Ephesians 1:1-3

Intro and v.1-3 Blessed

Key Verse Ephesians 2:10

Ephesians 2:10 CSB

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

The Theme of Ephesians

Our Identity and Purpose as subjects in God’s Kingdom

Ephesians 1:1–2 CSB

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will: To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

About Ephesians

Author: Paul

An apostle “sent one” - only 14 men in all of history can be called and apostle of Jesus Christ (Judas 12, Matthias 13th, Paul 14th)

Audience: To the Faithful Saints at Ephesus.

Saints- “holy ones” referring to the believers,

Describes them as faithful…those who withstood trials

Ephesus- Paul has a special place in his heart for this costal city located in what is now southwest Turkey. At the time it was the third most populated city in the Roman Empire (akin to Chicago NY1 LA2) We can look back to Acts 19, to the time that Paul spent two years there. A Church started under Priscilla and Aquila tent-making couple, who often partnered with Paul (Corinth, Ephesus, Rome). Paul faces riots, resistance from Jewish leaders, but finds a great ministry there. Later we will see as one of the 7 churches that receive a letter in Revelation 2:1-7. “you have abandoned your first love”

Purpose: To help mature Christians with faithful insight and deepened understanding about Christian. life.

When: Approx. AD 64

Where: While Paul was in prison

How are you?

I am blessed… What do people mean when they say this?We are blessed by the Blessed One

Ephesians 1:3 CSB

Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ.

Blessing

What is a blessing?

Divine Favor, Life is good, I cannot complain, Upright and breathing, - just barely making it.

Common Grace -

Matthew 5:45 (CSB)

For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

1. Restrains sin from catastrophic levels.

( Genesis 6:5, human wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every inclination of the human mind was nothing but evil all the time)

2. Enable unbelievers to enjoy beauty and goodness in life.

3. Time to hear the gospel and repent.

What Common Grace is not! Health, Wealth, and Prosperity.

We must praise God First, we start with God and we end with Christ

In Christ

The intimacy with this union (not other faith Islam, Buddha, Think of the loss of those who secularism (agnostic, atheistic view )

What is a blessing:

Special/Particular Blessing (MLJ) -

A Spiritual Blessing

Whole and Complete

Applies now and in heaven- (Citizenship)

We are not:

Promise health, wealth, and prosperity

Blessings:

What Scripture passage supports this blessing?

Regeneration - Given spiritual life

Conversion

Repentance

Faith

Union

Justification - Forgiven all our sins and eternal punishment and credited the righteousness of Christ.

Adoption