Embracing Spiritual Riches: The Blessings of Christ
Summary
In today's sermon, we delved deeply into the profound truths found in the book of Ephesians, particularly focusing on the spiritual blessings we receive in Christ. We began by reflecting on the overwhelming richness of Ephesians 1:3-6, where Paul speaks about how we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. This passage reminds us that our primary blessings are not of this earth but are the spiritual riches we have in Christ—forgiveness, love, and a predestined adoption as children of God.
We explored the concept of being chosen by God before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him. This divine choice is not based on our actions or merits but solely on His love and grace. It's a profound truth that emphasizes God's sovereignty and the purposeful intention behind our creation and salvation.
The sermon also touched on the idea of redemption, illustrating it through everyday examples like the redemption value on bottles, but more significantly through the scriptural account of Hosea. This biblical story powerfully depicts God's relentless love and redemption, even when we are unfaithful. Just as Hosea bought back Gomer, God has redeemed us through the blood of Christ, not because of our worthiness but because of His great love for us.
We discussed the importance of recognizing these blessings not as entitlements but as gifts that should lead us to live holy and blameless lives. This perspective shift moves us from seeing God's blessings as mere physical or material benefits to understanding them as the means to transform us into the image of Christ.
Finally, we concluded with a call to cherish and hold dear the ultimate blessing—Jesus Himself. In Him, we have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of sins. This gift is not just a one-time event but an ongoing reality that should shape our entire existence and prompt us to live in a manner worthy of the calling we have received.
### Key Takeaways
1. Understanding Spiritual Blessings: The true measure of our blessings in Christ is not found in material wealth or earthly status but in the spiritual riches granted to us—forgiveness, love, and eternal life. These blessings are foundational and should redefine how we view our lives and priorities. [03:36]
2. The Preeminence of Being Chosen: Being chosen by God before the creation of the world is a profound truth that emphasizes God's sovereignty and love. It's not about our worthiness but His grace. This should fill us with humility and a deep sense of purpose, knowing that our lives are part of a divine plan. [05:30]
3. The Power of Redemption: The concept of redemption is beautifully illustrated in the story of Hosea and Gomer, showing that God's love is relentless and His grace is sufficient to reclaim us, despite our unfaithfulness. This redemption through Christ's blood is what transforms us and restores our relationship with God. [28:39]
4. Living as God's Holy People: The realization that we are predestined to be holy and blameless should inspire us to live lives that reflect God's holiness. This isn't about legalistic adherence to rules but a heartfelt response to the love and grace we've received. [07:06]
5. Cherishing Jesus Above All: The ultimate blessing we have is Jesus Himself. Recognizing Him as the supreme gift helps us to keep our focus and devotion on what truly matters. This perspective is essential for living a life that truly honors God. [24:17]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
01:42 - The Challenge of Ephesians
03:36 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ
05:30 - Chosen Before the Foundation of the World
07:06 - Called to Holiness
08:57 - Predestination and Adoption
11:04 - The Purpose of God's Will
13:22 - The Nature of God's Grace
15:04 - Glorious Grace Explained
16:44 - Responding to God's Blessings
18:45 - Blessings Beyond the Physical
20:28 - Personal Reflections on Blessings
22:27 - The Significance of Giving
24:17 - Focusing on the Beloved
26:57 - Redemption Through Christ
28:39 - Illustrating Redemption
30:25 - The Story of Hosea
32:22 - The Cost of Redemption
34:55 - The Impact of Christ's Sacrifice
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 1:3-6
2. Hosea 3:1-3
3. Galatians 3:13
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#### Observation Questions
1. What are the spiritual blessings mentioned in Ephesians 1:3-6, and how do they differ from physical blessings? [03:36]
2. According to the sermon, what does it mean to be chosen by God before the foundation of the world? [05:30]
3. How does the story of Hosea and Gomer illustrate the concept of redemption? [30:25]
4. What is the significance of Jesus being referred to as "the Beloved" in the context of our blessings? [24:17]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that our blessings are primarily spiritual (Ephesians 1:3-6) change our perspective on material wealth and earthly status? [03:36]
2. What does it mean for our lives that we were chosen by God to be holy and blameless before Him? How should this influence our daily actions and decisions? [05:30]
3. In what ways does the story of Hosea and Gomer deepen our understanding of God's relentless love and redemption? [30:25]
4. How does recognizing Jesus as the ultimate blessing help us to keep our focus and devotion on what truly matters? [24:17]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the spiritual blessings you have received in Christ. How can you shift your focus from material blessings to these spiritual riches in your daily life? [03:36]
2. Being chosen by God before the foundation of the world is a profound truth. How does this knowledge affect your sense of purpose and identity? How can you remind yourself of this truth regularly? [05:30]
3. The story of Hosea and Gomer is a powerful illustration of redemption. Can you identify a time in your life when you felt unworthy but experienced God's redeeming love? How did it change you? [30:25]
4. The sermon emphasized living a holy and blameless life as a response to God's love and grace. What specific steps can you take this week to align your actions with this calling? [07:06]
5. Jesus is described as the ultimate blessing. How can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for Jesus in your daily routine? What practices can help you keep Him at the center of your life? [24:17]
6. The concept of predestination and adoption is central to our identity in Christ. How can you embrace this truth more fully and live out your identity as a child of God? [08:57]
7. The sermon highlighted the importance of recognizing God's grace as glorious. How can you practice gratitude for God's grace in your life, especially when you feel undeserving? [15:04]
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This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the profound truths discussed in the sermon, fostering meaningful discussion and personal application.
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our Spiritual Wealth
Understanding our blessings in Christ goes beyond material wealth; it involves recognizing the spiritual riches we have—forgiveness, love, and eternal life. These gifts are not earned but are freely given to us through Christ's sacrifice. As believers, it's crucial to shift our perspective from earthly desires to heavenly treasures. This change in focus allows us to live lives that are more aligned with God's will, appreciating the true value of spiritual blessings that have eternal significance. By understanding these blessings, we redefine our priorities and the way we view our lives, leading to a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with God. [03:36]
Ephesians 1:3-4, "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, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus today from material gains to appreciating your spiritual blessings in Christ?
Day 2: Chosen for a Purpose
The profound truth that we are chosen by God before the creation of the world brings both humility and a deep sense of purpose. This divine choice emphasizes God's sovereignty and His unconditional love for us. It's not about our merits but His grace. This realization should inspire us to live with a purpose that aligns with God's plan, striving to fulfill the roles He has predestined for us. As we embrace this truth, we find ourselves motivated by gratitude rather than obligation, living lives that reflect God's love and grace. [05:30]
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, "But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you live out your divine purpose today, knowing that you have been chosen by God?
Day 3: The Transformative Power of Redemption
Redemption in Christ is a powerful concept, beautifully illustrated through the biblical story of Hosea and Gomer, which shows God's relentless love and grace. Despite our unfaithfulness, God has chosen to redeem us, not because of our worthiness but because of His great love. This act of redemption through Christ's blood is transformative, restoring our relationship with God and empowering us to live lives that reflect His grace. Understanding this can profoundly change how we view ourselves and our failures, knowing that we are continually being reclaimed by God's grace. [28:39]
Hosea 3:1-2, "And the Lord said to me, 'Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods.' So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley."
Reflection: How does understanding your redemption through Christ change the way you approach your daily failures and successes?
Day 4: Called to Reflect God's Holiness
Being predestined to be holy and blameless is a call to reflect God's holiness in our daily lives. This isn't about adhering to rules out of obligation but responding from a heart transformed by God's love and grace. As we recognize the magnitude of what we've received, our lives naturally begin to change. This transformation is not just for our benefit but also serves as a testament to those around us of God's goodness and grace. Living a life that mirrors God's holiness involves daily decisions that align with His will and character. [07:06]
Colossians 3:12-14, "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Reflection: What are practical ways you can exhibit God's holiness in your interactions today?
Day 5: Cherishing Jesus Above All
The ultimate blessing we possess is Jesus Himself. Recognizing Him as the supreme gift influences our priorities and devotion, keeping our focus on what truly matters. This perspective is essential for living a life that honors God, where every action and decision is influenced by our relationship with Christ. As we cherish Jesus above all, our lives become a reflection of His love and sacrifice, drawing others to Him and fulfilling our calling as His ambassadors. [24:17]
Philippians 3:7-8, "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ."
Reflection: How can you prioritize your relationship with Jesus in your daily activities and decisions today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Do you believe that when Jesus gave himself up and his blood was shed for us, that that was powerful? That was enough to finish the work. That was enough to cleanse you. Don't make this about you because if you make it about your failures, then when you're doing well, you'll make it about your successes. It's never about you." [37:18]
2. "When he chose you before the foundation of the world, does it sound like that was about you? When he predestined you for adoption as sons, you think you had something to do with that? No, it was according to the purpose of his will. And now he has forgiven us. He has redeemed us. He paid the price and the price was the blood of Jesus." [37:18]
3. "Remember what he wants. God, when he made man, he wanted mankind to be this group of people that lived the way that he wanted them to, who loved his law. And when everyone rebelled, then he chose the nation of Israel. He goes, I want you to be different." [07:06]
### Quotes for Members
1. "He's blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Remember, I think it's John 4, when the guy was paralyzed. And Jesus looks at him, and what does he say? He says, your sins are forgiven. He gives him the spiritual blessing." [03:36]
2. "He chose us in him before the foundation of the world that we become this people who are holy and blameless. So we are holy positionally because of what Jesus did on the cross. But it goes beyond that. He gives us his spirit so that we really can be what he's always wanted." [05:30]
3. "I want us, as a church to be that people group that's holy and blameless before him in love in love in love he predestined us obviously i could preach a ton of messages about the love of god you see how so many sermons in these few verses so many deep thoughts you have to get that this is not god doing something out of obligation well i have to because i'm holy because i'm merciful because i'm gracious no in love we have a god that consuming fire who loves us and wants us to love him we want to be holy and blameless not just because we fear him" [07:06]
4. "God, I want to bless you because you've blessed me with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. I want to bless you because you've chosen me. God, I can't believe, you chose me before the foundation of the world." [16:44]
5. "This is my beloved son. What is that voice from heaven when Jesus is being baptized? This is my beloved son. This is the son that I love, and I'm giving him to you. Has this been what you've been blessing God for? Blessed me in the beloved." [24:17]
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