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River Church Sermons


May 5, 2019

Authentic Spirituality #2

Living in All of God’s Blessings, Eph. 1:3-14

By Louie Marsh, 5-5-2019

 

[NOTE: I’ve compiled a lot of information about this passage of scripture that I just can’t get into the sermon – it’s posted on my blog as an exegetical note – URL on back of outline. I plan on doing that for every sermon in this series]

 

Intro – funny slide – then video then - The fast-food chain introduced a range of boxed deals it’s calling “Real Meals,” including the Pissed Meal, Blue Meal, Salty Meal, Yaaas Meal and DGAF (Don’t Give a F—) Meal as part of Mental Health Awareness Month in May. The deal includes a Whopper sandwich, french fries and a drink.

“Burger King restaurants understands that no one is happy all the time. That’s why they’re asking guests to order a Whopper meal based on however they might be feeling,”

 

 

1) Every Spiritual Blessing Is Already Mine!

 

3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)

 

  • I need to  UNDERSTAND THIS.

 

PLEASE NOTE: these are SPIRITUAL blessings – not physical, or material. As Chuck Smith said, this is church not an Amway meeting! [On Slide]

 

  • I need to BELIEVE THIS.

 

If this is true – THEN WHY DON’T I SEE THEM IN MY LIFE? -  I have to grow into them, but they are mine, like child waiting to come of age to access his inheritance.

 

  • I need to LIVE LIKE this is true.

 

  • I need to PRAISE GOD for this!

 

 

2) Some of these Blessings are…

 

  • I’ve been HANDPICKED by the Father to BE LIKE CHRIST!

 

4  even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love Ephesians 1:4 (ESV)

 

Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Ephesians 1:4 (MSG)

 

  • God the Father PLANNED BEFOREHAND to make me PART OF HIS FAMILY!

 

5  he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, Ephesians 1:5 (ESV)

 

having marked us out beforehand for adoption through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Ephesians 1:5 (Darby)

 

11  In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12  so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-12 (ESV)

 

How would your life be different if you foreknew everything? You wouldn’t have made all those bad choices would you? You’d only pick winners – and that’s what God has done – as long as I stick with Him I’ll WIN IN THE END!

 

  • I receive God’s Grace FREELY

 

6  to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8  which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight Ephesians 1:6-8 (ESV)

 

So I’m…

  • REDEEMED

 

  • FORGIVEN

 

  • LAVISHED WITH GRACE.

 

  • I see God’s Purpose – INTEGRATION.

 

9  making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10  as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Ephesians 1:9-10 (ESV)

 

  • I’m marked as GOD’S PROPERTY.

 

13 …were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, Ephesians 1:13b (ESV)

 

  • The Holy Spirit is GOD’S DOWN PAYMENT on eternity.

 

14  who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:14 (ESV)

 

The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us everything he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God. Ephesians 1:14 (NLT)

 

HOW DOES ALL THIS BECOME MINE?

 

1) HEAR & BELIEVE the Gospel – the Word of Truth about Christ.

 

13  In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, Ephesians 1:13 (ESV)