Sermon Central
-
Every Spiritual Blessing - A Closeup Look At Ephesians
Contributed by Clark Tanner on Dec 30, 2000 (message contributor)
-
1. "The Pledge Of Our Inheritance"
Contributed on Dec 30, 2000
The Holy Spirit in us is a pledge of our rich inheritance in Christ. (#9 in the "Every Spiritual Blessing" series)
I remember as a boy, hearing a story of a man found starved to death in an alley somewhere in New York City. He had been without family, homeless and apparently friendless. When authorities were able to identify the corpse however, it was discovered that the man had unknowingly inherited in ...read more
-
2. "Every Spiritual Blessing"
Contributed on May 15, 2002
The believer is rich beyond measure, IN CHRIST (#1 in the "Every Spiritual Blessing" series)
I’d like to ask you to try and put yourselves to some degree, into the minds of the Christians in Ephesus who first read this letter. Paul had been with them briefly during his second missionary journey, and then during his third journey he and those with him had undergone horrible ...read more
-
3. "Chosen"
Contributed on May 22, 2002
One of the spiritual blessings referred to in verse 3 is this: chosen in Him, before the foundation of the world! (#2 in the "Every Spiritual Blessing" series)
Last week we began our study in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, and we saw that God has blessed us with ‘every spiritual blessing’ in the Heavenly places, in Christ. I mentioned at that time, that in the following verses Paul goes on to name some of those spiritual blessings, and even listed a ...read more
-
4. "Holy And Blameless"
Contributed on May 28, 2002
Why He chose us, in Christ, before the foundation of the world. (#3 in the "Every Spiritual Blessing" series)
Over the past couple of weeks we’ve looked closely at the content of these opening verses of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, and I can say here that we haven’t done more than scratch the surface of the volumes that could be said and written about them. But as much as we have discussed them, ...read more
-
5. Redemption - Part I (The Forgiveness Of Sins)
Contributed on Jun 19, 2002
The first necessary step in redemption (#4 in the ’Every Spiritual Blessing’ series)
As we continue in this study in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we must be careful not to skip merrily along, flitting from one verse or phrase to the next and on to the next, touching the surface of each, like a bee gathering pollen, and never looking back at previous verses, or even stopping to ...read more
-
6. Redemption - Part Ii (The Riches Of His Grace)
Contributed on Jun 26, 2002
The ungrace of the world does not nullify the Grace of God. (#5 in the "Every Spiritual Blessing" series)
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us. ” Redemption: to bring back into rightful ownership (restoration to one who possesses a more fundamental right or interest) by the paying of a ...read more
-
7. "The Mystery Of His Will"
Contributed on Jul 10, 2002
Revealed to us according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him. (#6 in the "Every Spiritual Blessing" series)
We cannot go farther into this study until I have explained my position concerning the wording and sentence divisions found in the New American Standard Version of the Bible. I should begin by saying that I am not a student of the biblical languages, and I do not presume to be a bible ...read more
-
8. "The Great Reunion"
Contributed on Jul 19, 2002
All things in heaven and on earth will be summed up in Christ; perfect harmony restored. (#7 in the "Every Spiritual Blessing" series)
Two weeks ago we left off talking about the mystery of God’s will, revealed, or made manifest in these last days, according to God’s plan and purpose. It is a mystery that, says Paul, had been kept secret for long ages past. We glean from scripture that Lucifer, one of three ...read more
-
9. "Sealed In Him"
Contributed on Jul 31, 2002
We are sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise. (#8 in the "Every Spiritual Blessing" series)
I want to spend the next couple of weeks talking about two main thoughts being expressed in verses 11 through 14. They pertain to the words ‘inheritance’, and ‘sealed’. I want us to consider them together because, you see, one is a promise of rich blessing, most of which is yet to be realized, and ...read more
-
10. "The Knowledge Of God"
Contributed on Aug 22, 2002
If the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to pray this for the Ephesians, then shouldn’t we be praying it for one another? (#10 in the "Every Spiritual Blessing" series)
“For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you, and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom ...read more
-
11. "Three Prayers For The Ephesians"
Contributed on Aug 31, 2002
Three things we can be praying for one another. (#11 in the "Every Spiritual Blessing" series)
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.” A very interesting thing happened to me ...read more
-
12. "The Strength Of His Might"
Contributed on Sep 8, 2002
His power is working in us and for us, to sanctify us and eventually bring us home. (#12 in the "Every Spiritual Blessing" series)
“...and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places...” In 1981 Arnold ...read more
-
13. "Far Above"
Contributed on Sep 20, 2002
The power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead, raised Him...and us...far above all things. (#13 in the "Every Spiritual Blessing" series)
Despite the Fall of man, or perhaps, because of the Fall, there has always existed in the human breast the desire ~ the need ~ to rise above one’s circumstances; outside of one’s own limitations. Whether it be for escape, or self-improvement, or just for adventure and a yearning to explore ...read more
-
14. "Christ: Our Head"
Contributed on Sep 27, 2002
He is Head over all things to the church. (#14 in the "Every Spiritual Blessing" series)
As we come to the close of this amazing first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we note once again, Paul’s Holy Spirit-inspired propensity for mentioning his Lord’s name as often as possible; for exalting and magnifying His Lordship over all things. All things are under His feet ~ ...read more
-
15. "The Prince Of The Power Of The Air"
Contributed on Oct 12, 2002
The enemy of our souls wants to frustrate life, nullify effectiveness of Kingdom work, and keep souls from Heaven. But the Prince of Peace is the Victor! (#15 in the "Every Spiritual Blessing" series)
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” In a British radio broadcast circa 1943, reading one of his own ...read more
-
16. "Even When We Were Dead"
Contributed on Oct 18, 2002
We were dead. He made us alive. That’s regeneration. (#16 in the ’Every Spiritual Blessing’ series)
Pastor Darrin Hunt, of Susquehanna Valley Bible Church in Selinsgrove, PA, tells a story about three buddies who were discussing death, and one of them asked the group; ‘What would you like people to say about you at your funeral?’ His own answer was, “He was a great humanitarian, who cared ...read more
-
17. "Raised Up"
Contributed on Nov 2, 2002
What does it mean, to be raised up with Christ and seated in the heavenly places? (#17 in the Every Spiritual Blessing series)
It was going to be a beautiful day, at least, insofar as the weather was concerned. One could tell. It was still some minutes until sunrise, but it was one of those early pre-dawn mornings when the air smelled fresh, there was hardly any breeze, the night dew was drawing a damp but pleasant odor ...read more
-
18. "The Surpassing Riches Of His Grace"
Contributed on Nov 9, 2002
Through the planning and accomplishing of our salvation, God has vindicated His Holy name forever. We are the living testimony to the surpassing riches of His grace. (#18 in the Every Spiritual Blessing series)
In verse 7 of Ephesians 2, Paul is finishing the statement that he begins in verse 4. But I want to back up just for a moment, all the way to the beginning of the chapter, and let’s refresh ourselves as to the progression of Paul’s address here. He reminds his readers that they were ...read more
-
19. "Works, Works. Works!"
Contributed on Nov 16, 2002
We’re not saved by works, but are God’s works, created to walk in good works. (#19 in the Every Spiritual Blessing Series)
In verses 8 and 9 of Ephesians 2 we come to some words that are so familiar to those who have been Christians for a while, that they are almost too familiar. We’ve heard them preached and taught and debated; used as a sword against legalism, and unfortunately, a shield against any call to ...read more
-
20. "Aliens!"
Contributed on Nov 29, 2002
Alienated from the life of God, strangers to the covenants and the promises, we needed help! (#20 in the Every Spiritual Blessing series)
“Aliens”. I wonder how many different pictures pop into people’s heads these days when they hear that word. If I was pressured to guess, I suppose I’d say that the larger majority, at least in the American culture, would say that when they hear the word they think of beings from other ...read more
-
21. "He Himself"
Contributed on Dec 7, 2002
He Himself tore down the wall. He Himself abolished the enmity. He Himself made us one. (#21 in the Every Spiritual Blessing series)
As I sat contemplating what title I should give this sermon, I asked myself, as is my usual custom when staring at a blank page on my computer screen waiting for inspiration, ‘what title would address the real meat of this passage; the crux; the primary truth being conveyed?’ I read ...read more
-
22. "Preaching Peace"
Contributed on Dec 16, 2002
Three kinds of preachers of peace. (#22 in the Every Spiritual Blessing series)
“And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near,” Never in history, since the day Cain murdered his brother, has there been a time when men couldn’t look around them and ask, ‘where is peace?’ For the world has no peace and despite it’s relentless ...read more
-
23. "Our Sure Foundation"
Contributed on Dec 27, 2002
What a solid foundation we have, built upon the teachings, the writings, the very lives of the Apostles, the Prophets, and Christ as the cornerstone! (#23 in the Every Spiritual Blessing series)
As we come near the end of chapter 2 we see that God has brought us from being dead in trespasses and sins, without God and without hope, strangers to the covenants of promise, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and from the life of God, to being reconciled through the cross, given ...read more
-
24. "The Dwelling Of God"
Contributed on Jan 10, 2003
We are not only OF God’s household, but are the Dwelling of God in the Spirit! (#24 in the Every Spiritual Blessing series) This study will continue as "The Unfathomable Love of Christ" series, covering chapters 3 & 4. Sermon #1, "I, Paul, Prisoner"
Although, as we have already established, Paul is writing primarily to the Gentiles in this letter, it is apparent that the Temple of the Jews is prominent in his thinking as he makes his illustrations. In verse 14 he tells them that Christ has made peace between the two groups, Jew and ...read more