Text:
Eph 1:3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Message:
* Blessed With All Spiritual Blessings
*I. We Bless God Because He Has Blessed Us
* Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
1. These blessings are of a “spiritual order” which means they are both true which mean they do not change and they are eternal which mean they will not pass
2. We find these blessings in the “heavenly places” which is where we find our Home
3. Most importantly these blessings are found ONLY.... IN CHRIST
* II. God Has Chosen Us To Enjoy The Blessings Found In His Son
*Verse 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
1. He Chose us Before the Foundation of the World
2. That He would Make us Holy and without Blame “before Him” in Love (this was done at our “new birth” ; we are righteous “before Him” now)
*Verse 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
1. God Has Adopted Us As His Children “to Himself”
2. This IS the “Glory of His Grace” to which all creation gives PRAISE!
3. For it is “In This Grace” that God has “Made Us Accepted” in His Beloved!
*III. What Did Christ Do So All Of This Could Take Place?
*Verse 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
1. He Became Our Passover
2. He Shed His Blood In Our Behalf and Redeemed Us To Himself
3. He Became Sin so we could be made New Creations of Righteousness IN HIM
*IV. What Guarantee Do We Have That All Of These Things Are True?
Verse 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
1. We have “obtained an inheritance”
*Verse 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
1. This inheritance IS received the “moment we believe!”
2. When we HEAR the “word of truth, the GOOD NEWS of our Salvation!”
3. We are “sealed with the Holy Spirit” of promise... “The Lamb IN Us”
*V. How Long Is This Guarantee Good For?
Verse 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
1. God's spirit is the "earnest" meaning we have His Presence and His Witness within us.
2. His Spirit IS the Blessing and "IN CHRIST" we have ALL BLESSINGS... These are IN US!
3. This inheritance is good .... “Until We All Get Home!”
Scriptures:
1Co 5:7 ¶ Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Ga 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us].
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Ro 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 ¶ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
2Co 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Ac 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
