The Joy Found in Spiritual Blessings

Introduction

Book of Ephesians

The book of Ephesians can be

Last week in Youth I started a series in Ephesians about the spiritual blessing in Christ

It’s been a blessing for me to really study it out

Brief overview of Ephesians

Doctrine - Sons of God, forgivness of sins, salvation by grace dead in sin by mercy being made alive Christ, having access to the Father, salvation being available to all people, nothing can separate us from his Love.

Sons of God

Doing - Walking in humiliity, patience, unity, and love with our brothers, renewal of mind, putting off the old sinful man, doing away with sinful passions and desires, respecting those in authority over you, putting on the armour of God.

The second half of Ephesians is impossible without the first half

There is a phrase in the first verse of this book that sets the pace for the rest of the book. And these words saturate the first half of the book of Ephesians.

vs.1 “in Christ Jesus”

vs. 3 “in Christ”

vs. 4 “in him”

vs. 6 “in the Beloved”

vs. 7 “in him”

vs. 9 “in Christ”

vs. 11 “in him”

vs. 13 “in him”

We are about halfway through the first chapter, and there are already 8 occurences of Paul stating we are “in Christ.”

Paul is trying to get something across to the Ephesian church

It is so important that we realize what it means to be in Christ, because, as Christians, this is the lens from which we are to view our entire life.

This is so important because this is the lens from which we are to view our entire life, both spiritual and material.

Secondly, it is so important that we realize what it means to be in Christ, because, as Christians, this is the lens from which we are to view our entire life, not just spiritually but materially as well!

What does It Mean To Be In Christ? (vs. 3)

The believer who does not know his wealth in Christ will never be able to walk for Christ. Our conduct depends on our calling. Too many Christians live in chapters 1–3 and study the doctrines but fail to move into chapters 4–6 and practice the duties. Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 535). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

The believer who does not know his wealth in Christ will never be able to walk for Christ. Our conduct depends on our calling. Too many Christians live in chapters 1–3 and study the doctrines but fail to move into chapters 4–6 and practice the duties.

When we identify ourselves, we identify ourselves in Christ. Our outlook on life needs to be viewed from the lens of our position in Christ! How is your vision?

Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 535). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.When we identify ourselves, we identify ourselves in Christ. Our outlook on life needs to be viewed from the lens of our position in Christ! How is your vision?

Read (seated with Christ)

English Standard Version Chapter 2

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

What do you think it means to be seated in Heavenly places in Christ?

It is a spiritual picture..heres how!

Read (United in death and resurrection)

Baptism - A picture of the old

We have died with Christ, which means that the power of sin has been broken for those who believe. Our “old man” was crucified with Christ.

That doesn’t mean that we don’t sin, but rather that the rule of sin has been defeated for us.

Bust just like we associate with him in death, we also associate with him in resurrection, which is a picture of a new life.

You see this echoed in Scripture (new creatures)

That doesn’t mean that we don’t sin, but rather that the rule of sin has been defeated for us.

Our normal pattern of life should now be progressive growth (sanctification) and conformity to the person of Jesus Christ.

Baptism - Picture of the old man that was gone under and died, and the new man resurrects.

(Jesus said)

English Standard Version Chapter 12

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Adoption concept

As Christians we associate with Christ in every area of our life

That is what it means to be in Christ

Some people only understand in terms of forgiveness

So that’s two words in the first verse out of 155 total verses in Ephesians.

Spiritual Blessings (v. 3)

These spiritual blessings are what Paul goes on to explain in the rest of the chapter

These blessings are what we are going to expound upon

Blessings in the Father

Chosen us (vs 4)

Adoption as children (vs 5)

Accepted in Christ (vs 6)

Blessings in Christ

Redemption through His blood (vs 7)

Forgiveness of sin (vs 7)

The mystery of His will has been revealed (vs 9)

A spiritual inheritance (vs 11)

Sealing of the Holy Spirit (vs 13)

These blessings are ours in Christ!

Our position in Christ needs to be the lens through which we see everything

When you get this, and there is an unshakable confidence and faith in who we are in Christ, and the promises and blessing to us, it changes everything

How we view people, interact, see failure, etc...

…this is to be conceived, not chiefly in terms of the material gifts of which we think most readily, but in terms of the spiritual that transcend but include the material, for the true appreciation of the things we see is dependent on our enjoyment of the things of the Spirit.

Read again to segway into next section of the sermon

this is to be conceived, not chiefly in terms of the material gifts of which we think most readily, but in terms of the spiritual that transcend but include the material, for the true appreciation of the things we see is dependent on our enjoyment of the things of the Spirit.

In other words, your entire outlook in this life greatly depends on the rest, peace, and joy that is found in Christ and the spiritual blessings he has blessed us with.

Outlook

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “Beauty is subjective, or beauty is in the eye of the beholder”

Example of Rachelle

She was so caught up in:

the beauty of his love for her

the beauty of his character

his heart and devotion to God

the spiritual and emotional connection they shared

She was so caught up in the unseen higher good that it was shaping the way that she even looked at him in the material world.

Maybe a better example to give would be Paul, the actual writer of Ephesians.

Do you know where Paul was when he wrote this book?

Mansion, beach, etc… (nothing wrong with having things, but our joy is not dependent on those things)

Not to mention all the other things that Paul had suffered preaching the Gospel of Christ.

24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

2 Corinthians 11:24-28

English Standard Version Chapter 11

24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (2 Co 11:24–28). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

3. How does a man that’s been through all of this make the statements that we find in Ephesians? tells of the account where Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison because of their ministry.

Yet in the prison having been beaten and shackled, they prayed and sung hymns to God

4. I’m going to read off some things that Paul says to the Ephesians and listen to what he is saying from the standpoint of a man who has been rejected and persecuted by his own people, slandered, stoned, been through all sorts of physical and emotional calamity, etc...

1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ

Chosen Us

2:4 - But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved

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

2:14 - For he himself is our peace...

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

3:12, 13 - In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

For he himself is our peace,

3:18-20 - may you have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory

in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory

4:1,2 - I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.

I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

4:32 - Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

6:24 - Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

5. This guy had something! He loved Jesus!

Looking from a strictly worldly perspective, he had all the reason to curse God to his face, and live out the rest of his life in bitterness, anger, resentment, unforgivness, and hate!

may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

He had given his life to preach the Gospel, and all throughout was met with trials and tribulations.

Yet we see a man of joy, compassion, love, hope, and faith, and has the all surpassing peace of God in his heart!

This isn’t natural, and we have to pay attention to that

It is because he lived in the joy of his spiritual blessings in Christ

6. How do Paul’s experiences relate to us?

Read

Notice the plurality....US....every spiritual blessing found in Christ is applied to every Christian

If you have surrendered your life to Christ and been born again, these spiritual blessings

But these blessings are for those who are in Christ…in other words, it is for those who are born again Christians.

Firstly, these blessings are for those who are in Christ…in other words, it is for those who are born again Christians.

Read (Pauls Prayer)

The Lens

Paul wanted the Ephesian church to have their eyes opened to what they had available in Christ

Just because the spiritual blessings have been applied to your life as a Christian, does not mean that you are living in the joy of those spiritual blessings.

This joy comes from a faith and trust in the promises of God to you and the blessings of Christ for you. Here are a couple examples:

Vs. 4 says he chose us that we should be holy and blameless before him

Blamelessness here expresses freedom from the guilt of past sins. We can enjoy a clean conscience.

I

Yet do you know how many Christians walk in condemnation and guilt. Not conviction....

Do you believe and have faith in what God says about you, that you are blameless?

Vs 5 says In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ.

Do you know how many Christians struggle to believe that God loves them?

Do you believe God when he says he loves you, and you are his child?

Example of earthly Father and Sons...

Pride

Guilt

Conclusion

I’m going to close with this:

Encourage to read Ephesians, study out the blessings that are found in Christ.

It changes everything

If the enemy can’t rob you of your salvation, he’ll at least try to rob you of the joy that is found in your blessings in Christ.

If the enemy can’t rob you of your salvation, he’ll at least try to rob you of the joy that is found in your blessings in Christ.

He’ll ask questions, “Has God really said”

He loves you

You can walk free from guilt and shame

That He’ll keep you (your not strong enough)

the power of sin is broken in your life

Altar Call (Stand with me)

Salvation

If there are areas in your life where you struggle with trusting or having faith in what God has said when it comes to life “in Christ”

Resolve that in your hearts this morning

The more you read the Bible, the more you will be convinced of it’s truths

Chosen Us (vs 4)

We were chosen in Him to walk in holiness without blame before God, even before the universe was created

2 Tim. 1:9

9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

English Standard Version Chapter 1

9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

The fact that we are walking in Christ means that we are fulfilling the very purpose of God!

English Standard Version Chapter 1

who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages

What is my purpose? (ever asked that question)

We can’t boast in anything in and of ourselves....it has absolutely nothing to do with you righteousness or lack thereof!

We can also be fully confident in the fact that the foundation of Christ in our life was started by God himself, it was God initiated!

Holiness here expresses moral purity. We have been called and purposed to live a holy life. Not only called, but through Christ we are equipped.

The word used for holiness here is a reference to those who are set apart or who belong to God, not necessarily to moral perfection.

This is the exact same word that is used in verse when when Paul mentions the “saints” at Ephesus.

Do we as Christians still sin?

So how can we be called holy?

State - Our current state is that we still struggle with sin, but there should be a progressive growth in morality.

Standing - But when God looks at us, he sees us through the filter/lens of Christ, so our standing before him is that we are holy.

Blameless expresses freedom from the guilt of trespasses and sins in which you have formerly walked.

We have been chosen for the purpose of fulfilling the eternal purpose of God!

Last week we talked about condemnation, and how the Christian doesn’t stand condemned.

What does it mean to walk in your own strength? Are we to throw up our hands and let God deliver us?

Was Corrie Ten Boom operating in her own strength when she lied to the Germans about hiding Jews? Was Abraham operating in his own strength when he lied about Sarah being his wife? Which was worse? Corrie told a blatant lie, and Abraham told a half truth, yet one was done in faith, and the other in fear and unbelief!

Walking in your own strength has more to do with a mentality than it does an action. talks about all the riches/revelations/grace that we have when we are in Christ Jesus, and then chapters 4-6 talk about "doing." We are told to put off the old man and to put on the new man. We are told to put on the full armor of God so that we can withstand the wiles of the enemy.

So walking in dependence upon God does not mean inaction on our part. It means that all the action that we take is rooted in faith and a belief that God's grace will sustain us and keep us.

The moment that you set yourself up for failure in your mind, or that you believe or convince yourself that you are going to fail, is the moment that you start walking in your own strength. Because you have believed the lie that God's grace isn't big enough, or that you are not found in Christ....whatever the case may be. As soon as faith is replaced with fear and unbelief, that is the moment that you start walking in your own strength.

But just because you walk in your own strength though doesn't mean that you will fail. People have victories doing things in their own strength, without faith, but it is not pleasing to God.

Walking in strength has everything to do with faith and trust in what God has said. It is not as cut and dry in action as we would like to think sometimes. That is why Paul spends the first half of Ephesians talking about the incredible things that we have in Christ. It is only in that light and with that understanding that we are able to walk and "do" (as we were commanded in the last half of Ephesians) in the strength of the Holy Spirit.