Call to Worship Psalm 103:2～4a
Hymn JBC # 92 Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee
The Lord’s Prayer
Offering
Scripture Ephesians 1:3-14
Prayer
Sermon “Blessings in Christ”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 363 Lord of the Church, we pray for our renewing
Doxology JBC # 672
Good morning, everyone.
This year, our church - Beppu International Baptist Church (BIBC) -is moving forward with the annual theme of "Remember the Lord’s Grace" (Based on the Scripture from Ephesians 2:8)
The book of Ephesians is not very long, with six chapters in total. I strongly encourage everyone to read the entire book for at least once. When you try reading the whole book, you will know that the structure is very clear.
In other words, it’s roughly divided into three chapters in the first half and three chapters in the latter half. Chapter 1 to 3 are the doctrinal (teaching) part, and Chapter 4 to 6 are the practical part. In the first half, along with praises to God, the doctrine of salvation is written with stirring words. The second half describes practical steps that are aligned with that salvation, written from various angles.
To summarize, I think it’s okay to say that the book of Ephesians specifically explains about what it means to be "saved by grace through faith" (Eph 2:8) and to "walk in good works" (Eph 2:10).
Pastor Sakai has already shared messages from Ephesians about three times, especially at the Sunday service on New Year's Day he shared from the same passage (Ephesians 1:3-14). Reverend KATO Tsuneaki, a famous preacher, said "this Verse 3 to 14 really needs to be preached over and over again...it's just too rich."
Therefore, I would like to share today's message from this passage.
First, let me tell you a little bit about the background of the Book of Ephesians.
According to Ephesians 1:1, the book was written by the Apostle Paul, who is Jewish, and the recipients (often referred as "you" in this book) are " God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus” or simply put, Christians in Ephesus. Most of them would have been "Gentiles" (non-Jewish people).
In this book, when there’s a word "we", it seems that most of the time it’s used to call all Christians that includes "Gentiles". But in some cases, it seems that it’s used only to refer to “Jewish people”.
At first, Paul, like many other Jews (no, actually more than other Jews), persecuted the Christ believers. However, he then converted after encountering the resurrected Lord Jesus and was transformed into a great evangelist who preach Christ despite persecutions.
At the time of writing this letter, Paul was in prison because of the persecution of the Jews.
Today let’s focus on why this letter was full of praise despite being written in the prison.
Let’s read Ephesians 1:3 one more time.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
The first half of this verse is translated as follows in the Japanese Colloquial Translation version: "Praise be to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ..." (same as NIV, 1984 edition) while the Japanese Interconfessional version (BIBC uses this version) was translated as “May the God, father of the Lord Jesus Christ, be praised”.
When Paul, who wrote this letter, thought about the "spiritual blessings" given to "us”, which he was about to write to, the first words that came to his mind were words of praise to God. Furthermore, in verses 6, 12, and 14, there are words that also "praise" God.
In Greek, the language in which the original text was written, the word order is quite free with a general principle that the word that is emphasized the most always comes first. So, Paul wants to emphasize the word "blessed", which is at the beginning of this sentence in its original language.
Considering that Paul was in prison at that time, isn't this surprising?
Then, in the second half of verse 3 it says:
“(God) has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
In the original Greek text, "in Christ" comes at the end of verse 3 (the same as English NIV version). In Greek language, there is also a general principle that the word of second emphasis comes at the end of the sentence, so "in Christ" can be said to be the second emphasis of this verse.
Then, from verse 4 to 14, "all spiritual blessings" are specifically written. Today, although just a little bit, I’d like all of us to experience this blessing while focusing on 3 things out of the many spiritual blessings.
Ephesians 1:5 says:
“he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will”
What we understand here is that we have been made "children of God." John also says in his first letter (1 John 3:2), "Now we are children of God...".
Also, Romans 8:14-17 says:
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.And by him we cry, “Abba,Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,,,,”
First, because it says here that we are made "sons of God", we do not have to fear God as a slave fears his master. Rather, we can call Him "Abba Father” just like a child calling “Daddy", "Papa" and jump into his arms. It says here that we have been brought into this kind of close relationship where we can jump into God’s arms.
Then, we are also called "heirs of God". I lost my aunt about two and a half years ago, and inherited some of my aunt's estate because she has no children. Something that was not originally mine, something that I had not worked hard to earn, was given to me just because I was her "heirs".
God is the one who created, maintains and rules over all things. How great the position as "heirs of God" is! – It can be said that this is too far beyond our imagination.
The next thing I’d like to pay attention to is verse 7.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”
It says here that we are "redeemed and our sins forgiven." We can say that redemption and the forgiveness of sins are very important as they are the center or the root of our salvation.
I’d like to quote from Romans 6:23 that says:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
"Death" entered the human world as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve. Then all mankind has become mortal. However, through the atonement of Jesus Christ on the Cross, those who believe in Christ are forgiven of their sins and made partakers of eternal life.
The "death" mentioned in this book of Romans is later contrasted with "eternal life," so it most likely means "eternal death," not just physical death.
And then the third thing is from verse 13:
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, “
"And you also," is used here specifically referring to Gentile Christians. (I believe that all of us here, including myself, are Gentiles) Gentiles, who was never been associated with the God of Israel, the true God, and have not known Christ, can also be “marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit”, in other words to receive the Holy Spirit, when "you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed…”
Believing the Gospel you heard is the requirement to receive this blessing. The requirement is only one: to believe the Gospel.
According to verse 14, Holy Spirit is “A deposit guaranteeing our inheritance". All of us will eventually have to finish our lives on this earth. No one knows when that will be. Or, alternatively, the second coming of Jesus may come first. In any case, we have been given the Holy Spirit as the guarantee of inheriting "the Kingdom of God", which is heaven.
Furthermore, Romans 8:16 that was quoted earlier says, "The Spirit himself (The Holy Spirit himself) testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Because of the work of the Holy Spirit, we can pray to God by saying, “Father in Heaven”.
And lastly, there is one more thing from these 3 verses to pay attention to.
First, "by Jesus Christ" in verse 5, then "in his Son and by his blood" in verse 7, and "in Christ" in verses 13. Between verses 3 and 14, the word "Christ" appears thirteen times.
None of the “every spiritual blessings” given to us are given without a relationship with Jesus.
And if we are in Christ by faith, if we abide in Jesus, no matter what our circumstances are, like Paul, even in prison, we can receive and possess these “spiritual blessings”.
We often feel blessed when we see good things, or when good things happen, such as passing an exam, being cured of an illness, being protected from an accident, or having a wish come true. Indeed, these are certainly God’s grace. And there's nothing wrong with being grateful for it. Rather, we should be grateful.
But being a Christian doesn't mean that all will be smooth-sailing. Well, I, too, have experienced many times that things worked out miraculously. But on the other hand, I also experienced painful things many times. In my case though, most of my painful experiences were caused by my own sins, or by negligence, pride, foolishness, etc.
But even though we do what we ought to do perfectly without negligence or sin, does it mean everything will be smooth-sailing? I don’t think so.
We’ve seen or experienced many things that make us think, “I believe in God, but why is this happening?”- Isn't this the reality of our lives?
However, even if we are in a difficult situation, if we are connected to Christ, if we believe in Jesus, the "spiritual blessings" described here are ours, even today.
It may be difficult to praise God like Paul did in the midst of difficulties and sufferings. But Paul can’t help but praising God that time because he knows he has received these great spiritual blessings despite being in the prison. Remembering that we, too, have the same blessings, let’s always praise God like Paul.
With only my power and in this limited time, I am unable to talk about the greatness of the "spiritual blessings" written in Ephesians to the full extent. So I strongly encourage each of us to take time to contemplate deeply on how wonderful it is “to be a child of God”, “to have your sins forgiven”, and “to have the Holy Spirit”.
Today, I would like to close my message with Paul's prayer from Ephesians 1:17-19 as my prayer.
Let’s pray.
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength
First, "by Jesus Christ" in verse 5, then "in his Son and by his blood" in verse 7, and "in Christ" in verses 13. Between verses 3 and 14, the word "Christ" appears thirteen times.
None of the “every spiritual blessings” given to us are given without a relationship with Jesus.
And if we are in Christ by faith, if we abide in Jesus, no matter what our circumstances are, like Paul, even in prison, we can receive and possess these “spiritual blessings”.
We often feel blessed when we see good things, or when good things happen, such as passing an exam, being cured of an illness, being protected from an accident, or having a wish come true. Indeed, these are certainly God’s grace. And there's nothing wrong with being grateful for it. Rather, we should be grateful.
But being a Christian doesn't mean that all will be smooth-sailing. Well, I, too, have experienced many times that things worked out miraculously. But on the other hand, I also experienced painful things many times. In my case though, most of my painful experiences were caused by my own sins, or by negligence, pride, foolishness, etc.
But even though we do what we ought to do perfectly without negligence or sin, does it mean everything will be smooth-sailing? I don’t think so.
We’ve seen or experienced many things that make us think, “I believe in God, but why is this happening?”- Isn't this the reality of our lives?
However, even if we are in a difficult situation, if we are connected to Christ, if we believe in Jesus, the "spiritual blessings" described here are ours, even today.
It may be difficult to praise God like Paul did in the midst of difficulties and sufferings. But Paul can’t help but praising God that time because he knows he has received these great spiritual blessings despite being in the prison. Remembering that we, too, have the same blessings, let’s always praise God like Paul.
With only my power and in this limited time, I am unable to talk about the greatness of the "spiritual blessings" written in Ephesians to the full extent. So I strongly encourage each of us to take time to contemplate deeply on how wonderful it is “to be a child of God”, “to have your sins forgiven”, and “to have the Holy Spirit”.
Today, I would like to close my message with Paul's prayer from Ephesians 1:17-19 as my prayer.
Let’s pray.
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength
