Podcasts about spiritual blessings

The sermon explores the spiritual blessings of abundant wisdom and prudence available to believers in Christ, emphasizing that these are not merely human traits but divine provisions revealed by the Holy Spirit. It contrasts godly wisdom with worldly knowledge, asserting that true understanding of God's will is only accessible to those who are in Christ. The message further unpacks the mystery of God's eternal plan to gather all things in Christ, highlighting His sovereignty and the ultimate consummation of history under His authority. Believers are called to exercise stewardship over these gifts, navigating a hostile world with discernment and maintaining fidelity to the truth. The sermon concludes with an invitation for those outside of Christ to seek reconciliation and enter into these spiritual blessings through faith.

The sermon explores the spiritual blessings of abundant wisdom and prudence available to believers in Christ, emphasizing that these are not merely human traits but divine provisions revealed by the Holy Spirit. It contrasts godly wisdom with worldly knowledge, asserting that true understanding of God's will is only accessible to those who are in Christ. The message further unpacks the mystery of God's eternal plan to gather all things in Christ, highlighting His sovereignty and the ultimate consummation of history under His authority. Believers are called to exercise stewardship over these gifts, navigating a hostile world with discernment and maintaining fidelity to the truth. The sermon concludes with an invitation for those outside of Christ to seek reconciliation and enter into these spiritual blessings through faith.

Today's Scripture passages are Psalm 30 | Psalm 113 | Psalm 139 | Isaiah 44:6-20 | Ephesians 1 - Ephesians 2:10.Read by Christina Edmondson.Get in The Word with Truth's Table is a production of InterVarsity Press. For 75 years, IVP has published and created thoughtful Christian books for the university, church, and the world. Our Bible reading plan is adapted from Bible Study Together, and the Bible version is the New English Translation, used by permission.SPECIAL OFFER | As a listener of this podcast, use the code IVPWORD40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode at ivpress.com.Additional Credits:Song production: Seaux ChillSong lyrics written by: Seaux Chill, Ekemini Uwan, and Christina EdmondsonPodcast art: Kate LillardPhotography: Shelly EveBible consultant: JM SmithSound engineering: Podastery StudiosCreative producers: Ekemini Uwan and Christina EdmondsonAssistant producer: Christine Pelliccio MeloExecutive producer: Helen LeeTo reach the IVP podcast team, please use this form.Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

This sermon explores the spiritual blessings of redemption and forgiveness found in Ephesians 1:7, emphasizing that these gifts are secured solely through the blood of Jesus Christ. The message highlights that all humanity is born into bondage to sin and the influence of Satan, necessitating a divine intervention that no human effort or moral works can achieve. By examining the Old Testament sacrificial system as a shadow of Christ's ultimate atonement, the exposition clarifies that redemption is a completed act where the sin debt is fully paid and the believer is set free. The tone is both convicting regarding the universal need for salvation and comforting in the assurance that God's grace is abundant, inexhaustible, and sufficient for all who place their faith in Christ. Believers are encouraged to live in the present reality of their secured status, recognizing that their forgiveness is final and their identity is rooted in this rich grace.

Title: Glorious, Abounding Grace Text: Ephesians 1:4-6 FCF: We often struggle praising God for His glorious grace. Prop: Because The Father elects and predestines people to be His children in Christ, we must praise the Father for His grace. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Ephesians chapter 1. In a moment we'll read verses 4-6 from the New English Translation. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. As I said last week, verses 3-14 are one sentence, one prayer, one thought of Paul's. And it is this one thought that governs the rest of the letter both in teaching and in application. As such, it is incredibly important not only to get the meaning of every single word correct, but then to see how those words relate to each other. Don't expect too many short sermons as we move forward, and definitely expect to have grammar lessons every week… this week included. So let's get to it. Please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the Word of God as it is read. Invocation: Sovereign and infinite Father, You sit on a throne above all things. You created time, matter, space, light. You brought order from chaos. You have formed and shaped all that is and all that will be. You have decreed what is Your will and published it. And not one decree or purpose You have made, can be altered or thwarted by any being. You are in absolute control over all things in Your creation, including the salvation of Your people. I pray that You would help us to see and understand this, so that we, as Your children, may praise You rightly for Your glorious grace. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Transition: [Slide 2] “All objections to predestination proceed from the wisdom of the flesh” Martin Luther “The reason for the predestination of some and the reprobation of others must be sought for in the goodness of God.” Thomas Aquinas [Slide 3] “To get rid of predestination we have been willing to degrade our God into a godling.” B.B. Warfield “Let a man go to the grammar school of faith and repentance before he goes to the university of election and predestination.” George Whitefield And with Mr. Whitfield's comment, the bell has rung and class in the University of God the Father has begun. Let us set out to study God's Spiritual blessing to us of election and predestination. I.) God, in His love, chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be justified, so we must praise Him for His grace. (4) a. [Slide 4] 4 - For he chose us in Christ i. The first word in the sentence here is an adverb. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs and answer questions concerning the words or phrases they modify. ii. In this case, the question being answered is “to what degree” or “in what way specifically” iii. Paul has just said that God is to be praised because He has favored believers with every Holy Spirit benefit by uniting us to Christ. iv. Now Paul moves on to explain to what degree God has blessed us with Holy Spirit benefits in Christ. v. He begins by telling the Ephesians that He, meaning God the Father, chose them. vi. The word chosen means selected or elected out of many alternatives. The Greek word is also in the middle voice which indicates that the action of choosing is being done to or for the one doing the choosing. vii. This means that the choice being made is for God's own reasons and to God's own purposes. viii. Now some Christians oppose or take issue with the doctrine of election and predestination. They have interpreted these passages differently to assuage their discomfort with God choosing individuals for salvation. In this, they see God's choice as a choice of a group or a kind of people rather than individuals. 1. They would say that God predestined the church, believers, whoever they may be. 2. They would say that God selected the cruise ship to get us to salvation, ie Jesus Christ, but not who specifically would board that cruise ship. It is up to each of us to decide whether we want a ticket or not. 3. The phrase “in Christ” in this text seems to support their point. And even what we've said last week puts that spin on it. God only gives these promises to Christ and we inherit them by being united with Him. 4. Ironically, although these Christians use Ephesians 1:4 to support corporate, non-individual election, Ephesians 1:4 is actually very challenging to such a view. 5. Not because of the words “in Christ” but because of the little pronoun, “us.” 6. In the context, the word “us” cannot refer to the universal church as a whole. 7. It can APPLY to the universal church, but the only people to whom Paul has referred in this letter so far are himself and those who are saints in EPHESUS. 8. That is a very specific collection of individuals. 9. Furthermore, if we are to assume that the Spiritual blessings mentioned in verses 3-14 are applied to each individual saint and not simply to the church as a whole, then we must understand this choosing to have been done individually and not just corporately. 10. Additionally, it is impossible to think about a group of people without also meaning, to some degree, individuals who make the group. 11. Taking the cruise ship example, any who are on the cruise ship get to go on the cruise. But to be on the cruise ship you must have a ticket. And how are tickets distributed? Individually. Even if you get a “group rate” how are those tickets dispersed? Individually. 12. Added to this, the word for God's choosing here is used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament almost exclusively when God chooses individuals. 13. Therefore, the only consistent understanding of God's election of people is on an individual level which produces as an effect, a corporate body. 14. In other words, we must think of it as BOTH individual and corporate and not merely corporate. 15. God has chosen individuals to be in Christ forming His universal church. ix. Why should God the Father be praised? Because He chose us, every believer, individually, by name, in the lamb's book of life. x. And He did this in Christ. xi. But rather than seeing “in Christ” as though God only chose Christ and not individuals… xii. The preposition “in” here refers to location, meaning that Him choosing us is choosing us TO BE united to Christ. xiii. God did not choose us when He chose Christ… instead He chose us to be united to Christ, to be inside the covenant in which Christ is the mediatorial head. xiv. All the blessings of the New Covenant come to Christ alone. But we as individuals, are chosen to be in Christ which means we are chosen to receive those same blessings. xv. When did God choose this for us? Was it when we believed? xvi. No. Long before that. b. [Slide 5] before the foundation of the world i. The preposition simply introduces something that occurs before something else. ii. Foundation here means establishment or laying of a foundation of a house. iii. This phrase foundation of the world then, establishes that God's individual election of each believer to be united to Christ occurred before God created the world. iv. Before Adam fell, God already chose individuals to be united to Christ through faith and create a group of people that would be His kingdom of priests. v. Taking the cruise ship example, did God choose to put our names on our tickets when we decided we wanted one? No. He purchased the ticket with our name on it before the foundation of the world. vi. The scriptures speak of a book called the lamb's book of life. vii. In it are recorded all those INDIVIDUALS who are part of God's Kingdom and in Revelation 13 the scriptures teach us that those names written in this book have been there since before the foundation of the world. viii. This utterly destroys the corporate election idea. It is simply not what the scriptures teach. At least not in isolation. God thinks individually and corporately for both sinners and His elect. ix. This also cripples the argument that God assigns our names upon our confession of Christ. It is simply not true. God has assigned our names to the lamb's book of life before the foundation of the earth. Before we did any good or evil. Before we had any capacity to believe or not, God chose us to be united to Christ. x. Some object and say, that God looked into the future to see who would believe and chose them. 1. Not only does this add significantly to the definition of the word foreknowledge, but it also creates more problems and doesn't solve the problems it tries to. 2. The problem it tries to solve is that God punishes people for sin when He had not elected them for salvation. But if God looks ahead to see who would choose Him, and chooses them, why then would God create the people who wouldn't choose Him. By creating people who He knew would not choose Him, isn't He just as culpable for their punishment? Isn't that election for reprobation too? 3. Furthermore, it is hard to see how God electing us to salvation because we would choose Him, is NOT works based salvation. Does God ever tell us that He make these choices based on the qualities He sees in us? Is that what the scriptures teach? And if He does, how is salvation a work of God and not of our doing? xi. No. As difficult as it may be, we must see it as the apostle Paul sees it here. God chooses who He will put into Christ and He does so before the foundation of the world without considering any worth we may have. xii. But for what purpose? Why did God do this? c. [Slide 6] that we may be holy and unblemished in his sight i. God the Father chose this for individuals, not simply so that they would be saved, not simply that they would inherit the blessings of the covenant relationship between the Father and the Son… ii. But so those who inherit these blessings would also be His true people. A people who He sees as holy and unblemished. iii. Again, this hints at both individual and corporate election. iv. God chose individuals in Christ so that we might be something collectively… namely… a holy and unblemished people who accurately image Him. v. There is some scholarly debate as to whether Paul refers to justification or sanctification. Is this talking about God's declaring us righteous or is this talking about becoming more holy and blameless? vi. In favor of the justification view, 1. The words “In His sight” might hint at this being about justification. 2. Being holy and unblemished in His sight could mean something different than actually being holy and unblemished. And I think if we are honest, it kinda has to. For none of us are holy and unblemished. Not really. 3. But in Christ… because Christ is holy and unblemished and we are chosen to be in Him, we inherit that status legally. We are as good as our covenantal head, even if we as individuals are still sinners. God sees us as holy and unblemished. And Christ will present us holy and unblemished to the Father. 4. This also keeps the focus on God and His work rather than moving to our works. vii. However, in favor of the sanctification view, 1. This actually sets up the rest of the letter in that Paul will urge the Ephesians to actually live holy and blameless lives. 2. Holy meaning different by loving righteousness and blameless meaning lacking a love for sin. 3. Why must they live these lives? 4. Because they have been called by Christ's name. They have been chosen to be something that they should live up to. viii. I think I slightly favor the justification view, but really, you can pick either one, both are biblically sound. d. [Slide 7] in love. i. It is difficult to know how to interpret the final two words of this verse. ii. It largely depends on what it modifies. Is it referring to God choosing in love, for us to be holy and blameless in love, to be before him or in his sight in love or could it go with what follows in verse 5? iii. What's the difference? iv. Well, if God elects, predestines, or if we are justified in His sight in love, then this is emphasizing God's motive in His sovereign role in salvation. That it is not a mindless, random, or cold choice but one done in love toward those He chooses, predestines, or justifies. v. If it goes with holiness and blamelessness then it would emphasize how God's electing of us produces a holy and blameless living person who is also loving to others. vi. I slightly favor the view that this deals with God's sovereign role in salvation. Mainly because that seems to be Paul's point through this. It is giving glory to God for His role. It also fits a pattern that is repeated in verse 5 where God does something for a purpose from a certain motive. vii. But in reality, either view is biblically true. e. [Slide 8] Summary of the Point: Paul recounts just one of the Holy Spirit blessings that the Father has given to us. Namely that in love, God chose each believer individually, before the foundation of the world, to be put into Christ for the purpose that they would be holy and unblemished in His sight. As far as blessings go… Paul starts with a banger. Can you think of a greater blessing to start with? That, if you are truly a Christian here today, God chose you before time began, to be His possession and secured under His covenant which He made in His Son, so that you would receive the benefits of that covenant and be seen as though you were as holy and unblemished as the head of that covenant… which is Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father. Wow. If we are in the right frame of mind, I can think of two responses this should produce in us. First… is the question why me? And second is the need to praise the Father for His divine election. [Slide 9 (blank)] Transition: But this is only the first part of God the Father's Spiritual Blessings that He gives to us. He has chosen us. But wait… there's more! II.) God, by His mere good pleasure, predestines to adoption those whom He chooses in Christ, so we must praise God for His grace. (5) a. [Slide 10] 5 - He did this by predestining us i. The words “He did this by” are not actually in the Greek text. ii. But the NET actually does us an interpretive favor, because we might wonder what the relationship is between God's choosing us in Christ and His predestining us. iii. Predestining is a circumstantial participle. Circumstantial participles tell us the circumstances under which another action occurs in the sentence. iv. Since the only action that has occurred in this sentence so far has been God's choosing us, predestining us must provide the circumstances under which His choosing occurred. v. When circumstantial participles are in the aorist tense, like it is here, most of the time this means that the participle occurs prior to the verb and in some way necessitated or led to the main verb happening. vi. Ok, after all that Grammar gobbledygook, what does that mean? vii. God chooses us because or after, or according to His predestining of us. Meaning He predestines us and then He chooses us, all occurring when? Before the foundation of the world. viii. But what does it mean to be predestined? ix. The Greek word breaks down into two words. Marked out-beforehand. Or we could say, predetermined. x. The idea here then, is that God chooses us to be holy in His sight because He has predetermined for us… a destiny. xi. God does not give us a choice… He gives us a destiny. xii. Jesus says that those who believe in Him will not be condemned, but those who do not believe are condemned already because only Christ can save. xiii. In other words, we all start as condemned. We all start as unbelievers. We all start with one destiny. xiv. It is only those whom God the Father has predestined that are given a different destiny than condemnation. xv. And what is that destiny? b. [Slide 11] to adoption as his sons i. The preposition “to” is a preposition of purpose. ii. God has predestined us for the purpose that we would be adopted as His sons. iii. Our destiny is that we would become children of God by adoption. iv. Once again, this destroys the idea that God predestines and then elects a corporate entity. The metaphor of adoption makes absolutely no sense if this is not seen as individuals. v. In fact, the metaphor of adoption proves that God elects and predestines from individual to corporate. You are adopted individually to become part of a family. This is exactly what Paul is saying. It doesn't work the other way. Whether you look at Greek, Roman, or Jewish adoption law, all three emphasize the paternal authority to adopt individual children. vi. How does He accomplish this? c. [Slide 12] through Jesus Christ, i. The preposition through here is a preposition of means. ii. Christ is not the instrument or tool to accomplish our adoption. Rather Christ is the path or the process for us to be adopted as sons of God. iii. Again, this emphasizes the Father's role in adoption and the Son as the mediatorial head of a new covenant. He is the means to being made to be fellow sons and daughters of God with Him. iv. The NET here omits two words which are in the Greek. It was difficult picking a translation to use for this sermon. All had their pros and cons. This is a big con here for the NET. v. The two words omitted are “to Himself” vi. To is a preposition of direction, indicating for us that this adoption as sons through Jesus is a path that leads to God the Father. Essentially this is John 14:6 again, where Jesus says, “No one comes to the Father but by me” vii. Or perhaps another way we could say, “No one gets to call Him Father except through me.” viii. Well, how did God go about predestining and choosing us for this? d. [Slide 13] according to the pleasure of his will i. God chooses and predestines individuals in Christ to be holy by giving them a destiny for the purpose of making them His family members… and He made those decisions before the foundations of the world according to the pleasure of His will. ii. What does that mean? iii. According to is a preposition of reference. It is used to mark out the source of information, a plan, or an agreement. iv. What follows then answers the question, from what source did God consult to make these decisions. v. Pleasure here is actually good pleasure. It is a delightful intention or fixed intention of benevolent favor. vi. Will is the attitude of the mind to favor or choose one alternative over another. vii. The source God consulted to predestine and choose us, is His favorable will. viii. Again, this indicates that God did not predestine and choose in a cold, random way. Rather in a loving and benevolent way. ix. I've said this several times before but I'll say it again. God doesn't leave us guessing why He predestined and elected us to salvation. He tells us. We just don't like the answer because it doesn't tell us enough. x. God predestines and elects according to His good will. And that is it. xi. It is pure grace. Man has no part in any of this. e. [Slide 14] Summary of the Point: Paul's second point here on this blessing of the Father is connected by the word “predestining.” His predestining is what led to the action of Him choosing us in Christ. As the firstborn Christ inherits all from the Father, and Christ has shared all with those whom the Father has adopted according to His good will. God didn't give a choice – heaven or hell. He gave us a destiny. We were born with a destiny of condemnation. But because of His predestination and election before the foundation of the world – He gave us a new destiny. A new family through Christ's atonement. A path carved out for our adoption. So, what should we do with this knowledge? What should this doctrine produce in us? Praise. Praise to the Father for His sovereign plan. [Slide 15 (blank)] Transition: So, we have seen what God has done. He has chosen us in Christ to holiness and blamelessness in His sight in love, by predestining us to adoption though Jesus according to His benevolent will. But why? What is His goal in all this? What is His purpose? III.) God graces us with grace in Christ, so we must praise Him for His grace. (6) a. [Slide 16] 6 - to the praise of the glory of his grace i. To is a preposition of purpose. And it marks out the purpose of this destiny of sonship. ii. It is to gain for Himself sons and daughters who praise Him. iii. But for what? iv. The glory, which means the majesty or the honor, or the esteem, or the fame of… v. His grace. vi. Not only is grace something that we should be wishing to others. Not only is grace the lifeblood of the Christian walk. vii. His Grace being big in our eyes and worthy of great praise, is the purpose of our election and predestination. viii. God elects and predestines us so that we will praise Him for His MATCHLESS GRACE! ix. It is so important for us to empty election and predestination of anything of men. Why? Because only then can we see the grace of God as truly matchless and glorious. x. A grace that predestines and elects based on what we will do or who we are… is no gift of grace at all. It is merely a reward for work. xi. But a grace that elects us out of pure favor and love, is a grace that is glorious indeed. xii. But how much grace has God given to us? b. [Slide 17] that he has freely bestowed on us i. The Greek word means to bestow grace. But several translations add the word freely or lavishly. ii. This is because it would literally be translated, “He graced us with grace.” Which forms an idiom of abundance. iii. To freely or lavishly bestow is to do so without end or without limit. That God gives grace without stopping. iv. God freely and lavishly bestows His glorious grace on us in our election and predestination. And we must praise Him for it. c. [Slide 18] in his dearly loved Son. i. Again, this is a preposition of location. ii. It refers to our unity to Christ. iii. We are one with Christ and therefore, just as Christ received unlimited blessing and giftings from the Father through the Spirit, so also, we are given unlimited grace through the Father choosing and predestining us to be adopted children who praise Him for His glorious and abounding grace. d. [Slide 19] Summary of the Point: Paul finishes the first stanza of His doxological eulogy about God the Father. He has told us that God has chosen us in Christ by predestining us to be adopted through Christ. He has told us that this is because He loves us and has good will toward us. He has told us that He has done all this before the world was created and without any consideration on who we are or what we might be or do. All of this sets up the Father's glorious purpose in our predestination and election. And it is so we, as adopted members of His family, would accurately worship Him for His glorious grace which He has lavished upon us in Christ. Conclusion: So CBC, what have we learned today that refines our beliefs and guides our lifestyles? Basics of Faith and Practice: [Slide 20] In Paul's opening words of his good word of praise to God the Father, he told us that God has blessed us with every Holy Spirit benefit and kept them for us in the heavenlies in Christ. Now Paul expands on what some of those Spiritual blessings are and how they lead to all other Spiritual blessings. And he opens with one of the most perplexing and unfortunately one of the most controversial doctrines in the scriptures. Yet Paul clearly has no intention of starting a fight or argument. He wants his readers to be swept away by the magnitude of God's grace. So, however we understand this passage, we must see God's grace loom as large as possible. And that means taking the most straight forward reading of the text, which is that God predestines and elects those who will be adopted as sons and be part of His family and He does this according to His own good will without consulting anything about who we are or what we've done. God doesn't give us a choice; He gives us a destiny. A destiny we weren't born with and one we'd never see if He did not give it to us. THAT indeed, is glorious grace. And we should praise Him for it. But let me break this down and, unfortunately, defend these doctrines which are so plain in the text this morning. 1.) [Slide 21] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that God chooses before the foundation of the world who will inherit the blessings Christ purchased in His atonement. a. A clear and straight forward reading of this text brings us to this exact conclusion. b. God lovingly chooses before the foundation of the world individuals who will become holy and blameless in His sight both in their justification and in their sanctification. c. Who He chooses is a mystery and the individuals He chooses certainly form a corporate group of people who all have been chosen together… d. But with those caveats aside, whether we want to or not, we cannot help but confess that this doctrine is 100% true. e. It is by God's Sovereign choice in electing individuals that they inherit the blessings of the New Covenant. f. And when we go back to the passages about the New Covenant, passages like Ezekiel 36 and Jeremiah 31, we read about this. God gives them a new heart not as a nation, but as individuals within the nation. God guarantees that they will follow Him. He guarantees that each individual will not need to be taught about Him because they will know Him. God tells them it isn't for them He will do this but for His name, or for His posterity. For His family. He tells them He will make them unblemished and cleanse them from their uncleanness. g. Then in Ezekiel 37 directly after this, He illustrates the New Covenant to the prophet by having him preach to the valley of dry bones. Bones cannot hear, much less respond to preaching. Yet Ezekiel preached and the bones came to life, took on flesh, and fled. h. Whatever God does in the New Covenant, it is clear from the Old Testament passages, that God does it by Himself. Why? Because WE are dry bones. We have 1 destiny. i. God chose, before He created the world, who He would unite to Christ. 2.) [Slide 22] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that God chooses based on His predestining us to be adopted into His family. a. Because of the relationship of the words in the text, we must understand that predestination precedes or in some way contributes to God's choice before the foundation of the world. b. This means that God's plan to give a destiny of adoption into His family preceded or contributed to who He would choose to be in Christ. c. This helps us to understand why predestination and election seem to have a corporate feel to it. d. Because God began with the intention to gain for Himself and family by adoption, He then chose individuals to be in Christ to form that family. e. There is an unmistakable corporate nature to this plan of God's but it is accomplished through individual names put in the book of life before the foundation of the world. f. And we must recognize that this plan of God's for His elect is not merely to save us from sin and death. It is to save us TO adoption. To be in God's family, bear His name, and to be holy and blameless in His sight. g. God has a plan for us first and then puts names to it. h. He is truly sovereign over all – including salvation. i. Because these things are true, we must… 3.) [Slide 23] Refutation: “What lies must we cast down” or “What do we naturally believe, or have been taught to believe, that this passage shows is false?” We must deny that God chooses and predestines us based on something we are or something we have done or will do. a. God tells us what source He used to predestine and choose us. b. It was the good pleasure of His will. c. Now this answer doesn't satisfy us. We kinda want to know more. d. But what this answer refutes, and what the scriptures refute, is that God determined these destinies and choices based on something He saw in us. e. God did not look ahead to see who would believe before he made their destiny to adoption and chose them in His Son. f. He consulted His good will and predestined and chose according to it. g. To say otherwise endangers the very core of the gospel being not of works and not of man. For if God chose us because of something we are or will do… is there no room for boasting? I see a lot of room for boasting. h. Instead, if God chose me because He is good and delighted to choose me… I have nothing but praise to offer. 4.) [Slide 24] Refutation: “What lies must we cast down” or “What do we naturally believe, or have been taught to believe, that this passage shows is false?” We must deny that God chooses and predestines a group and not individuals. a. I came into this text fully resolved against the idea that God predestines and elects corporately. b. Through this text, I have come to the conclusion that I was wrong. God most certainly predestines and elects those who are saved in a corporate way. He predestines a group. A family. c. But He doesn't predestine and elect empty spots in his family. He elects individuals to adoption into His family. d. Based on this text and the rest of the New Testament, this must be how we see this. e. Because the blessings of the New Covenant are given to Christ individually, and because each of us must express individual faith in Christ for God to unite us to Him, and because God will give new hearts to individuals within that New Covenant, and because God has written individual names in the book of life who will not be cast into the second death and who will not be blotted out… f. We must come to the conclusion that this election and predestination is of individuals to a corporate destiny found in and through Jesus Christ. g. We must deny that God only elects a non-individual group to salvation. For this does not hold up to the scrutiny of the entire New Testament's teaching on the matter. h. Based on all we've discussed this morning… There is one thing we must stop doing. 5.) [Slide 25] De-Exhortation: “What actions should we stop doing” or “What behaviors do we naturally practice that this passage tells us to stop doing?” We must stop fighting these doctrines and submit to them instead. a. Notice I did not say we must stop fighting OVER these doctrines, although that is also true. We must certainly stop fighting each other over these things. And I think I know how we can do that… b. Emboldened by this text, I exhort all of us to stop fighting these doctrines. Full Stop. c. Now, even when we lay aside all the caricatures and false representations of these doctrines, it does not make them easy to swallow. d. They are uncomfortable. I'll give you that. It is uncomfortable to put all of our salvation in the hands of God and leave nothing for us. e. It is uncomfortable to think that there are many people God has not predestined and elected to salvation. f. But the scriptures rarely call us to believe what is comfortable. Most of the time the scriptures call on us to believe things that are quite uncomfortable. g. Paul makes it quite clear. God alone predestines and chooses who will be part of His family. In the same way God alone chose Seth, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and David. God predestines and chooses. And we just need to yield to that teaching. h. It is ONLY when we yield to that fully that we can obey the true command of this text. i. Which is what? 6.) [Slide 26] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must praise God for His glorious grace in predestination and election. a. God planned to adopt sinners into His family through Christ's path. b. If you are a believer today… c. God then picked you before time began to be united with His Son and in the New Covenant. d. God did all this because He loves you and in accordance with His good and favorable will. e. He put your name in the lamb's book of life. f. He chose Seth to produce a line that would lead to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and eventually to the Messiah who would be your new covenantal head. g. He sent His Son in the fullness of time to pay for your sins. h. His Son was the firstborn of many brothers so you would be adopted into the family of God through His atonement. i. He did all of this… for you. For me. j. Why? k. So, we would praise the wonder, the power, the majesty, the glory… of His grace. l. God's grace, his powerful favor to make you what He predestined and elected you to be. m. Your application from this text is not to go home and fight these doctrines. It is not to go home and argue with God thinking you are arguing with me. n. Your application is to praise the Father for the wonder of His grace! o. If you leave here and do anything less – it is disobedience to the scriptures. 7.) [Slide 27] Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” God didn't just choose to save us from sin. He has appointed us to be in His family, inherit His name, and live like He wants us to live. a. I know we've mentioned this already but let me just draw attention to it one more time. b. God designed a destiny first and picked our names for that destiny second. He decided what He would do and then to whom it would apply. c. This is FAR BEYOND escaping hell. d. We were sons and daughters of Satan my friends! We were like our father the devil. e. But God didn't give US a choice, HE chose us for a DESTINY. One He marked out before the foundation of the world. f. Do you not feel loved? Do you not feel comfort of the good pleasure of God's will? 8.) [Slide 28] Evangelism: “What about this text points us to Jesus Christ, the gospel, and how we are restored?” Even though God predestines and elects those who He will save, God does not reveal to us the individuals for whom He has done this. Therefore, the invitation to repent and believe is given to all. And that means you! a. One of the dangers of preaching the doctrines of predestination and election is that it is largely an intramural discussion. b. As Whitfield said, one should start with grade school teachings before moving to university teachings. c. The gospel call is for people to repent and believe. Only after someone has done this will they come to recognize that their repentance and faith were gifts of God given to make sure they become what He chose them to be before time began. d. But a danger in preaching these things is that unbelievers become quite fatalistic. They conclude that if God has already decided this… then no matter what I choose, it doesn't actually matter. I'm not going to change my destiny. e. But that is the thing… God doesn't offer a choice; He offers a new destiny. And one piece of information God conceals from us… is to whom He offers this destiny. f. If you are here today and you are not a believer, then you know the destiny you have. That is condemnation. It is death. It is the wrath of God for your sin. g. But perhaps for the first time you've been made aware of another destiny in the family of God. One that God provides to all whom He unites to His Son by true faith. h. How do you know you have that destiny offered to you? i. By receiving it. Turn from your sin. Trust in Jesus as your new representative. Both to take away your guilt of sin and to give you holiness and blamelessness. j. Walk in a new family and live up to the family name. k. If you do this, then you know that God has destined you for it. l. It is kinda the way we always determine destiny isn't it? How do you know you were destined to be a great singer? You sing. How do you know you were destined to be a great baseball player? You play. m. How do you know God has destined you for His family? You turn from your sins and you trust in Jesus as God's Son and your new representative. In short, you trust what your Father says. n. Is that you today? [Slide 29 (end)] Let me close with a word of prayer from the English reformer Henry Airay. Set apart and dedicate our hearts, Lord, with the touch of your Holy Spirit, so we may worship you in spirit and in truth, and so we may rejoice in your Son Christ Jesus our salvation. Teach us to renounce all confidence in anything that does not include him! Purge us daily more and more from all overdone affections, and from all those unbridled desires which may draw us away from you or hinder us from serving you. Renew in us a right spirit, so we may worship you-not in a comfortable way that we dream up on our own, but in spirit and in truth, according to your holy word. Set us apart and make us holy through your Holy Spirit, so that as we completely abandon all worldly confidence, we may wholly and only rejoice in Christ Jesus forever and ever, amen. Benediction: Now may your rising soul survey The mercies of your God; May you be lost in wonder, love and praise, So that through every period of your life His goodness you will pursue, Until our Lord Comes again. Until we meet again, Grace and Peace to you.

This study explores the profound reality of believers possessing all spiritual blessings in heavenly places through their union with Christ. It contrasts the transient nature of material prosperity with the eternal security of God's spiritual gifts, emphasizing that these blessings are irrevocable and comprehensive. The exposition highlights the source of these blessings in the Father, the means in the Son, and the application by the Spirit, covering past election, present redemption, and future inheritance. The tone is triumphant and pastoral, encouraging believers to find their identity and sufficiency in Christ rather than in worldly circumstances. The message concludes with an exhortation to respond with praise and to set one's affections on eternal things, recognizing that the Christian's true wealth is secure in glory.

This study explores the profound reality of believers possessing all spiritual blessings in heavenly places through their union with Christ. It contrasts the transient nature of material prosperity with the eternal security of God's spiritual gifts, emphasizing that these blessings are irrevocable and comprehensive. The exposition highlights the source of these blessings in the Father, the means in the Son, and the application by the Spirit, covering past election, present redemption, and future inheritance. The tone is triumphant and pastoral, encouraging believers to find their identity and sufficiency in Christ rather than in worldly circumstances. The message concludes with an exhortation to respond with praise and to set one's affections on eternal things, recognizing that the Christian's true wealth is secure in glory.

Paul's letter to the Ephesians - an explanation of what it means to be a community of God's people and how living the good news of Jesus provides a witness to the world. In this first sermon in a series that takes a deep dive into the letter, we discover the bountiful blessings that are found in Christ. How are these found? Well, when you base your life on Jesus, experiencing him as Lord and receiving his grace and goodness, life turns a corner (in other words, it is transformed).

Rev. Patrick Donohue

Title: Bless the Blesser for Every Spiritual Blessing Text: Ephesians 1:1-3 FCF: We often struggle appreciating all that the Father has done for us. Prop: Because the Father has given us every Spiritual blessing in Christ, we must praise God. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to the book of Ephesians chapter 1. In a moment we'll begin reading from the Legacy Standard Bible starting in verse 1. You can follow along in the pew bible on page 1317 or in whatever version you prefer. I'll take this opportunity to remind you again of the outline that is available to you in the foyer. This is my outline which I have prepared for you and myself as we study the book together. It is subject to change as we go through the study, but I will endeavor to keep it current and supply a corrected copy, if necessary, at the end of the study. I also create sermon notes each week for those who do better listening by taking notes. There will be fill in the blank, multiple choice, and true false questions each week to help keep your ears engaged as you listen. Let me start this book by simply saying I had a whale of a time deciding how to begin this letter. Let me explain. Verse 3 through verse 14 are not only one thought of Paul's… they are also one sentence in Greek. As such, it was very difficult for me to try to decide what verses to pick to begin this letter. To capture Paul's thought, I'd have to preach a sermon on verses 3-14… but the only way to accomplish that would be to move forward summarizing on a high level all that Paul is saying in each verse. We could do that. I could give you just an overview… But what Paul is saying is so earth shattering, and even to some Christians today, so controversial, and so full of theological language, that the only way for us to even get a true overview of what Paul is saying, is to dissect each phrase in this 202-word sentence. It is quite a catch-22. Here is my solution. Today, we will get through the greeting, which is rich in and of itself, and simply open up the sentence of Paul's first thought to the Ephesians. Fortunately for us, verse 3 serves as a summary statement of all that he will say in verses 4-14. In the coming weeks we will move slowly through each verse, defining each theological term, dissecting exactly what Paul is saying. And at the end of that, when we make it to verse 14, the following week I will preach a sermon over verses 3-14 having defined and looked at each verse specifically. In that sermon we will put it all together to arrive at exactly what Paul is saying. As you can imagine, being a 12 verse sentence, it is probably an important opening thought to the letter. Indeed, it is THE main theological point of the letter. So today, to merely crack open Paul's point, let's look to the text. Please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the reading of the Word of God. Invocation: Good and Gracious Father, we come before You today to marvel at Your generosity. You have given Your people all Spiritual blessings in Your Son. We turn to You for grace and peace. We look to You for every help and every fortification we need against the enemy. May we be even more convinced of our need to not only look to You for all things… but to praise You for Your generous and constant supply. We pray this in Jesus' name, amen. Transition: [Slide 2] “God's giving deserves our thanksgiving.” Anonymous “God is never less than generous, even when we are less than grateful.” John Blanchard “God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame.” Elizabeth Barrett Browning [Slide 3] “He who feeds His birds will not starve His babes.” Matthew Henry “God's goodness is the root of all goodness; and our goodness, if we have any, springs out of His goodness.” William Tyndale “God is ever giving to His children yet has not less.” Thomas Watson Let these words help to prepare our heads and hearts to hear from the Lord today. I.) God gives grace and peace to His saints, so we must praise God. (1-2) a. [Slide 4] 1 - Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, i. If you missed last week, you can, of course, go back and listen to the sermon via the various means we have for recording sermons. ii. We have a Facebook page that saves the services we live stream for several weeks. We also record the video of the sermon on our YouTube channel and post the audio of each sermon on our website and to our podcast channel as well. iii. Paul claims to be an apostle or sent one of Christ Jesus. iv. We saw when we studied Acts 9 that Paul indeed was called by the will of God to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. v. Christ met him on the road to Damascus in a vision. He threw Paul from his horse, rebuked him for opposing the second person of the Godhead, and commanded Paul to go to Damascus and submit to proclaiming the same gospel he was opposing to Jews, Gentiles, Kings and beggars. vi. Paul was not given a choice. He was given a destiny. Could he have chosen to ignore it? vii. In his opening words here, it seems as though he doesn't think so. For it was by the will of God that he became a sent one of Jesus Christ. viii. And as the Scriptures teach, none can thwart the will of God. Not even Paul. b. [Slide 5] To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: i. Since this is a greeting, we might expect there to be some kind of statement addressing the letter to a particular church. ii. Paul addresses this to the saints are at Ephesus who are faithful in Christ Jesus. iii. We are met with somewhat of a dilemma. Saints is a term the New Testament and Paul specifically apply most often to those who have professed faith in Christ. But here we see that he is addressing this letter to saints who are at Ephesus and faithful in Christ. iv. So, does this imply that there are saints that are not faithful in Christ? v. Rather than seeing this as two descriptions of the same people, we should see this as one description. vi. One way we could translate this is, “To the saints who are at Ephesus, that is, the faithful (or believers) in Christ Jesus. c. [Slide 6] 2 - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. i. This is Paul's standard greeting and I have tried to incorporate this in my conversations with other believers. ii. Grace of course is what? iii. [Slide 7] God's power which He grants to people according to His free will, to enable them to be, receive, or do something which they are unable and unwilling to be, get, or do on their own. iv. Grace is the lifeblood of the Christian. Grace is what enables us to continue to live in obedience to God. v. This is why the historical church spoke of the means of grace or the ways in which God has set forth to communicate or give grace to His people. vi. God gives grace through His Word, read, studied, memorized and preached. God gives grace through prayer, fellowship with other believers, and through the sacraments or ordinances. God enables us to be, receive, or do what He wants through these means. vii. [Slide 8] And what is peace? viii. Peace is much more than the cessation of hostility between God and man, although that is certainly part of it. Peace is much more than the cessation of hostility between unbelieving men and Christians. ix. Peace is wholeness. Completeness. Peace is the setting to right of what has been thrown into chaos. Peace is all things being brought back into the dominion of God. x. As such peace is something only God can give. It is something only God can bring. xi. And so, Paul gives the Ephesian Christians the greatest wish he can. The greatest wish any Christian can give to another Christian. xii. Grace and peace to you. xiii. From God, the Father of Jew and Gentile, and from our one Lord – Jesus Christ. d. [Slide 9] Summary of the Point: Paul begins his letter the same way he begins most of his letters. He desires his recipients to be constantly supplied on the grace and peace of God. Paul also subtly acknowledges that God the Father is not only his Father and the Jews' Father but the Father of all who are in Christ who is also the one Lord over all the church. These are themes he will continue to develop through the rest of the book of Ephesians. God takes center stage. His grace begins the work in them and His peace is the effect produced to greater and greater degrees in them. As such, there is no better hope Paul could have for his readers. What response should the Ephesians have to this? They must praise the Lord for His relationship to them and supply of grace and peace. We must do the same. Transition: [Slide 10 (blank)] Paul, leaving his greeting, now embarks on two prayers. The first forms a doxological eulogy, or a good word of praise, where Paul feverishly praises God for what He has done. The second is Paul's prayer that his readers would understand the depths of what he says in the first prayer. Verse three serves as a great summary of the first prayer. Let's look at it. II.) God gives every blessing from the Spirit to us in Christ, so we must praise God. (3) a. [Slide 11] 3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, i. Paul begins with what will be his primary and governing theological thought of the entire book. ii. We will actually see him address each member of the godhead in this prayer, but Paul begins with the first person of the Godhead, God the Father. iii. The word blessed can have different meanings based on context. iv. If someone has been blessed, it means they have been favored or given a gift. v. If someone blesses, it means they have good hopes or wishes for someone, or gives someone a gift. vi. If God blesses it has more of the idea of grace and favor. vii. But here the word blessed is an adjective. And it is describing God. viii. God does not need favor from anyone, nor does God need good hopes or wishes. God needs nothing so it isn't a gift being given to God. ix. So, in this case, “blessed” inherits the meaning of praiseworthiness. x. God the Father, as a characteristic of His being, is praiseworthy. xi. But what could it mean that the first person of the Godhead is both God and Father of Jesus? Isn't Jesus God? Certainly, He is. xii. [Slide 12] There are actually two things happening here that we must address. 1. First is that Paul is not writing this to deny or downplay Christ's deity, instead Paul writes this to affirm Christ's humanity. a. In pagan mythology, the idea of demigods is actually quite common. b. The gods could take on human form and appear to be humans. The gods could be a certain percentage of god and the rest of men. c. But to get pagans to understand that Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man, would be quite the challenge. d. Indeed, to teach Christians this truth today is very challenging. e. And so, that God is Christ's God and the Father is Christ's Father, would emphasize a unique relationship between God and the MAN Jesus Christ. 2. The second truth this is alluding to is that this is the common way God is addressed in other good words of praise throughout the scriptures. a. Statements like “Blessed be the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” Or “Blessed be the God of Israel.” b. This is covenantal language. c. So what covenant is on display with the statement, “Blessed be the God and Father of Jesus Christ?” Certainly, Paul would be referring to the New Covenant. d. A covenant that subsumes all previous covenants. e. The importance of God being the God and Father of Jesus is that Jesus becomes the new representative, the new source of all the covenant blessings from God. f. Israel, the patriarchs, and Adam all failed. g. Christ is the last Adam. Christ is greater than the patriarchs including Abraham. Christ is the King of Israel, making Him all of Israel's head. Christ is the new and final representative of this new covenant of redemption. h. He is responsible for us to make sure all the covenant blessings and promises continue to flow from God the Father. i. And he is a representative who will never fail. xiii. Paul then is expressing the praiseworthiness of God the Father who is both the God and Father of Jesus Christ, who is our Lord. xiv. But why? Why is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ praiseworthy? b. [Slide 13] who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing i. God is praiseworthy because He has blessed us. ii. So, the definition of the word needs to shift. God isn't praising us. iii. What is God the Father doing? iv. He is favoring us. v. How? How is God showing us favor? vi. By giving to us every spiritual blessing. vii. Again, the word blessing needs to take on a new meaning. It isn't praiseworthiness or favor. Now blessing takes on the meaning of a gift given to promote the prosperity of the recipient. viii. And Paul adds the word “spiritual” here. ix. He makes it clear that he is not talking about physical blessings. x. Sometimes Christians talk about hitting every green light on the way to work and getting a job promotion, after which they might say something like “God is really blessing me.” xi. That isn't the kind of blessing to which Paul is referring. xii. Paul is specifically calling out the blessings God has given to us which are spiritual in nature. xiii. But that is just what these gifts aren't. They aren't physical. But what ARE they? xiv. We must see these blessings from God as those from the Holy Spirit. xv. Spiritual in the sense that they originate from the third person of the Godhead. xvi. God the Father is to be praised because He has given us every Holy Spirit blessing. c. [Slide 14] in the heavenly places i. This phrase can be difficult to understand. ii. Because Paul talks about heavenly places in this book several times, and in each he talks about how those places are inhabited by holy and fallen angelic creatures, we must assume that this is a location. A plane of existence if you will. iii. Specifically, this is most likely referring to where spiritual beings dwell. iv. Is Paul saying that this is where these blessings come from? Probably not. v. Instead, this seems to indicate to us that every Holy Spirit blessing given to us is kept for us, or deposited for us in the heavenly realms, safe and secure against any incursion by physical and spiritual attack. vi. Our Holy Spirit benefits are sealed in a place where God not only dwells but also protects. vii. Does this mean that we experience none of these Spiritual blessings before we enter the Kingdom of heaven? viii. No. They are gifts of the Holy Spirit, meaning He has brought them to us, He transmits some of these blessings in growing ways now. ix. But one day we will experience every Spiritual blessing in full. x. How has the Father accomplished this for us? d. [Slide 15] in Christ, i. Christ is the instrument that the Father chose to communicate every single Holy Spirit blessing to us. ii. Christ is the vehicle God the Father has used to give to us every Holy Spirit blessing to ensure that we spiritually prosper. iii. In Acts we discussed how Jews and Gentiles alike were called to believe on Christ and how the only path to remaining a true Jew was to believe on Jesus the Messiah. iv. Those who did not believe on Jesus, ceased being a true Israelite and were dead branches cut off from the tree. v. Paul, in a sense, argues the same point here. vi. God the Father gives every Spiritual blessing for Spiritual prosperity through Christ alone. There is no other instrument the Father has or will use to give these blessings to us. vii. Even the Spirit Himself only came to indwell believers when Jesus ascended and He and the Father sent the Spirit to us. viii. Christ is the chokepoint. ix. But we should know that already since Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father but through Me.” x. The only way to inherit Spiritual blessings, preserved for us until we enter His Kingdom, is by being united to Christ by faith. xi. And the God and the Father of Christ is praiseworthy for giving these blessings through Him. e. [Slide 16] Summary of the Point: Now we might be wondering what exactly those Holy Spirit blessings ARE and what parts of them we have received today and will receive when we enter the Kingdom of heaven. But that will take the rest of the sentence on to verse 14 to explain. We'll get there. For now, it is enough to recognize that God the Father has given those who are saints, namely those who are believers in Christ, every blessing from the Holy Spirit and preserved them for us in the heavenly realms where He sits alone as Sovereign over all. He is the God and Father of Christ and just as He sent His Spirit and all the blessings of His Spirit to Christ, He will also send these blessings to those who are united to Christ. So, what should be our response? The very first word of verse 3. We must praise God the Father for this. Conclusion: So CBC, what have we learned today that refines our beliefs and guides our lifestyles? Basics of Faith and Practice: [Slide 17] God is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has called Jesus His Beloved Son in whom He is perfectly pleased. Jesus Christ is the mediator of a new covenant. He is the last and final human representative of a new cosmic reconciliation plan. In this, God the Father has given every blessing from the Holy Spirit to those who are united to Christ by true faith. Not only has He given these blessings to us, but they are kept secure for us until the consummation of that Kingdom of heaven… when Heaven comes to earth and God dwells with us. What response should God's people have to these great truths? Simply, praise God! Amen? Let's get a little more specific then on what we've learned and how we can live differently. 1.) [Slide 18] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that God the Father gives every Spiritual blessing to us who are in Christ. a. There are a few layers to this truth that we need to understand. b. First, we must see the glory of the Father as a loving and caring Father that provides all His children's needs. i. In the scriptures it is shown that Fathers, even the wicked ones, know how to give good gifts to their children. ii. Christ says, “what father when their child asks for fish the father gives them a snake? What father when their child asks for bread, gives them a rock?” iii. Now that isn't to say that there aren't crummy fathers out there. All Jesus is saying is that you don't have to have God help you be kind to your own children. iv. In this our Heavenly Father is the best possible Father that could ever be. v. He provides all that we would need and abundantly more than we would ask or think. vi. God, as Christ's Father, and Christ as Our Lord, ensures that God is also OUR Father and that He will give us all that He has given to His Son. c. A Second layer of this teaching is that there is nothing lacking in Christ. i. There are many brands of Christianity that disagree with this either by implication or by explicit teaching. ii. Some brands of Christianity insist that Christ has accomplished everything, but in order to access it, we must work hard or do something to get it. iii. Some brands of Christianity insist that without our effort we cannot be justified. iv. Some brands of Christianity insist that once you are converted, there is a second step YOU must take to experience a greater spiritual life, inherit more Holy Spirit blessings, and be closer to God. v. All of these fundamentally disagree with what this passage teaches us. vi. God has given Every blessing of the Holy Spirit to us who are in Christ. If you are a true believer, He has given every blessing to you. vii. That is not to say that you won't grow or progress. But it is to say that there is nothing lacking in you, from the moment you believe to the moment Christ returns. Your Spiritual blessings are given to you and they are secure in heavenly realms. d. A third layer to this is the assertion that grace and peace are included in these Spiritual blessings. i. Grace is how God enables His people to do and be what He wants them to do and be and peace is the result. ii. Therefore, we can confirm that the grace and peace we wish to one another is from God the Father, who has given all Spiritual blessing to us in Christ. iii. So when we wish these things to a true believer, we can rest assured that it is not an empty wish. God will grant our hope for them to have grace and peace. iv. So let's say grace and peace to you instead of “take it easy” “see ya later” or even worse “good luck”. Ugh! Grace and Peace to you! 2.) [Slide 19] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that the blessings God gives are given from His Spirit and by the mediatorial role of Christ as our covenantal head. a. God does not give us Holy Spirit blessings because we have earned it. b. God does not bless us because we pray or because we read His Word. c. In fact, nothing we do has any impact on what God has given to us in Christ. d. We aren't even in the equation. e. God the Triune has done this. By Himself. f. And we would do well to remember this. g. God the Father gives it from the Spirit through the Son. h. So, what are we? i. Well, we will get to it later, but we are made to be an inheritance given to Christ. We are Christ's reward for His obedience to the Father. And the Spirit is the seal upon that reward to ensure it gets to Him. j. Our salvation, our sanctification, our glorification… is God's gift to His Son sealed by His Spirit. k. We need a HUGE adjustment to how we see salvation. l. So many churches, so many worship songs, so many Christians continue to amplify and expound on how much God loved US to save us. m. This is true… But to say this without the other half… that God saved us because He loved His Son and desired a people who would praise Him for His grace forever… is to misrepresent what salvation is. n. Our salvation is primarily FOR God. It is secondarily FOR us. o. And we would do well to remember this. p. When we do… there are two responses we should have, one negative and one positive 3.) [Slide 20] De-Exhortation: “What actions should we stop doing” or “What behaviors do we naturally practice that this passage tells us to stop doing?” We must stop boasting in any blessing God gives to us, much less any Spiritual blessing. a. What room is there to boast? b. If nothing I've done contributes to God's blessing me, and God's blessing me is primarily to bring praise and glory to the triune God, and if my salvation is simply a reward, an inheritance given to Christ for His obedience… c. Then what do I have to boast about? Is there any room to think highly of me? Am I special? d. The only reason I'm special is because God has made me special. The only value I have is because God has given me value. e. Even my image bearing of God is broken by sin! It is not an image that accomplishes the purpose for which it was formed. It is worth preserving only because of Who made it – but it is not special. In fact, it is so broken, it either needs to be destroyed or to remade. f. There is no room for boasting as a Christian. True Christians don't boast in anything save knowing Christ in His death and resurrection. g. And even that is knowledge we were shown. We did not have it of ourselves. h. Upon Peter's confession of Jesus' Messiahship, Jesus said “Blessed are you Simon Bar Jonah because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you but my FATHER who is in heaven.” i. What is the second response we should have to understanding God's gift of every Spiritual blessing in Christ? 4.) [Slide 21] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must praise God the Father for blessing us. a. There is only one good response. b. It is to praise the God and Father of Jesus our Lord. c. It is to praise the Father for His provision to us to give us every Spiritual blessing from His Spirit and to give those blessings through our union to His Son which He provided as our atonement. d. Praise is a simple application for us, but it is not always easy. e. We often neglect to praise God in our day to day. Not usually because we refuse to, but most often because we forget to. And oftentimes we forget because we live ignoring God's active part in our every day lives. f. We live in blissful ignorance of the Creator in the world created by the One we are ignoring! g. But even more devastating than ignoring God and not praising Him for common things – is to ignore God and not praise Him for Spiritual blessings. h. When we have the fortitude to resist temptation, when we have opportunities to love others, when we teach, help, and serve, when we have the opportunity to gather with God's people, when we have the pleasure of partaking of the sacraments, when we sing to God, when we give the offering, when we read the word, when we pray to God, WE SHOULD BE PRAISING GOD ALL THE WHILE. i. Not just on Sunday and not just through song. j. He is worthy of praise and worship for all things, especially the Spiritual blessings He has given us in Christ. k. Don't live your life as if He doesn't exist or that he owes you what He gives. l. Every breath and every Spiritual blessing is a gift. From a God who loves you BECAUSE He loves His Son. 5.) [Slide 22] Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” Every Spiritual blessing in the Kingdom of Heaven awaits those who are in Christ. a. We do not inherit all the blessings of the Holy Spirit in this life. b. There are blessings we have yet to know. There are blessings we have yet to receive in full. c. But these blessings are not stored on earth where thieves break in and steal or where moths and rust destroy. d. They are not kept in lower plains of spiritual reality either, open to demonic attack. They are kept in the heavenly realms. A place in which God dwells and rules from. e. Although there are enemies of God that exist in this realm, they operate by the permission and the command of God the Father. f. As Martin Luther so astutely put it… Even Satan is God's Satan. No being, even in rebellion, has the ability to do something that would thwart or topple God's purposes or decrees. g. God has decreed that our Spiritual blessings are secure in the heavenly realms. There they will be preserved for us until that day that we die and come to heaven to be with the Lord or until heaven comes down to earth and the Kingdom of God arrives. h. No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck us from His hand. We are sealed until the day of redemption by the Holy Spirit. i. What can we say to this except… Hallelujah! 6.) [Slide 23] Evangelism: “What about this text points us to Jesus Christ, the gospel, and how we are restored?” Christ is the only path to Spiritual blessings. a. God has compassion and love for those who are not followers of His Son. b. He gives rain and sunshine to those who are wicked. He allows people who hate Him and reject Him to live relatively fulfilling lives, have families, and enjoy all the benefits of His creation. c. But Spiritual blessings – blessings that come from the Holy Spirit, NEVER flow to anyone who is not in Christ. d. Holy Spirit blessings are only given to those whom God has chosen in Christ. We'll get to that next week. e. If you want forgiveness of sins, if you want acceptance into God's family, if you want to be an inheritance for Christ, if you want a destiny in the Kingdom of God, the only path to any of that is through Jesus Christ. f. It is not sincerity to a belief. It is not works of righteousness. It is not church attendance. It is not offerings given. It is not the people you've helped. It is not the poor you've rescued. It is not in religious ritual or practice. g. The only path to Spiritual blessings is in Christ Jesus. That is it. Because Christ alone is the only man with whom the Father is pleased. h. You can't follow Mohammed. You can't follow Budda. You can't follow Plato. You can't follow Paul the apostle. i. It is only in Christ that these Spiritual Blessings are given. j. Christ called everyone He preached to, to repent or turn from their sin and to believe or hope in the gospel which is that He died to save sinners and that He is the Lord of Glory. k. Christ is Savior. Christ is Lord. This is the gospel. l. Do you want Spiritual blessings – including a destiny in His eternal Kingdom of light and life? m. It is only in Christ that you can have it. n. So repent and believe on Christ. [Slide 24 (end)} Let me close with a prayer by the church father Polycarp. Father of Your beloved and blessed Son, Jesus Christ, we have come to know You through Him. You are the God of angels, powers, creation, and the entire race of the righteous who live in your presence. I praise You for everything. I bless and glorify You through the eternal high priest, Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, through whom and with Him, in the Holy Spirit, be glory unto You, both now and for the ages to come. Amen. Benediction: May grace, the well-spring of all mercies And peace, the crown of all blessings, be bestowed upon you from God our Father. Until we meet again, Grace and Peace to You.

The sermon explores the spiritual blessing of divine acceptance found exclusively in Jesus Christ, emphasizing that this status is rooted entirely in God's unmerited grace rather than human merit. It contrasts the inherent sinfulness and unworthiness of humanity with the perfect righteousness imputed to believers through Christ's sacrificial death. The message highlights that God's favor is unconditional and eternal, secured by the finished work of the cross and received solely through faith. By anchoring identity in being 'in the Beloved,' believers are assured of their permanent standing before God, independent of their own performance. The exposition concludes with an urgent call to trust in Christ for salvation, as acceptance is available only to those united with Him.

The sermon explores the spiritual blessing of adoption found in Ephesians 1, explaining how believers are predestined to become adult sons in God's family through faith in Christ. It distinguishes between regeneration, which brings new life, and adoption, which grants full legal rights and privileges as heirs alongside Jesus. The message highlights that this permanent status cancels all past debts and places the believer under the Father's love, care, chastisement, and comfort. Emphasizing the security of this relationship, the preacher notes that believers share a divine nature and an incorruptible inheritance reserved in heaven. The presentation concludes with an urgent call to trust in Christ for salvation and to live in the reality of this glorious identity.

An episode from Bible Believers Baptist Church (BBBC), a conservative, independent body of King James Bible believers located in Corpus Christi, Texas.If you are looking for a church in the Corpus Christi Texas area that preaches the Truth from God's Word, reach out to us at any time. We would love to hear from you at (361) 241-6100 or on our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.my3bc.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You may also write to them at:Bible Believers Baptist Church1701 Rand Morgan RdCorpus Christi, TX 78410 This message is part of the KJV Bible Preaching Churches Podcast, a ministry dedicated to making faithful, King James Bible preaching available to all; especially those who may have limited access to sound biblical teaching.Our purpose is simple: to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ, uphold the authority of the Holy Scriptures, and point souls to the truth of God's Word. Every message shared through this podcast comes from likeminded, Bible-believing churches and ministries that hold firmly to the King James Bible as the final authority in faith and practice.This podcast is used as a Gospel resource and teaching tool, including outreach efforts to individuals who are incarcerated. We believe God's Word is living, powerful, and able to work in hearts wherever it is heard.If you are a pastor, preacher, or church that faithfully preaches from the King James Bible and would like to learn more about being part of this podcast, or if you have questions about this ministry, you are welcome to reach out.The KJV Bible Preaching Churches Podcast is directly supported by Doss Metrics LLC | Ministry Services based out of Cleveland Texas. If you have any questions regarding this podcast, or the churches hosted on the podcast, please reach out to us directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dossmetrics@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or write to us at the address below.Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠if you wish to give towards the ministry God has given us. Doss Metrics | KJV Bible Preaching Churches Podcast1451 McBride Rd.Cleveland, TX 77328 God Bless#BevansWelder #BibleBelieversBaptistChurch #KJVPreaching #BaptistPreaching #PastorWelder #CorpusChristiChurches

Join Neil Epler for an in-depth Bible study on the book of Ephesians, focusing on themes of being chosen and adopted by God through Jesus Christ. This session explores Paul's letters and teachings, providing insight into the historical and spiritual context of Ephesus. Discover the significance of redemption, grace, and the unity of believers in Christ.

The sermon expounds on Ephesians 1, emphasizing that believers possess all spiritual blessings exclusively through their union with Christ. It contrasts eternal spiritual realities with temporal material gains, highlighting the doctrine of imputation where God counts Christ's righteousness to those who believe. The preacher explains that being chosen before the foundation of the world results in a status of holiness and blamelessness, not by human effort but by divine grace. This theological framework calls listeners to live out their new identity in Christ, putting off the old self and walking in the reality of their redeemed position. Ultimately, the message invites individuals to trust in the finished work of Jesus for salvation and eternal life.

The sermon expounds on Ephesians 1, emphasizing that believers possess all spiritual blessings exclusively through their union with Christ. It contrasts eternal spiritual realities with temporal material gains, highlighting the doctrine of imputation where God counts Christ's righteousness to those who believe. The preacher explains that being chosen before the foundation of the world results in a status of holiness and blamelessness, not by human effort but by divine grace. This theological framework calls listeners to live out their new identity in Christ, putting off the old self and walking in the reality of their redeemed position. Ultimately, the message invites individuals to trust in the finished work of Jesus for salvation and eternal life.

Join Pastor Derek as he shares the key heart attitudes that are necessary to be blessed by God through filled with His Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), and so be transformed by His power. These are described by the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), which help us cultivate the attitudes that open our heart for the Holy Spirit (God's Presence) to fill and empower our souls. Learn the importance of true repentance, which is the basis for receiving the comfort of His Spirit (Matthew 5:4).

Join Pastor Derek as he shares the key heart attitudes that are necessary to be blessed by God through filled with His Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), and so be transformed by His power. These are described by the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), which help us cultivate the attitudes that open our heart for the Holy Spirit (God's Presence) to fill and empower our souls. Learn the importance of true repentance, which is the basis for receiving the comfort of His Spirit (Matthew 5:4).

If this program has led you to make a decision for Christ, check out our New Start section on our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you would like to support us, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠this link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠For more on Pastor Festus and Oasis Church, visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠holyghost.cz.⁠

Study Passage:  Ephesians 1:1–31 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.Spiritual Blessings in Christ3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…

Drawing from Ephesians 1:3 and John 13, Andrew Graham seeks to awaken believers' love for Jesus by highlighting His sacrificial heart and the boundless spiritual blessings provided in Him. He urges us to reject worldly discontent, confess hidden sin with complete honesty, and rest in the Father's unshakable, loving providence.

Get your copy of our 2026 Annual Read: Tozer on the Son of God by A.W. Tozer.First Time?Start Here: https://bit.ly/MarinersconnectcardCan we pray for you? https://bit.ly/MarinersPrayerOnlineYou can find information for all our Mariners congregations, watch more videos, and learn more about us and our ministries on our website https://bit.ly/MarinersChurchSite.FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marinerschurch• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marinerschurch• Twitter: https://twitter.com/marinerschurch• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marinerschurchSupport the ministry and help us reach people worldwide: https://bit.ly/MarinersGive

In Ephesians 1:3–14, Paul reminds us of all that is already ours when we belong to Christ. We have been chosen by the Father, redeemed by the Son, and sealed by the Holy Spirit—all according to the riches of God's grace and to the praise of His glory. In this episode, we'll consider what it means to be blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ and how remembering these truths can help us when our circumstances are difficult, our plans don't go as we hoped, or we're tempted to focus on what we don't have. Whatever today holds, if you belong to Christ, you are richly blessed in Him. Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes on all the links and resources mentioned in today's episode.  Homemaking Matters: Living for God's Glory in the Ordinary RELATED EPISODES: 5 Benefits We Have in Christ - (Colossians 1:12-14) Sermon on the Mount Series RESOURCES: Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest & Instagram Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App  Online Courses & Printables Thankful Homemaker Merchandise Buy Marci a Cup of Coffee xo   

How does one come to enjoy spiritual blessings? What are the spiritual blessings in Ephesians 1? In this sermon on Ephesians 1:3 titled “All Spiritual Blessings…,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on two themes. He insists that the Christian only enjoys blessings through Christ. While acknowledging God gives common grace to everyone, the Holy Spirit gives unique grace that only Christians enjoy. Dr. Lloyd-Jones connects Paul's words in Ephesians to his other letter to the Colossians (1:19; 2:3), showing the absolute necessity of going to God through Christ, the mediator. A second blessing Christians enjoy through Christ is that His grace flows through the Holy Spirit. The sovereign work of the Spirit quickens, convicts, enables, and keeps the Christian. Dr. Lloyd-Jones recaptures the “other-worldly” nature of the Christian's blessings by criticizing movements that insist that blessings are of this world. The Christian, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, does not deny or despise the world, but this is different from setting their affections upon it. If they do not keep an appropriate distance, they forget that this is a fallen world and that their citizenship is in heaven.

Ready to transform your life? Join Barry Bennett as he uncovers God's true desire for you through the power of the gospel, explaining how being born again connects us to the kingdom of light.

This week, Pastor Scott Hand preaches from the book of Colossians. The message is based in Ephesians 1:1-3 and is entitled "Introduction to Ephesians (Every Spiritual Blessing)." The main idea of the sermon is: The Apostle Paul writes to the Ephesian church to unfold the blessings of God so that believers will worship God and be strengthened to walk worthy of their calling in Christ.———————— Connect with Us: Website: parkwoodonline.org Facebook: facebook.com/parkwoodonline Instagram: instagram.com/parkwoodonline.org Check out more resources and sermons online at: parkwoodonline.org

How does one come to enjoy spiritual blessings? What are the spiritual blessings in Ephesians 1? In this sermon on Ephesians 1:3 titled “All Spiritual Blessings…,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on two themes. He insists that the Christian only enjoys blessings through Christ. While acknowledging God gives common grace to everyone, the Holy Spirit gives unique grace that only Christians enjoy. Dr. Lloyd-Jones connects Paul's words in Ephesians to his other letter to the Colossians (1:19; 2:3), showing the absolute necessity of going to God through Christ, the mediator. A second blessing Christians enjoy through Christ is that His grace flows through the Holy Spirit. The sovereign work of the Spirit quickens, convicts, enables, and keeps the Christian. Dr. Lloyd-Jones recaptures the “other-worldly” nature of the Christian's blessings by criticizing movements that insist that blessings are of this world. The Christian, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, does not deny or despise the world, but this is different from setting their affections upon it. If they do not keep an appropriate distance, they forget that this is a fallen world and that their citizenship is in heaven. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29?v=20251111

Join Us for our Sunday Worship Service @10am Streaming on Facebook and Youtube. Looking forward to you Joining Us!    

How does one come to enjoy spiritual blessings? What are the spiritual blessings in Ephesians 1? In this sermon on Ephesians 1:3 titled “All Spiritual Blessings…,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on two themes. He insists that the Christian only enjoys blessings through Christ. While acknowledging God gives common grace to everyone, the Holy Spirit gives unique grace that only Christians enjoy. Dr. Lloyd-Jones connects Paul's words in Ephesians to his other letter to the Colossians (1:19; 2:3), showing the absolute necessity of going to God through Christ, the mediator. A second blessing Christians enjoy through Christ is that His grace flows through the Holy Spirit. The sovereign work of the Spirit quickens, convicts, enables, and keeps the Christian. Dr. Lloyd-Jones recaptures the “other-worldly” nature of the Christian's blessings by criticizing movements that insist that blessings are of this world. The Christian, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, does not deny or despise the world, but this is different from setting their affections upon it. If they do not keep an appropriate distance, they forget that this is a fallen world and that their citizenship is in heaven. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29?v=20251111

Join as Pastor Jeremiah challenges us from Ephesians 1 on Spiritual Blessings. 

Sabbath rest is a gift that's talked about all over Scripture. Yet, we often interpret what God intended to be a blessing as a burden instead. Let's be honest: the idea of setting aside work to embrace a day of rest might feel unnecessary, intimidating, unattainable, legalistic, or just plain boring.Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack the biblical heartbeat of the Sabbath — a day to slow down, trust God with your responsibilities, and delight in Jesus. They'll help you overcome resistances to God's gift of rest and equip you with simple, doable rhythms to help you experience the deep soul rest you long for through practicing Sabbath and spiritual retreats.Resources for this Episode:Your Best Life in Jesus' Easy Yoke: Rhythms of Grace to De-Stress and Live EmpoweredAttend a Soul Shepherding RetreatDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

As we listen to and trust in God’s voice we can pass on spiritual blessings to those who come after us.

Josh Gilchrist // Ephesians 1:3-6 Sermon notesFaith Bible Church is a loving community making disciples of Jesus Christ.View our full archive of sermons and resourcesLearn more about our church

We cannot separate the blessings of salvation from the One in whom they are found and experienced, Jesus Christ. Today, Sinclair Ferguson describes the interconnected way we should think about the person and work of Christ. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/every-spiritual-blessing-in-christ/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Derek shares 3 essential Keys to receiving Healing from God. EPG: *Key 1: Know that Healing is God's will. *Key 2: Know that God gives us His Healing Power as a free gift, on request, to be received by faith. *Key 3: To receive His power, surrender your body to God. This video explores the spiritual nature of healing, emphasising the importance of faith, the belief in God's will for healing, and the power of surrendering to divine grace. Through biblical examples and teachings, discover how to open your heart to receive God's healing power.

Derek shares 3 essential Keys to receiving Healing from God. EPG: *Key 1: Know that Healing is God's will. *Key 2: Know that God gives us His Healing Power as a free gift, on request, to be received by faith. *Key 3: To receive His power, surrender your body to God. This video explores the spiritual nature of healing, emphasising the importance of faith, the belief in God's will for healing, and the power of surrendering to divine grace. Through biblical examples and teachings, discover how to open your heart to receive God's healing power.

What does it mean to be blessed? What are the spiritual blessings? What is the significance of the word "every"? What is meant by heavenly places? This is an exploration of the true meaning of the blessed Christian life.

Today's Promise: Ephesians 3:1 You are more blessed than you realize. In this encouraging episode, we explore the powerful truth of Ephesians 1:3 and what it really means to be blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. This is not wishful thinking. It is a present reality grounded in God's love and grace. Discover how the Holy Spirit is actively working in your life right now, bringing favor, purpose, and strength in every season.   Learn why God's blessings are not earned but given freely, and how recognizing them changes the way you live, think, and worship. If you have ever questioned whether God is working in your life, this episode will renew your confidence and lift your perspective.   No matter what you are facing today, you can walk in His blessing and trust that He is moving on your behalf. Take hold of this promise and step into the fullness of what God has already given you.

John Strain | Recorded April 19, 2025