The Power of Praise during Personal Struggles
Ephesians 1:1-14
As we read this passage, here are the three keys to learning the lesson we will focus on today. Before we being, let me tell you this: this is a rich passage of scripture. There is so much here that we could literally spend 6-7 weeks working through just these verses. However, our specific focus today will be learning that praising God for who we are in Jesus – the truths in these verses – will radically impact how we go through times of struggle. In reviewing this passage, we will focus on these three keys:
I. Praise - to Jesus
II. For what? every spiritual blessing
III. Why? because it impacts our life struggles
Read the passage.
The first key is that the process of facing struggles, and even finding victory in our struggles, is that we must begin with praise. But this is especially so when we get into difficult times. See verse 3.
I. Praise
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”
“in Him”
In fact, in chapter 5 Paul reiterates this command, but makes sure we know that it applies specifically in tough times. He says “giving thanks always for all things,” (5:20)
Paul knows what he is asking this church to do. In 3:1 he reminds them that he is writing this letter from prison, and reminds them again at the end of chapter 6. Ephesus was also a worldly city because it was a major trade route. Christians by now are beginning to experience persecution. In Ephesus, there is a large arena where later Christians would be thrown to the lions for sport. This is their culture and Paul knew this. He is preparing them for the comfort of Christ during difficult times.
QUOTE: “The soul that gives thanks can find comfort in everything; the soul that complains can find comfort in nothing.” Hannah Whitehall Smith, The God of All Comfort, p.204
Why is this the case? Pastor, this sounds like church speak to me. Well consider the causes of difficult times:
Circumstances
Crisis
Criticism
Captivity
Choices/consequences
Jesus Christ is greater than all of these things. Paul points out in this passage “in Him”. In fact, he points out that 11 times in the first 14 verses. He wants us to look at Jesus because we will see who we are in light of who He is inside of us. Since Jesus is greater than any cause of any trouble, then Jesus who is greater will rise us above any cause of any difficulty. “Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.”
Adrian Rogers put it this way, “We should glance at our circumstances, but gaze on our Savior.”
Praise is the mechanism God created for us to focus on Him instead of everything around us. We look at Him and worship Him for who He is and then He shows us what He means “in us.”
“It is in the process of being worshipped that God communicates His presence to men.” C.S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, p.93
You see, we are not just praising Him w/ some fake or pious nothing. This is not positive thinking or spiritual cotton candy designed to just make bitter things a little more sweet.
We thank Him in specifics for who we are in Him. We focus on Him by thanks for how He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. We then begin to view things differently. We view ourselves differently because of the truth of who we are in Jesus. But if you never stop to praise Jesus in this specific way, then you never get your eyes off of your troubles circumstances.
II. For What?
“every spiritual blessing”
For what do we praise Jesus? For the fact of the blessings He has already blessed us with in Him. Note the word “every.” In the original language this means – “every.” Not one, some, or even many. He has blessed us with every. Everything we could need or want is already ours “in Him.” This word could also be translated as “the whole” – that is why the New King James translates it every.
It is also in past tense. “He has bless – ed us with every…” It has already happened. It happened when you were saved. You do not have to beg and plead for something in desperation. Through praise and His working in your life, you simply learn what He is trying to teach you – to appropriate what is already yours when you wee saved.
He then gives us a list to explain these spiritual blessings. Just briefly look at each one. Each one is a lesson or series in and unto itself. But remember this about the process of praising Jesus and its effect in times of trouble. This is who you are in Jesus.
These spiritual blessings include:
Purchase – “we have redemption through His blood”(v.7). We were purchased or redeemed with His blood. We were in sin and under judgment. This word could also be translated “ransom.” This was an incredibly high price to pay for our lives. God placed a set value on His love – the price of Christ’s precious blood. Consider what it means to have been loves that much! Stop and praise that Lord that you can know beyond any doubt that God loves you because of what it cost Him to purchase you. You may not understand all that is in a rough time in life – but you should never doubt that Jesus loves you. That also matters because it is ludicrous to think that Jesus purchased you with His blood just so He could make you miserable. That cannot be the case. SO stop and thank Him that you were purchased and for what that means.
Predestination – (v.5) This is the doctrine that we rely upon for our belief in eternal security. He sealed our fate in Jesus with all of the power of His omnipotence and sovereignty. When He foreknew that you would accept Jesus as your Savior, He made it your unchangeable destiny. He left nothing to chance. You will become like Jesus and you will be redeemed and nothing can change that fact.
Thus, you cannot loose your salvation. To deny this is to deny the clear teaching of scripture. Quote Romans 8:28, 38-39.
Purpose- (v.5,9,11) He is working according to a plan. That plan was made in His love – remember He purchased you. It says three times in this passage that God has a purpose, it is a good purpose, and that He will accomplish it in you. We make plans for our lives. It may or may not become what He purposed for us. His plan for us is not make us into this or that, but to make you like Jesus. Sometimes there is difficulty and stress in fighting with God about whose plan should be implemented. There is always pain in realizing that your expectations may not come to pass. However, you do not ever have to doubt that God has a plan. He did not purchase you and then forget to plan and have to wing it.
Prudence – (v.8) “in all wisdom and prudence, having made known His will toward us.” In times of struggle, God gives us an incredible amount of grace. In that grace, He teaches us of His purpose and that He is working. He makes scripture come alive for us and speaks to us to give us a word when it is needed. He gives us wisdom when we need it. If you never praise and have no faith in this process, then you will miss it. This is when we make poor choices due to being stressed out or depressed. Praising Him opens up the door for Him to give you supernatural wisdom.
Personal illustration: Recently, alot of stress – just life stuff. Janet got a word from God in her quiet time. He spoke to her and said give this to Greg. She wrote it out for me and it was specific and clear. It was awesome. It couldn’t have been more clear than if God whispered it in my ear. What is that? It is God’s spiritual blessing of abounding wisdom and prudence when we need it.
Praise (v.6, 12) - This may be my favorite one here. Watch this – verse 6; verse 12. We are a praise to Him. Get this -He fills us with so much Jesus, that Jesus comes out during trials to such an extent that people are amazed at our strength and faith. Someone says to you, “how are you being so strong?” And you say, “It must be God strengthening me.” God does not just get us by. No sir. He raises us up in grace and strength to be a testimony of His grace and strength!
We are there to display His glory and the glory of His graciousness. In Jesus, He will lavish so much of Jesus in your life that you cannot help but be a testimony to His glory. Now tell me – how powerful is that? How strong does that make you.
Presence (v.13-14) - God has given us the presence of His very person in the form of the Holy Spirit. He seals His presence in our lives in such a way that no one or nothing can remove it from us. You may say, “I cannot feel Him.” Because you are not praising Him for that spiritual blessing. He cannot be removed. Why? That is a strong statement. See why the HS is there – as a seal or guarantee. If He could be removed, then what kind of a guarantee would that be? He is there. You will realize His presence through praise.
III. Why?
“to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus” (v.1)
These truths are meant to be applied in actual, everyday lives – but especially in our difficult times. Life is easy when it is going well. Jesus never promised difficulty would be removed from us. Instead, He was very honest. He made no false promises. He made it clear that we would face struggles, that salvation was a tough road. He said, “take up your cross and follow me.” He said, “take my yoke upon you.”
But at the same time, His promise was to walk in us, through us, under the power of the Holy Spirit whom He would send to us. All of these things were given to reveal to us His grace in our lives for His glory. If they did not make a difference, then they would be useless. They would not alter our strength or person during struggles and therefore would not give God any glory at all. He has blessed us with these and in abundance so that our lives in these times would be a testament to His glory.
Here is how they alter your life:
Truth No. 1: No circumstance, crisis, or critic can take away our real, actual life.
Truth No. 2: No circumstance, crisis, or critic can keep God from working His purpose in us.
Truth No. 3: No circumstance, crisis, or critic can create any struggle beyond what we can handle.
Truth No. 4: No circumstance, crisis, or critic can remove His presence from our lives.
Now tell: doesn’t that change your life?
Transition to invitation using “in Him.”
