God's Blessings for Our Lives
Introduction:
The Apostle Paul wrote this phrase to the church in Corinth, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God…” (2 Cor 10:4).
Paul had a ministry that spanned hundreds of miles, a ministry that glorified God.
Each and every one of us has a ministry, whether it’s at work or school, your family or your friends, God has called you to glorify him.
In Paul’s ministry, God abundantly provided his blessings in Paul’s life; the weapons of God’s warfare.
Proposition: Christians are Abundantly Blessed for Ministry
Interrogative: What are these blessings and how can I use them?
Text: Ephesians 1:3-14
(Transition into the message)
God has blessed us with all we will ever need; v. 3
I. We are chosen; v. 4
A. This is an unchangeable fact, God has specifically chosen you.
B. When: before the foundation of the world.
C. Why: So you may be holy, this brings glory to God
II. We are adopted; v. 5
As a believer God wants you to be aware that you were determined beforehand, not an after thought.
Illus. Suppose for an instance that you adopted a child. As a parent you will actively guide this child to the best of your ability. As this child’s parent, you are training your next generation; but more importantly you will delight in raising your child. The same is true of God; as His adopted child, God has taken on the responsibility of playing an active role in your life. You are God’s next generation of saints, as your Father, he has predestined your life.
Why? v. 6 – The glory of the Father
III. We are redeemed by the blood of Jesus; v. 7
A. Redeemed – Redemption is the freeing of an individual
The bondage of sin has been lifted off of your life. Christ paid the price to remove this bondage.
B. Forgiven
The present day idea that our loving and kind God is a God who forgives all wrong doing is a completely wrong view of God. The forgiveness of our sins comes only by the looking back to the cross and the price that our God paid for our redemption.
IV. We are made wise; v. 8
A. God has given us insight into the true nature of things; we see the world as it truly is, corrupt and utterly evil.
B. God has given us discretion; the knowledge of how to live a righteous life.
V. We understand the mystery of God’s redemptive will; vv. 9-10
App. As a believer you personally understand God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Each of us has our own personal testimony of God’s saving grace in our lives. Proclaim your personal understanding of God’s redemption; this blessing must be exercised.
VI. We have gained inheritance; v. 11
God possesses us because he has taken an active role in our lives. This is more than just the idea of adoption; our blessings are a direct result of the fact that we are His.
Why? v. 12 – The glory of the Son
App. Proclaim the glory of God through His blessings
VII. We are sealed; vv. 13-14
A. The gift of the Holy Spirit proves that we are God’s.
B. We have been purchased.
Illus. Do you remember the first thing that you ever bought with your own money? For me it was a transformer, a toy robot. This toy meant so much to me that I would not let anyone else touch it because I bought it. It held higher importance to me then my other toys because I spent my resources to purchase it. This is the idea that is meant here, God has purchased us we are his and he proves this by the fact that we are sealed by his Spirit.
Why? v. 14 – The glory of the Spirit
These blessings are the work of our Triune God
So God may be glorified
Conclusion:
1. We are all…
Once again I would like to point out v. 3; these blessings have already been given to us they are all we will ever need. Paul glorified God by proclaiming the blessings that God gave him, the same blessings that he has also given each of us. Paul lived up to his responsibility; he trusted God and continually prayed. The result: God was glorified.
