Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” Good Morning, Greetings… Today we are starting a new series of lessons on “The Blessings of Christianity.” In last week’s bulletin I know I put we were going to look at “The Joy of Christianity” but the more I looked at this topic it became clear that the joy we have is based on the blessings we receive as Christians. In Ephesians 1:3 we find a powerful verse on this subject. (SLIDE) Thus this morning we are going to be examining the idea…(SLIDE)

The Blessings Of Christianity

Understanding Blessings Blessing Defined: (SLIDE)

Blessing: A praise worthy benefit bestowed upon us by God. There are two types of blessings bestowed upon mankind by God. Physical and spiritual Lets look at each of these. (SLIDE)

Physical Blessings The thing about physical blessings “praise worthy benefits from God” are that they are given to everyone whether good or evil (SLIDE)

Matthew 5:45 “…For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” God demonstrates His love for mankind by even blessing the evil and unjust with physical blessings. This truth concerning physical blessings is why some in the world cry foul when they see the wicked proper. Even Job questioned this during his struggle.

Job 21:7 “Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power?” The great prophet Jeremiah asked a similar question. (SLIDE)

Jeremiah 12:1-2 “Righteous are you, O LORD, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? 2 You plant them, and they take root; they grow and produce fruit; you are near in their mouth and far from their heart.” (SLIDE)

Physical Blessings Sometimes it is difficult to see so many of this world that are wicked not only surviving but as Jeremiah put it thriving. It can be challenging at best some times. I mean if Job and Jeremiah can question this as faithful as they were there we too will from time to time. Remember Job and Jeremiah knew of the physical blessings of God for them as well. This life is tough!!! However, thanks be to God, because for you and I and all those that have been adopted into the family of God we have been given a promise that should raise our countenance. This promise should cause our joy to be seen so much that some just can’t help but ask us for the “reason for the hope that is within us” (1 Peter 3:15). That promise deals with not the physical blessings of life which are numerous but the other type of blessings which are the spiritual blessings!!! Let’s look at the promise from God again (SLIDE)

Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” We, children of God, not only have the physical blessings from God such as life, rain, food, clothing, family…but we have “all” spiritual blessings as well. Notice that spiritual blessings are not for the evil or the unjust. They cannot partake of such praise worthy benefits bestowed by our Father above on His children. (SLIDE)

Spiritual Blessings Consider for a moment how fortunate we as Christians are today!!! Only a few actually get to taste these benefits. (SLIDE)

Matthew 7:14 “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Luke 13:23-24 “And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”

Spiritual Blessings These last two verse were not meant to scare the disciples but to encourage them. Brothers and sisters God does show partiality toward His children. Some might say but what about the passages that teach “God is not a respecter of persons.” Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Galatians 2:6; Ephesians 6:9 Brothers and sisters there is a great quote I came across the other day that is fitting here. (SLIDE)

“If you take the text out of context, what are you left with is a con It is true that God does not show partiality based on the color, economics, sex, or the like but make no mistake God favors his “chosen few.” Only the chosen few receive every spiritual blessing – Ephesians 1:3 Only the chosen few receive the hope of heaven – 2 Corinthians 1:10 Only the chosen few may receive a crown of life – Revelation 2:10 Only the chosen few are “precious in His sight” at death – Psalm 116:15 (SLIDE)

The Blessings Of Christianity Brothers and sisters you are chosen few, rejoice and again I say rejoice. Our inheritance of heaven is real for those that have eternal life. Question: Do meditate on your “praise worthy benefits from God?”

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Acts 17:30 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Romans 10:17

Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6

Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Acts 17:30

Acts 17:30 “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent”

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Acts 17:30 Matthew 10:32

Matthew 10:32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.”

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Acts 17:30 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5

Romans 6:3-5 “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Acts 17:30 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”