Ephesians 1:3-14

3. Ephesians 1:3-14

4. 1 Corinthians 11:23-27 Matthew 26:26-30

6. Count Your Blessings… Have You? Ephesians 1:3-14

7. Count Your Blessings When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,Count your many blessings, name them one by one,And it will surprise you what the Lord has done. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,And you will keep singing as the days go by. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,Do not be discouraged, God is over all;Count your many blessings, angels will attend,Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end. Refrain:Count your blessings, name them one by one,Count your blessings, see what God has done!Count your blessings, name them one by one,*Count your many blessings, see what God has done.[*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]

8. Count Your Blessings Have you done that lately? Are you grateful for all that you have? Do you deserve it? Why do you have it? 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10

9. What do you do when problems keep you awake at night? Toss and turn? Take a pill? • The best advice I’ve found is to count your many blessings, naming them one by one. • Paul did exactly that, when he wrote to the church at Ephesus. • Consider with him all the ways God has blessed believers. • We are blessed by God proportionally, and many are simply short-sighted, not capable of seeing this. • Have you counted lately, all of the blessings that we have when we are in Christ?

10. Ephesians 1:3-14 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5  having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6  to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. 7  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8  which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9  having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10  that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12  that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13  In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,14  who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

11. Consider the source of our blessings (Ephesians 1:3). (v.3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Blessings come through a relationship • God is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. • When we believe that Jesus is God’s Son, Who died on the cross for our sins and rose again, and then we receive Him as our Lord and Savior, we enter a wonderful relationship with God as our Father. • When I obey His Son, He becomes Our Father too! 2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, Ephesians 2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. John 10:29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

12. Consider the source of our blessings (Ephesians 1:3). (v.3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Blessings Are Abundant! • Because our Almighty God does the blessing, we are blessed with all blessings. • Our God does not skimp. • He gives “exceedingly, abundantly, above all we could think or ask.” • Day after day, we are blessed. Even though, as I said, many times we don’t deserve it or don’t behave like children of God. • But… Why does He do that? Matthew 7:11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Acts 14:17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness." Matthew 5:45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

13. Consider the source of our blessings (Ephesians 1:3). (v.3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Blessings Are Spiritual In Nature! • The health/wealth/prosperity gospel pales in comparison to the true blessings we have in Christ. • Even the material blessings God gives us are ultimately designed to bless us spiritually, more than physically. • Above all, God wants you to be filled in the spirit. • God wants you to receive what is more important and essential. Jeremiah 24:7 Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart. Ephesians 3:18-19 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height 19  to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Jeremiah 9:24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.  Colossians 1:10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

14. Consider the source of our blessings (Ephesians 1:3). (v.3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly placesin Christ, Blessings Are Found In Christ! • We don’t deserve God’s blessings. • Every blessing we receive is found only in Jesus. • So, in order for you and I to be recipients of these blessings, WE MUST BE IN CHRIST. • You can and will receive many physical blessings because God is Good! • But Spiritual blessings are found when we are in Christ! John 14:2-5 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3  You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4  Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5  "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 17:21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Romans 8:9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. Galatians 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"

15. Consider the Ways God Has Blessed Us (Ephesians 1:4-14). (v.4) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, He Chose Us! • Every day a husband can say: “I am so grateful that my wife chose me to be her husband!” • Similarly, we all should be overwhelmed with gratitude that God wants us to be His children. • He wants us to be like His only begotten Son- holy and blameless, living our lives before Him in love. James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

16. Consider the Ways God Has Blessed Us (Ephesians 1:4-14). (v.5) having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, He Adopted Us! • Paul reminded the believers that God’s eternal plan of salvation involved adopting us as His children, through Jesus Christ. • Especially wonderful is the fact that saving us pleased God. • It was not onerous for Him to bring us into His family; it was His great delight! • We WERE NOT his children before, Now WE ARE! Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

17. Consider the Ways God Has Blessed Us (Ephesians 1:4-14). (v.6) to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. He Accepted Us! • Often I talk to people whose emotions have been injured by rejection. • Acceptance on human terms often requires meeting some condition, but God accepts believers because we are in the Beloved. • We must know that when we come to Him, He will not reject us! • He’s waiting for you. John 17:5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

18. Consider the Ways God Has Blessed Us (Ephesians 1:4-14). (v.7) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace He Redeemed Us! • Like slaves in the marketplace, we were under the domination of Satan and sin, unable to do anything about our situation. • God cannot forgive us our sins, simply because we want forgiveness. • He could be the Just Judge, only if the ultimate penalty were paid through Jesus’ blood. • Salvation became possible in Christ. Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 1 Peter 1:18-19 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19  but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

19. Consider the Ways God Has Blessed Us (Ephesians 1:4-14). (v.7b-8) “according to the riches of His grace 8  which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence” He Abounded Grace to Us • Paul described the “glory of His grace” and the “riches of His grace.” • God did not offer us a sample of grace to see if we would like it. • In His wisdom and mercy, He poured out His grace in overwhelming, limitless abundance. • Now that we are his children, as long as we live in faith and obedience, this GRACE can save us! Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! Ephesians 3:10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,

20. Consider the Ways God Has Blessed Us (Ephesians 1:4-14). (v.11) In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, He Included us in His Inheritance! • God brought us into His family in every sense of the word. • God gives us a full inheritance in Christ. • He worked according to His will, to make us His children, with all of the blessings of being the King’s kids. • The ONLY ONE that can take this inheritance away from you… is YOU! 1 Peter 3:21 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? Titus 3:7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

21. Consider the Ways God Has Blessed Us (Ephesians 1:4-14). (v.12-14) In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14  who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. He Sealed Us with His Spirit! • At times, we may not feel particularly blessed. • God’s Spirit indwells believers to confirm that we are God’s children, as long as we keep His word with us. • We will not see the inheritance until heaven, but the Holy Spirit is like a down payment on glory. • He is the guarantee that we are of God! 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 2 Corinthians 1:22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

22. Count Your Blessings… Have You? • Have you? • Do you thank God for His Love and Mercy? • Do you thank God for making us part of this kingdom? • See, when the world is choking us, it is very hard to see God’s blessings around us. • Can you count your blessings and name them one by one?

23. Be Faithful until Death Be baptized Confess Repent Believe Hear