Sermon Outline - In Heavenly Places, Ephesians ch.1 v.3
Date | 16/11/2003 |
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Time | 11:00 |
Preacher | Rev. Maurice Roberts, Inverness |
Sermon Title | In Heavenly Places |
Text | Ephesians ch.1 v.3 |
Sermon ID | 707 |
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Introduction
- This is so great - grammar fails.
- This verse looks up - then down.
- It is a treasure chest and here Paul lifts the lid.
THE KIND OF BLESSINGS WE HAVE AS CHRISTIANS
* "spiritual": Cp. earthly, temporal.
- Compare earthly blessings to heavenly
- houses, health, money, etc.
- they are but for a short time.
- The O.T. promised earthly as "toys" because the O.T. people of God were as yet "children".
APPLICATION: We have "come of age". - The nature of these "spiritual blessings" explained:
- things consistent with "the heavenlies"
The term refers to "supercelestial things". - 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.
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. - things consistent with "the heavenlies"
- Compare earthly blessings to heavenly
THE QUANTITY OF THESE BLESSINGS: "all"
* "blessed with all..."
- In this life people are blessed only with one or other blessing:
beauty/intelligence/wealth/comfort.
But the believer is blessed with all. - 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. - 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. - 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
- In this life people are blessed only with one or other blessing:
THE WAY WE SHOULD REACT TO THESE
* "Blessed be the God our Father..."
- Reverence for God:
- see who God is: "our Father"
- "Blessed be the God...", says Paul.
- Gratitude to Christ: "in Christ"
- Christ//Tabernacle - inside/outside.
- See the Saviour's love for us: in the Garden/on the Cross.
- 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
ILLUSTRATION: STEPHEN'S death! - Wonderment at God's electing love:
- "chosen" - "before...the world"!
- we are no better then others.
- say each day: "Why me?"
- 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.
- Reverence for God:
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