5 Blessings

Brief History of Ephesus

Ephesus was a major city and port for the Roman Empire with a population of about 200,000 people.

It was a city of huge importance not only for trade and commerce, but it was also the home of one of the Seven Wonders of the World at the time. Which was the temple of Artimis her Greek name or Diana which is the name given to her by the Romans. She was the goddess of the hunt and fertility. The temple had 127 columns reaching that were 197ft tall.

Ephesus also had a huge ampatheater which was able to seat around 25,0000 people.

Paul spent a little over 2 years there preaching and teach on his 3rd missionary journey.

Read Ephesians 1:1-14.

The story of Heissan in Iran

Heissan grew up in Islamic beliefs and culture

He wanted to make lots of money so he and his friend became drug dealers. Knowing if they were caught the penalty would be severe.

Heissan had everything he wanted, money, cars, women, and so forth

He however had a become addicted to the drugs and so his friend cut him out of the business

Chosen

Ephesians 1:4 (NASB95)

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love

What does it mean to be chosen?

The idea of chosen deals with the theology of election.

There are some who would teach that God chooses who will be saved and who will not.

There are some who would teach that God does not choose and man has complete free will.

The reality is both are true. In seminary we say there is a tension between the two… meaning we want things to be simple so we can stand firm on one singular idea, but in this case both ideas are found in Scripture.

The Bible clearly teaches God chose the people of Israel to be His people. Starting with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and so forth. He did not give them a choice. He stated they would be His people.

The Bible also clearly teaches free will. Whosoever believes… not who I force to believe.

So how does this work?

Ruler - we see time linearly. For us time goes from the 1,2,3, etc. But God is outside of time. He is was able to see that Ben Keele on June 21, 1979 would place his faith in Jesus. He didn’t force me, but he knew I would believe, because He is outside the constraints of time.

D.L. Moody uses the example of an archway going to heaven. But let me elaborate on it a bit. It is like going down life’s highway and we come to a fork in the road. There is a large road going to our left and many people are on it. But to our right we see this archway and a road sign that says, I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me, signed Jesus.

As we approach this archway we see it says Whosoever will (Free Will), we enter and as we look back we see on the other side of the archway, I have chosen you before the foundations of the earth.

In this verse we see we are chosen indeed, but for a purpose!

That we would be holy and blameless

1 Peter 1:15–16 (NASB95)

but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

How can we do this? IN CHRIST Look back at verse 3. Ephesians 1:3

Ephesians 1:3 (NASB95)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

Blessing #1 - We where chosen before the foundations of the earth, and we can be holy before a Holy God because as believers we are in Christ.

Adopted

Ephesians 1:5–6 (NASB95)

He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

As we go through these blessings, you will notice everyone of them is in or through Christ!

It has been said the the concept of chosen above is for everyone, although not everyone chooses to believe.

This however, is for believers only. Meaning God determined in advance to provide a solution for us to be called His sons.

He predestined us to adoption! - In Roman law adopted children enjoyed the same rights as natural children.

So not only are we adopted but we are fully legitimized sons and daughters through Jesus Christ!

Blessing #2 - As believers, we can enjoy the full rights of being a son/daughter of God, through the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf.

Redeemed

Ephesians 1:7–8a (NASB95)

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.

Earlier we sang the some Redeemed…

Redeemed how I love to proclaim it, Redeemed by the blood of the lamb!

To redeem something is to purchase something and to set it free.

The concept is associated with slavery. In Roman times a person could purchase a slave and choose to set them free.

You and I were slaves to sin, but Jesus redeemed us. He set us free not only from the slavery to sin but the power of Satan and this world.

Our redemptions was not cheap! Christ paid for it with His blood.

Not only did He redeem us, but He forgave us. He carried our sins away!

Why? So there could no longer be any accusation brought against us.

John 1:29 (NASB95)

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

I love the word used here “Lavish” - His riches and grace are Lavished on us… meaning He showers us with them. Wow!

Blessing #3 - We have been redeemed, set free… He paid our debt with His blood, and then showers us with His riches and grace.

The Mystery

Ephesians 1:8b–10 (NASB95)

In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him

with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him

What is this Mystery?

The first part was from the beginning of time God promised a savior. Gen. 3:15

Genesis 3:15 (NASB95)

And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.”

The again with Abraham all the nations would be blessed. Gen. 22:18

Genesis 22:18 (NASB95)

“In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

So the First part of the Mystery is the revelation of Jesus Christ on earth.

The second is that salvation was not only for the Jew but for the Gentile as well. Rom 1:16

Romans 1:16 (NASB95)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Blessing #4 - Salvation is available for everyone who would believe!

Inheritance

Ephesians 1:11–12 (NASB95)

also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

Remember back in verse 5 how were adopted a sons? When we are adopted we are not just adopted as babies, but as full fledge adults.

As full fledge adults in Christ, we are able to enjoy our “Inheritance” 1 Peter 1:3-4

1 Peter 1:3–4 (NASB95)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

Blessing #5 - we have an inheritance which is Heaven!

In Thailand we have a word “Kong Tam” which means to receive something extra for free. So when you buy something sometimes you get a freebie.

The last two verses are “Kong Tam!”

It can be a blessing or can be viewed as the bow on top of the 5 blessings!

We are Sealed!

Sealed!

Ephesians 1:13–14 (NASB95)

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

When you got saved, you were Redeemed by the blood of Christ, but he Holy Spirit is who seals you and keeps you.

Notice the word Pledge.

Paul uses the word “Pledge,” which is a down payment.

In Real Estate you make a down payment before you buy a house.

Likewise the Holy Spirit is our down payment or “Seal” for our Inheritance which we will receive when we die or the Lord comes back to take us home.

By the way… another unique thing about the word pledge in Greek is it is also used for an engagement ring. We are the Bride of Christ and He is the Bridegroom. He is coming back to claim His bride. The Holy Spirit is the engagement ring of guarantee.

The Takeaway

We are blessed beyond measure. If you have placed your faith in Christ Jesus as your Savior, you can walk away from here today with full confidence.

You are Adopted into God’s family.

You Have Been Redeemed - Set Free

You Have an Inheritance Called Heaven

You are Sealed and Your Salvation is Secure, Because the Holy Spirit Lives Inside of You.

If you have not placed your faith in Christ, I would encourage you not to wait. Make today the day. I am here and would be happy to talk to you about it or you can talk to one of your deacons and they can talk to you too.