Ephesians 1:3-14

Devotion: Hebrews 9:11-12

Title: Spiritual Blessings

Introduction:
Good morning to everyone. Before we begin, let us have a word of prayer…
When we talk about blessings, too often it is so easy to gauge it using our own standard of
measurement, and that is namely, in the physical realm. Financial well-being (having a stable
job or employment), good bill of health (free from any sickness or disease), material provision
such as food, clothing, and shelter. These things are easily measurable in our lives. But living as
Christians, those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, we should realize that there are so
much more to blessings than just what we see physically. More than the physical, we have the
spiritual blessings that God has given us through His Son. Sadly, many of us, both Christians and
unbelievers alike, overlook these things, and many more take it for granted. That is why it’s no
wonder we see and hear more and more people wanting to hear the prosperity gospel instead
of the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

But that should not be the case for us. Today, let us be reminded about the abundance of the
spiritual blessings that God has poured out over us. Let no one of us say that we lack
something, because, as we will find out, we already have everything we could need in the
Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Exposition: Paul is telling God’s people the wonders and the blessings that have been given by
God to us.

Proposition: Brothers and sisters in the Lord, Paul expounds upon us the deep riches of the
grace of God that He showered upon us, when we came to Him in faith.

Interrogative: What then are these spiritual blessings?

We now turn to the book of Ephesians, a letter written by the apostle Paul to the Church in
Ephesus. A great letter of instruction for the believers while Paul was imprisoned in Rome.
Notice first then, the introduction of Paul and His greeting when writing this letter. At the
onset, we know that it was written to believers in v.1. And in verse 3, Paul at once tells of the
blessings that have come from God thought Jesus Christ. He gives us a good overview these
blessings that we have now received through our faith in Christ. What then are some of the
blessings mentioned?

I. God has a plan for us – v.4-6

In verse 4 we can read that God has chosen us. That in itself is of great importance
because it tells us that God knows us personally and intimately, for He chose us, as the verse
says, even before the foundation of the world. It means that God’s will and choosing is not
arbitrary. God does not do anything on a whim, but everything that will happen and has
happened God already knows, because He himself has decreed it. Long before anything ever
was, God already had chosen people in Christ. But he not only chose us, it seems, because Paul
continues that He chose us…

A. To be holy and blameless – Titus 3:3-5

He chose us to be holy and blameless before Him. Holy meaning to be set apart,
to be separate, even though all of us were foolish and disobedient, all kinds of evil and
rebelling against God, God in His infinite mercy still chose us to be separate, to be
blameless before Him, and as the verse says, not because of our own doing or own
merit, but because of His doing. Not even out of obligation, as God cannot be forced to
do something out of His will. God has chosen us, sinful as we are, to be like Him, holy,
and blameless, that no one and nothing can bring a charge against us. I remember
Joshua the high priest. In Zechariah 3:1-5. Satan, the accuser, was standing, ready to
accuse and condemn Joshua. But before the adversary could even speak, the Lord
already at once rebuked Him, for Joshua was standing in filthy garments. He was
unclean, unfit, unworthy. But the Lord removed His filthy garments and replaced them
with pure vestments. No longer could Satan accuse him, no longer had he anything to
condemn Him with. It is the same with us. But not only that…

B. For adoption as sons

Not only was the plan of God to make us Holy and blameless, He has also chosen
us for adoption as sons. Remember that He did not have to. There was nothing in us
that compelled Him to accept us. There was nothing in us that was good or pure. But
God still chose us. He makes us His sons, purely and simply out of His love for us. A love
that was already there long before He even created us. I always marvel at this fact. It is
truly amazing that we have the ability and the right to call God our father. Because He is,
He is in fact our heavenly father, because we are all his children. We were rebellious,
sinful, filthy, and selfish people, it would have been already a great blessing to be called
a servant of God. More so if God would further it, maybe he would call us His friends.
But to call us children? To adopt us? It is truly amazing for God to do this to us.

Application:
Have you ever been part of a project that seemed like there was no definite plan for
anything that was to be done? For the others, have you ever been to a meeting, at work, in
school, that had no clear agenda? We know how frustrating that can be. I’ve been to meetings
where after 4 hours I’m thinking, “What am I even doing here?” without a plan, you do not
know how things will turn out. That is the same way God has built His church. He has laid out a
plan for his people, including you and me, since even before time began. How about you? Are
you going through your life according to His plan? If not, you are the same as me in that 4 hour
meeting. “What am I even doing here?”

II. God Has a provision for us – v.7-10

 In verse 7 it says that we have redemption through His blood. This is the second blessing
that we have received from God, and that is God has a provision for us. God already knew that
His creation would rebel. He knew that we would curse Him, He knew that we would go our
separate selfish ways. But God provided a way for us. He provided us a way for our right
relationship to God would be restored.

A. Forgiveness of our trespasses – Heb. 9:11-12

Paul says we have redemption through His blood, by the blood of Jesus Christ.
The word redeem means “to buy out.” The term was used specifically in reference to
the purchase of a slave’s freedom. Jesus paid the price for our release from sin and its
consequences. His death was in exchange for our life. If we were needed to be
redeemed, it follows that we were all slaves. Slaves not in the physical sense, but slaves
to sin. We were hopelessly lost and blind, doomed to receive the wrath of God. But it
was through Jesus, because of His love, became the once and for all sacrifice for us. He
paid our debt with His blood, His life. Heb. 9:11-12 tells us that we have now an eternal
redemption. Because of this redemption, because of His shedding of blood, we have
now received forgiveness from sin. Before, the Israelites needed to offer sacrifices
through the High priest, yearly, not for forgiveness, but for appeasement. The blood of
goats and bulls and rams, could at best, cover up their transgressions. But now, Christ
came, of his own will, to give us life at the cost of His. Not for appeasement or covering,
but for total washing and cleansing, making us like new. Remember Heb. 9:22

B. Made known to us His will

Not only that, He also through this act of redemption, made known to us His will,
His perfect will, that before was a mystery for us. Even if we tried, we could not
understand nor could we seek out the things that were from God. But now God makes
plain to us His will, He reveals it to us that we are to be united with Christ. Remember
earlier that we said God adopted us as His sons, His children? Well, viewing this in that
context makes it all the more simpler to understand. When God redeemed us, He
forgave us, and He also made us His children. So as children of God, we are not
outsiders. When He brought us into His family, God gave us full rights. We are not
viewed as guests, but as family. Therefore, God not only forgives us but makes things
known to us. He does not keep "family secrets." Rather, He reveals His plan to us in as
much as we are able to handle it, just as a father reveals things to his growing child at
the appropriate developmental level. God speaks to us as a good father speaks to his
children.

Application:
Since God already knows everything and everyone even before the foundation of the
world, it comes as no surprise that he would make provision for His plan to come to
completion. It would seem like a very logical thing to do, but consider the many plans that were
good, were impressive, but was never bought to completion. How many buildings do you pass
by every day that are standing half-finished for years now? How many businesses have you
seen bloom and rise up, only to find out months later they were already out of business. It’s
good to have a plan, but if you can’t back that plan up, the plan is for nothing. God planned a
way for us, but He did not leave us alone, He did not expect us to do it by ourselves. He himself
gave way for His plan to succeed. He gave us redemption. And the forgiveness of sins.

III. God has a portion for us – v.11-12

In verse 11, we can read the third blessing which comes from God, and that it says we
have an inheritance. Again, from what we have heard before, this is because as children of God,
we gain an inheritance from our heavenly father, even though we were just adopted, God
treats us like real sons and daughters. And gives us the rights and privileges of true children.
What is this inheritance then? Is it land? Is it money? House and lot? All the pleasures in the
world? No! He has given us such a great inheritance that it cannot compare to anything of this
earth. We have no greater portion from God and that is heaven. We read in Matthew 6:19-20

A. It is imperishable
What we have in Christ is not subject to corruption or decay. In contrast,
everything on earth is in the process of decaying, rusting, or falling apart. It affects our
houses, our cars, and even our own bodies. Our treasure in heaven, though, is
unaffected by these things. It will not decline, it will never be destroyed, it will never be
stolen or taken away from us. What we have in Christ is free from anything that would
deform, debase, or degrade. Nothing on earth is perfect. Even the most beautiful things
of this world are flawed; if we look closely enough, we can always find an imperfection.
But Christ is truly perfect. He is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted
above the heavens, and our inheritance in Him is also holy, blameless, exalted, and
pure. No earthly corruption or weakness can touch what God has bestowed.

B. It is unfading
What we have in Christ is an enduring possession. As creatures of this world, it is
hard for us to imagine colors of that never fade, excitement that never flags, or value
that never depreciates; but our inheritance is not of this world. Its glorious intensity will
never diminish. It is one thing we receive that is truly permanent. What we have from
Jesus Christ is truly going to be for us forever.

Application:
What was the best gift or thing that you have ever received in your life? Many of us
would bend over backward, do overtime, and keep awake all night just to get something that is
of earthly value. This is really true for all of us. Even now we do it to sustain ourselves and/or
our families. But one thing is for certain. God has given us a portion, a portion that will never
perish or fade. Something that is infinitely more valuable than anything we could earn or get
here on earth. To have a home in heaven one day. Heck, we could buy that even if we tried, but
God gave it to us.

IV. God has a promise for us – v.13-14

 In verse 13, we come now to the last spiritual blessing we will discuss today. It talks
about the promise of God towards us. It talks about when we heard His truth, and believed,
Paul says that we were sealed with the Holy Spirit. What does this mean?

A. Given us the Holy Spirit

God gives us the Holy Spirit, as our helper, our guide, and even our comforter in
our time of need. During His earthly ministry, Jesus had guided, guarded, and taught His
disciples; but now He was going to leave them. The Spirit of God would come to the
disciples and dwell in them, taking the place of their Master's literal presence. Jesus
called the Spirit “another Comforter”—another of the same kind. The Spirit of God is not
different from the Son of God in essence, for both are God. To have the Holy Spirit as
our Comforter is to have God Himself indwelling us as believers. The Spirit teaches us
the Word and guides us into truth. He reminds us of what He has taught so that we can
depend on His Word in the difficult times of life. The Spirit works in us to give us His
peace, His love, and His joy. He is a comfort our hearts and minds in a troubled world.
The power of the indwelling Comforter gives us the ability to live by the Spirit and “not
gratify the desires of the sinful flesh”

B. Given us the guarantee

Paul mentions that we were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, which is the
guarantee of our inheritance until the day we receive it. The Holy Spirit is God’s seal on
His people, His claim on us as His very own. The gift of the Spirit to believers is a down
payment on our heavenly inheritance, which Christ has promised us and secured for us
at the cross. It is because the Spirit has sealed us that we are assured of our salvation.
No one can break the seal of God. The Holy Spirit is given to believers as a “first
installment” to assure us that our full inheritance as children of God will be delivered.
The Holy Spirit is given to us to confirm to us that we belong to God who grants to us His
Spirit as a gift. God grants to us His Holy Spirit as the certain pledge that we are His
forever and shall be saved in the last day. The proof of the Spirit’s presence is His
operations on the heart which produce repentance, the fruit of the Spirit, conformity to
God’s commands and will, a passion for prayer and praise, and love for His people.
These things are the evidences that the Holy Spirit has renewed the heart and that the
Christian is sealed for the day of redemption.

Application:
When we understand and value the glory that awaits us, we are better able to endure
whatever comes our way in this life. We can give God praise even during trials because we have
His guarantee that we will receive all He has promised. 2 Cor. 4:16-18

Conclusion:
Let us look back and enumerate the spiritual blessings a believer in Christ has: God has a
plan, within that plan we will receive a portion/inheritance. And to bring that plan to
completion God Himself gave the provision for it to come to pass. But not only that, He has also
given us a promise, a seal of the Holy Spirit, that what He said, He will do. The list could go on
and on speaking of the privileges that are ours in Christ. To the many more blessings that can
be found through Him in faith. What then can we complain about to God in our lives? What is
distracting you from these spiritual blessings that can only be found in Jesus? Is your focus on
you and your feelings and your needs? Is it on how busy you are and how much stuff you’ve got
to do? Is it on some personal disappointment or hurt you’ve gone through? Isn’t it time you got
your focus back on Jesus this morning? Is it time you praised God and thanked Him for the
blessings He’s given you in Jesus Christ? Do you need to praise Him for His plan for you in
Christ? For His provision for you in Christ? For His portion for you in Christ? And for His promise
for you in Christ? Good morning and to God be the glory.

For hundreds of years before Paul wrote this letter, kings would write down their decrees. They
would then seal the decree with a wax seal. The seal of the king signified four things. It signified
security. When the king placed his seal on a document, it could not be broken. Even the king
himself could not break it. It was the word of the King and could not be violated or revoked. It
signified authenticity. Everyone that saw that seal instantly knew the decree was from the king,
not from anyone else. Since the design was unique to the king, counterfeits were easily
recognizable. It signified ownership. If the king placed his seal on a decree, it showed people
who it belonged to. The king would use his seal to mark land and property deeds. If it had his
seal, it belonged to him—forever. Finally, it signified authority. A decree with the king’s seal on
it was as good as if the king himself was standing there commanding it. That was the kind of
seal Paul had in mind when he wrote this.