Spiritual Blessings

Ephesians 1. What church in the New Testament had two different letters written to them by two different authors? [That eliminates letters like 1 and 2 Corinthians because they have the same author-Paul.] The answer, of course, is the church of Ephesus. Paul wrote them a letter, and John wrote them a letter in Revelation 2:1-7, of which Jesus was the true correspondent. The letter we're studying this week came from the pen of Paul. He writes to these believers who are rich beyond measure in Jesus Christ, yet they are living as beggars because they are ignorant of their wealth. Paul writes to make them more aware of their spiritual resources of which is an endless supply in Christ. He uses the first three chapters to describe where these resources come from--their relationship with Christ and their position in Him. Paul then spends the last three chapters encouraging his readers to draw upon those resources so they can live their Christian lives in victory. So the letter breaks in half, in two parts: The first half of the letter describes the believer's position, and the last half describes the believer's practice. The first half describes the believer's wealth, and the last half describes the believer's walk. The first half deals with doctrine. The last half deals with duty.
1:3-14 is one very long complex sentence in the Greek. In this long sentence Paul points out the reasons why we should give thanks...reasons why we should praise God.

I. BECAUSE OF THE BLESSINGS WE HAVE IN THE FATHER 1:3-6
We should praise God the Father. Why? Because 1) He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing -vs.3. 2) Because He has chosen us -vs.4. 3) Because He adopted us -vs.5.

II. BECAUSE OF THE BLESSINGS WE HAVE IN THE SON 1:7-12
We should praise God the Son. Why? Because 1) He has redeemed us -vs.7. 2) He has forgiven us -vs.7b. 3) He has revealed God's will to us -vs.8-10. 4) He has given us an eternal inheritance -vs.11-12.

III. BECAUSE OF THE BLESSINGS WE HAVE IN THE SPIRIT 1:13-14
We should praise God the Holy Spirit. Why? Because 1) He has sealed us in Christ -vs.13. 2) Because given as an earnest. He is our deposit our pledge our guarantee -vs.14.

Everyone who has trusted in Christ possesses an endless supply of spiritual blessings. Unfortunately, most believers act as though they are spiritual beggars and live in defeat. Why is this so? Many are unaware of all the resources we have in Christ and therefore fail to appropriate and take advantage of these divine resources. Do you understand what your resources are in Christ? If not, Ephesians will help you out. Great book to read and study this week through next Monday. Enjoy and God bless.