Part 3 - The Blessings That Make Up Our Spiritual Wealth
The Riches of God’s Grace • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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"Serie: The Riches of God's Grace
Ephesians 1
Ephesians was written to teach us
-all about who we are in Jesus Christ.
-What we have because of our relationship with Him.
-And how to use what He has given us for the glory of God.
Beloved, the Bible says in
Daniel 11:32 “32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.”
the people who know their God will firmly resist him (the evil one)
You will only be able to resist firmly by knowing God in His Word.
Over the last 3 weeks we have been learning about
our Identity in Christ
the riches we receive from God because of our relationship with Christ.
In these first verses Paul reveals the treasures of God to the believer.
In verses 3-6, Paul praises God for His sovereign work in our lives.
In verse 3, he reminds us that God is good!
God's goodness translates into His blessings on our lives.
He demonstrates His blessings upon us by showering us with His blessings.
Among these blessings is God's work in salvation.
God the Father: vs.4-6
He chose us
He predestined us
He adopted us
He accepted us
In verses 7-10, Paul praises God for His work of salvation.
God, in His great grace, has opened our eyes to our lost condition;
He made us aware of what Christ did for us when He died for us on the cross and then saved us by His incredible grace.
Last week we learned about
The Blessings of Jesus:
He redeemed us
He forgave us
one blessing we din't talked about last week was the blessings of Perception
He gave us Perception
He gave us Perception
Eph.1:8-9
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,
Jesus brought us: wisdom, understanding
Paul says: “he revealed to us the mystery of his will.
What is he talking about? he is talking about “a truth previously hidden but now revealed”.
When it comes to the “mysteries of God” he is talking about hidden, covered, unknown things that fall into three main categories.
1. First, there are mysteries that no one has ever known or will know except God.
These are divine secrets that God does not reveal to anyone, anywhere, at any time, Dt. 29:29
29 The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.
Jesus Christ will come again to earth. That is a promise.
Jesus told his accusers that the Son of Man would come on the clouds of heaven (Mark 14:62),
This promise is repeated at the time of his ascension into heaven (Acts 1:11).
And appears in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 and also in 1 Corinthians 15:12–28,
Jesus is Coming back! But the timing of his coming is a complete mystery.
No one but the Father knows when that will be.
Jesus refused to disclose the information to his disciples when they asked him for it
Matthew 24:36 (NIV84)
36 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
2. The second type of mystery includes things that are hidden from most people but are revealed to a select group.
All men can know something about God, see Psalm 19
Psalm 19:1–2 (NIV84)
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
See, All men can know something about God, Creation reveals that there is a Creator,
A watch reveals the watchmaker
The house reveals the builder
The bread reveals the baker…
Paul says this in the first chapter of Romans
Romans 1:19–20 (NIV84)
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
All men can know something about God, but it is limited knowledge. See 1 Corinthians 2:14
14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
You see, God is Spirit, “Whoever does not have the Spirit is not able to understand the things that come from God, because they are spiritually discerned”.
Those who are in Christ, on the other hand, are able to understand the things that come from God. Because He gives them discernment of spiritual things.
So the second type of mystery includes things that are hidden from most people but are revealed to a select group, those in Christ.
Now,
3. A third type of mystery revolves around the truth that was hidden for a time and then revealed to God's people. A church.
The church is the only institution on earth that really knows what is happening to the world.
You see, God didn't create this world on a whim, a fantasy, or someone's hunch.
And He didn't create it and wind it up and then abandon it and let it run by itself.
There is a purpose to history, and Jesus is a fundamental piece of the history.
“the history of the world is HIS history”. God has a plan.
God's plan concerns us, but it is centered on the Lord Jesus Christ.
God will bring - one day - He will bring it all together. As people say: "where will the world end?" Friend, it will end up at the feet of Jesus.
Look, verse 10:
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.
Our world is falling apart.
Bad news keeps coming from all over the world.
Diseases, Wars: school shootings, children shooting children - … violence is unchecked. Injustice is in every court of the land.
People are dissatisfied with their rulers, in Europe, America, etc.)
There is a global immigration crisis!
People are suffering in their home countries and risking their lives at sea and in the desert in search of a better place for their families.
Millions and even billions of people will go to bed tonight hungry, without enough food in their bellies.
Someone said: “Our world has become a swamp of discontent, where the mosquitoes of hate - are breeding by the millions.”
What will happen to this world?!!!
My dear friend, if you did not know the Lord Jesus Christ, you would have every reason to be pessimistic and depressed!
But I want to tell you what the Bible says: there will come a time when the whole world will be in tune with the Lord Jesus Christ.
See again: Eph.1:10
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.
Friends A time is coming , a day is coming… when the material and the spiritual will be perfectly blended.
The time is coming when heaven and earth will be in perfect union and communion.
The time is coming when man and God will be in perfectly union and communion.
The time is coming when man and man will be at perfect peace.
The time will come when man and animals will live in harmony,
and a time will come when the animals will live together and the lamb and the lion will lie down together.
As is revealed in Habakkuk 2:14 “ For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”
When is it going to happen?
"when the times will have reached their fulfillment " (Ephesians 1:10), when the Lord Jesus Christ is on the throne.
When all things are brought to Jesus and when all things are reconciled to the Lord Jesus Christ, then all things on earth will be reconciled to one another just as they are in heaven.
When we are in tune with Jesus, then we will finally be in tune with each other.
He gave us perception, wisdom and understanding about these things.
One day God will reveal to the whole world that Jesus Christ is the head of all things for all people.
The world ignores Him today.
The world acts as if He is not important.
The world refuses to bow down to Him,
to worship Him,
to obey Him,
or to love Him.
This world seems to be out of control, but that's just the appearance of things.
Our God is in control, and when the time is right, He will demonstrate His power through His Son, the Lord Jesus.
Here's the wonder of it all: God chose us to be part of his plan.
He has a plan to exalt His Son Jesus and He has allowed us to be a part of that plan!
He placed us in Jesus by grace through faith.
He has blessed us in Jesus with every spiritual blessing.
He promised to keep us, use us, and allow us to reign with Christ one day,
2 Timothy 2:12“12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;”
Beloved, all these blessings make him worthy of our praise!
And there's more!
but let's look at verse 11
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,
1:11 Some manuscripts say made us heirs.
In Christ we were made heirs!
That is, God not only provided a way of salvation and revealed that plan to us; He also opened the treasures of Heaven and shared all He possessed with His redeemed people.
Why did God do all of this we have just seen and much more?
verse 7 says "according to the riches of the grace of God"
Our God is Rich in grace and mercy!
Now consider a very important truth in this text.
II. Where God's blessings are Found
II. Where God's blessings are Found
God's great gifts, His salvation, and His blessings cannot be found just anywhere.
Paul reveals the location of all the wonders of the Almighty.
He tells us where God's blessings are found.
See the first part of verse 11
Ephesians 1:11 (NIV84)
11 In him we were also chosen,
A. They are found in a person
God opens the treasure doors of heaven to share His blessings with a select group of people.
Verse 11 begins with the words “In Him” – Paul refers to the Lord Jesus Christ, v. 10.
God's blessings are found in a faith relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. (It's not with Buddha, Muhammad, Confucius, Krishna, etc.)
But listen to one thing. Everyone in the world, both the saved and the lost, enjoys some of God's blessings:
Air, water, food, life, the world, etc., are blessings from God that He gives to all men.
Jesus himself reminds us that "he makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and makes it rain on the just and the unjust", Matthew 5:45.
These common blessings end at the door of salvation.
Those who come to Jesus by faith become partakers, heirs, of God's best blessings.
When we trust in Jesus Christ we are saved, redeemed, we are adopted into his family.
Our sins are forgiven.
We are given a home in Heaven.
Our lives are transformed and we become new creatures.
Our heavenly Father promises to remain with us, meet all our needs, love us, and bless us.
When we come to the Son, we receive everything that belongs to the Father. See what Rom.8:17 says:
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Having Jesus puts us in a place of blessing!
Do you have the son?
Ill. The story "the son's painting".
Where are God's blessings found? They are found in the Son.
B. They are found on a Plan
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,
predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
The word “predestined” simply means “appointed or destined.”
It refers to the plans that God the Father made for His people at some point in the past.
When we talk about predestination, we are referring to God's determination for those who are in Christ.
Predestination has to do with sanctification.
Election has to do with God's choices; He chose to love us.
He chose to open a way for our salvation.
Predestination has to do with the changes that God makes in the lives of those who through faith in Jesus Christ were saved.
Election has to do with eternity; predestination has to do with time.(future)
God predestined each of his children so that “we might be to the praise of his glory.”
Every event in the life of each child of God is being observed, in fact the Bible says in Psalm 37:23 “23 If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm;”
The psalmist is telling us that God is leading us somewhere!
These places God leads us to are places that will make us more like Jesus. (Ephesians 4:13; Romans 8:28-29)
God saved us to make us like Christ!
When we leave this world, God has predestined us to live with Him for all eternity in His home in heaven. This is biblical predestination.
Ephesians 1:11 (NIV84)
11 …having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
Verse 11 Paul goes on to say that God carries out this predestination
"according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will."
The word "works”: GK energeō
”speaks of a ”continuous and energetic activity”.
It is the image of a God who is actively, energetically involved in ensuring that His purposes are fulfilled and that His will is accomplished.
Jeremiah 1:12 “12 The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.””
God has a plan! He is working on this plan every second of the time.
God's plan is that His people will be with Him wherever He is, John 14:3; 17:24.
John 14:3 “3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
John 17:24 “24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”
The text says: that God, He does all things according to the purpose of His will.”
The word “purpose” : GK ”boulē”
action, plan, purpose, intention
It refers to a “God-determined purpose that cannot be changed.”
The word "will" speaks of "God's desires."
God desires his people to obtain an eternal inheritance in Jesus Christ.
Therefore, God works in each event in your life so that everything contributes to the ending He desires.
He is looking, Jer.1:12, working, Rom.8:28-29 in every situation, every event, even the tragedies and the blessings. All events in life serve to fulfill his plan.
Being part of God's eternal plan is the gateway for you to enjoy the best of God in your life.
Where are God's blessings found?
They are found in the Son.
They are found in his Plan.
See verse 11 from another angle
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,
Paul is telling us that all the blessings we enjoy in Jesus Christ, whether heavenly or earthly in nature, come to us through the heart of a God who delights in blessing His people.
Are you already part of God's plan?
God is good! And why is He good to us? ..
Because He simply wants to be!
He blesses us because it gives Him pleasure.
II. THE PURPOSE OF GOD'S BLESSINGS
II. THE PURPOSE OF GOD'S BLESSINGS
All of God's blessings result from our relationship with Him through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
They come to us solely out of his good will.
If you are in Jesus, you are a candidate for God's blessings.
If you are not in Him, you need to be saved.
If you come to Jesus, you will also become a candidate for God's blessings.
After telling us where God's blessings come from, Paul now tells us something about the purpose of God's saving work.
These verses reveal two of God's purposes in His work of salvation.
To reveal His glory through us
To Reveal His Grace through us
A. To reveal His Glory through us
12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
In verse 12, Paul says, “that we may be to the praise of his glory.”
In other words, God saved us to reveal His glory through us to a lost world.
When the world sees the saint of God, it sees a living testimony to the saving power of Jesus.
Later in this book, in chapter 2:10 Paul will say
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV84)
10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10. The word "workmanship" = poiēma: word meaning "a work, or that which was made".
This is where our word "poem" comes from.
Refers to an artist's work of art; the supreme creation, the result of all his skill and talent.
We are a poiēma of God, that means that one day the whole world will point to those He has redeemed by His grace and say "Praise God!
Our lives must be living testimonies of the glory of God's saving power through Christ Jesus,
Paul says so in Phil. 1:27
(NIV84)
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ"
You see, the world is watching! The Bible says in 2 Cor. 3:1-4 that our lives are like a book read by those who have not yet been reached by the gospel of God's grace, 2 Cor. 3:1-3.
When the world reads our lives, what do they learn?
Do they learn that Jesus Christ changes every life He touches?
Or do they learn that He makes no real difference in men's lives?
2 Cor.1 In verse 4 Paul says “Such trust”; the word “trust” in this verse is in a tense that suggests continuous trust that changes the life of those who trust.
It's a definitive trust that changes everything.
When you put your trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, you are transformed, 2 Corinthians 5:17.
NEW CREATURE! This new creature now has a continuing desire to live for the Lord.
The redeemed one of God may not be perfect, but he will be different and this will be manifested until the day he leaves this world!
When they read us, they should see different people.
They should see people who are filled with the Spirit and who live every minute under the direction of Almighty God.
They must see a people who walk differently than they do, who speak differently than they speak, who think differently than they think, who are different from what they are.
What do they see when they read your book?
God saved us to the praise of His glory;
You exist in Christ for the glory of the Lord!
Now, having said that, we must lift our voices in loud and long praise when we stop to consider what Paul is saying here.
He is telling us right at the entrance to this wonderful book that you are saved in Jesus and richly blessed as you are, because that brings glory to God.
God is glorified in your salvation!
He is magnified because you will not perish in hell!
He redeemed us, forgave us in Christ, blessed us with all sorts of blessings, and this brings honor to Him!
Conclusion
(All standing) The Riches of God's Grace
God has richly blessed us in Jesus Christ. He opened the coffers of heaven and gave us riches greater than we can imagine in Jesus.
We must praise Him for the Riches that Make Up our Spiritual Blessings.
I know there are some here today who already understand a little of what we have in Jesus.
You must prostrate yourself before Him and give thanks!
You need to Serve the Lord. One day, you will be held accountable for not appreciating God's gifts in your life.
I also know there are others who are just beginning to understand what they have.
You must prostrate yourself before Him and give thanks!
You need to Serve the Lord.
Being blessed by the Lord brings great responsibility to our lives.
There are some here who have never trusted Jesus for salvation.
You need to come to Jesus.
You have heard the Gospel, now is the time to believe in it and be saved from your sins.
Be baptized. Give your public testimony of faith in Jesus
Let us praise our God for His grace and the wonderful blessings He gives us in Jesus Christ.
He is a wonderful Lord and is worthy of our gratitude.
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