Ephesians- Living the High Calling

The Blessing of God’s Holy People.

Ephesians 1:1–3 NLT

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

What is the Blessing of the Lord?

Eulogia-

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 33.470 εὐλογέω; εὐλογία, ας; κατευλογέω

to ask God to bestow divine favor on, with the implication that the verbal act itself constitutes a significant benefit

It is what the priest prayed over the people

Numbers 6:24–26 NLT

‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’

The Blessing of the Lord is the favor of God upon your life

The Blessing of the Lord brings Joy and Happiness

Psalm 1:1–3 NLT

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

“Oh the Joys”- Is best translated Blessed- and the blessing implies that Joy flows and happiness follows

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Blessed

˒ashre (אֶשֶׁר, 835), “blessed; happy.” this word connotes the state of “prosperity” or “happiness” that comes when a superior bestows his favor (blessing) on one.

The Blessing of the Lord isn’t seasonal in your life

It bears fruit in every season of your life

Seasons of life change

Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 NLT

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.

We experience seasons in our lives but the blessing of the Lord is a constant

Look at the life of Joseph

There was a season where He was His father’s favorite

Then there was a season where He was a slave in Potipher’s House

Genesis 39:1–6 NLT

When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat! Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man,

They he is thrown in Prison - A new Season for Joseph

Genesis 39:19–23 NLT

Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.

Lastly Joseph is raised to the point of Being second in command over all of Egypt

Because the Lord’s favor caused him to succeed and produce in every season Joseph faced

Season Change in your life but the Favor of God upon your life cause you to succeeded

The Blessing of God upon your life isn’t a condition it is by-product

It is not a prized earn through religious vigor but a natural overflow of living in obedience, intimacy, and alignment with His will. When you walk with Him, His blessing follows—not as a transaction, but as a result of relationship."

Ephesians 1:3 NLT

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

This is what separates true followers from just religious people- unity with Jesus not just religious rituals

The Blessing of The Lord is God’s will for you life

Ephesians 1:4–5 NLT

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

Jesus is the Source of the blessing of God in your life

Ephesians 1:6–11 NLT

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.