Abundant Spiritual Blessings

(God’s Magnificent Work Through Christ)

Eph 1:1-6

We are starting new series on the Letter to the Ephesians written by Apostle Paul.

In its six chapters, the letter goes into Pauline theology about the work of Christ in humanity. Also we can find practical steps about putting whatever we learned from Christ into action. Let us remember that our (CACC) main topic this year is “A Renewing Mind.” This letter will help us also focus on this theme. My main headline is: God’s Magnificent Work through Christ. The NIV commentary describes it this way: “This letter is about God’s blessing us in Christ and choosing us so that we might live HOLY and blameless lives before God. The remaining chapters unfold this twofold emphasis on God’s saving us and the change in conduct it produces.” (NIV application Commentary, p. 45)

When did Paul write this letter? Since Paul mentions his imprisonment (3:1; 4:1; 6:20), this letter should be dated around A.D. 62, when he was held in Rome (Acts 28). Paul stayed a long time in Ephesus, about three years (Acts 20:31). He knew the area very well. Scholars think that this letter was copied and sent to many churches around Ephesus in Asia Minor. Tychicus, a disciple of Paul delivered letters not only to Ephesus, but also other churches (Eph 6:21). That is one reason we do not see personal greetings to the church of Ephesus. By the way, Tychicus is also the messenger who delivered Paul’s letter to Colossi (Col 4:7).

The letter starts with a greeting.

This is not just ordinary greeting; it includes many important words.

-Paul is an apostle; his is the apostle of Christ by the will of God. Apostle means someone sent with a mission. Paul wants to assure that his apostolic authority is given by Christ. Jesus was revealed to him directly. He received his call from Christ directly.

-Written to the saints, who are faithful to Christ. Saints does not mean that they were alienated from the society; no, they were the believers who decided to live a different lifestyle, a life that glorified God in everything.

-May grace and peace of God be with them. Nothing is better than the grace that God gives us through His Son Jesus who also gives us His peace.

After this introduction, today we will cover verses 3-14. Paul writes these sentences in a continuous way (nonstop). Actually, in Greek it is one very long sentence. He covers the history of God’s salvation. Please read them many times, on different days. Remember it was written as a doxology, prayer. Here are four main topics:

1. Spiritual Blessings (3)

2. The Father’s Initiative (4- 6)

3. Redemption through Christ (7-10)

4. Sealed with the Holy Spirit (11-14)

1. Spiritual blessings

The last three weeks I was often referring to being thankful for whatever we have. We spoke about management, stewardship in all aspects. We have received so many spiritual blessings through Christ. God is generous; He has given us more than anyone could imagine.

Paul writes in Ephesians 3:20: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…”

This morning, do you feel you have received any spiritual blessings?

Why don’t you take a moment to count your spiritual blessings?

Salvation, forgiveness of sins, grace, peace, inner joy, spiritual nourishment, fellowship, various life experiences (especially hard ones) are some spiritual blessings we can recall and be thankful about.

We will continue in English.