To the Praise of His Glorious Grace

Ephesians 1 opens up a breathtaking panorama of God’s grace, inviting us to see the vast storehouse of blessings that are ours in Christ. Paul, in a single, unbroken sentence, overflows with praise as he recounts the riches of God’s grace—blessings that are not earned, but freely given to those who are in Christ. This grace is not abstract; it is deeply personal, shaping our identity, our worship, and our hope. The Christian life is not about striving to earn God’s favor, but about living out of the reality of what God has already accomplished for us in Christ. Our identity is rooted not in our performance, but in God’s character and His finished work.

The blessings Paul describes are conditional in that they belong only to those who are “in Christ,” but they are also sure, complete, and present. We lack nothing of eternal value. God is not holding out on us; He has given us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. This includes being chosen before the foundation of the world, adopted as sons and daughters, redeemed and forgiven through Christ’s blood, united with one another, given an eternal inheritance, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Each of these blessings is a room in the treasure house of God’s grace, and Paul, like a tour guide, leads us from one to the next, urging us to let our hearts be enlarged to receive them.

The grace of God is meant to lead us to worship. Good theology should always result in doxology—heartfelt praise. Too often, we approach the Christian life as a puzzle to solve or a duty to perform, but Paul’s example is to let the truth of God’s grace move us to awe and adoration. The order of the gospel is crucial: who God is and what He has done comes before what we are called to do. When we forget this, we fall into spiritual amnesia, losing our joy and making sin look satisfying. But when we remember who we are in Christ, our hearts are filled with hope and worship.

All of this is ultimately for the praise of God’s glory. Our lives are to be marked by constant joy and gratitude, not because our circumstances are always easy, but because the blessings we have in Christ are unshakeable and eternal. The call is to be a people who cannot help but praise God for all He has done, letting the truth of His grace shape every aspect of our lives.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Grace is the Foundation of Identity Our identity is not built on what we do, feel, or achieve, but on who God is and what He has done for us in Christ. Every other religion says, “Do, then become,” but the gospel says, “You are, therefore live.” This liberates us from striving and anchors us in the unchanging love and acceptance of God. [39:32]
• 2. The Blessings of God Are Complete and Present God is not withholding anything from His children. In Christ, we have already been given every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places—nothing of eternal value is lacking. Even when we feel empty or anxious, the truth is that we are rich in all that matters most, and our circumstances cannot remove what God has given. [46:59]
• 3. Adoption and Inheritance: The Security of Sonship Before the foundation of the world, God chose and predestined us for adoption as His children. This means our place in God’s family is secure—not because of our ability to hold on, but because of His sovereign grace. Our inheritance is kept in heaven, unfading and unspoiled, and we are co-heirs with Christ, sharing in all that belongs to Him. [54:12]
• 4. Redemption and Reconciliation: The Cost and Power of Grace Forgiveness is not cheap; it cost the Son of God His life. God’s justice and grace meet at the cross, where Jesus bore the penalty for our sin so that we could be redeemed and reconciled. In Christ, we are not only forgiven, but united with one another, breaking down every barrier and making the church a foretaste of eternity. [58:07]
• 5. Worship as the Overflow of Grace The ultimate purpose of all these blessings is the praise of God’s glory. When we truly grasp the depth of God’s grace, worship becomes the natural response—unceasing, joyful, and rooted in gratitude. If our lives lack joy, it is often because we have lost sight of the heavenly realities that are ours in Christ; returning to these truths restores our praise. [63:43]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [22:48] - Reading Ephesians 1:3-14
• [23:34] - The Purpose of God’s Will and Grace
• [24:10] - Redemption and the Mystery of God’s Plan
• [24:34] - The Seal of the Holy Spirit
• [25:16] - Upcoming Parenting Event
• [26:11] - Raising the Next Generation
• [26:44] - Reflections on the Scotland Trip
• [28:04] - The Reformation and the State of the Church in Scotland
• [29:09] - Church Planting in Scotland
• [32:02] - Theological Depth and Discipleship in Scotland
• [34:09] - Praying for Wallyford Community Church
• [36:07] - The Mountaintop of Grace in Ephesians
• [38:22] - Grace Sparks Heartfelt Worship
• [42:42] - The Storehouse of Blessings in Christ
• [46:59] - The Completeness of God’s Blessings
• [51:05] - The Blessings: Peace, Election, Adoption
• [55:54] - Redemption and the Cost of Forgiveness
• [58:24] - Reconciliation and Unity in Christ
• [59:57] - Our Inheritance and Security
• [61:56] - Sealed by the Spirit: Assurance of Salvation
• [63:06] - Grace for the Praise of His Glory
• [66:47] - Prayer and Final Blessing

Bible Reading

Ephesians 1:3-14 (ESV) —
> 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. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
>
> 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, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 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, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Observation Questions

1. According to Ephesians 1:3, what has God already given to those who are “in Christ”?
2. What are some of the specific blessings Paul lists in verses 4-14 that belong to believers?
3. In the sermon, the pastor described Paul as a “tour guide” leading us through the storehouse of God’s grace. What does this image help us understand about the way Paul describes these blessings? [[36:44]]
4. What does it mean to be “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” according to verse 13?

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “Our identity is not built on what we do, feel, or achieve, but on who God is and what He has done for us in Christ.” Why is this distinction important for how Christians view themselves? [[39:32]]
2. The pastor mentioned that “the blessings are conditional in that they only belong to those who are in Christ, but they are also sure, complete, and present.” How does this truth affect the way a believer faces difficult circumstances? [[46:59]]
3. The sermon points out that “forgiveness is not cheap; it cost the Son of God His life.” How does understanding the cost of redemption shape the way we view grace and forgiveness? [[55:54]]
4. Paul repeats that all these blessings are “to the praise of His glory.” Why do you think Paul emphasizes worship as the natural response to God’s grace? [[01:03:43]]

Application Questions

1. The pastor said, “Every other religion says, ‘Do, then become,’ but the gospel says, ‘You are, therefore live.’” In what areas of your life do you find yourself trying to earn God’s favor instead of living out of your identity in Christ? What would it look like to rest in what God has already done? [[39:32]]
2. When you feel empty, anxious, or like God is holding out on you, how can you remind yourself of the truth that “in Christ, we have already been given every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places”? Are there practical steps you can take to remember this during hard times? [[46:59]]
3. The sermon talked about adoption and inheritance, saying, “Our place in God’s family is secure—not because of our ability to hold on, but because of His sovereign grace.” How does this security change the way you approach God in prayer or worship? [[54:12]]
4. The pastor described the church as a “foretaste of eternity” where all barriers are broken down. Are there any barriers—like background, status, or past hurts—that you need to let go of in order to experience deeper unity with other believers? [[58:07]]
5. The sermon said, “If our lives lack joy, it is often because we have lost sight of the heavenly realities that are ours in Christ.” What are some things that distract you from these realities? How can you refocus your heart on God’s grace this week? [[01:03:43]]
6. The pastor challenged us to be a people who “cannot help but praise God for all He has done.” What is one specific way you can cultivate a habit of gratitude and worship in your daily routine? [[01:04:18]]
7. Think about your prayer life. Do you spend more time asking God for things or praising Him for what He’s already given? How could you intentionally shift your prayers to include more praise and thanksgiving? [[01:05:35]]