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Sermon Outline - In Heavenly Places, Ephesians ch.1 v.3

Date16/11/2003
Time11:00
PreacherRev. Maurice Roberts, Inverness
Sermon TitleIn Heavenly Places
TextEphesians ch.1 v.3
Sermon ID707

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Introduction

  1. This is so great - grammar fails.
  2. This verse looks up - then down.
  3. It is a treasure chest and here Paul lifts the lid.
  1. THE KIND OF BLESSINGS WE HAVE AS CHRISTIANS

    * "spiritual": Cp. earthly, temporal.

    1. Compare earthly blessings to heavenly
      • houses, health, money, etc.
      • they are but for a short time.
      APPLICATION: So the unbeliever loses all.
    2. The O.T. promised earthly as "toys" because the O.T. people of God were as yet "children".
      APPLICATION: We have "come of age".
    3. The nature of these "spiritual blessings" explained:
      1. things consistent with "the heavenlies"
        The term refers to "supercelestial things".
      2. As: the Spirit's renewing work to prepare us for glory/
        adoption into God's family/ our heavenly inheritance/
        our resurrection body which will be perfectly suited to glory.
      ILLUSTRATION: parents preparing for a child - so God is preparing for our final state.
      APPLICATION: God normally gives more material things to those he does not choose for glory:losses and crosses - are to sanctify us.look at Psalm 73.
  2. THE QUANTITY OF THESE BLESSINGS: "all"

    * "blessed with all..."

    1. In this life people are blessed only with one or other blessing:
      beauty/intelligence/wealth/comfort.
      But the believer is blessed with all.
    2. There will be degrees of glory but all believers will have all in their own measure - and all will be perfectly content.
      ILLUSTRATION: larger/smaller vessels.
    3. Because in glory all are filled with love, all will be glad when others have more than they:
      ILLUSTRATION: The Apostle Paul and a lesser saint.APPLICATION: Cultivate this spirit NOW.
    4. All will partake in all:
      • all will enjoy God to repletion
      • all will bask in His love
      • all will shine with radiance
      • all will be fully happy
      • all will see God's face
      • all will have their tears soothed away from their faces
      APPLICATION: No wonder we "groan" in this life!
  3. THE WAY WE SHOULD REACT TO THESE

    * "Blessed be the God our Father..."

    1. Reverence for God:
      • see who God is: "our Father"
      • "Blessed be the God...", says Paul.
      APPLICATION: Use God's Name with perfect love.
    2. Gratitude to Christ: "in Christ"
      • Christ//Tabernacle - inside/outside.
      • See the Saviour's love for us: in the Garden/on the Cross.
      APPLICATION: Christians really love Him (Mary).
    3. Joyful looking forward to them:
      • we have these blessings here in part
      • we get them in full only in heaven
      • so we look forward to them
      APPLICATION: Christian HOPE is a marvellous thing.
      ILLUSTRATION: STEPHEN'S death!
    4. Wonderment at God's electing love:
      • "chosen" - "before...the world"!
      • we are no better then others.
      • say each day: "Why me?"
      APPLICATION: Election makes hypocrites proud but it makes believers humble.
    5. Amazement at what we are soon to be:
      • "holy": a perfect sanctification
      • "without blame": completely justified
      • "before God's face": Illustration: child and father
      • wrapped up in God's "love": gone all sorrow.
      APPLICATION: Faith/hope/love, which is "the greatest"

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