OUR BLESSINGS THROUGH CHRIST;

Text; Eph.1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Context; Rom.8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Introduction: Too often we see the shared glory with Christ as something off in the wonderful future instead of rejoicing in the ‘here and now’ promises which are ours. In the next few verses of this first chapter of Ephesians we shall see the Present Blessings we have through Christ.
THROUGH HIM WE ARE:
I.Chosen.
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if theyhave kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
II. Sanctified;
Eph 1:4. 'that we should be holy and without blame before him in love':
I Cor. 1: 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
John 17: 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

III. Adopted;
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
John 1: 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Gal.4: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

IV. Accepted;
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
This can be accomplished ONLY through Christ!

V. Redeemed;
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood,

VI. Forgiven;
'the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;'

VII. Enriched;
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

VIII. Enlightened.
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

IX. Sealed.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

X. Quickened;
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

XI. Exalted;
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

XII. Consecrated;
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

XIII Reconciled;
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

XIV. United in ONE BODY!
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.


XV Paul prays that we might KNOW these things!
Eph.1: 15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.