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An Old Fashioned Love Song in Three Part Harmony
Ephesians 1:7-14 Speaker: Russ Muse
Additional Texts: Genesis 12; Ezekiel 26:36; John 6:44; Acts 19; Galatians 3:14, 28-29, 4:6
Takeaways
“It’s just an old-fashioned love song, coming down in three-part harmony” – Three Dog Night and the Apostle Paul.
In all his writings, we see that Paul never loses sight of the glorious grace of God – the richness of the spiritual blessings that are ours in Him! These blessings are not something we will only receive in the future – they are blessings we get to enjoy now. Blessings such as
-being adopted into God’s family
-being considered holy and blameless
-insight into His will
-gifts from the Spirit that we can use in the service of others
-fruits of the Spirit such as joy amid pain, patience amid irritation, love amid mistreatment
We experience these blessings because of
What the Father has done
The means Jesus has provided
How the Holy Spirit appropriates and mediates their activity in our lives.
1. The Father blesses and bestows the spiritual blessings. He planned (predestined) for this to happen.
The Father determines to give us gifts and creates them.
2. Jesus provides the means of receiving these blessings. We cannot experience these blessings apart from Jesus.
Jesus delivers the gifts.
3. The Spirit appropriates (authorizes) and mediates (brings about) these spiritual blessings in our lives, sealing them into our experience.
The Holy Spirit helps us use the gifts in our daily lives.
Why are there spiritual blessings at all? They are NOT so we can be part of a “blessing club.” They ARE for the praise of God’s glory. We are blessed beneficiaries, caught in the middle of His glory’s display.
Reflection Prompters / Suggested Homework
Read through the book of Ephesians this week and mark it on your bookmark.* We are encouraging you to read through the book 10 times during the 13-week series. You may also wish to review the additional texts used this week. We also suggest you read Act 19 for more context about what was happening in Ephesus at that time.
1. This week, read Acts 19 in addition to Ephesians. This gives additional context to what was going on in Ephesus at the time of this epistle.
2. How does understanding that these blessings are meant for God’s glory, rather than just personal benefit, shape your perspective on faith?
3. What role do you see each member of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—playing in your spiritual growth and journey?
4. The Spirit is not waiting for our permission to lead us. Reflect on your journey with God. Where do you see He was at work even when you might not have known it?
5. How are you personally experiencing spiritual blessings, such as the ones mentioned in the summary (or others you see in Scripture)?
*Bookmarks are available at the church and can be mailed by request to beth@wearefree.cc
