Three Reasons Why You Should Bless God - Ephesians 1:3-14

Did you read all 7 devotions and Bible Passages from Devotions on F.I.R.E. last week?

What did you learn from your devotions?

What are you praying about?

Any answered prayers?

How did you serve inside of church last week?

How did you serve outside of Church last week?

Did you witness to anyone last week

How did you serve inside of church last week?

Did you read (listen) too all 6 chapters this week?

How did you serve outside of Church last week?

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Did you witness to anyone last week

Did anything from the reading catch your attention?

What is the meaning of the word “blessed” in v. 3?

What are the Spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ in v. 3?

Why should you regularly bless God according to v. 3?

Why did God choose me to be His child (based upon v. 4?)

What does it mean that I was predestined to be adopted by Jesus in v. 5?

Who is being referred to as “His Beloved” in v. 6?

Ken Burge Sr. (n.d.). Ephesians on F.I.R.E.

Vines defines blessed as

eulogeo (εὐλογέω, 2127), lit., “to speak well of” (eu, “well,” logos, “a word”), signifies, (a) “to praise, to celebrate with praises,” of that which is addressed to God, acknowledging His goodness, with desire for His glory, ; ; , ; ;

Pastor Burge writes,

Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, p. 69). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.

Pastor Ken writes,

It saddens me to know that today such a profound word like “blessed” is trite. That is, the expression frequently glides off the lips of Christians and non-Christians alike without much thought about its rich heritage. How often have you asked someone, “How are you doing?” and he or she says, “Blessed?” Or have you recently placed a call and gotten the person’s voice mail, and it ends with “God bless you?” How should we, my brother and sister in Christ, offer such pronouncements with the original and fresh biblical significance they deserve?

It saddens me to know that today such a profound word like “blessed” is trite. That is, the expression frequently glides off the lips of Christians and non-Christians alike without much thought about its rich heritage.

How often have you asked someone, “How are you doing?” and he or she says, “Blessed?” Or have you recently placed a call and gotten the person’s voice mail, and it ends with “God bless you?” How should we, my brother and sister in Christ, offer such pronouncements with the original and fresh biblical significance they deserve?

The adjective “blessed” begins v. 3. This descriptive term derives from the compound verb and literally means good word. Our English word “eulogy” originates from this Greek term.

God is inherently blessed and worthy of praise. Plainly stated, the Father’s essence embodies a permanently blessed condition. On account of this Paul quickly eulogizes the eternal One.

Ken Burge Sr. (2015). Ephesians on F.I.R.E. (print, p. 25) DeepRiver Books.

The blessed One (God) blessed us! Also notice that this blessing is in the past tense - God has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing!

Walvoord writes,

Since these benefits have already been bestowed on believers, they should not ask for them but rather appropriate them by faith. Similarly Joshua was not to ask for land since God had already promised it to him (). But he was to enter into the enjoyment of that provision.

The manner or sphere of this enrichment is in Christ. The place of these “blessings” is in the heavenly realms, as opposed to the earthly realm of the Ephesian goddess Artemis.

Thus these blessings are spiritual not material, heavenly not earthly, eternal not temporal (; ). Five times Paul used the phrase “in the heavenly realms”: in , ; ; ; .

tells much about God’s blessings on believers: (a) when: eternity past; (b) with what: every spiritual blessing; (c) where: in the heavenly realms; (d) how: in Christ.

Hoehner, H. W. (1985). Ephesians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 616). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 1

God has blessed us with all of the blessings in the heavenly realms. These blessings include our union with Christ; being seated with him in the heavenlies; and our adoption, redemption, and election. All spiritual gifts and service abilities also flow out of these spiritual blessings that God gives to every believer at the time of salvation.

explain what these Spiritual blessings include.

God has blessed us with all of the blessings in the heavenly realms. These blessings include our union with Christ; being seated with him in the heavenlies; and our adoption, redemption, and election. All spiritual gifts and service abilities also flow out of these spiritual blessings that God gives to every believer at the time of salvation.

Dockery, D. S. (2017). Ephesians. In E. A. Blum & T. Wax (Eds.), CSB Study Bible: Notes (p. 1870). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

The simple answer to this question is - We should bless God because He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing!

According to Pastor Ken,

Why should we praise the everlasting God? Paul’s well-thought-out reason: He has blessed you and me with endless spiritual blessings. (Hopefully your eyes spotted that the word “blessed” is found for a second time in v. 3!) This momentous boon graced us the instant that we put our faith in Jesus for salvation.

Ken Burge Sr. (2015). Ephesians on F.I.R.E. (print, p. 25) DeepRiver Books.

Question #4: Why did God choose me to be His child based upon v. 4?

As a Christian you should always be blessing God. Exell adds,

It is a very striking thing that our poor pebble-stones of wishes should be valued so much that the same word should be used in reference to them as in reference to the priceless diamonds of grace which the Lord hath bestowed upon us. We bless God because He blesses us. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”

Exell, J. S. (n.d.). The Biblical Illustrator: Ephesians (p. 4). New York; Chicago; Toronto; London; Edinburgh: Fleming H. Revell Company.

The doctrine of Election is a hot topic that has divided Church and made good friends into rivals. Wiersbe lays out the fundamental truths of this doctrine.

This is the marvelous doctrine of election, a doctrine that has confused some and confounded others. A seminary professor once said to me, “Try to explain election and you may lose your mind. But try to explain it away and you may lose your soul!” That salvation begins with God, and not with man, all Christians will agree. “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you” (). The lost sinner, left to his own ways, does not seek God (); God in His love seeks the sinner ().

Zuck lays out the fundamental truths of this doctrine.

This is the marvelous doctrine of election, a doctrine that has confused some and confounded others. A seminary professor once said to me, “Try to explain election and you may lose your mind. But try to explain it away and you may lose your soul!” That salvation begins with God, and not with man, all Christians will agree. “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you” (). The lost sinner, left to his own ways, does not seek God (); God in His love seeks the sinner ().

Note that God chose us even before He created the universe, so that our salvation is wholly of His grace and not on the basis of anything we ourselves have done. He chose us in Christ, not in ourselves. And He chose us for a purpose: to be holy and without blame. In the Bible, election is always unto something. It is a privilege that carries a great responsibility.

Does the sinner respond to God’s grace against his own will? No, he responds because God’s grace makes him willing to respond. The mystery of divine sovereignty and human responsibility will never be solved in this life. Both are taught in the Bible (). Both are true, and both are essential.

You will note that all three Persons in the Godhead are involved in our salvation (see also ). As far as God the Father is concerned, you were saved when He chose you in Christ in eternity past. But that alone did not save you. As far as God the Son is concerned, you were saved when He died for you on the cross. As far as God the Spirit is concerned, you were saved when you yielded to His conviction and received Christ as your Saviour. What began in eternity past was fulfilled in time present, and will continue for all eternity!

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 11). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Charles Spurgeon said,

“God certainly must have chose me before I came into this world or He never would have done so afterwards.”

Charles Spurgeon said, “God certainly must have chose me before I came into this world or He never would have done so afterwards.”

Now to answer the question - why did God choose me?

He selected us as members of His family and to model a life of holiness and integrity conducted in love (v.4).

To practice holiness, one must separate himself or herself to God, while deliberately remaining apart from sin... As Christians, we demonstrate holiness and integrity when we walk closely with Christ and confess any known sin. Our love for God should motivate us to practice these traits.

He selected us as members of His family and to model a life of holiness and integrity conducted in love (v.4). To practice holiness, one must separate himself or herself to God, while deliberately remaining apart from sin. The Old Testament provides a sterling illustration of integrity by the unblemished animal sacrifices; the law demanded spotless and non-disfigured animals. As Christians, we demonstrate holiness and integrity when we walk closely with Christ and confess any known sin. Our love for God should motivate us to practice these traits.

#5: What does it mean that I was predestined to be adopted by Jesus in v. 5?

Ken Burge Sr. (2015). Ephesians on F.I.R.E. (print, p. 26) DeepRiver Books.

The Faithlife Study Bible defines the word adoption for us.

adoption: Refers to the bestowing of familial rights and privileges on a person born outside the family. Paul uses this metaphor to illustrate believers’ privileges in Christ. As children of God, they now have a heavenly inheritance (vv. 11–14).

Paul, when addressing the Ephesians about God’s placement services for His children, most likely refers to the Roman adoption system. The custom of Roman adoption placed a male child into a family with all the privileges of a son born into that family. God’s adoption agency, mediated through His Son, predestined us into His family with innumerable spiritual blessings as a full-fledged member of His household.

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Pastor Burge adds,

God’s adoption agency, mediated through His Son, predestined us into His family with innumerable spiritual blessings as a full-fledged member of His household.

Ken Burge Sr. (2015). Ephesians on F.I.R.E. (print, p. 26) DeepRiver Books.

I want to add some wise insight from Wiersbe on this issue...

Here we meet that misunderstood word predestination. This word, as it is used in the Bible, refers primarily to what God does for saved people. Nowhere in the Bible are we taught that people are predestined to hell, because this word refers only to God’s people. The word simply means “to ordain beforehand, to predetermine.” Election seems to refer to people, while predestination refers to purposes. The events connected with the crucifixion of Christ were predestined (). God has predestined our adoption (), and our conformity to Christ (), as well as our future inheritance ().

Adoption has a dual meaning, both present and future. You do not get into God’s family by adoption. You get into His family by regeneration, the new birth (; ). Adoption is the act of God by which He gives His “born ones” an adult standing in the family. Why does He do this? So that we might immediately begin to claim our inheritance and enjoy our spiritual wealth! A baby cannot legally use this inheritance (), but an adult son can—and should! This means that you do not have to wait until you are an old saint before you can claim your riches in Christ.

The future aspect of adoption is found in , the glorified body we will have when Jesus returns. We already have our adult standing before God, but the world cannot see this. When Christ returns, this “private adoption” will be made public for everyone to see.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 11). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

The Beloved is Jesus Christ (remember what the Father called Him when He was baptized (; ?)

(; ).)

Pastor Ken sums up our interpretation of Ephesians 1:3-6.

Ephesians on F.I.R.E. Chapter Two: Three Reasons Why You Should Bless God

What was Paul’s response to God’s many perks to His children in v. 6? He praised Him who “has made us accepted in His Beloved.” Literally the expression shows that God has bestowed grace or favor upon us in Jesus Christ. The overwhelmed apostle heaped praise upon God for all His wonderful gifts to His children. How exciting! The Father’s generous activity is not limited to this portion of the Bible, so let’s expand our view.

Ephesians on F.I.R.E. Chapter Two: Three Reasons Why You Should Bless God

What was Paul’s response to God’s many perks to His children in v. 6? He praised Him who “has made us accepted in His Beloved.” Literally the expression shows that God has bestowed grace or favor upon us in Jesus Christ. The overwhelmed apostle heaped praise upon God for all His wonderful gifts to His children. How exciting! The Father’s generous activity is not limited to this portion of the Bible, so let’s expand our view.

Ken Burge Sr. (2015). Ephesians on F.I.R.E. (print, p. 26) DeepRiver Books.

We have seen how this passage relates to others. However, if you want to dig into this passage refer to Pastor Ken’s Ephesians on F.I.R.E. pages 27-29

Remember the title of this lesson?

Three Reasons Why You Should Bless God

Bless God who blesses you through Jesus Christ

Bless God who has chosen you to model Him

Bless God who adopted and favors you

Ephesians on F.I.R.E. Chapter Two: Three Reasons Why You Should Bless God – Eph. 1:3-6

There are three points of action to be employed in Eph. 1:3-6. Your first assignment (which was also to be applied by the Ephesians) is Bless God who blesses you through Superman. Yes, you’ve read it right; I wrote Superman. The Latin “Super” means above. Clearly all the rights and privileges granted to you, my brother or sister, exist because your placement “in Christ.” Positionally, we sit with Jesus in the heavenly places.

The writer of James assumes that Christians will bless God. Indeed, he shows the contradiction when we praise the Lord and curse men. Consider James 3:9-10, “With it [the tongue] we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things out not to be so.”

Have you ever planned a praise party? The next time you have your devotions, include several minutes where you intentionally bless God specifically because of how He’s favored you. Also, ask God right now to help you practice Heb. 13:15, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”

Your second employment is rooted in Eph. 1:3-4: Bless God who has chosen you to model Him. You are honored my friend to know God intimately; it is furthermore an astonishing entitlement to show Him to others. Write out v. 4 on a 3 X 5 card and determine to memorize it over the next few days. Stop and thank God for choosing you to mirror Him on the stage of life each time you take out the 3 X 5 card for review. Every believer needs the internalization of God’s Word as a necessary discipline; the assimilation of the enduring truths of the Bible will help God’s beloved children to form godly patterns.

Employment number three is Bless God who adopted and favors you (vv.3-6). Our heavenly Father is the One who has chosen you for His holy aspirations. He has elevated you to the full stature of an adult son; therefore, enjoy your advantages.

Do you think that He is delighted when you come to Him in prayer? Yep! Plan to bless Him during your next prayer time specifically for adopting you and the innumerable kindnesses He’s done for you. Honor God also by entrusting Him with your needs and explicitly share your struggles. Follow the admonition of Heb. 4:16 that says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” He’s waiting for you. Happy employments!

Ephesians on F.I.R.E. Chapter Two: Three Reasons Why You Should Bless God – Eph. 1:3-6

There are three points of action to be employed in Eph. 1:3-6. Your first assignment (which was also to be applied by the Ephesians) is Bless God who blesses you through Superman. Yes, you’ve read it right; I wrote Superman. The Latin “Super” means above. Clearly all the rights and privileges granted to you, my brother or sister, exist because your placement “in Christ.” Positionally, we sit with Jesus in the heavenly places.

The writer of James assumes that Christians will bless God. Indeed, he shows the contradiction when we praise the Lord and curse men. Consider James 3:9-10, “With it [the tongue] we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things out not to be so.”

Have you ever planned a praise party? The next time you have your devotions, include several minutes where you intentionally bless God specifically because of how He’s favored you. Also, ask God right now to help you practice Heb. 13:15, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”

Your second employment is rooted in Eph. 1:3-4: Bless God who has chosen you to model Him. You are honored my friend to know God intimately; it is furthermore an astonishing entitlement to show Him to others. Write out v. 4 on a 3 X 5 card and determine to memorize it over the next few days. Stop and thank God for choosing you to mirror Him on the stage of life each time you take out the 3 X 5 card for review. Every believer needs the internalization of God’s Word as a necessary discipline; the assimilation of the enduring truths of the Bible will help God’s beloved children to form godly patterns.

Employment number three is Bless God who adopted and favors you (vv.3-6). Our heavenly Father is the One who has chosen you for His holy aspirations. He has elevated you to the full stature of an adult son; therefore, enjoy your advantages.

Do you think that He is delighted when you come to Him in prayer? Yep! Plan to bless Him during your next prayer time specifically for adopting you and the innumerable kindnesses He’s done for you. Honor God also by entrusting Him with your needs and explicitly share your struggles. Follow the admonition of Heb. 4:16 that says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” He’s waiting for you. Happy employments!

Bless God who adopted and favors you

Three Reasons Why You Should Bless God - Ephesians 1:3-14

Pre-Study Check-Up

Personal: Devotions & Prayer

Public: Service & Witnessing

Ephesians

Familiarity

Interpretation

Question #1: What is the meaning of the word “blessed” in v. 3?

Answer: To praise, to celebrate with praises,” of that which is addressed to God, acknowledging His goodness, with desire for His glory,

Question #2: What are the Spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ in v. 3?

Question #3: Why should you regularly bless God according to v. 3?

Answer: explain what these Spiritual blessings include.

Question #3: Why should you regularly bless God according to v. 3?

Question #3: Why should you regularly bless God according to v. 3?

Question #4: Why did God choose me to be His child based upon v. 4?

Question #4: Why did God choose me to be His child based upon v. 4?

Answer: We should bless God because He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing!

Question #4: Why did God choose me to be His child (based upon v. 4?)

Question #5: What does it mean that I was predestined to be adopted by Jesus in v. 5?

#5: What does it mean that I was predestined to be adopted by Jesus in v. 5?

Question #6: Who is being referred to as “His Beloved” in v. 6?

Relationship

Employment

Three Reasons Why You Should Bless God - Ephesians 1:3-14

Pre-Study Check-Up

Personal: Devotions & Prayer

Public: Service & Witnessing

Ephesians

Familiarity

Interpretation

Question #1: What is the meaning of the word “blessed” in v. 3?

Answer: To praise, to celebrate with praises,” of that which is addressed to God, acknowledging His goodness, with desire for His glory,

Question #2: What are the Spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ in v. 3?

Question #3: Why should you regularly bless God according to v. 3?

Answer: explain what these Spiritual blessings include.

Question #3: Why should you regularly bless God according to v. 3?

​

Question #3: Why should you regularly bless God according to v. 3?

Question #4: Why did God choose me to be His child based upon v. 4?

Question #4: Why did God choose me to be His child based upon v. 4?

Answer: We should bless God because He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing!

Question #4: Why did God choose me to be His child (based upon v. 4?)

Question #5: What does it mean that I was predestined to be adopted by Jesus in v. 5?

#5: What does it mean that I was predestined to be adopted by Jesus in v. 5?

​

Question #6: Who is being referred to as “His Beloved” in v. 6?

Relationship

Employment