06.10.13
“Heavenly Blessings” - Ephesians 1:3-14
Illustration:
In 1822 a boy was born to a Poor German Pastor. His name was Henry Seligmann. When he was 7 years old he was attracted by a drawing depicting “Troy City” was burning in fire. He also believed that the novel “Iliad and Odyssey” was written based on the facts. So he decided to do find the city. He found the city with lots of treasures. He took them and became world rich man.
Context:
Ephesian talks about the rich blessings of God. We need to find it. This letter is called the queen of the Epistles. Paul wrote this when he was in prison (Ephesians 3:1, Ephesian 4:1). It has a close connection with Colossians, more than 55 verses are verbatim in both. It is a circular letter of Paul to all Churches in Asia. Paul’s ministry at Ephesus is found in Acts 18:18-21.
1. We are chosen by God (Ephesians 1:3-6)
In Greek, the verses 3-14 are long one sentence. It talks about the gifts after gifts and wonders after the wonders which came to the mind of Paul. We are chosen by God. We did not choose him (John 15:16). He loved us, he came to us, and he saved us. He picked us up. He healed us, he poured the oil upon us on the Jericho road (Luke 19:10).
Ephesians 1:3 All Blessings:
Temporal and Spiritual Blessings and Material Blessings - Genesis 24:35 (2 Samuel 6:11, Job 1:12)
Wisdom, Intelligence, Riches, and Honor - 1 Kings 3:13 I will give you whatever you have not asked for.
Healing – I will take away the sickness from you all - Exodus 15:26, Exodus 23:25
Feeding every day with the finest of wheat and honey - Psalm 81:16, Exodus 23:26
Spiritual gifts and talents – Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 4:7, 12:4, and Ephesians 4:11
Ephesians 1:4-6
Children: God wants us to be his children;
By Accepting: John 1:12 those who believe in Him and accepted Him are the children of God.
By Testifying: Romans 8: 14, 16 Spirit testifies that we are children of God.
By Sharing: His sufferings and glories. Romans 8:17, Galatians 3:29, Titus 3:7.
God never called us not to be slaves (Galatians 4:7), not as servants, not as workers, not as disciples, not as friends, not as neighbors, but as Children. Children with freedom, children to enjoy the grace, full joy, heavenly blessings. What a lavished love that he called as Children of God (1 John 3:1)
Jesus called the disciples ‘children do you have anything to eat’.
The lost son wanted to come back to his father’s house, because of his sinful behavior, because of his life and enmity with his father and brother; and the way he reacted to his father to part away with the property, he misused the rights. He went and spent his money with loafers, evil friends in drinking, eating, and sleeping against the principles of his home and society. So he realized his sin and mistake and weaknesses, then he said I can’t demand the position which I have lost in my father’s house, because of my behavior and attitude. Now he says that I will be one among the slaves, servants, laborers but the father accepted him as the beloved son.
Absalom raised his hands against his God-fearing and lovely father then he lost in the battles. He was killed mercilessly by the soldiers. David couldn’t do anything he simply cried my son, my son, it could have been good for me to die and you to live. David lost his son Absalom.
But God by his mercy and grace gave himself for us and redeemed us. He bestowed us with all the heavenly blessings which we are not at all worthy.
2. We are redeemed (Ephesians 1:7-10)
Ephesians 1:7-10 By God’s Grace: Redeemed us through the blood of Jesus. Blood is very precious, it has life, it cannot be produced without the human body.
Jesus was born to redeem us from the clutches of Sin, Satan, diseases, debts, slavery, fear, etc., etc. He was called Jesus and Immanuel ( Matthew 1:21). He promised to cover our sins ( Psalm 32:1-2), He came to save the sinners ( 1 Timothy 1:15), He gave us the redemption (Colossians 1:14, Hebrews 9:22). Nothing could appease God, please God, nothing could bring God near to us except the blood of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 26:28 says: Jesus poured out his blood to redeem the numerous on the earth, Acts 20:28 says he bought the Church with His blood,
Romans 5:9 says: we are justified by His blood, Hebrews 9:14 says: “His blood cleanses from the conscience”, torturing memories, accusing spirit,
1 John 1:9 says: this blood cleanses from all our Sins. Sins in which you are struggling to overcome, to leave, to depart. The saint is the one who washed himself and his sins with the blood of Jesus Christ (Revelation 7:14).
God’s grace is lavishly poured on us. Abundantly, limitless grace came to us, calls us, available to us. If you don’t have the experience of salvation, ask God to save you, redeem you, and give them eternal life.
3. We are sealed (Ephesians 1:11-14)
Ephesians 1:11-14 Sealed with Holy Spirit:
For many centuries it has been the practice all over the world to use an official seal to certify that a document or a proceeding is indeed authoritative. The word seal, used in that context, becomes synonymous for endorse or confirm, to license, to favor, to ratify, to accredit, to authorize, to advocate, and to bind.
Governments have their official seal, sometimes called the great seal. It was common in earlier eras in the courts of kings. In those courts, it was a position of the greatest responsibility and honor to be designated as the keeper or the clerk of the great seal. The use of a seal is a visible means of signifying that the document is authoritative, that it is worthy of respect and recognition, that its effect is binding.
The sealing power is the means whereby all "covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations" attain "efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead." All things that are not sealed by this power have an end when men are dead.
The seal is the right word, therefore, to be used to represent spiritual authority. The seal is the symbol of ownership. The seal can be opened either by the maker or the person authorized by him.
Sealed properties items are sent as per the plan and purpose of the Government and authorities. God has chosen us, predestined us, he has a plan for us. Therefore he sealed us with the Holy Spirit. The mark has the direction, purpose, and execution of the plan.
We all need to understand that his redemption has a plan for us to establish His kingdom, His love, and His Will on the earth as it is done in Heaven. God was disappointed with Lucifer, with Adam, with Israelites, therefore, he called us to be His ambassadors to do His Will and Purpose.
God uses as His instruments of Love, Compassion, mercy, grace. Many became his instruments, such as Francis of Assisi, George Muller, Mother Theresa, and numerous missionaries in the era. The purpose of giving the Holy Spirit is not only to enjoy, dance, speak in tongues, and do miracles but also to bring many to the redemptive experience.
Here Paul uses the Holy Spirit as a guarantee for the redemption. It is a business word used to indicate that a Part of the purchase price was paid. Holy Spirit is a guarantee for our redemption a the end of our life.
