Blessed Way Beyond What We Can Imagine

Blessed way beyond what we can Imagine!

Ephesians 1:3-14

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

This morning if you don’t hear anything else today, I want you to hear this.

As a Christian, We have been given, blessed with Way More than we will ever totally Understand or Comprehend in Christ. But, we should try to figure it out!

Let me try to help you understand what I’m talking about with an illustration…

Is anyone here a member of Farm Bureau? Nola and I have had our insurance through them for years… do you know what I just found out this week as I was preparing for this sermon, as I was praying about how to try and convey this idea to you… I found out that we have all kinds of perks, all kinds of savings that are available to us…but we have NEVER even noticed!!!

Listen to some of these benefits….

Member Benefits

• Wyndham Hotel Group. As a member of Arkansas Farm Bureau you can receive up to 20% off the “Best Available Rate” ...

• Life Line Screening. ...

• Infant Car Seat Program. ...

• Grainger Discounts. ...

• Alamo Rent a Car. ...

• AVIS Discount.

This list goes on, but you get the point… membership benefits, going totally unused, unappreciated, unnoticed….no benefit. Is it Farm Bureau’s fault? No, it’s my fault for not understanding what has been offered.

This morning You do believe that what the Word of God says is True don’t You?

Martin Luther once was so depressed over a prolonged time that one day his wife came downstairs wearing all black. Martin Luther said, “Who died?” She said, “God has.” He said, “God hasn’t died.” To which she replied, “Well, live like it and act like it.”

(Preaching Today)

Let’s look at verse 3… 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

1. Do you have any Idea what the Father has blessed you with?

The Greek word for “blessing” is the word eulogia which means “benefit.” These spiritual blessings that Paul referred to weren’t just nice ideas. They were realities to him that were attached to real benefits when he lived in and through them. Ultimately, we live in and through them as we live in Christ, but it’s helpful to breakdown what that actually means.

1. Chosen Before the Foundation of the World (v.4)

To know you’ve been chosen before the foundation of the world is to know that your life matters. Your existence isn’t an accident or by-product of natural selection. God has been thinking about your destiny before He ever said, “Let there be light.”

2. Holy and Blameless (v.4)

In Christ you are holy and blameless. This means you are fit to serve Him and worship Him despite your shortcomings. God enjoys you when you approach Him and He gladly moves through your life to touch others, not because of your own righteousness, but because of the righteousness of Christ that has been imputed or attributed to you.

3. In His Love (v.4)

In Christ you stand in agape or unconditional love. You cannot earn it. Today, you are unconditionally loved in Christ. Have you received it? Make the following confession today, “Jesus, I receive your unconditional love.”