SITTING IN HEAVENLY PLACES
Ephesians 1:3
Jerry Vines
The third verse is the key verse to the book of Ephesians for it opens the door to the vault of all of the treasures we have in the Lord Jesus Christ. It really begins here with an expression of doxology. Sometimes when Paul writes his letters, after the introductory material, he gives a word of thanksgiving - expressing thanksgiving unto God. Here he does a little bit different because he begins with a great ascription of praise and adoration to the Lord. It's as if Paul is writing contemplating the substance of the letter and he begins by saying "may God be praised."
As we began our service tonight we began in a great spirit of praise -- blessing the Lord. The Psalms begin this way many times -- bless the Lord, o, my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name.
So, Paul begins by saying, "May God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be praised." He is expressing praise to God because of the spiritual riches which are ours in Jesus.
I told you last Sunday night if you are a child of God, you are among the rich and the famous. Not as the world describes riches or fame, but you are rich and famous in the things that indeed really matter.
Notice in this opening statement of verse 3 - the Source of our riches.
It says here that our riches are from God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our riches originate in heaven. You and I have the good fortune to have been born into the family of a very wealthy father.
Look at the Ephesians 2:4 - "But God, who is rich..." Isn't that wonderful statement? God is rich. Our heavenly Father is rich in things which we most desperately need. We need grace to cover all our sins. So, in Ephesians 1:7 we are told about the riches of His grace. We need God's mercy - not giving us judgment, but mercy. In Chapter 2:4 it says God is rich in mercy. We need glory so in Ephesians 3:16 the Bible says that he would grant you according to the riches of His glory ...
Ephesians 1:3
Jerry Vines
The third verse is the key verse to the book of Ephesians for it opens the door to the vault of all of the treasures we have in the Lord Jesus Christ. It really begins here with an expression of doxology. Sometimes when Paul writes his letters, after the introductory material, he gives a word of thanksgiving - expressing thanksgiving unto God. Here he does a little bit different because he begins with a great ascription of praise and adoration to the Lord. It's as if Paul is writing contemplating the substance of the letter and he begins by saying "may God be praised."
As we began our service tonight we began in a great spirit of praise -- blessing the Lord. The Psalms begin this way many times -- bless the Lord, o, my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name.
So, Paul begins by saying, "May God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be praised." He is expressing praise to God because of the spiritual riches which are ours in Jesus.
I told you last Sunday night if you are a child of God, you are among the rich and the famous. Not as the world describes riches or fame, but you are rich and famous in the things that indeed really matter.
Notice in this opening statement of verse 3 - the Source of our riches.
It says here that our riches are from God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our riches originate in heaven. You and I have the good fortune to have been born into the family of a very wealthy father.
Look at the Ephesians 2:4 - "But God, who is rich..." Isn't that wonderful statement? God is rich. Our heavenly Father is rich in things which we most desperately need. We need grace to cover all our sins. So, in Ephesians 1:7 we are told about the riches of His grace. We need God's mercy - not giving us judgment, but mercy. In Chapter 2:4 it says God is rich in mercy. We need glory so in Ephesians 3:16 the Bible says that he would grant you according to the riches of His glory ...
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