Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-10

The Church: The Fullness of Christ

(Ephesians 1)

Intro.

1. The church of Christ is vitally important, Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23; 3:10-11; 3:21.

2. The NT teaching of the church is rejected by denominationalism; individualism and worldliness.

3. Ephesians: The glorious church.

a. Eph. 1-3: Our wealth in Christ (1:3,23; 3:21).

b. Eph. 4-6: Our walk in Christ (4:1).

4. The church of Christ is the fullness of Christ, Eph. 1:22-23:

a. “That which fills up; full measure, entire contents...complete attainment...full development, plenitude" (Moulton, 329).

b. cf. The fullness of Godhead bodily, Col. 2:9.

c. All things are summed up in Christ, Eph. 1:10.

5. Therefore, a person will only find Christ’s salvation in His church.

I. THE CHURCH POSSESSES FULL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS, 1:3-14.

A. All Spiritual Blessings are “in Christ”, 1:3.

1. Only Christians are “in Christ”, 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 3:27.

2. Only Christians (saved) are added to the church, Acts 2:47.

3. Only those in Christ (members of His church) have spiritual blessings.

B. All Spiritual Blessings are in the “Heavenly Places” in Christ, 1:3.

-[Heaven itself, 1:20; realm of spiritual forces, 6:12; spiritual realities, 1:3; 2:6 (heavenly Jerusalem, Heb. 12:22; Phil. 3:20)]

1. Christians sit in heavenly places in Christ, Eph. 2:6.

2. Thus, Christians (members of the church) have spir. blessings.

C. A Summary of the Blessings in Christ (His Church), 1:4-14.

1. Chosen (1:4): “To pick out, to choose, to make a choice” (Vine).

a. Before creation; Salvation is no accident.

b. Whosoever will, Acts 2:21; 10:34-35.

c. Purpose: Holy and without blemish (5:27).

2. Predestined (foreordained) to adoption, 1:5.

a. God “set a boundary, marked out definitely” (Thayer) that through Christ men would become sons of God.

b. New birth / Heirs, Gal. 3:26-29; 1 Jno. 3:1.

3. Grace is abundantly given, 1:6-8.

a. In Christ we are compassed about with God’s favor.

b. Sinners need grace, and it abounds.

4. Redemption through His blood, 1:7.

a. A buying back, payment of a ransom; Jesus died in our place.

b. Water baptism into His death (benefits), Rom. 6:3; Acts 22:16.

5. Revelation of the divine purposes, 1:9-10.

-Gospel preached (all truth) is summed up in Christ, Col. 1:27-28.

6. Obtain an inheritance (“made a heritage”, ASV), 1:11.

a. “To choose by lot.” We are God's possession, 1:14.

b. Chosen acc. to His purpose to have an inheritance [heirs, 1:5].

1) Both Jews and Gentiles praise God, 1:12-13.

2) Inheritance is through the gospel, 1:13 (Acts 20:32).

7. Sealed with the Holy Spirit, 1:13-14.

a. Ownership: Stamp of approval.

b. Security (earnest): That we are God's possession and heir, and that God will eternally reward us, Rom. 8:16-17.

II. THE CHURCH MUST COMPREHEND ITS BLESSINGS, 1:15-23.

A. Understanding the Will of Christ is Vital to Faithfulness, 1:17-19.

1. Wisdom and revelation in knowledge, 1:17.

2. Eyes of heart enlightened, 1:18.

3. To perceive: Our hope (2:12; 4:4), our rich inheritance (3:6) and the power of God in our lives (3:20).

4. Without this perception we are not thankful and we will fail to grow in faith and love (1:15).

B. The Power of God in Our Lives is the Power that...

1. Raised and exalted Christ, 1:20.

2. Gave Christ all authority (above all powers), 1:21-22.

3. Gives all blessings to Christ’s church, 1:23 (3).

4. We have the power of God in our lives, 1:19; 3:16-17.

Conclusion

1. Unless you are in Christ's church you do not have spiritual blessings, Eph. 1:3, 23; 2:1.

2. To be blessed in Christ you must obey His gospel.

3. As Christians we must grow in our appreciation for all our blessings in Christ.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: January 3, 2013