Living Authentically: Embracing Spiritual Blessings in Ephesians

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truths found in the book of Ephesians, focusing on the spiritual blessings and the call to live a life worthy of the gospel. We began by acknowledging that entering God's presence requires a sincere heart, whether it is filled with exuberant worship or a quiet, broken hallelujah. The essence of our faith is not in the volume of our praise but in the authenticity of our hearts. We are reminded that God invites everyone to reach out to His hand of love, regardless of their current state.

Ephesians, often referred to as the "queen of the epistles," beautifully blends theology with practical living. It calls us to walk worthy of Jesus, representing Him in our daily lives. We are dared to engage deeply with the text by writing out the epistle, allowing its truths to come alive in us. This practice is not just an academic exercise but a spiritual journey that can transform our understanding and relationship with God.

The message also highlighted the importance of being sealed by the Holy Spirit, a powerful reminder of our identity in Christ. This sealing is not just a symbolic gesture but a profound truth that we belong to Jesus. It is a call to live out this identity with confidence and purpose.

We delved into Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23, which emphasizes the need for wisdom and revelation to know God better. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but transformative, affecting how we live and interact with the world. We are encouraged to seek wisdom, to think deeply, and to apply ourselves to understanding God's Word.

Finally, we reflected on the hope and power available to us as believers. Our hope is not just for the future but impacts our present, giving us strength to persevere. The power of God, demonstrated in the resurrection of Jesus, is at work in us, enabling us to overcome challenges and live victoriously.

Key Takeaways:

- Sincere Worship: Entering God's presence requires a sincere heart, whether in exuberant praise or quiet brokenness. Authenticity in worship is what God desires, and He invites everyone to reach out to His hand of love. [46:37]

- Engaging with Scripture: Writing out the book of Ephesians is a spiritual exercise that can transform our understanding and relationship with God. It challenges us to engage deeply with the text and discover the richness of our spiritual blessings. [48:22]

- Sealed by the Spirit: Being sealed by the Holy Spirit is a powerful reminder of our identity in Christ. It signifies that we belong to Jesus and are called to live out this identity with confidence and purpose. [55:15]

- Wisdom and Revelation: Paul's prayer for wisdom and revelation emphasizes the need to know God better. This knowledge is transformative, affecting how we live and interact with the world. It calls us to seek wisdom and apply ourselves to understanding God's Word. [01:00:34]

- Hope and Power: Our hope in Christ is not just for the future but impacts our present, giving us strength to persevere. The power of God, demonstrated in the resurrection, is at work in us, enabling us to overcome challenges and live victoriously. [01:14:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [46:37] - Sincere Worship
- [47:31] - Introduction to Ephesians
- [48:22] - Engaging with Scripture
- [49:57] - Unity of Belief and Behavior
- [51:00] - Take Heart in Christ
- [52:30] - Spiritual Blessings
- [53:17] - Sealed by the Spirit
- [54:31] - Powerful Benchmarks
- [55:15] - Living Out Our Identity
- [55:56] - Paul's Prayer for Wisdom
- [57:36] - Leader's Gratitude
- [58:09] - Community and Growth
- [59:54] - Hope and Hurt
- [01:00:34] - Wisdom and Revelation
- [01:14:34] - Hope and Power

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 1:15-23
2. John 16:33
3. Romans 8:9-11

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#### Observation Questions
1. What does it mean to be "sealed by the Holy Spirit" as mentioned in the sermon? How does this concept relate to our identity in Christ? [55:15]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of writing out the book of Ephesians as a spiritual exercise? [48:22]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between sincere worship and entering God's presence? [46:37]
4. What are the spiritual blessings mentioned in Ephesians 1:15-23, and how do they impact a believer's life?

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being "sealed by the Holy Spirit" influence a believer's confidence and purpose in their daily life? [55:15]
2. In what ways does Paul's prayer for wisdom and revelation in Ephesians 1:15-23 challenge believers to deepen their understanding of God? [01:00:34]
3. How does the sermon suggest that the hope and power available to believers can impact their present circumstances? [01:14:34]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of authenticity in worship, and how does this relate to the broader Christian life? [46:37]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current state of worship. Do you approach God with a sincere heart, whether in exuberant praise or quiet brokenness? How can you cultivate authenticity in your worship this week? [46:37]
2. Have you ever considered writing out a book of the Bible as a spiritual exercise? What might you gain from engaging deeply with Scripture in this way, and how can you start this practice? [48:22]
3. In what areas of your life do you need to be reminded of your identity in Christ as someone sealed by the Holy Spirit? How can this truth empower you to live with confidence and purpose? [55:15]
4. How can you actively seek wisdom and revelation in your daily life to know God better? What practical steps can you take to apply this knowledge in your interactions with others? [01:00:34]
5. Consider a current challenge you are facing. How can the hope and power of God, as demonstrated in the resurrection, give you strength to persevere and live victoriously? [01:14:34]
6. Identify one specific way you can represent Jesus in your daily life this week. How can you walk worthy of the gospel in your interactions with others? [49:57]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How can you reach out to His hand of love and experience His presence more fully in your life today? [46:37]

Devotional

Day 1: Authentic Worship from the Heart
In our journey of faith, entering God's presence requires a heart that is sincere and genuine. Whether we express our devotion through exuberant praise or in moments of quiet brokenness, what truly matters is the authenticity of our worship. God desires a heart that reaches out to Him, regardless of our current state. This invitation to connect with His hand of love is open to everyone, reminding us that the essence of our faith is not in the volume of our praise but in the sincerity of our hearts. [46:37]

"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:22, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your worship is genuine and heartfelt, regardless of your circumstances today?


Day 2: Deep Engagement with Scripture
The book of Ephesians challenges us to engage deeply with its text, inviting us to write out the epistle as a spiritual exercise. This practice is not merely academic but a transformative journey that can deepen our understanding and relationship with God. By immersing ourselves in the words of Ephesians, we discover the richness of our spiritual blessings and are encouraged to live a life worthy of the gospel. This engagement with Scripture allows its truths to come alive within us, shaping our daily walk with Christ. [48:22]

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate the practice of writing out Scripture into your daily routine to deepen your understanding and relationship with God?


Day 3: Living Out Our Identity in Christ
Being sealed by the Holy Spirit is a powerful reminder of our identity in Christ. This sealing signifies that we belong to Jesus and are called to live out this identity with confidence and purpose. It is not just a symbolic gesture but a profound truth that shapes how we live and interact with the world. Embracing this identity empowers us to walk worthy of Jesus, representing Him in our daily lives and reflecting His love and grace to those around us. [55:15]

"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)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to live out your identity in Christ with confidence and purpose?


Day 4: Seeking Wisdom and Revelation
Paul's prayer in Ephesians emphasizes the need for wisdom and revelation to know God better. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but transformative, affecting how we live and interact with the world. We are encouraged to seek wisdom, to think deeply, and to apply ourselves to understanding God's Word. This pursuit of wisdom and revelation is a lifelong journey that enriches our faith and equips us to navigate the complexities of life with discernment and grace. [01:00:34]

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to seek God's wisdom and revelation today, and how can you actively pursue this?


Day 5: Embracing Hope and Power
Our hope in Christ is not just for the future but impacts our present, giving us strength to persevere. The power of God, demonstrated in the resurrection of Jesus, is at work in us, enabling us to overcome challenges and live victoriously. This hope and power are available to us as believers, providing the foundation for a life of faith and resilience. By embracing this hope and power, we are equipped to face life's difficulties with courage and confidence, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. [01:14:34]

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively embrace the hope and power of God in your life today to overcome challenges and live victoriously?

Quotes

"That all you want is a sincere heart and we get to enter your presence. Maybe by enter, you mean all it takes to tune in to your presence is already here is a sincere heart. Some of us were sincerely worshiping exuberantly and some weren't able to worship that way, Lord. Maybe they entered your presence with a broken heart." [00:46:15] (27 seconds)


"Some have called Ephesians the queen of the epistles. It's just a glorious little epistle, little letter of six chapters. I love how it's set up. It's a perfect blend of this soaring theology. And then it's the call to walk worthy of Jesus. Walk worthy of the gospel to represent. And so I'm going to give you your homework already." [00:48:22] (21 seconds)


"You don't have to do it all this week. But I dare you to get a notebook and write out the epistles. I dare you to get a notebook and write out the epistles of Ephesians. I dare you. And I dare you to find out how surprised you're going to be when you spend time maybe writing five verses a day over the next remaining nine weeks and to see how this will come alive for you." [00:49:17] (22 seconds)


"That has stuck with me. It still moves me. And it's a reminder. It's a reminder that I am sealed. I am branded. I belong to Jesus Christ. Fast forward a number of years now. I was invited to speak at Community Church of Joy in Phoenix. It's now Dream City. I was sitting in the front row like this here." [00:54:10] (25 seconds)


"I keep asking. I keep asking. That the. God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious father may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelations so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you the riches of his glorious inheritance of the saints." [00:56:13] (24 seconds)


"Saints, what we believe is scriptural. It's God's doing. Open your Bible to God's revealed Word, and learn, get wisdom. I was recently talking to another Bible teacher in the States about the episode in Acts, and I said this. Where there is no that, any this will do. Think about it." [01:05:42] (25 seconds)


"there's God's power over it all the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3 verse 10 I want to know Christ let that sink in a bit I want to know Christ and he writes that even though his wanting keeps landing him in trouble in prison gets him beaten gets him flogged gets him hated gets him rejected and he even writes Ephesians from prison so let me ask you this what is your want wattage what is your want wattage I want you to check out the image coming up on the screen right now" [01:14:34] (42 seconds)


"and if your heart has been enlightened you too hope actually you know that he cares for you as you are right now he cares so much for all of us who are at this end of the line and on that road with Jesus is great delight I love how Psalm 119 .32 says I run in the path of your commands in your mentorship in your leadership in your friendship your love I run in that path for you have set my heart free and he will do that for you if you don't feel free this morning he has the power to change you recently I've been reading the big book maybe some of you know what that is anybody know what the big book is? not the Bible it's Alcoholics Anonymous book I have a brother who's an alcoholic but he's invited me to read the book with him and I'm honored to do so and I'm honored to do so and I read through this book and it's full of testimonies of the worst the most hopeless cases people have given up on them they've lost everything I mean literally you should read these stories" [01:19:19] (81 seconds)


"but they get rescued by Alcoholics Anonymous they admit they can't do it on their own there's the principle of trust in a higher power God whatever you think him to be I remember as an early Christian thinking oh that's awful they need to know Jesus just because they don't spell out the four spiritual laws in that big book don't hate it because the intent wasn't to be preachy the intent was to get them on that first step toward knowing Jesus and you read these stories and many do come with absolute atheism they trust in the higher power because they've got nothing left to believe in and God reaches down and rescues them and it's a starting point for these atheists and skeptics who are desperate and they're not going to be able to do it alcoholics because if you start with God Proverbs says it's the first step in learning to know God that you would know this power I love the Greek term used here in verse 21 to describe power it's really this hyper power hyper ano it's power that is hyper above any challengers on things in heaven things on earth that's the power that works in us it cannot be challenging God has the power to change you to break habits to lead you farther up and farther in one of the characters in the last battle the Chronicles of Narnia says this as they are finally leaving the shadowlands" [01:21:23] (84 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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