What do you mean by that? The apostle Paul wanted the believers in Ephesus to know and understand what they had in a relationship with Jesus Christ. He piles one benefit upon another one as he describes this New Life in Christ.

Keep in mind, those in Ephesus were opposing the great temple of Dianna and the popularity of that pagan idolatry.

Heavenly Benefits! (Eph 1:3)

“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”

The words “hath blessed” means already – past tense instead of future. 

What are spiritual blessings? Why not count them?

• How do you calculate the VALUE of the PEACE of God?(John 14:1-27; Phil 4:6,7; Col 3:15; Rom 5:1; Col 1:20)

• How can we measure a CLEAR CONSCIOUS? ( 1Tim 2:19)

“Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put a way concerning faith have made shipwreck:”

A good conscience is worth more than stocks and bonds!

• What does ASSURANCE of heaven mean to a Christian? (1John 5:11-13)

• How much would a soul PAY for FORGIVENESS of SIN? (1Pet 1:18,19)

• Can rubies or diamonds purchase being RECONCILED to our Creator God? (Col 1:20,21)

• What about the capacity to be FREE from Being Bitten with BITTERNESS? (Eph 4:31,32)

• How much does it mean to be able to give away the GREATEST GIFT of all – ETERNAL LIFE? (2Cor 9:15)

Eternal life means forever. That is a long time!

Conclusion: Now after listing just some of the benefits of being a CHRISTIAN, would you not agree that we as believers in Jesus Christ are wealthy?

Praise the Lord!

1. How God is calling His people to the OLD PATHS! (Jer 6:16)

“16Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.”

2. Sadly, some will not answer Jesus’s call! (Jer 6:16)

“16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein,….. But they said, We will not walk therein.”

.

1. David’s Dedication! (Psa 30:1)

“I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.”

Some suggest this was from the heart of David at the dedication of his house. Do we have a heart for God?

2. David’s Deliverance! (Psa 30:2-4)

“2 O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. 3 O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. 4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.”

God is in the healing business. He does deliver His servants.

3. David’s Delight! (Psa 30:5-12)

Although we face adversity, our Lord shows forth His victory….all for His glory!

Introduction: Seeing, hearing, and experiencing the glory of God is breathtaking. We read of personal testimonies in the Scriptures of those who encountered God’s glory.

1. Moses did! (Exo 3:2-6)

“And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. 5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.”

Imagine a burning bush that is not consumed. Moses was never the same after that experience. He became one of the greatest leaders of Israel.

2. Paul did! (2Cor 12:1-3)

“1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I can not tell: God knoweth; How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”

It seems only fitting that Paul was caught up to the third heaven, especially since he denied the Lord Jesus for years. He became one of the greatest missionaries that ever lived, if not the greatest.

3. Ezekiel did! (Ezekiel 1:28)

“As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.”

4. John did! (Revelation 1:17,18)

“17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

After attempts to martyr John failed, he ended up on the isle of Patmos where he encountered Jesus Christ.
Recognizing who He was, John fell as a dead man at His feet. Then he was ready to write concerning the things which will come hereafter.

1. Psalm 29:10 

“10 The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.”

Isn’t it comforting to know that the God we serve is in control?

2. Matt 24:37

“37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

Jesus Christ made reference in this END TIME Olivet discourse to the flood during Noah’s day. He likened the surprise to be similar to when He returns in His second coming. Does it seem like we are living in the days of Noah?

3. Nahum 1:7,8

“The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. 8 But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.”

After God sent the great revival in Nineveh during the days of Jonah, the city became very wicked. Nahum’s message is judgment. It was inevitable. However, like today, there is a way to escape this by running into the arms of Jesus! Will you do that today?

4. Gen 6:17

“17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. 18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.”

Because of man’s wickedness, God sent a universal flood to destroy those on earth except Noah and his family. Next, our Lord made a covenant with him not to destroy the world again with a flood; however, the judgment of fire would be used.

Peter writes,
“And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly…” (2 Pet 2:5)

“10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the wo
rks that are therein shall be burned up.” (2 Pet 3:10)

How close are we to this happening? Speaking of Global warming!!

Introduction: I love what John was inspired to write to the seven Churches in the book of Revelation. This brief, but challenging message sandwiched in between some condemnation to the church of Thyatira is applicable for us today.

Notice:

1. What we as believers already POSSESS! (Rev 2:25)

“But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.”

Look at the words ” HAVE ALREADY”! That speaks of PAST TENSE. In other words what we already POSSESS- i.e. the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, etc. Use them. 

2. How we  need to PERSEVERE! (Rev 2:25)

“But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.”

Look at the words “HOLD FAST.” That speaks of PRESENT TENSE. This means Hold on- PERSEVERE. Stay strong!

3. How we need to PREPARE! (Rev 2:25)

“But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.”

Look at the words “till I come”! That speaks of FUTURE tense! Jesus is coming!!

Conclusion: Jesus Christ was instructing His Church to stay strong in these days. Why? Because He will return.

Let’s get ready.

Introduction: How is our faith in Jesus being refined? Can you tell? Check out the following progression. 

1. Faith Defined! (Heb 11:1)

“Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Faith is based on believing God’s Word. Simply put, it is taking our Lord at His Word. There is saving faith, living faith, and dying faith. Do we really exercise trust in the Lord? Even through the fires of affliction, is our dependence upon Him?

2. Faith Refined! (1Pet 1:6,7)

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

In order for our Faith in Jesus to grow, it must be refined on a continuous basis….from glory to glory. Is your faith in Jesus being tested right now? What should you do? 

Answer: Let the Master Potter….mold and make you after His will. 

In the crucible, our faith is being purified. That is what Peter is teaching. So now, is your faith being purified?

3. Faith Designed! (Rom 4:19-21)

“And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”

In God’s economy, the element of faith is the key that unlocks heaven’s blessings. Will you unlock the door?

Conclusion: While this is simple, yet it is profound – Faith is the victory – from root to fruit. So is your faith in Jesus growing or shrinking through the fires? It is meant to be enlarged.

Once we step back and see the big picture, then we can cooperate as our faith is being refined through the furnace of affliction. 

Introduction: Where is our mission field? It is wherever we are located. That means Walmart, the gas station, the neighborhood, or our home.

Don’t forget, we are witnesses.

1. A Christian Witness is someone who testifies to what Jesus Christ has done! (2Cor 5:20)

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

The word “ambassador” is πρεσβεύω which means a representative. That is a great responsibility to represent Jesus Christ! How are you doing?

2. A Christian Witness is someone who demonstrates a Changed life! (2Cor 5:17)

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Jesus makes the difference. Can others see Jesus in you?

3. A Christian Witness is someone who is motivated by the love of Christ! (2Cor 5:14,15)

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead.”

2Co 5:15 – “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto them selves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”

What a motivation? The love of Christ!

Conclusion: Are you a witness? What kind? We represent the One & Only Jesus Christ! Therefore, we are on missions.

Introduction: Did we choose Jesus or did Jesus choose us? The latter is ultimately true. What does that mean? How should we respond?

1. We should respond with a good attitude! (John 15:16)

“You’ve not Chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.”

What a statement! Jesus reminds His disciples as well as those who are followers today that He chose us, not the opposite. Now granted, by His grace we receive Him (John 1:12). But ultimately, He sought us out, saved us by His previous redeeming blood, and has promised to return for us some day. 

This should cause us to watch and wait for His coming. Are you?

2. We should respond with gratitude! (Luke 17:15 -19)

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

As gratitude was found in this one and only leper, may it be said of those of us who name the name of Jesus that we are thankful!

3. We should respond in flying higher in Altitude! (1Cor 1:26-31)

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.”

Are you glorying in the flesh or in the Lord?

Conclusion: Bottom line: We are debtors as Paul wrote….to live for the glory of our Lord since He chose us and purchased our redemption.

CHOSEN and KEPT by JESUS!

Introduction: Do you ever feel stressed? Have you ever been abandoned by a friend or family? What should you do? Take note how our Lord handled stress. Even though He was fully God, He was fully man at the same time. But His plate was full! People were clinging to Him desperately needing healing and help. He faced challenges on every hand but He OVERCAME them!

The Disciples left Him at the most crucial moment of His life! (Mark 14:43-50)

“43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. 45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. 46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him. And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? 49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. 50 And they all forsook him, and fled.”

Have you ever been betrayed? Abandoned? Did you feel helpless?

Conclusion: Jesus gives us His life through His Spirit to be able to OVERCOME. When we feel stressed and lonely, He’s with us. We are never alone.