Blessings In Christ

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SERIES DESCRIPTION: In this series on the Book of Ephesians, Pastor Shawn and Krista highlight God’s eternal plan to unite all things in Christ. . This week, they explore Eph. 1:1-14 as we discover that every spiritual blessing is received IN CHRIST.

Altar Instructions: Please come up when I begin reading Eph. 1:5 during the last point.

Series | Ephesians

Pre-Message Welcome

Grace Place family! It’s awesome to have you here with us today, whether in person or online.

I’m Shawn, and along with my wife, we serve as the Co-Pastors of this incredible church.

At The Grace Place, our mission is clear: we are Caring People, Caring for People.

We pray that you experience God’s care in our time together and in your life.

Spanish Welcome - 2nd Service ONLY!

A nuestra familia de habla hispana .... Bienvenidos… es-pera-mos que usted… y su familia.. se-sien-tan bien a-tend-idos también.

To our Spanish speaking family... welcome, we hope you and your family feels cared for as well.

Before we get into the message today….

Pastor Plug:

I wanted to bring you guys our update from the Global Impact Series

1st Go Day - over 250 people showed up to be the hands and feet of Jesus… as we sent teams all over the community to serve

We had a Financial Goal for this series as it sets the tone for what we do with missions for the entire year.

Financial Investments For Global Impact

Our goal is 30 so far we have brought in… 18,460.00

This is going to allow us to sow a generous seed into our featured Parters for the GI Series

Convoy of Hope

Matthew Salar - reaching Farsi speaking Muslims in the us

Faith Promise

Transition: This week we are starting a brand new series on the book of…

Series | Ephesians

Sub title: All Together

We gave it this subtitle… becuase it describes well the theme of the key verse in this book found in Eph. 1:10…

Ephesians 1:10 ESV

as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him.

This book is telling us…

God has a on Plan.

The scope of this plan cosmic including ALL THINGS created in heaven and earth

The mission is to bring ALL THINGS under one Head - Jesus.

For those who love solo living, separatist mindsets, and pecking orders… Jesus say… we are all ONE in Christ

By the way…

Acts 18-19 and Rev. 2 are a great companion read to Ephesians as we can learn a lot about the history & future of this church.

Today we are going to be looking at Eph. 1:1-14 today

Eph. 1:1-14 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

Who wrote this book?

We see here that it’s Paul

We also know from the book of Acts…. that Paul wrote this most-likely while in Roman Custody around 60AD

Lets continue in v. 1…

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful IN CHRIST Jesus:

Who was this letter written to?

The Church in Ephesus, specifically identifying them as a unique group of believers… because of their distinction as Jesus people.

The city of Ephesus…

It was the capital city of the Roman providence in Asia Minor,

Ephesus was a major harbor city, diverse in culture… wealthy through trade … home of one of a Pagan temple that was one of the 7 ancient wonders of the world.

Ephesus was one of the most influential cities in the Roman Empire.

No wonder why Paul planted a church here.

Lets continue in v. 2

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Blessings in Christ 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has what? blessed US IN CHRIST with what? every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places(He is saying to them YOU ARE BLESSED-Why… becuase) 4 even as he chose us IN HIM before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us IN THE BELOVED. 7 IN HIM we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth IN CHRIST 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things IN CHRIST, things in heaven and things on earth IN HIM 11 IN HIM we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope IN CHRIST might be to the praise of his glory. 13 IN HIM you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed IN HIM, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

There is a lot of theological Richness and future surety right here.

Notice my emphasis on the BOLD… ALL CAPS Phrases..

This passage tells us what God has done for those who are IN CHRIST. He emphasis this point of in-christness 13 times…

Its a reminder to the beleiver and good news to the lost reader!

You will notice…

The first few chapters of this book are heavy doctrine and the last FEW focus on practice.

***Feel free to encourage people to listen to the Holy Spirit speak to them personally as the message is preached

LETS PRAY

Transition: the title of our message today is...

Sermon Title | Blessings IN CHRIST

Introduction

Paul starts with a BANG!

We are BLESSED IN CHRIST!

His work, what he accomplished on the cross in our place.

Do we realize how good we have it?

Or maybe we have lost sight of Paul kept in view as he thought of his life outside of Christ and declared “Oh What a wretched man I am” Who will deliver me… THANKS BE TO GOD - this is our GREAT HOPE!

WE ARE BLESSED!

Every other religion group… whether Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witness, Buddhism, Islam… is performance…based.. no guarantee…

For Christ followers… Eternity is NOT earned… it’s inherited ONLY THROUGH in Christ.

Whats at stake?

I put it on the screen for you so we can read it together and let it soak in…

If we get this wrong…

We’ll spend our life working for what Christ already accomplished. Turning Christianity into another religion of effort, measuring ourselves by what we DO rather than what He’s DONE. We’ll unintentionally water down the Good News, teaching others a gospel of FEAR rather than FAITH.

Church this is not Good News….

and… Paul wrote Ephesians to shatter that mindset.

I would like to point out 2 brief things I notice in these verses about our BLESSING in Christ.

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The first thing is this…

Blessings are from the FATHER v. 2, Acts 19:27

We see this in v. 2… as Paul opens the letter by reminding this church where BLESSINGS COME FROM:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We serve a good God who looked at the world lost in the storm of Sin and BLESS US by providing a way out… and a way back to the father through JESUS! This great plan originates with the father.

Why does Paul emphasize this to the Church?

Because this church was full of Jews, Gentiles… former pagans and philosophers. they all served different gods…

God uniquely identify himself as the Father of Jesus. to draw a distinction between all other gods.

Paul wanted them to lay down their old identities…. and UNITE under the name above all names JESUS

He wants the same for us!

Paul is saying this… IN YOUR NOTES

GRACE is Gods plan, PEACE is result of it v. Eph. 2a

Friends….nothing can’t do this for you…

Not the Government… spirituality, religion, tarot cards or crystals…

These two blessings only come from God.

This is part of the salvation theme of Ephesians.

We are saved from the storm of sin….. by Grace, and peace is the result of that Grace.

Here is the question I believe scripture is inviting us to ask ourselves today…

Question: Do I obey God out of gratitude or to guarantee my salvation?

Don’t be like other religious systems trying earn your salvation - it cant be done!

Is Paul saying good works are NOT importnat… in relation to salvation NO not at all

He is clarifying….

We do good works BECAUSE we are saved… not TO BE saved. (This is the distinct difference)

We’re talking about…

Sermon Title | Blessings in Christ

The 1st thing we notice is

Blessings are from the Father… this is His Idea…

The next thing I want you to notice IN YOUR NOTES is…

Blessings are received in the SON. v. 3-5, 13

We see this in v. 3

English Standard Version Chapter 1

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has

Scripture is clear

The blessings of salvation - this Grace and Peace is provided for everyone… but not recieved by everyone.

Why

Becuase they are only… received by those IN the SON… those IN CHRIST.

This is the major destination of Christianity.

If you want to be saved from a life and eternity of curses because of the storm of sin… and enter a life of un-measurable blessings…. its only received by those who are where? IN Christ…. IN the Son…

Friends… we do NOT LACK anything - why Because we have been given EVERY spiritual blessing.

PREACH THIS —

I don’t know how lost… or how stuck you feel in the storm of sin.. but..

I want you to know if you are wondering today, “Does God want to save me… am I too far gone… is it in cards for me…

Has God chosen me… as someone he wants to save?

Before we ask this question… We must ask this question…

How does God do his choosing?

Lets continue reading v. 4

4. even as he chose us …(becuase we were where?) IN HIM

He chose us becuase we we’re in Christ… not becuase we are worthy or good enough… - he would never be able to chose us based off of our own goodness… becuase of how deep sin has affected us!

But the truth is… he choose CHRIST FIRST… Christ is the ultimate CHOSEN one…. and us 2nd to be FOUND in Him alone.

When did he choose those who we’re IN CHRIST?

before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

This means… before the creation of the world God made a decision… that EVERYONE who was found IN Christ he would CHOSE THEM…

Christ has always been Gods plan for us… he has always been our SOURCE of LIFE.

Lets continue reading v. 5 … it’s becuase of our IN CHRISTNESS… that what…? 5 he PREDESTINED.… us for adoption to himself as sons THROUGH JESUS CHRIST(We have a predestined future becuase of our IN CHRISTNESS), according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us IN the BELOVED

There are so many podcast… on the topic of Pre-destination… vs free will the question everyone is trying to answer…

Does He chose us of his own will - a part from my decision?

Or

Do I get to chose him in response to his grace out of my own free will?

In my opinion… According to Paul…

The answer is YES!…

God chose you out of his own will

Yes You get to freely chose him back.

I acknowledge there are unique situations in the historical accounts of Gods people where Gods choose Isaac over Ishmael… for his mysterious purposes…

But I am confident to say that the vast majority of Scriptures expresses that ANYONE who CALLS upon the Name of the Lord can be saved… Eph 1, Rom 8, 9 that refer to predestination are all predicated upon this one major fact… idea… regarding those who are IN CHRIST.

Why do I bring this up… becuase there is another theological view that teaches we do NO Choosing… that God does all the choosing…

Friends this take away human responsibility - and if we are not responsible for our choosing or denying Hod… why would a God who is Just punish someone who NEVER had a Choice in the first place… that doesn’t sound like biblical justice to me?

Let me say it like this… IN YOUR NOTES

PREDESTINATION is about a LOCATION

Its not about Gods decision to save you or not save you…

My seminary professor would say would say it like this

Stop trying to figure out if you are predestined or not…

Jesus is the Ultimate Predestined one - CHOOSE HIM

***IM not the end all be all

Lets skip down to v. 13 in our text… to notice how Paul drives this point home… describing HOW the people of this church became a PRE-DESTINED one IN CHRIST… it says..

13 IN HIM you also, when you HEARD the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation,

You Heard the Gospel… the Good news… about what Jesus did in place of your sin -

and you now see… the STORM of SIN that you are lost in… it convicted you…it convinced you of your need for a Savior…

But knowing the Good news alone… does NOT save you. . You had to do something.. with what you heard….

What did you with what you heard? scripture says… HEAR and… WHAT

and BELIEVED in him,

You believed… you chose Christ… the CHOSEN - Predestined one… and becuase of that choice…

Scripture says…

were sealed(Saved) with the promised Holy Spirit

This is why Jn 3:16, Jn 1:12, Rm 10:13, Acts 2:21 and right here in Eph… and the list goes on and on… with a call to humanity to CHOSE JESUS… this is NOT a trick… its not a lie… God is not playing Games with us.

God is inviting you to…

Choose…. To acknowledge your sin.. and believe that what Christ on the cross for you is enough to save you… and surrender to his way’s as your Lord and savior.

I want to close with this illustration: I heard from a former Calvinist.

STORM WARRNING

If a messenger comes to say… “a storm is coming that is going to kill every”

But, you don’t have to die…

if you come get in this shelter… your going to live.

If you get in the shelter - you It pre-determines that you will LIVE

If you stay outside the shelter it pre-determines YOU WILL DIE

Friends this is the message of the Gospel.

The Storm is SIN

The Shelter is Christ.

Its been determined before the foundations of the world that God pre determined everyone who gets in the shelter of Christ will be saved and enjoy an eternal future with the father.

Church… this is the unconditional LOVE of God… for Christ and His creation… it’s Gods starting point…

I want to ask you the most important question anyone has ever asked you…

The question I believe scripture is inviting us to ask ourselves today…

Question: Are You IN CHRIST?

If there is a God… and he saves… wouldn’t you want him to save you from the storm of sin?

Aren’t you tired of the uncertanity…

Tired of your justifications against God… heaven and sin.

It takes more faith to believe there is NO God than to believe there is a loving God that wants to save you.

Salvation Altar Call & Prayer…

READ THIS AFTER The Salvation Prayer… and invite everyone who is IN HIM to STAND and thank him through singing in worship…

13 IN HIM you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed IN HIM, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

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Text

The first thing I want you to notice IN YOUR NOTES is…

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PAUSE -CLIP ENDING

READ THIS AFTER The Salvation Prayer… and invite everyone who is IN HIM to STAND and thank him through singing in worship…

13 IN HIM you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed IN HIM, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

So today… if you do NOT know Jesus as your Lord and Savior today is your day…

Salvation Altar Call

I believe Jesus is here today, and He wants to save you. Salvation simply means to deliver or to free. It’s not just about delivering you…

It’s about believing

Believing in Jesus means trusting what He say’s—about sin, and eternal punishment, thats the bad news.

The good news is this… that His death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins, making us right with God.

Ephesians 2:8 reminds us: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Salvation requires two things:

1. God’s Grace—His undeserved gift of forgiveness and life because of His love for you.

2. Faith—placing your trust in Him for salvation.

If you’ve never asked Jesus to save you, today is your day. If you’d like ask him… , raise your hand.

I want to invite you to Repeat a prayer after me

· There is nothing magical in this prayer.. it simply is a way of declaring to Jesus what has taken place in your heart.

Here is how I would like to end the service for everyone else….

Call to Action Altar Call

We’re going to end the service with A question as we do nearly every week.

ALL ACROSS THE ROOM – HAS THE HOLY SPIRIT spoken to you in anyway today?

Going Deeper

What stuck out to you the in this passage? v. 1-14

Do I obey God out of gratitude or to guarantee my salvation? v. 2

Am I predestined? v. 3, 13

What might the Holy Spirit be saying to you in light of this teaching?

How might the Holy Spirit want to transform you in light of this teaching?

What actions might the Holy Spirit want to take in light of this teaching?

Tongues & Interpretation

1. To STRENGTHEN the Church (1 Cor14:5)

For prophecy is greater than SPEAKING in TONGUES, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be STRENGTHENED.

Believers, God has operated through this gift today to strengthen you today. Let your faith be strengthened and know that God is in control and using supernatural measures to speak to us.

2. Is a SIGN for unbelievers. (1Cor. 14: 21a, 22)

1 Corinthians 14:21–22 (ESV)

In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

22 -  So you see that speaking in tongues is a SIGN, not for believers, but for UNBELIEVERS.

The Bible explains to us God has chosen to use this gift to be a sign for you. A sign for what? It is a sign of his realness for those of you who have been doubting or questioning the existence of God. He wants you to know he is REAL and he wants to bring you spiritual life and health. If you're in here today and you don't know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior... he wants you to know he has gone to great lengths to show you his love today. (Great opportunity for a salvation altar call if it fits).