SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS IN CHRIST
Ephesians 1:3-14
Ephesians 1:3 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord JesusChrist, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment——to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession——to the praise of his glory."
A SPECIAL GROUP OF REDEEMED PEOPLE
Those whom these verses speak of are born again of God. And all who have been purchased, have a common source of life and a common kind of life. We came into the body the same way, by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We all possess the same nature (2 Peter 1:4) We are all moving toward the same ultimate destiny - the kingdom of God and eternal glory in Heaven with Christ. So there is this wonderful unity among believers. We are one in Christ.
Paul is teaching us in Ephesians that the Church is a special group of redeemed people. We are:
• The hottest commodity in the universe.
• The angels look at us to see the things that they can't comprehend.
• We have been purchased for God by the Blood of Jesus.
• Forgiven, accepted in the Beloved, we've become slaves and Sons of God.
• Protected by Divine Love, sustained by Divine Providence, and energized by Divine power.
• We're priests, and kings
• We've been taught, lead, ruled, loved, made alive, built up, blessed by the Lord Jesus Christ.
• We are blessed with the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ
• The God of this universe has set His love upon us. We're His family, and He continues to pour on us the gracious gifts of His Love, now and for ever. WE'RE RICH.
No wonder there is such a wonderful bond, something that binds, fastens, confines, or holds together those who have the same like nature. Christ.
Do you realize that we came into the mind of God before the creation of the world, we are now in the midst of His eternal purpose, and what is best, we will be a part of God's eternal plan for all eternity. It's not over yet, it has hardly begun, all that the Lord has prepared for those whom God has redeemed. Are we blessed or what?
Drafted by Charles E. Whisnant 03 04 07 Agreed with by Charity Whisnant 03 04 07
