Sermon for 11/4/2007
Ephesians 1:3
Introduction:
A little boy came to the Washington Monument and noticed a guard standing by it. “I want to but it.” “How much do you have?” asked the guard. “35 cents.” “You need to understand three things,” the guard explained. “First, 35 cents is not enough to purchase the monument; in fact, 35 million dollars is not enough. Second, the Washington Monument is not for sale; and third, if you are a US citizen, you already own it.”
WBTU:
We need to understand three things. 1) All of the money in the world is not enough to purchase the spiritual blessing in Christ. 2) The spiritual blessing is not for sale. 3) If we are in Jesus Christ, we already have every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Read Ephesians 1:3 in NKJV.
Thesis: Let’s talk about our blessings this morning.
For instances:
I. Christians are blessed.
A. Christianity is blessedness.
1. Blessedness= a state of supreme joy, to be blissful, overjoyed, enraptured.
3. Many believe that Christianity is a drag. Now I can see how church can be boring. Comment on a blog said, “Christianity is boring. Its the same stuff over and over, and sometimes they try to throw some fun stuff in there to get you to come, but sitting around studying a 2000 year old book, singing dull songs with words like thee, thou and thine and tunes out of the Victorian age, and listening to some older guy with a lot of degrees talk at you for an hour is boring. Face it. Maybe it helps people with no social life have something to do but its a fact--it is boring.”
4. Let’s put it another way. Following Jesus is anything but boring. How can following someone who turns water into wine, hangs out with the oppressed, the marginalized and the poor, heals people and raises people from the dead be boring?
6. Some might be of the opinion that being a Christian means following a whole bunch of rules that God has designed merely to rob us of freedom. Instead, God shows us, supremely in Jesus Christ, how to live life to the full. He shows us a way of living life whereby we can find true fulfillment and a way that does not hurt other people. It is a life of true freedom within boundaries. Imagine a football game without rules (boundaries). Players would be “free” to do what they like, but it would be chaos not fun. Only with good rules will the players be free to live up to their true potential, relate to the other players and really enjoy themselves.
7. Many Christians have fun being Christians. We just do it with a lot less sin, and therefore, a lot less problems.
B. We have a greater sense of well being to bear Christ’s cross than to wear the yoke of sin.
1. (Rom 6:6 NIV) For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--(Rom 6:7 NIV) because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
4. (Luke 9:23 NIV) Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.(Luke 9:24 NIV) For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.
C. Christian blessedness is now enjoyed. “has blessed us”
1. Christ has done all that is necessary to secure us the blessings.
2. There is a big difference between the Christian faith and the religions of the world. Look at the chronological order of the events described in the verse? Which comes first chronologically: our praising and blessing God, or God blessing us with Christ? God blesses us, and then we respond to Him. In the eternal mind of God, He had devised the plan which would ultimately lead to your salvation and blessing. God decided to bless me before the universe was in existence. Let that sink in.
3. See, many religions say, “do this and this and this, and then maybe we will have appeased God sufficiently that His wrath will be satisfied, and He’ll smile on us.” We take the initiative, in other words; we reach out to God, and then God will He reach down and bless. No, God took the initiative: He sent His Son to pay the price; He raised His Son from the dead and glorified Him. God does it, and then we respond to Him.
4. Many blessings are already within reach and are not necessarily within our reach only by death. (1 Tim 4:8 ) For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
5. Indeed, if we enjoy none of them now, we are not likely to be able to enjoy any after death. We would be frustrated and would probably drop out.
II. Christian blessings are spiritual and heavenly.
A. Spiritual.
1. This describes them subjectively- personally.
2. Inward graces not material possessions.
3. Now sometimes the Lord blesses materially. (James 1:17 NIV) Every good and perfect gift is from above. However, this is not what is promised to us today.
4. We are promised this in regards to material things. (Mat 6:33 NIV) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
5. This stinks. Who cares about spiritual blessings? If we have no appreciation for spiritual blessings, then we live at the level of animals. Animals live only to eat, sleep, entertain themselves, and to reproduce. We are made in the image of God and God has something much higher for us, yet many choose to live at the level of animals.
6. Charles Spurgeon- A new heart is better than a new coat. To feed on Christ is better than to have the best earthly food. To have God for our portion is blessed, infinitely more blessed than to own broad acres of land. God hath blessed us with spiritual blessings. These are the rarest, the richest, the most enduring of all blessings; they are priceless in value.
7. (1 Cor 7:31 NIV) For this world in its present form is passing away.
8. Years ago there was a saying, They are so heavenly minded they are of no earthly good. I think the reverse is more true today, Many are so earthly minded they are of no heavenly good.
B. Heavenly.
1. This describes them objectively. Where they will be the most real, observable.
2. Sometimes when we look at a Scripture like Ephesians 1:3, we are tempted to say, “But I don’t feel blessed.”
3. Our thinking vs. God’s promises. “It’s impossible.” All things are possible with God- Luke 18:27. “I can’t do it.” You can do all things through Christ- Philippians 4:13. “I’m too tired.” Come to me, and I will give you rest- Matthew 11:28. “I’m always worried and frustrated.” Cast all your cares on Me- 1 Peter 5:7. “Nobody really loves me.” I love you- John 13:34. “I can’t go on.” My grace is sufficient- 2 Corinthians 12:9. “I can’t figure things out.” I will direct your steps- Psalm 119:133. “I’m not able.” I am able- 2 Corinthians 9:8. “It’s not worth it.” It will be worth it- Romans 8:28. “I can’t forgive myself.” I forgive you- 1 John 1:9. “I can’t manage.” I will supply all your needs- Philippians 4:19. “I’m afraid.” I have not given you a spirit of fear- 2 Timothy 1:7. “I don’t have enough faith.” I’ve given everyone a measure of faith- Romans 12:3. “I’m not smart enough.” I give you wisdom- James 1:5. “I feel all alone.” I will never leave you or forsake you- Hebrews 13:5.
4. These are just for heaven. No, this Scripture does focus on the “other reality” but it shows the impact of that reality on the present day.
5. When she was young Victoria was shielded from the fact that she would be the next ruling monarch of England lest this knowledge would spoil her. When a teacher let her become aware of this fact Victoria said “Then I will be good.” The knowledge of her position changed her outlook on living.
6. S. Whitney Allen- He is coming, O my spirit, With His everlasting peace,
With His blessedness immortal and complete; He is coming, O my spirit,
And His coming brings release, I listen for the coming of His feet
III. Blessings Come to us from God through Christ.
A. Source is God. God Originated the idea; Mankind did not.
B. From the Father who is now our Father through Christ. (Mat 7:11 NIV) If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
D. Through our relations with Christ. “In Christ”
Big Daddy Weave- In Christ I can do all things, In Christ I mount up on eagle’s wings,
In Christ I wait for a great reward That I have in store, In Christ I have His righteousness,
In Christ I have what I confess, In Christ I don’t worry about all the rest
Cause everything I need to be is in Christ
IV. Enjoyment of the Christian blessings should lead to thanksgiving and praises.
A. We should bless God for such wonderful blessings to us. We cannot repay, but we can at least thank.
B. “Where are the nine?” We have forgotten to worship. It is all about me.
