Understanding God's Present Spiritual Blessings and Adoption
Summary
In the exploration of Ephesians 1:3-6a, the focus is on the profound ways in which the Father bestows blessings upon believers. The passage from Ephesians, written by the Apostle Paul, is a rich tapestry of spiritual truths, woven into a single, lengthy sentence that encapsulates the essence of divine blessing. It is through this passage that the understanding of God's blessings, predestination, and adoption as children of God is unpacked.
The concept of blessing is introduced with the Greek word from which 'eulogy' is derived, meaning a good word. This sets the tone for the passage, as it is a declaration of the good things God has done. The blessings mentioned are not material but spiritual, and they are already bestowed upon believers. These blessings are not contingent on future events or actions but are a present reality for those in Christ. The passage emphasizes that believers are already loved, at peace, and strong because of what Christ has done, and this should transform the way they view their circumstances.
The idea of being chosen by God is a central theme. The text states that believers were chosen before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in love. This choosing is not presented as a future possibility but as an accomplished fact. The concept of predestination is also addressed, with the understanding that God has predestined believers to be adopted as His children through Jesus Christ. This adoption is not based on merit or worthiness but is according to the good pleasure of God's will.
The passage further elaborates on the nature of this adoption. It is not merely a legal change of status but an intimate and relational transformation. Believers are brought into God's family and given the same rights as natural-born children. This adoption is made possible through the work of Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself the faults and failures of humanity, making them His brothers and sisters.
The blessings of God are not limited to the spiritual realm but have practical implications for the community of believers. The passage encourages a welcoming and loving attitude towards children and families within the church, emphasizing that such an environment is a reflection of God's own love and acceptance.
The passage also challenges the notion of God's blessings as mere good fortune or material prosperity. Instead, it presents a more profound understanding of blessings as spiritual realities that are already in possession of believers. These blessings are located in the heavenly places, indicating that they are secure and unchanging, rooted in the authority and reign of God.
The narrative of a man named Milton, who found redemption and purpose after a life of crime and loss, serves as a powerful illustration of the transformative power of these truths. Despite his past, Milton's life was changed by the realization that God had chosen him before the foundation of the world. This understanding gave him a new identity and hope, demonstrating the practical outworking of the spiritual blessings discussed in Ephesians.
Key Takeaways:
- The blessings of God are not future promises but present realities for those in Christ. Believers are encouraged to shift their perspective from seeking more of God's love, peace, and strength to recognizing and affirming that they already possess these spiritual blessings through their relationship with Jesus Christ. This understanding can profoundly change how one responds to feelings of being unloved, anxious, or weak. [17:47]
- The concepts of being chosen and predestined by God are not abstract theological ideas but truths that have significant implications for identity and purpose. Regardless of the various interpretations of these terms, the result is a powerful assurance that believers are part of a divinely created community, set apart to be holy and blameless in love. This understanding fosters a sense of belonging and significance within the larger narrative of God's redemptive plan. [19:11]
- Adoption as children of God is a central theme in understanding the Father's blessings. This adoption is not a mere formality but a profound relational change that brings believers into God's family with all the rights and privileges of natural-born children. This truth provides comfort and assurance to those who may feel alienated or have experienced earthly familial disappointments, reminding them that they have a permanent place in the family of God. [28:49]
- The blessings of God are intended to lead to worship and witness. As believers understand and experience the grace of God, they are moved to praise Him and share their stories with others. This act of worship extends God's glory as more people come to know Him through the testimonies of His children. The sharing of personal experiences of God's work is a powerful way to participate in the spread of the gospel. [35:02]
- The understanding of God's blessings challenges the common association of blessings with material prosperity or good luck. Instead, it presents a biblical view that God's blessings are spiritual in nature and already granted to believers in Christ. This perspective encourages believers to seek and value the eternal and unchanging spiritual blessings that are found in their relationship with God, rather than the transient and uncertain blessings of the material world. [14:43]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 1:3-6a (NIV): "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Ephesians 1:3 say about the nature and timing of the blessings God has given us? ([14:43])
2. According to Ephesians 1:4, when did God choose us, and for what purpose? ([19:11])
3. How does the sermon describe the concept of adoption as presented in Ephesians 1:5? ([28:49])
4. What is the significance of the term "eulogy" as used in the sermon to describe God's blessings? ([07:57])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that God's blessings are spiritual and already given change a believer's perspective on their current circumstances? ([17:47])
2. What are the implications of being chosen and predestined by God for a believer's identity and purpose? ([19:11])
3. How does the concept of adoption into God's family provide comfort and assurance to those who feel alienated or have experienced familial disappointments? ([28:49])
4. In what ways does the understanding of God's blessings challenge the common association of blessings with material prosperity? ([14:43])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unloved, anxious, or weak. How can the understanding that you already possess God's love, peace, and strength change your response in similar situations in the future? ([17:47])
2. How can you remind yourself daily that you are chosen and predestined by God to be holy and blameless in love? What practical steps can you take to live out this truth? ([19:11])
3. Think about someone in your life who may feel alienated or has experienced familial disappointments. How can you share the message of God's adoption and the assurance it brings with them? ([28:49])
4. How can you shift your focus from seeking material blessings to recognizing and valuing the spiritual blessings you already have in Christ? What changes might this require in your daily life and priorities? ([14:43])
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of a welcoming and loving attitude towards children and families within the church. How can you contribute to creating such an environment in your church community? ([21:25])
6. How can you use your personal experiences of God's work in your life to praise Him and share your story with others? Identify one person you can share your testimony with this week. ([35:02])
7. Reflect on the story of Milton shared in the sermon. How does his transformation illustrate the practical outworking of the spiritual blessings discussed in Ephesians? How can his story inspire you to embrace your new identity in Christ? ([36:40])
Devotional
Day 1: Present Reality of Spiritual Blessings
Believers are endowed with spiritual blessings that are already a present reality, not distant promises. These blessings include love, peace, and strength, which are inherent in the relationship with Jesus Christ. Recognizing these gifts can transform one's response to life's challenges, fostering a sense of completeness in Christ. [17:47]
Ephesians 1:3 - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."
Reflection: How can acknowledging the spiritual blessings you already possess in Christ change your outlook on your current circumstances?
Day 2: Assurance in Divine Selection
The truth of being chosen and predestined by God provides a profound sense of identity and purpose. This divine selection is a testament to belonging to a community set apart to be holy and blameless in love, which is integral to God's redemptive plan. Embracing this can instill a deep sense of worth and direction. [19:11]
1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Reflection: In what ways does understanding that you are chosen and predestined by God affect your sense of identity and purpose?
Day 3: The Transformative Power of Adoption
Adoption into God's family is a transformation that goes beyond legal status, bringing believers into an intimate relationship with the Father. This adoption confers the rights and privileges of natural-born children, offering comfort and assurance to those who may feel alienated. It is a reminder of the permanent place believers hold in God's family. [28:49]
Romans 8:15-16 - "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children."
Reflection: How does the reality of being adopted into God's family influence your understanding of your personal worth and relational standing with God?
Day 4: Worship and Witness Through Blessings
The experience of God's grace and blessings naturally leads to worship and the desire to share one's story with others. This act of worship and witness extends God's glory and is a powerful means of participating in the spread of the gospel. Personal testimonies can inspire and encourage others to seek a relationship with God. [35:02]
Psalm 96:3 - "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples."
Reflection: Can you think of a time when God's blessings in your life led you to worship or share your faith with someone else?
Day 5: Spiritual Over Material Blessings
The biblical view of blessings challenges the common association with material prosperity, emphasizing that true blessings are spiritual and already granted to believers in Christ. This perspective encourages believers to seek and value eternal and unchanging spiritual blessings over transient material ones, fostering a deeper connection with the divine. [14:43]
Matthew 6:19-21 - "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from material gains to appreciating and cultivating the spiritual blessings you have in Christ?
Quotes
1) "God has already given us his love and his peace and his strength and everything else, so we were to say when we feel unloved, 'I am loved so much that God sent his son for me.'" [17:47]
2) "As a believer in Christ, you are not simply part of a religious movement; you are part of a people, God's people, the church, that is a creation of God." [23:38]
3) "God adopted us through Jesus Christ to himself, meaning that it was the Son of God who took our faults and our failures upon himself, making us his brothers and sisters." [33:38]
4) "God showers us with grace so that we might praise Him, and when we praise Him and tell others how awesome our God is, they might come to know Him too." [35:02]
5) "God's blessings are so much more than the nice things we enjoy; they are every spiritual blessing in the Heavenly places in Christ, where your blessings reside." [14:43]
6) "God says to those who feel alienated, 'Welcome home, you're safe here.' He says to those whose father on Earth abused them, 'I will be your father, I will always love you.'" [29:29]
7) "We share in the inheritance of the Son of God... we're not just the slaves of God, we're not just the foster kids of God, God has adopted us as his sons and daughters." [31:55]
8) "The father has adopted us... God's people were in eternity past and forever are destined to be adopted, brought into his family, and given the same rights as a natural child." [28:49]
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