The sermon explores the abundant blessings from God, the call to live blamelessly, and the joy of gratitude derived from our union with Christ.
Good morning, dear friends. I am so grateful to see each one of you here today, gathered together in the house of our Lord, ready to receive His Word. It is such a joy to be in your presence, and I am deeply humbled to share with you the insights the Lord has given me from the book of Ephesians.
We are turning our hearts and minds today to Ephesians 1:3-4, a passage that is rich with truth and power. The apostle Paul wrote, "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, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him."
In these two brief verses, we find a treasure trove of spiritual wealth. They speak of the abundant blessings that God has bestowed upon us, the high calling to live blamelessly before Him, and the gratitude we should have for these divine gifts.
As we ponder these truths, I am reminded of the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "There is no joy in this world like union with Christ. The more we can feel it, the happier we are." This union with Christ, dear friends, is the source of all the blessings that Paul speaks of in this passage. It is the root of our ability to live blamelessly before God, and it is the wellspring of our gratitude.
So, let us not merely read these words today, but let us truly feel them. Let us feel the weight of the blessings that God has poured out upon us. Let us feel the challenge of living blamelessly before Him. And let us feel the joy of gratitude that wells up within us as we consider these things.
Before we continue, let us bow our heads in prayer. Lord, we thank You for Your Word, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. As we consider the truths in the book of Ephesians today, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds. Help us to understand the depth of the blessings You have given us, the challenge of living blamelessly before You, and the joy of gratitude. Guide us, Lord, as we seek to apply these truths to our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
In the heart of Ephesians, we find a profound truth. God, in His infinite love and mercy, has showered upon us blessings beyond measure. These are not mere worldly blessings, fleeting and temporary. No, these are spiritual blessings, eternal and unchanging, bestowed upon us through Christ.
The first aspect we must consider is the nature of these blessings. They are described as spiritual blessings. This means they are not tied to our physical circumstances or material possessions. They are not dependent on our health, wealth, or social status. They are blessings that come from being in Christ, from being united with Him in faith such as peace, joy, love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
After that is the source of these blessings. They come from God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is a profound truth that we must not overlook. It is not our own efforts or good deeds that earn us these blessings. They are a gift, freely given by God out of His abundant love for us. This is a humbling truth, reminding us that we are dependent on God for all good things. It is also an encouraging truth, assuring us that God is for us, not against us.
Then is the scope of these blessings. Paul tells us that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. This is a staggering statement. Every spiritual blessing. Not just a few. Not just the ones we think we need. But every single one. This tells us that God's generosity towards us is boundless. He does not hold back or limit His blessings. He pours them out upon us in full measure.
The fourth aspect is the timing of these blessings. Paul tells us that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. This means that God's plan to bless us was not an afterthought. It was part of His eternal purpose, decided before the world was even created. This tells us that God's love for us is not fickle or changing. It is steadfast and sure, rooted in His eternal purpose.
In all these aspects, we see a picture of God's incredible love and generosity towards us. We see a God who lavishes upon us spiritual blessings, not because we have earned them, but because He loves us. We see a God who does not hold back but gives us every spiritual blessing. We see a God whose love for us is not a reaction to our actions, but part of His eternal purpose.
As we continue to immerse ourselves in the richness of Ephesians 1:3-4, we come to a profound realization ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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