Blessing and Peace Text: Ephesians 1:2-8
2May grace and peace be yours, sent to you from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 3How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ. 4Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.5His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.6So we praise God for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved Son. 7He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven. 8He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.9God’s secret plan has now been revealed to us; it is a plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to his good pleasure.
Introduction: Paul is writing this to his Christian friends at Ephesus; he also tells them that he sees their loyalty unto the Lord! Paul also tells them, that they are God’s chosen through Jesus Christ, and that they are to become Jesus’ messenger! The last thing Jesus told us is to be His spokes person! Satan, the god of this world doesn’t like that plan, nor does he like you! John10:10a
I. The very first thing Paul grants is grace and peace! Jesus gives it, but Paul understands his role is to remind you of what you have! (He knows he can’t give you something you don’t want or understand.) II.Peter 1:3 Christ offers peace like noone can give but Him!
A. You have to receive grace and peace! So many people don’t know how to receive! ( You have to have open hands.) Psalm 143:6 6 I spread out my hands to You;My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah
B. Paul also tells us that we have been blessed with every Spiritual blessing!
C. Illustration: Everyday you are walking on millions of dollars! (You just need the knowledge of how to refine the grounds resources!)
D. I believe that these people that Paul was writing to are beaten down! Until you know who you are,#1. you will always worry about how you look!
E. #2. You will always worry about what others think of you! #3. Always worry about whether or not you’re going to fail!
F. Vs.4 of Ephesians say’s, you are loved! He also called you to be holy and without fault in His eyes!
G. Vs.5 Say’s He has an unchanging plan for you! He also has adopted us into His great family! This brings Him great pleasure!
H. Vs. 6 Say’s we ought to praise God because He gives us all this! Vs. 7 He purchased our freedom through Jesus Christ His only Son! Vs. 8 Say’s He has Showered His kindness on us, along with His wisdom and understanding.
I. #4. God’s secret plan has been revealed, and it’s you!
God’s shed blood was good enough to cover my unworthiness, Good enough that He paid the price for every sin I’ll ever commit, Good enough that He’s perfecting me each me each day! Good enough that He’s interceding for me right now! Good enough that He washed me clean and whole!
