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.
This is important to understand God did’nt chose you because some how he knew you would chose Him some people try to make Rom 8:29 say this 11:2 Gods foreknowledge is of the whole person not his faith or certain facts about some decision down the line.
The Scriptures reveal to us that man is not predestined to hell but that he has the responsibility to respond and receive the gospel!
Mans responsibility.
Jhn. 3:18 Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already.Jhn 5:40 Yet you refuse to come to me to have life Jhn 1:11-12 Yet to all that received him. Matt 11:28 come to me all you who labour an are heavy laden
Revelation v17.The Spirit and the Bride say come…If we refuse to come..
Reprobation
Is the sovereign decision of God before creation to pass over some persons, in sorrow deciding not to save them, and to punish them for their sins, and thereby manifest His justice. Ez 33:11 God does not delight in the death of the wicked. (Jude.4) Rom.9:17-22)The cause of election lies in Gods grace.
The cause of reprobation lies with man, which reveals Gods Justice. Both His justice and grace bring glory to God Rom 9:22 @23.
At the end of the day none of us are deserving of mercy
Rom 9:20. Who are you Oh man to talk back to God? V21 the potter has the right to make some clay for noble purposes and some for common use.
J. Calvin said in a sermon on Ephesians May 1558
“Although we cannot conceive either by argument or reason how God has elected us before the foundation of the world yet we know it by His declaring it to us; and experience itself vouches for it sufficiently, when we are enlightened in the faith.” ourselves
B Election is a reason for praise,
Election is the first and most glorious in the order of our salvation.
The gospel call, regeneration, conversion, justification, adoption, sanctification, perseverance, death and glorification.
“God is the source, God is the author, God is the begetter, God is the beginning, God is the cause, God is the commencement, God is the fountainhead, and salvation’s origin began in the electing purposes of God himself.” And its all to the praise of God which diminishes any pride that we might feel. Whom do you praise tonight? Yourself or God?
Praise God fist and foremost
Paul here is not just reeling of some dry theological words! But words, which open up to us the Excellencies of Gods, glory, goodness and grace towards us. Paul speaks with a deep sense of gratitude towards God. David also in Psalm 103:1-5. Praises/blesses God for who He is and all his benefits. Why are you here tonight? Social gathering? To lift your spirits? To praise Almighty God!
Paul’s introduction here is anthem of praise. It’s an outpouring of praise to God!
1. V3, Praise him because of all the spiritual blessings we receive in Christ election, redemption, forgiveness, mystery of his will, adoption, sonship, and sealed in the Holy Spirit
2. V6 Praise him because of His glorious grace freely given towards us. Total unconditional love towards (sinners unmerited) mercy and pardon from God
3. V12 Praise him because we our selves are to the praise of His Glory. That our very lives will bring praise to the glory of God (just being)
C. Election draws us to holiness
V4 to be holy and blameless in His sight.
These words reoccur in Eph 5:27 @ Col. 1:22 Final State of perfection. Holiness is the ultimate goal of election perfection itself in the presence of God.
Election then draws us to holiness and to live blameless lives. God has not chosen us because he foresaw any holiness in us but that he has determined to make us holy because this is how he demonstrates his divine love to completely unworthy objects in love he predestined us.
Holiness referring to our (sanctification)
Paul states why God has elected us “to be” the verb. All of us should be striving to be holy and blameless. This is the subjective ongoing purification of the soul by the Holy Spirit Somebody once said, “we are as holy as we want to be!”
(Its like exercise if we want to keep fit we need to exercise and its the same in the spiritual realm if we want to be Holy we need to exercise obedience in the area of our wills with the aide of Gods Spirit.
2Tim 1:9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life
2Thes.2:13God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit.
One who continues in blatant sin and then claims to be elected for holiness is a contradiction in terms? “ For he chose us in him to be holy”
F.F. Bruce said “the predestining love of God is commended more by those who lead holy and Christ like lives, than by those who attempts to unravel the mystery partake of the nature of logic chopping.”
Where is this holiness to be manifested “In His sight” In Church on Sunday? No 24//7.
Are we living holy and blameless lives? I am not talking about external holiness and outward appearance before men but an inward holiness before God shown in love to God one another and our fellow man.
D. Election is real cause for hope v 9-10.
V9 And he has made known to us the mystery of His will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ. We live in an uncertain world with people many have little hope for the future.
What’s in your future?
Thousands read their horoscopes, tea leaves, clairvoyants, spiritualists, tarot cards, palm reading crystal balls. All seeking their future many hoping things will get better for them.
A sceptic once said, “the only certain thing about the future is its uncertainty.”
“For the Christian the future is certain, whatever happens God’s will is being worked out. And we are being changed from Glory to glory.” Rom.8:28-30
We have been let in on the secret. (Like in Noah’s day coming destruction)
We like Noah ultimately know where this world is going and where we are heading.
v10. All things will be gathered under the head ship of Christ. This world will not always be in rebellion against Christ but will come under his rule and authority, and we will be exalted to new heights of Glory in his presence. But our responsibility is to share this hope of glory which is in us with others. Col.lv26, v27 The mystery that has been kept hidden….
E.Election is an encouragement to evangelism.
v13 Don’t just sit back!
2Tim 2:10 I endure everything for the sake of the elect that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal Glory. 1 Pet2:9. God has chosen us, to declare the praises of Him who has brought us….
The fact that God has chosen people is a guarantee to a measure of success
"Have you ever been to one of those private fishing farms, full of trout. I know Roger Daltery out of the WHO has got one. Well because the lake is stocked up, the likely hood of catching fish is increased tenfold because they are there.. And so it is with this world God has stocked this earth up with His elect and we are to go fishing and Jesus will not return until everyone is hooked up so we need to refrain from being mere aquarium keepers and become fishers of men, because the fish are out there still!"
Its not down to methods, or the preacher, his gifting, the way the message is presented or the environment it’s told in. If we are walking with God he will use us. (Gods work) He is in the business of saving souls and its though the foolishness of preaching that he has ordained people to be saved.
(Ills. Frank Gennar from Sydney Australia.) Will you be like Frank?
So as we go out into the world God is giving you divine appointments everyday, people who are waiting just for you to tell that about Jesus Christ. You might be just a link in the chain or you may have even the joy of pointing them to Christ and seeing Gods hand at work.
Acts 13:48 Paul preaches in Pisdian Antioch in the synagogue ( appointed to eternal life)
The Church is expanding. 12 disciple grew to 120 in a upper room followed by Peters sermon 3000 believed, shortly after 5000 were add then came persecution till AD 313 Edict of toleration around 10 million Christians at this time. By the year 1000 this had grown to 50 million. By the end of the 18th century had grown to 215 million. By 1795 Missionary endeavour began in earnest with men like William Carey by 1900 the total Christians to 500 million. Then by 1980 it had grown to 1.3 billion, by the year 2000 the number has grown to 1.8 billion.
God is committed to using people to bring people to himself.What about you tonight, are you going to respond to this Gospel? You have a responsibility to call upon the name of the Lord and be saved! Don’t put it off any longer. God has appointed people to be saved even tonight and that could even be you!
Enter into the Spiritual blessings that God has instore for you tonight. Next week we will look at Jesus as the sphere in which all those blessing are found and recieved in.
