Consider the Heights Part 1

Considering The Heights

Do you realize what you have?

Illustration: Someone finding out they are wealthy and they never knew it!

Millions of family members are totally unaware they’re entitled to collect missing moneys owed deceased relatives, who passed on without leaving an updated will or complete financial records. It's estimated 25% of life insurance policies are never paid, because it's up to heirs to notify the underwriter when a policyholder dies. The same is true for pensions and retirement accounts - little effort is made to find lost beneficiaries and missing heirs.

Introduction

We must remember what the surroundings were of these Christians in Ephesus.

​Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Ephesus Most important city of the Roman province of Asia, located on the western shore of Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Ephesus was built on a natural harbor whose waves, according to the Roman writer Pliny the Elder, “used to wash up to the temple of Diana.” Ephesus was described by Strabo, an early Greek geographer, as the largest commercial center west of the Taurus mountains. It was also well known as the “guardian” of the temple of Artemis or, as the Romans called her, Diana (Acts 19:35).

Ephesus was a wealthy pagan city

* The Temple of Diana (one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world) - Represented the height of false religion

* Modern trade and commerce - Represented the wealth of the world

OVERVIEW

Verses 3-6 The whole of Scripture is an attempt to get our eyes on the Eternal and off of the Earthly! It is so difficult for us, we are so flesh centered and earthly by nature. The early part of Ephesians is really no different, Paul is trying to get the Ephesian Church to comprehend their spiritual blessings!Spiritual blessings(spiritual gifts) in heavenly places in Christ!We have spiritual blessings, they are located in heaven and they are summarized and wrapped up in Jesus Christ!

The Christian & His Blessings

1. The Source of Our Blessings

"the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us"

Goal: To remember where our blessings come from

A. God the Father is the Source

The supreme revelation of God in the Bible is that He is the Father and that He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Phillips

Compare that with how he is revealed in the OT Creator, Elohim; as the God of covenant, Jehovah; and as the Lord, Adonai. He is El, the almighty; El Shaddai, the gracious giver; Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides; Jehovah Nissi, the Lord our banner; Jehovah Shalom, the Lord of all peace; Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of hosts; Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our righteousness; and Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who is there.

It is this "God the Father" who is the source of our blessing!

Illustration: (Where is the Noise Coming From) hearing a noise in our house somewhere and not knowing where it was coming from. We eventually located one of the boys toys hidden somewhere making noise and we were able to get to the source. If we listen for the faint sound, we can heart it. If we take it a step further and we trace it we will find at its source God the Father. Doing what fathers do "providing" not just what we want, rather what we need! "Spiritual blessings"

B. Jesus is the Supply of our blessing!

Ephesians 1:7 KJV 1900

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

C. The Holy Spirit is the Seal of our blessing!

Ephesians 1:13–14 KJV 1900

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

All three persons of the Godhead are involved in our blessing!

2. The Sphere of our Blessings

"in heavenly places"

Goal: To remember where our blessings reside

This is the place that our blessing reside and the place that Satan controls. These evil hosts are constantly trying to keep us from residing in this space.

Ephesians 2:2 KJV 1900

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

"the prince and power of the air"

Illustration: Someone has said that the book of Ephesians is the NT equivalent of the OT book of Joshua. Israel had to battle to enter Caanan, the fight was already won, the victory was already theirs. Jesus is our Joshua! Joshua let the children of Israel into the land and Jesus leads us into the heavenlies!

Application: This is why so many Christians never get to experience what it means to enjoy these blessings now. They are so fixated on the fact that they are coming in the future. Or, they are so fixated of yielding to their flesh they are living consistently defeated lives and have no real taste of what "in heavenly place is all about"

Song: Higher Ground "I'm pressing on the upward way, new heights I'm gaining every day

3. The Sequence of our Blessings

"according as he hath chosen us"

It has been God's plan all along!

The Gospel was not God's reaction to the sin of man! He knew we would sin before he created us and provide a way of redemption before he even created!

A. We have been chosen

"he hath chosen us"

Romans 8:28–30 KJV 1900

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

1 Peter 1:2 KJV 1900

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Ephesians 1:5 KJV 1900

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Predesignated: Having a destination determined before - it has been God's plan all along!

All of the predestination is connected with what we "should be doing"

B. We have been changed

vs 4 "that we should be holy and without blame before him"

1 Peter 1:16 KJV 1900

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Holy: Consecrated and set apart for sacred use

Before Him: This is where we live - always before him

vs 12 "we should be to the praise of his glory"

Chapter 2 vs 10 "we should walk in them"

4. The Significance of our Blessings

Application: Big deal- what is the big deal about my blessings, my heavenly blessings!

"the eyes of your understanding being enlightened"

Ephesians 1:15–23 KJV 1900

Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.