Series: Experiencing the Riches of Christ
GOD’S ABUNDANT BLESSINGS
Ephesians 1:3-14
“Several years ago the Los Angeles Times reported the story of an elderly man and wife who were found dead in their apartment. Autopsies revealed that both had died of malnutrition, although investigators found a total of $40,000 stored in paper bags in a closet.
For many years Hetty Green was called America’s greatest miser. When she died in 1916, she left and estate valued at $100 million, an especially vast sum for that day. But she was so miserly that she ate cold oatmeal in order to save expense of heating the water. When her son had a severe leg injury, she took so long trying to find a free clinic to treat him that his leg had to be amputated because of advanced infection. It has been said she hastened her own death by bringing on a fit of apoplexy while arguing the merits of skim milk because it was cheaper than whole milk.”
(John McArthur, Ephesians Commentary, p. vii)
I. BLESSINGS OF THE GRACIOUS FATHER (1:3-6)
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:
A. Blessing of being Chosen to be Holy and Blameless
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:
“Chosen” (eklegoo: 3pAorist/Middle/Indicative:
“He chose for Himself”
to pick out, choose.......
compound of “ek” out and lego: “to call”
(from Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc..)
B. Blessing of being Predestined to be Adopted
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.
“Adoption: (huiothesia, from huios, "a son," and
thesis, "a placing," akin
to tithemi, "to place," signifies the place and condition of a son given to one to whom it does not naturally belong. The word is used by the apostle Paul only.
(from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Example of a King walking into an orphanage and choosing out one to a position as his son.
II. BLESSINGS OF THE BELOVED SON (1:7-12)
A. Blessing of being Redeemed from the Penalty of
our Sins
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:
“Redemption” (lutroὠ: paying a ransom in order to release someone from bondage, especially that of slavery)
Ex. Hosea redeeming Gomer
(Hos 3:1-2) Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine. 2 So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley: (price of a slave, paid half in silver, half in barley)
B. Results of our Redemption
- Forgiveness of Sins
- Wisdom and Insight
C. Blessing of a Heavenly Inheritance
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.
(1 Peter 1:3-4) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
III. BLESSINGS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (1:13-14)
A. Blessing of Sealing our Salvation
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
Seal (sfragizoo: a. for security: ti, Matt 27:66 b. to hide keep in silence, keep secret: ti, Rev 10:4 c. in order to mark a person or thing; hence, to set a mark upon by the impress of a seal, to stamp: Rev 7:3 d. in order to prove, confirm, or attest a thing; to confirm, authenticate, place beyond doubt
(from Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
(Eph 4:30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Ancient Seal Represented...
- Security In ancient times the seal of a king, prince or noble represented security and inviolability. When Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den, King Darius, along with his nobles, placed their seals on the stone placed over the entrance to the den, “so that nothing might be changed in regard to Daniel (Dan. 6:17)
Seal on Jesus’ tomb (Mat 27:62-66_
- Authenticity: Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal and sent them to various nobles concerning Naboth
(1 Kings 21:6-16)
- Ownership: Jeremiah purchased property in Anathoth and in the presence of witnesses the agreement was signed and sealed
(Jer 32:10)
- Authority: King Ahasuerus issued and sealed a decree and gave to Queen Esther and Mordeicai giving permission/authority to the Jews to defend themselves. (Esther 8:8-12)
B. Blessing of Making Downpayment of our Salvation
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
“Earnest” (arraboon: an earnest, i. e. money which in purchases is given as a pledge that the full amount will subsequently be paid
(from Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
