a home here. You're always a part of this family. Come and go as you please. This picture of the keys to the family home helps us understand how Jesus unlocks our place in God's family. We don't earn it as a reward for good behavior or moral performance. When God sent Jesus, it was a gift of grace, like keys offered to his children. Jesus unlocks our inheritance, leading to life with God himself.
Through Jesus, you're welcomed into the family of God, given access to the Father's house, and invited to live as sons and daughters with eternal belonging. In this life, our inheritance is a spiritual reality of relationship with God because of Jesus and experience through God's Holy Spirit. Now, in the life to come, however, that inheritance becomes very tangible within the new heaven and new earth. We'll have new bodies and everything will be in the new creation. And that gives you a picture. I get it. Those keys unlocking.
God's house in a way, but we need to also get a little bit more technical. Let's look at some etymology. The word Paul uses can be translated for one of three acts, to assign by lot, to appoint, or to obviously obtain an inheritance, which is what we're talking about today. In all three of these though, by lot, appointment, or inheritance, there is a specific recipient. So Paul takes this familiar term for a first century audience to explain that we have become the recipients of a divine inheritance given by God himself.
It's not a chance or as a reward or as a payment. God has determined in advance and he's determined our inherited portion and he's fulfilled it completely in Christ. This word carries the sense of something reaching a full capacity or being brought to completion and filled completely by Christ. This inheritance offered through Jesus is a finished blessing. It has already been secured at the cross and confirmed by his resurrection.
As we talked about last week, through Christ, God's plan for his people has reached its fullness. What was promised through the Old Testament has come to completion in him. So we can live in the reality of what he's already accomplished through the cross and again, that empty tomb. Diving a little deeper, the word holds two complementary truths and both matter. First, it points to what we receive in Christ, an imperishable inheritance kept in heaven for us. The Apostle Peter, in his first letter to the church, affirms and further explains our inheritance. He writes, Secondly, it points to who we are in Christ, God's own inheritance, his treasured possession.
Further down in Peter's letter, he affirms this truth as well. He writes, but you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession. He called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Paul holds these two truths together in Ephesians 1. In Christ, we receive what belongs to God's children and we become the people who belong to God.
This is the foundation of the why. Our inheritance is a restored relationship with God accessed through Christ. In him, we've been claimed, secured, and given that eternal place in God's unfolding story. Theologian A.R. Fawcett writes, obtained an inheritance literally means we were made to have an inheritance, that the church existed in the mind of God eternally before it existed in creation. It was not arbitrary caprice, but infinite wisdom joined with sovereign will.
And the great pastor and preacher, Charles Spurgeon, in a sermon on this passage proclaimed, in whom also we have obtained an inheritance. Not only shall we have it, but we have it now. We have heaven in the price of it, the principles of it, the promise of it, in the foretaste of it. I hope you're able to see that our inheritance in Christ is an important theological truth, but it's also a reality to live from in the here and now. What God promised, he has already secured in Jesus. Every spiritual blessing, every act of grace, every moment of belonging flows from that truth that is in Christ. We are both heirs of God's riches and the treasured possession of God's heart. Because of that, we can live as sons and daughters resting in what's already been given, what's already been accomplished. And so coming back to our first picture, that set of keys in your hands that you've been given, the doors are unlocked through Jesus and our inherited home is secured now and forever, in and through him. You have those keys. Now,
Inheritance was the key concept for today's message, but I'd like to touch on a few more points from the rest of today's passage. If we come back to verse 11, we read, Having been predestined according to the purpose of him, who works all things according to the counsel of his will. That word, predestined, is a big one. It's one that we actually already unpacked in this series. Now, I'll touch on it briefly, but if you want to take the deep dive, I'd suggest watching the message titled Adopted in Him from a few weeks ago at mountainview.church slash watch, listen, or on YouTube at Mountain View Whitehorse. You'll get way more out of it, or you can...
Stay with us now and I'll touch on it slightly. So coming back to that verse, Paul's describing a father with a plan. God's purposes are intentional and redemptive. They're not reactionary. Everything unfolds as that verse states according to his purpose and the counsel of his will.
God holds a blueprint from beginning to end with Christ as the foundation, and he's building us together as part of his ultimate design. That's the picture of this predestination according to his will and purpose. Now, scholar D.A. Carson writes, by union with Christ, we are predestined to become trophies of God's grace that evoke creation's praise of God, assures us of God's overarching sovereign power and directing purpose at work in the believer, at work in us. Now, if we move on to verse 12, this next phrase answers the biggest why of all, the ultimate big picture, big purpose behind everything that Paul has written so far from verses 1 through to 11. He writes, so that we who are the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. Paul reminds the Ephesians, and in turn it reminds us, that everything God has done, the choosing, the adopting, redeeming, forgiving, revealing, sealing, all of it, ultimately it circles back around to God's glory.
If you go back and you look, it's actually a thread that runs through the entire passage and continues in a few verses. In verse six, it states, to the praise of his glorious grace. Then here in verse 12, states to the praise of his glory. And next week, we'll see it again in verse 14, where Paul says it, to the praise of his glory once again. From beginning to end, God's plan of salvation is designed to display his glory through his people.
When Paul says, we who were the first to hope in Christ, he's pointing first to the Jewish believers who waited for the Messiah. But through them, the flame of faith spread to the Gentiles, including the Ephesians, and eventually 2,000 years later, to us. God's glory was never meant to stay contained with one people or one place. The story revealed through scripture expands outward, beginning with God's chosen people, Israel, and now reaching every nation, every people group, and every language. This is where inheritance meets purpose. Looking back through Ephesians 1, we can trace the process. In Christ, we've been chosen, predestined, and adopted into God's family, given a share in his inheritance, and invited to join his purpose, all of which so that his glory would be made known to the world. All of this so that through our lives, the world would see his goodness and give all praise and glory to him. So, through Jesus, you have been given access to the Father's house. The keys are in your hands.
It's time to live like an heir who legitimately belongs to God's family. You can stop chasing what you already have, stop striving for identity and rest in the one you've been given. Instead of trying to earn a place or get followers or step into a different scenario or a better situation, just accept that you've already been given the one and only inheritance, the one and only identity that you've ever needed or ever will need. So with that in mind, remember that belonging doesn't mean sitting still. As we join in the family business, so to speak, God's mission is to spread the gospel to the world. You've been adopted into that purpose, which ultimately brings glory to God as you live out and spread the good news of Jesus. So think about the week ahead. Where and how will you join him? Maybe it's in your home, being patient when you'd rather be right. Maybe it's at work offering integrity in a place full of shortcuts. Maybe it's encouraging a friend who's drifting or forgiving someone who's wounded you. Whatever it is, each of these moments are displaying your inheritance, your purpose, and ultimately they bring glory to God.
God's not just saving people. He's shaping a family that reflects his goodness and grace to a world that's desperate for both. Every act of kindness, every word of truth, every small moment of obedience becomes another light shining through the cracks of darkness that we have throughout this world. And so if you've been chasing identity in the shifting ways of this world, this is your moment to come home and receive your inheritance. Stop trying to earn a place that's already been given you. The Father's house is open and the key is in your hand. Jesus unlocked it for you at the cross and he calls you to him. This means...
To be found in him, your identity, your inheritance, and your purpose, all of it is secured in Jesus. So with that in mind, would you take a moment with me and pray and receive God's grace through Jesus? You can start living out your inheritance and purpose that's found in him this very moment. Let's pray. Dear Father, I believe you sent your son Jesus to die on the cross for my sin. I believe you raised him to life to conquer sin and death. Thank you for calling me your child and giving me an inheritance in Christ. Today, I choose to turn from my sin. Receive your forgiveness.
and take my place in your family. Teach me to rest in your grace and rise into your purpose. Fill me with your spirit so that my life reflects your glory. In Jesus' name I pray, amen. Thank you for being here today. If you're ready to take the next step and get connected with our faith community, please visit mountainview.church slash connect, or you can send us a DM on social at mountainviewwhitehorse. Also, please consider subscribing to our YouTube channel and hitting the notification icon so future messages will appear automatically in your feed. Now, it's time for this week's ministry updates.
Good morning, Mountain Dew. My name is Hailey, and this is my husband, Alex. And if you haven't heard already, we're telling you about the event coming up called the Multi-Generational Mixer. So this event is for the seniors in the church and also the young adults. So the seniors will be ages 65 and above, and young adults is 18 to 35. Yeah, so it's going to involve a lunchtime potluck. But not only that, we're going to have a trivia kind of game contest type thing. So we're going to have groups kind of working at tables together to answer a combination of trivia questions and Bible-related questions. With prizes. With prizes, yeah. So we'll hope to see you there. It's at 12 to 3 p.m. at the church on November 22nd.
yeah that's saturday and as far as what to bring for the potluck we're going to decide what you're going to bring based on your birth myth so if you're born between january and april if you could bring a main dish that would be amazing um if you're born between may and august you could bring a side or a salad and if you're born between september or december please bring a dessert to share if you're able to hope to see you there have a great week hello mountain view church my name is tyrell i am a junior youth leader On December 7th, I would like to invite all of the junior youth, grades 5, 6, and 7, to the brand new rock climbing gym for a fun night. The gym is located at 35 Godrid Way in Whistlebent. Let's meet normal youth time for 6 to 8 o'clock. Please get to the gym at about 5.45 so we can get everything dealt with early. Also, come dressed in sports attire, a tank top, t-shirt, yoga pants or shorts. I myself personally like to climb in pajama pants and a nice t-shirt.
Super nice. Also, please bring a sealed water bottle. If your junior youth wants to come to this night, please email jryouth at mountainview.church or come see myself in person. You can also text my cell phone 250-845-4288. Then I can confirm all of the numbers with the gym and have everything ready to go for everybody.
If you feel like getting ahead, you can also pre-sign the waiver online. If you need a hand, just come see me in person at church and I will get you going. Also, to make our night even more smooth, I would like to ask for two volunteers to come help us at Junior Youth. The only requirements I ask of these two volunteers is they are already Belay certified in this gym. If you are part of the gym, you will understand what I am referring to. Sorry, I'm bad at explaining things.
Anyways, I hope to see you guys all here. It is a super fun place to be. Lots of routes to climb. A huge boulder wall. It's a great place to be. Anyways, please email or text or come see me in person. It's gonna be a great night, guys. Next week, we'll be concluding our identity series with Ephesians 1, verses 13 and 14, discovering how God seals his people with the Holy Spirit. Then we'll share in communion, remembering Christ's sacrifice and celebrating the life we have in him. And we'll finish up by celebrating baptisms, public declarations of faith.
Now, if you have given your life to Christ but never publicly declared it through baptism, this is your moment. You can sign up or get more info at mountainview.church.baptism. Now, finally, it's time for our discussion and prayer focus for this week. The discussion question is this. How will you live out your inheritance and join God's purpose this week? How will you live out your inheritance and join God's purpose this week? After you've talked about that or left a comment in the field below, spend some time in prayer. Pray for the Spirit to help you live as God's child, resting in His grace and reflecting His glory.
Pray for the Spirit to help you live as God's child, resting in His grace and reflecting His glory. Thank you again for watching or listening. We'll see you next week for our concluding message on our Identity Series. See you then.