Book Study · Week 1 of 6

Every Spiritual Blessing

Ephesians 1:3-14

Our riches in Christ

Main Point

Before God asks anything of you, He wants you to know everything He's already given you.

Application Ideas

Read this passage slowly and circle every phrase that describes what God has done for you. Let it sink in before you 'do' anything.

Discussion Questions

Why does Paul start with blessings before behavior? What does it mean to be 'chosen before the creation of the world'?

Detailed Sermon Outline

Primary Text: Ephesians 1:3-14

Supporting Texts: Psalm 103:1-12; Colossians 1:3-14; Romans 8:1-17

Big Idea: In Christ, you are blessed with every spiritual blessing and adopted into God's family—chosen, redeemed, sealed.

Target Length: 35-40 minutes

Introduction

Paul opens Ephesians with a breathtaking blessing: '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.'

Every spiritual blessing. Not some. Not most. Every one. This is not a tentative promise or a conditional benefit. This is an affirmation of what God has already done for you in Christ.

The main point: In Christ, you are blessed with every spiritual blessing, chosen, redeemed, and sealed as God's possession.

I. Chosen Before the Foundation (Ephesians 1:3-5; Psalm 103:1-12)

'For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.' Before the world existed, God chose you. This is not based on your future performance. It's based on His intention.

'In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.' Adoption is the imagery. You're not slaves or servants—you're brought into the family.
This is remarkable theology. You're not earning your place in God's family. You're adopted into it. You belong not because of what you'll accomplish but because God chooses you.
Psalm 103:1-12 celebrates this: 'The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love... As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.'

Before you took a single breath, before you made a single mistake, before you achieved anything—God chose you. You are chosen.

II. Redeemed and Forgiven (Ephesians 1:7-10; Romans 8:1-17)

'In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us.' Redemption is release from captivity. Christ's blood is the ransom price.

'With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.'
Forgiveness is not just the absence of punishment. It's restoration. It's inclusion in God's plan. It's knowing that your past doesn't disqualify you from your future.
Romans 8:1-17 assures: 'Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus... because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.'

You are redeemed. Your sins are forgiven. Your past does not determine your identity. You are free.

III. Sealed With the Spirit (Ephesians 1:11-14; Colossians 1:3-14)

'And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation... And you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.'

A seal marked something as belonging to someone. It was a sign of ownership and authenticity. God's seal on your life means you are His. You bear His mark.
'The promised Holy Spirit' is not something you earn in the future. It's promised—meaning guaranteed. When you believe, the Holy Spirit marks you immediately.
This seal is 'a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.' The Holy Spirit's presence now is a down payment on what's to come—full redemption, complete restoration, eternal life with God.

Colossians 1:3-14 expresses this: 'By our knowledge of God to the measure of his grace... God has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.'

Conclusion & Appeal

Before we ask 'What should I do?' Paul says 'Look at what God has done.' You're chosen. You're redeemed. You're sealed. You're blessed with every spiritual blessing.

This is not about your performance or your worthiness. This is about God's choice, God's redemption, God's seal on your life.

The invitation this week is to receive this blessing. To believe that you're chosen. To trust that you're redeemed. To live as if you're sealed by God's Spirit. That transforms everything.