The Riches of His Grace
A Sermon on Ephesians 1:7
Originally preached Jan. 23, 1955
Scripture
7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Sermon Description
How can the apostle Paul be so exuberant in praise about the grace of God? Why is the grace of God something the apostle constantly writes about? It is because he knew the grace of God; he experienced it and it led to his worship and praise. In this sermon on Ephesians 1:7 titled “The Riches of His Grace,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds Paul’s words on the riches of God’s grace. By better understanding God’s grace one gets a glimpse into the very character of God. In the riches of God’s grace they see that He gives fully, freely, and abundantly. It can be no other way. He must give grace liberally because of who He is. Pastorally, Dr. Lloyd-Jones applies God’s grace to the Christian by highlighting their desperate need for it. Thankfully, His grace is sufficient for all needs. Millions have drunk from it, yet it is still bubbling up, offering assurance for all who come and drink from it. The gracious and good news of the gospel is the free and full forgiveness for those who are in Christ Jesus according to the riches of God’s grace.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul emphasizes the riches of God's grace in Ephesians 1:7.
- Grace is one of the manifestations of God's glory. Grace is what makes salvation possible.
- We can measure the riches of God's grace by considering the immense price paid for it - the blood of Jesus Christ.
- God gives us these riches in an abundant, lavish way. Not because we asked for it or deserved it, but because of His grace.
- The riches of God's grace are inexhaustible, boundless, and all-sufficient. They meet all of our needs.
- The riches of God's grace include:
- Free and full forgiveness of sins
- Complete reconciliation with God
- Assurance of salvation
- Adoption as God's children
- The indwelling of the Holy Spirit
- Access to God through prayer
- Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith
- The fullness of God
- Provision of spiritual armor to fight spiritual battles
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Eternal life with God after death
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We must receive these riches by faith, like the prodigal son returning to the father. We can enjoy them now and for eternity.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Ephesians 1:7
What does "according to the riches of his grace" mean in the context of Ephesians 1:7?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the phrase "according to the riches of his grace" in Ephesians 1:7 means that our salvation and forgiveness come not merely from God's grace but from the abundant, inexhaustible wealth of that grace. It indicates that God gives not in a grudging manner but with "liberality and largesse which baffles description." The riches of God's grace are "as large and as great and profound as God himself" because when God provided salvation, "he gave himself in his son." The phrase points to the lavish, unlimited nature of God's provision for sinners.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones compare studying Scripture to visiting an art gallery?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones compares studying Scripture to visiting an art gallery, noting that there are two approaches. Some people go through quickly, just identifying each painting ("that's Van Dyke...that's Rembrandt") and moving on, feeling they've "done" the gallery. Similarly, some people tabulate and classify Scripture without truly experiencing it. Lloyd-Jones advocates instead standing "for hours before a masterpiece," gazing upon it and absorbing "the totality of its riches." He believes Scripture should be approached not just for superficial knowledge but to "feed the soul and to enrich the mind and to move the heart."
What are some ways to measure or estimate the "riches of God's grace" according to the sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, we can estimate the riches of God's grace by: 1. The price paid for it - "the blood of the Son of God, the poured out life of him by whom all things were made" 2. The munificent way God gives - "without being asked" and "in spite of our being enemies" 3. The liberal, non-grudging manner of God's giving - "God can't give in any other way" 4. The inexhaustible nature of this grace - it "passeth knowledge" in its "height and depth and length and breadth" 5. The comprehensive benefits it provides - forgiveness, reconciliation, adoption, the Holy Spirit, and more
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggest that forgiveness is "free" and "full" as part of God's grace?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that forgiveness is "free" because it requires "no payment whatsoever" from us. He states, "It is without money and without price. Not a farthing. Not a cent." He compares attempting to pay for salvation to insulting someone offering a gift. Forgiveness is also "full" because "when God forgives your sins, he keeps nothing at all back." There are "no reservations" and "no conditions." He emphasizes that "your past sins are forgiven, your present sins are forgiven, your future sins are already dealt with." This complete forgiveness is possible only because of "the riches of his grace."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as evidence that someone truly knows the riches of God's grace?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggests that knowing the riches of God's grace "invariably leads to the same result as it did in the case of Paul," which is "to make us sing, to make us praise God, to make us rejoice." He points to the apostle Paul's frequent use of superlatives and ecstatic language when discussing grace, noting that Paul "can scarcely control himself" when mentioning it. Lloyd-Jones suggests that Christians who know God's grace will exhibit amazement, joy, and thanksgiving rather than grumbling and complaining. He states, "one of the most delicate and subtle and sensitive tests of our christian profession is the extent to which we are amazed."
What specific spiritual blessings does Dr. Lloyd-Jones list as being part of "the riches of his grace"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones lists numerous spiritual blessings that are part of "the riches of his grace": 1. Free and full forgiveness of sins 2. Complete reconciliation to God 3. Knowledge and assurance of salvation 4. Sonship and adoption into God's family 5. Being "in Christ" 6. The gift and power of the Holy Spirit 7. Access into the presence of God 8. Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith 9. Being "filled with all the fullness of God" 10. Spiritual armor for spiritual warfare 11. Joy, peace, love, and security 12. Future inheritance in heaven 13. Seeing Christ, being with Him, and reigning with Him
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe our access to God as part of the riches of grace?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes our access to God as "one of the most wonderful" aspects of God's grace. He quotes Ephesians 2, saying "through him [Christ] we both have access by one spirit unto the Father." He explains that heaven means "being in the presence of God and enjoying him without let or hindrance or restraint," and through God's grace, "we are given a foretaste of that here in this world." Lloyd-Jones urges believers not to be content with anything less than "enjoying a life of fellowship with God," emphasizing that providing this access was "one of the reasons for sending his son."
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.