We Are Blessed!

Ephesians: We Are Blessed!

  1. Because we are ____________.

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, who are believers in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph 1:1–2)
12 What we received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we might know the blessings freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak about these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual truths with spiritual words. (1 Co 2:12–13)
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. (Eph 1:3)
4 He did this when he chose [ἐκλέγομαι (ek-leg-omai)] us in Christ before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy and blameless [ἄμωμος (a-mō-mos)] in his sight. In love 5 he predestined [προορίζω (pro-o-ri-zō)] us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ. He did this in accordance with the good purpose of his will, 6 and for the praise of his glorious grace, which he has graciously given us in the one he loves. (Eph 1:4–6)
because you are set apart as holy people for the Lord your God, and the Lord your God has chosen [ἐκλέγομαι (ek-leg-omai)] you out of all the people that are on the face of the earth, to be his people that are his treasured possession. (Dt 14:2, LXX)
This is what you shall do to them to set them apart as holy, so that they can minister to me in the priest’s office: Take one young bull and two rams without defect [ἄμωμος (a-mō-mos)] (Ex 29:1, LXX)
3 … God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Ti 2:3–4)

  1. Because we are __________________.

In him we also have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in keeping with the riches of his grace, (Eph 1:7)
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the whole world. (1 Jn 2:2)
As distant as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our rebellious acts from us. (Ps 103:12)
… for you have thrown all my sins behind your back. (Is 38:17b)
… You will throw all their sins into the depths of the sea. (Mic 7:19b)

  1. Because we know __________ _________.

8 which he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight. 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will in keeping with his good purpose, which he planned in Christ. 10 This was to be carried out when the time had fully come, in order to bring all things together in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth. (Eph 1:8–10)
10 at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Php 2:10–11)

  1. Because we have an _______________________ in Jesus.

In him we have also obtained an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in keeping with the purpose of his will. (Eph 1:11)
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose, (Ro 8:28)
He did this so that his glory would be praised as a result of us, who were the first to hope in Christ. (Eph 1:12)
You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. (Jn 4:22)

  1. Because we are _____________ with the Holy Spirit.

13 In him, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and in him, when you also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14 He is the down payment of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own possession, so that his glory would be praised. (Eph 1:13–14)
After this, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions. (Joel 2:28)
Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers? (Ac 19:2a)
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, (1 Co 6:19)
Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through the word of Christ. (Ro 10:17)

Points to Ponder

  1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
  2. How does Paul describe our identity in Christ?
  3. What does it mean to be chosen, redeemed, and sealed by the Holy Spirit?
  4. How does knowing that we are adopted into God’s family shape our daily lives?
  5. Paul says that our salvation is “to the praise of his glorious grace.” What does it look like to live a life that glorifies God?
  6. How does the assurance of our inheritance in Christ give us confidence in uncertain times?
  7. How can we encourage one another to remember and live in the riches of God's grace?
  8. How does being "sealed with the promised Holy Spirit" affect the way we think about our faith and our future?

Homework: Ephesians 1