The Blessing Of Salvation

Ephesians 1:3-14 (NIV)

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

        I.            Introduction:

      II.            We Are Blessed By The Father(vv. 3-6)

a.       By The Choice He Has Made

                                                               i.      He Chose Us In Christ

                                                             ii.      He Chose Us Before Creation

                                                            iii.      He Chose Us To Be Holy

b.      By The Adoption Of Us

                                                               i.      Adopted As God’s Children

                                                             ii.      Adopted With Pleasure

                                                            iii.      Adopted By God’s Will

c.       By The Grace He Has Extended

                                                               i.      Grace That Is Glorious

                                                             ii.      Grace That Is Freely Given

                                                            iii.      Grace That Brings Praise

    III.            We Are Blessed By The Son (vv. 7-12)

a.       Because He Is Our Redeemer

                                                               i.      Through His Shed Blood

                                                             ii.      For Forgiveness Of Sin

b.      Because He Is  An Agent Of Grace

                                                               i.      Grace That Is Rich

                                                             ii.      Grace Lavished On Us

1.       With wisdom

2.       With Understanding

c.       Because He Is Lord Over All

                                                               i.      Master Of Everything

                                                             ii.      One Head

d.      Because He Fulfills God’s Purpose

                                                               i.      The Plan

                                                             ii.      God’s Praise

    IV.            We Are Blessed By The Spirit (vv. 13-14)

a.        Because The Spirit Marks us

                                                               i.      Marked Upon Our Faith In Christ

1.       Hearing The Gospel

2.       Believing In Christ

3.       Included In Christ

                                                             ii.      Marked With A Seal

1.       Marked As a Promise

2.       Marked As A Possession

3.       Marked For Praise

b.      Because The Spirit Is A Deposit

                                                               i.      An Earnest Of Our Inheritance

                                                             ii.      An Earnest Until Our Full Redemption

      V.            Conclusion: