Series: The Blessings Christians Enjoy
Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14
Object: To ensure the youth that God has awesome things for those that are C’D up!
Introduction- Today we are going to look at 6 different things we are blessed with as Christians.
Chosen by God (1:4)
V.4- God “chose us in Him [Christ] before the foundation of the world” God in His foreknowledge picked those, who would choose Christ, who would love Him, to work according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Illustration- Every Friday Joe Bob Green went to the horse races with his friend Ted. There was about 15 minutes before the race would begin. Ted was getting excited because his favotite horse was going to race “Buster Horse #7”. In the meantime Joe Bob Green was in line for a hot dog and soda. Then he saw the Buster’s owner talking on the phone. He was crying and upset. He was telling the person he was talking to “I can’t race our horse, she will never finish, her leg is injured. I’m going to withdraw her from the race!” Now when Joe Bob Green heard this he ran back to his seat and he said, “Ted, I’m sure fillin lucky. I bet you $100 that Snappy (the slowest horse) will beat Buster. Unfortunately, Buster’s owner got to the starting gate too late. The race began and his horse bolted out of the gate like lightning and left Snappy in his dust. Ted’s favorite horse sprung out in front 20 feet past all the other horses. Ted was jumping and Joe Bob Green was just watching with hot dog in hand. Horse #7 suddenly cramped up and hit the track. All the other horses raced by, and trailing was horse #9. Ted fell to his seat and Joe Bob Green just smiled. Ted had to pay up.
Application: Just as ted knew before hand which of the two horses would win, God forknew who would believe in His son and who would except His gracious gift of salvation. Therefore He chose us before the foundations of the earth.
Not only has he chose you but has called you…
He called us to be “ v.4 holy and without blame before Him in love.” It seems impossible to be without blame because everyone has fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) but when we take on a life with Jesus and repent of our sins. The blood of Jesus washes away all of our guilt and shame and we are then able to appear blameless.
Rephrased- “ He has called you to repentance,to be forgiven,to have a relationship with Christ so that you may be blameless and holy”
Adoption into God’s Family (1:5)
V.5- “Having predestined us into adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself”
Romans 8:29 tells us “For whom He foreknew, he also predestined” God knew before hand those who would repent of their sin and come to Him by faith in Jesus Christ. So He set up a free adoption program,no fees, no papers, no back ground checks, no questions asked, all He requires is repentance.
This adoption program is when God places us into sonship with Himself by Jesus Christ. God places His spirit in us by His Son. So we may become children of God. God did this “according to His own will” He is pleased when we repent and decide to serve Him.
Acceptance Before God (1:6)
V.6-He did it so we may glorify Him and His son for grace He gave us through the blood of Jesus; “by which he made accepted in the Beloved” beloved could be translated “The One He loves”
Forgiveness of Sins (1:7)
V.7- In Christ we are redeemed “Bought back” by the blood He shed. His innocent death paid for our sinful lives.
“We own a dept we can not pay, He paid a debt He did not owe!”
In history, one could by back someone sold into slavery. Christ death bought us out of slavery to sin. The Bible teaches that there is no remission of sins without the shedding of blood. Jesus was the Ultimate Sacrifice. His blood obtained eternal redemption (Heb 9:12). His blood bought us forgiveness, therefore redeeming us, giving us access to the Father. “According to the riches of His Grace” All this because (John 3:16) “God so loved the world…” His grace is undeserved, but it is sufficient, its worth the salvation and eternal life of every person, in all history. Nobody else has anything of this
Worth nobody else could have paid our debt.
Insight into Gods will (1:9)
V.9- “having made know the mystery of His will” God revealed through Christ’s death the Ultimate sacrifice that would take away the sins of the world. He did this “v.9 according to his good pleasure” God is pleased with our praise and the glory He receives because of the grace he has freely given.
An eternal inherritance (1:11)
V-11-If we have received His gift of grace (salvation) then we will inherit the kingdom of God in our lives and eternal life in Heaven.
-Story of child writing card to Pops and He throws it away.
The seal of the Spirit (1:13)
V.13-After you have heard and believed the gospel making a decision to follow Christ. The mark of ownership on your life is the Holy Spirit. You are sealed, your name is then written in the Lambs book of Life.
V.14- The seal of the Holy Spirit is your guarantee for your inheritance. It wont expire until the “redemption of the purchased possession” God bought us with the blood of Jesus He will come to collect us (the purchased possessions) when the time comes.
Conclusion
Have you been sealed with the Holy Spirit? Has your inheritance been guaranteed? Are you missing out on the spiritual blessings God has offered those who choose to follow Him? Most important, have you applied the blood of Jesus to you’re sinful life? God calls us to be holy and blameless, Has your sin and shame been washed away?
John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten so, so whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”
Jesus paid the price, so you could be saved and inherit eternal life in heaven. You don’t have to be like that father that turned away his daughter’s gift.
You need to recognize your need for the blood of Jesus.
Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”
Everyone is given to an opportunity to admit their sin and the fact that they have not met God’s standards, and also given the opportunity of forgiveness through the blood of Jesus.
Romans 10:9 says “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved!
If you have recognized your need for God and you want Jesus to come into your life. You can pray this prayer below and if you mean it, truly desiring to be forgiven, then your debt will be paid. Your sin will be washed away. You will take part in God’s inheritance.
Pray this with me
“Dear Jesus, Thank you for loving me. I believe that you died on the cross for me. I pray that you would forgive me of my sin. Come into my life and help me to live like I’m suppose to. Help me to love you and to hate sin. I want to be with you in heaven. In the name of Jesus, Amen.”
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of God! It is important to read your Bible and to find a church that teaches the Word of God. I pray that the Lord will continue to work in your life. God Bless You.
