Spiritual Blessings " Part One

Spiritual blessings. Ephesians 1:1 -14.

Introduction to Ephesus

Written around 60 AD. Whilst Paul was under house arrest in Rome.

Paul had passed through on his 2nd journey,Acts 18:19 and 3rd missionary journey,this time Paul spent 3 years with them in Ephesus. Acts19:8.Three months /synagogue and 2 years in the lecture hall of Tyranus. The Church became well established with elders overseeing the work. Acts 20:31 Paul’s farewell reveals he had spent 3 years with them.

This letter is not a letter of rebuke or warning but a letter in which he spends time explaining the nature and purpose of the Church, the body of Christ in its spiritual dimensions and practical dimensions.

It was probably a circular letter as in other manuscripts in Ephesus is left out. and no personal names are mentioned. V1 To the saints in Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus.

Ills Faithful @ Sainthood wonderful testimony no 2nd class Christians to the faithful,saints!

The First 14 verses are a doctrinal diamond mine, with gems so precious and large we can be exalted to new heights of praise to God whatever our situation today.

Here we see the triune God in action; Father is the Source of all blessings v3,4,5,6,and 9. Son is the Sphere in which all these spiritual blessings are received v3,4,5,6,7,9.v11. And the Spirit is the seal v13,14.

Tonight we will simply be looking into the source to all our spiritual blessing.

1.The Father is the source to all spiritual blessing v3, v4, v5, and v6 v9 v10

V 3 Praise be to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ

"Have you ever considered where the water comes from out of your taps? Well it comes from the source, which is either the rain that falls or the water under the earth, it may be stored in the reservoirs and travel through many pipes to reach our homes and come out of our taps,but these are not the source. And its the same with all that we have as God’s elect it might come to us in Christ it might be experienced and sealed by the Spirit but it all as a result of the source God the Father.

Here we see the Doctrine of election. V4 He chose us in him before the creation of the world v5 He predestined v11 In Him we were also chosen, have been predestined.

Election is the decision of God to chose a people before the foundation of the world to be His special people and not on the account of any foreseen merit in them or any future demonstration of faith by them. NT. Romans; 8:28-30. 9:11-13, 11:7, 1Thes1:4.

Election is a Biblical doctrine that no biblical Christian can ignore! In the OT God chose the nation of Israel (Deut 7:6.) In the NT He has chosen an international community to be V1 saints.

Election is Divine in origin coming from God the Father

V4 He chose us before the creation of the world. Paul wants to take us back beyond our memory and time before the foundations of the universe and time into eternity. When only God existed in the perfection of His being and it is here we have the source of our spiritual blessings in Christ.

A. Election is unconditional and a demonstration of his love.

Do you remember the days at school when you stood in line to play soccer or football in the school yard with others you all stood in line waiting to be picked for the team. The two Pickers were generally the best kids on the block at the particular sport and they usually picked players who showed flare for the sport it was generally the worst player got chosen last. Well all that was conditional. Completly the opposite in the case of God his electing purposes are completly uncoditional.

2Tim1:9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.

Nobody warrants these blessings or earns them; neither are we born into them. They are not given by people, but by God. Unconditional. "He has chosen you!"

All who enjoy these spiritual blessings can remember a time when we had none of them, (unconverted) and the time when they entered into these spiritual blessings. (Converted)

Scenario “Didn’t I chose God?” Yes indeed freely but only because in eternity God had first chosen you. “Didn’t I decide for Christ?” Yes but only because in eternity God had first decided for you.

“J. Wesley often spoke of God’s preveint Grace.

C.H Spurgeon once said, overiding heaven will be an arch on entering it will say, whosoever will may come, but as you enter in on the otherside it will read Chosen by God before the foundation of the world.