Spiritual Blessings

What is an apostle of Christ? Messenger

What makes a Saint a Saint? Faith and Grace

The pagan culture of the cities near Ephesus looked to other gods in hopes to gain blessing in different aspects of earthly life and life after death.

What are some of the things that people around you put their hope into? Toilet paper; Food; Government; Money; etc...

Paul’s is telling the recipients of his letter “Praise be to God, and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” because God has “blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.”

Eph.2:6 - Christ resurrection illustrates power of God's Spirit, implies the spiritual blessing of believers resurrection.

What does it “Blessed in Christ” mean? Spiritual life - We are physically in the world, but live according to the Holy Spirit; with Christ and eternity in sight.

What does the believer receive when they come to faith in Christ? Holy Spirit

Why do we need the Holy Spirit?

Eph. 6:12 - to equip us to fight against the spiritual forces of evil.

So no matter what is happening in our lives we must place our hope in Christ and live according to the Holy Spirit.

God the Father -

God has blessed believers by electing or choosing them before the world even began.

God has blessed believers by predestining them for adoption to Himself and Christ. - We are belong to Him and are apart of a Spiritual family.

Paul mentions “according to His purpose and will” - this means that God did these things so that He will be praised and glorified.

God the Son -

God has blessed believers through Christ by redeeming us.

What does redemption mean? Ransom paid in full; deliverance

God has blessed believers through Christ by forgiving us of sin.

God has blessed believers through Christ by giving us wisdom and insight into His mysterious will.

God has blessed believers through Christ by giving us an inheritance.

What is the inheritance?

God has blessed believers through Christ by sealing us with the promised Holy Spirit.

God the Holy Spirit -

God’s gift/bestowal of indwelling Holy Spirit guarantees our inheritance until we possess it.

How do you feel that God lavishes the riches of His grace to believers for life on earth?