Ephesians 1:1-6, Heavenly Blessings
Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever.
GOOD MORNING SAINTS!!
This month our theme is ‘Things from Above’ based on Colossians 3:2. Today, I would like to share with you the heavenly blessings we enjoy in our lives based on Ephesians 1:1-6. Let us think of three blessings that we enjoy through Christ Jesus. First is THE STATUS of our lives, the SALVATION in Christ, and the third is the SURETY (SEAL) in the Holy Spirit.
1. STATUS IS A GIFT - Ephesians 1:1-3
Paul says that he was an apostle and the Ephesians were the saints. Ephesians was written to give revelation of a grand summary of what it means to be a Christian. The book of Ephesians is “the Queen of Epistles” or “the crown of Paulinism.” Paul an apostle possessed the authority that has been delegated to him through Divine appointment. The word “grace” is derived from the Greek word Charis, which means charm. The word “peace” comes from the Greek word Eirene, Hebrew is shalom.
Ephesians 1:1 Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, good Pleasure of his will (Ephesians 1:5), Mystery of his will (Ephesians 1:9), counsel and will (Ephesians 1:12). Understanding Mystery of Christ, plan of the mystery (Ephesians 3:4, 9), Servant of the gospel (Ephesians 3:7). (Why I am a Pastor in Methodist? Is it because I married Uma? Is it because I was afraid of my existential problems away from Methodist during 1997-99? Or is it the will of God?)
Remember you are a gentle, alien, stranger, without circumcision, without hope, without Christ (Ephesians 2:11-12). Now, one humanity in Christ (Ephesians 2:15). Heavenly citizen, member of God’s family, fellow heirs and shareholders of promise (Ephesians 2:19,3:6), the dwelling place of God (Ephesians 2:22). Now he works by the power to accomplish (Ephesians 3:20). You are dead through trespass and sin, children of wrath (Ephesians 2:1,3), you live in the course of the world and passions and desires of the flesh and senses (Ephesians 2:2,3). You following the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2).
Your Gifted in the church as Apostle, prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher for to equip, to have unity and to maturity (Ephesians 4:11-13), live as children of light (Ephesians 5:8), to know what is pleasing to the Lord (Ephesians 5:10), live as wise (Ephesians 5:15), redeem most of the time (Ephesians 5:15), and understand the will of God (Ephesians 5:17),
You are a Prisoner in Christ (Ephesians 4:1), which means an ambassador in chains (Ephesians 6:20). Do good to receive the good (Ephesians 6:8), be strong in the Lord and in his strength (Ephesians 6:10), and put on the whole Armor of God, take up the whole Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10, 13).
2. SALVATION IS A GIFT – Ephesians 1:4-8
Ephesians 1:3-9 Blessed us, chose us, redeemed us, forgave us and adopted us as children, Be holy and blameless. He chose us in Him – to be holy and blameless (v. 4). Predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ (v. 5).
God has chosen his people for a purpose, the purpose of Holiness and to lead a life worthy, a life of acceptance, a life exemplary, and a life approved by others. The purpose is not only to grant eternal life, not only to bless us, not only to keep us safe but to keep us as his only trusted comrades to represent him in the earthly life. Ephesians 4:1 -live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Mathew 10:31 -you are worth more than many sparrows.
We are called to live a new life (Romans 6:4). Live by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7). Live by the spirit and not gratify the desires of the sinful nature (Galatians 5:16). Live a life of love with a pleasing odor, fragrance (Ephesians 5:2). Live carefully as wise (Ephesians 5:15). Walk in the light (1 John 1:7). Walk as Jesus did (1 John 2:6).
Jesus walked with love, compassion, kindness, humility, and sacrifice. He never retaliated, never scolded anyone (1 Peter 2:21-24). We are called to do a commendable job and live a commendable life (1 Peter 2:19-20). Philippians 1:27 – whatever happens conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.
The ancient Roman world had the rule that an adopted boy would usually be the oldest, with proven health and abilities. Adoption for two main purposes: (1) to provide a child to a childless couple, (2) to assist the adopting parents in their old age, and to perform their last rites. The first Roman emperor Augustus was an adopted son of Julius Caesar. He did not use the name "Octavianus" which will refer to his humble beginning but preferred to emphasize his new status Augustus (44 BC until 27 BC).
In Exodus 2:10, Moses was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter, in 1 Kings 11:20, Genubath was brought up by the queen, among the sons of Pharaoh; In Esther 2:7,15, Esther was adopted by her uncle Mordecai. Israel is referred to as the son of God (Hosea 11:1), by-election (Deuteronomy. 14:2).
But the heavenly Father adopted us when we were aliens when we were weak and ugly, when we were unworthy. Heavenly Father gave us the right to become children of God (John 1:12). We received the spirit of sonship and got the right to cry “Abba Father” (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6). We are redeemed from the bondage of the Law to receive the full rights of the sons (Galatians 4:5).
- For his pleasure and will
- For his glorious things
- Redemption through his blood
- Forgiveness of Sins
- Lavished grace
We are created for God’s glory and God’s pleasure. He can plant and pluck any flowers, any fruits, anything on the earth. We are bought by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. We are no more our own but God’s people. He claims that we are his people, his sheep, his flock, and his redeemed community.
3. SURETY IS A GIFT – Ephesians 1:9-14
Ephesians 1:13-14: 13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory. (CSB).
Paul noted that when we became believers, we "were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit." A "seal" was a mark indicating a letter or scroll was closed, or completed. When a king or dignitary wanted to show an identifying mark with a letter, he would seal it with a resin imprint of his ring. The Holy Spirit likewise shows that believers belong to the Lord (Bible reference).
God confirms the deal by stamping us with the seal of the Holy Spirit. Just as a seal or a stamp denotes ownership, so too does the seal of the Holy Spirit on us denote us as belonging to God. We are covered with the blood of Christ and stamped with the ownership seal of Spirit as God's GUARANTEE.
In Paul’s day seals were used in at least four ways. Firstly, seals were put on letters to guarantee that it was genuine (1 Kings 21:8; Esther 8:8). Kings might seal their letters with a signet ring. Secondly, a seal was placed on goods or merchandise to indicate ownership (2 Corinthians 1:22, Revelation 7:2; 9:4). Thirdly, seals were used to show something was authentic and approved like branded materials (John 6:27). Fourthly, a seal was for protection or warning. (Matthew 27:66; Ephesians 4:30). Now the seal on us is to guarantee that we are genuine, our owner is God, and he provides us with protection and security (By Jeremy Meyers, Redeeming God).
The word “inheritance” refers to a present possession that shall be developed into a more precious future. “We are very members, incorporate in the mystical body of Christ, and also heirs through hope of His everlasting kingdom” (Ellicott). The sanctifying and comforting influences of the Holy Spirit seal believers as the children of God and heirs of heaven (Matthew Henry). The meaning here is, we have the Holy Spirit as the pledge that that shall be ours, and the Holy Spirit will be imparted to us until we enter on that inheritance (Albert Barnes).
The word "earnest" is a commercial term (Genesis 38:17) designating a partial payment, deposit, or pledge that obligates both a seller and purchaser to complete an agreement. Earnest money is given to show that a commitment has been made to give the full purchase amount for a property at a later date. In the Christian’s life, the Holy Spirit is given as a pledge that God will complete his promise to provide our inheritance. The one who "prepared us" for heaven is God, "who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge" (2 Corinthians 5:5) (Contending for the Faith). We are aware of the “Earnest Money Deposit” to take up a contract in civil work.
The Holy Spirit resides in us (1 Corinthians 3:16-17), He baptized us (1 Corinthians 12:13), He gave us gifts (2 Corinthians 1:22), He teaches us (John 14:26), He intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27), He helps us to pray (Jude 1:20), He gives us fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and He helps us to lead righteous lives (Galatians 5:24-26).
Conclusion:
He is happy to be known as the God of us. He is not ashamed of being known as the God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob (Hebrews 11:16). Job was holy and blameless in his own generation. It was a testimony of the other, it was the testimony of God (Job 1:1, 8,2:3). Daniel was a perfect man without charges (Daniel 6:4,22). The god-fearing woman is worth far more than rubies (Proverbs 31:10).
