We should give thanks because: “And Christ will give you light.”
18And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Eph. 5:18-20.
I. We are qualified. (12)
A. Qualified to receive. I believe that it is imperative
for us to truly understand that we have been given the privilege to receive! It is not earned, it is given through grace from Jesus Christ!
B. Qualified to receive an inheritance. The gift of God is eternal life. We are siblings of Christ, therefore we are heirs! Because of this relationship that God has established through His Son, we have an inheritance!
II. We are delivered. (13)
We are delivered! How many times does that word appear in the bible? 246 times! Do you know how many times the phrase “deliver me” appears in the bible? 22 times! Are we a people who need to be delivered? Yes! Delivered from drugs, adultery, fornication, evil thoughts and deeds, our enemy, our limited thinking, etc. If anyone needs delivering, WE DO! And God comes through again. We are delivered. That word literally means rescued. “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness” is how the NASB translates it. God has provided a way for us to choose not to sin. Did you know that before you were saved you didn’t have a choice? You had to sin. After receiving Christ as your Savior, you no longer have to sin. You do have a choice, because He has delivered us!
III. We are redeemed. (14) Do you realize what
Verse means? Before you look it up, most would probably say, to cash in. Like you do with coupons. But it has another meaning. To release. To set free! To emancipate! Are you getting the picture? When you look at this word it means that God has released you from the debt of your sin, and will forgive you! It doesn’t matter what you have done. It doesn’t matter if you knew better. It doesn’t matter! God will forgive you if you will just ask! It is not up to you to earn forgiveness. It is not up to you to straighten your life out first. Only God can do that. All you need to do is to turn you life completely over to Him! It is His job to clean you up. Only He can do that.
IV. We have God. (15-18)
A. He is the image/firstborn. (15)
Remember what we are discovering. We are discovering why we should always be thankful. # 4 is because Jesus is the image of God and the firstborn of all creation. Have you ever wanted to see God? When you see Jesus, you have seen God!
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Mt. 5:8. John 12:25 “He who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.” John 14:88Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” 9Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
34“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35‘for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36‘I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38‘When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39‘Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Mt. 23
B. He is the creator. (16-17)
He created ALL things, therefore He is in control of all things! We know the creator.
C. He is preeminent. (18)
