Understanding Spiritual Blessings in the Book of Ephesians

Paul emphasizes that believers are chosen by God, highlighting their special status and spiritual blessings in Christ.

### The Book of Ephesians: A Six-Month Sermon Series
The Book of Ephesians, written by the Apostle Paul around 61 AD, addresses the church in Ephesus, a thriving yet morally corrupt city. Paul emphasizes the **three fundamental aspects of Christianity**: salvation, the church, and how the saved should live. The overarching theme of Ephesians is **reconciliation**, both with God and among people, and it serves as a **blueprint for establishing a healthy church and transforming lives**.

### The Assurance of God's Guidance
God governs my life from beginning to end, and I rely on His **love and choice for me**. Faith is about God **holding my hand**, and I believe in His **purpose for my life**. Despite challenges and adversity, I am confident that God has sent me, and I will **reveal His glory through my struggles**.

### Paul's Unique Apostleship and God's Purpose
Paul, despite not being one of the twelve disciples, had a powerful ministry, establishing churches and performing miracles. He received his commission from Jesus on the road to Damascus, gaining **certainty and the Holy Spirit's anointing**. The message emphasizes the **importance of recognizing God's purpose in our lives** and the **special calling of being a child of God**.

### The Importance of Spiritual Identity and Holiness
Our spiritual identity, shaped by **God's grace**, influences how we see ourselves and others. The call to be saints, despite our flaws, reflects **God's purpose and hope for us** in a fallen world. Restoring the holiness of God's people is essential, as true sainthood involves being **sensitive to sin** and **faithful in fulfilling God's tasks**.

### The Importance of Faithfulness and God's Grace
The speaker reflects on their grandfather's dedication during the Korean War, contrasting it with the current generation's struggles with faithfulness. They emphasize that **true faithfulness comes from being in Christ Jesus**, who provides **strength and peace**. The speaker also highlights the significance of **God's grace and peace**, which are essential for a fulfilling faith journey, and encourages the congregation to **remain in Christ for continuous blessings**.

### The True Nature of Blessings
The desire for blessings is common, even among those who don't attend church, but a misunderstanding of blessings can lead to a **sick faith**. God's blessings are primarily spiritual, and as we mature in faith, we receive **invisible spiritual blessings** that provide **joy, peace, and love**, regardless of our circumstances. The blessings from the Kingdom of Heaven are **abundant and limitless**, and while they may not be visible at first, they will gradually **manifest in our lives and the lives of our children**.

### The Importance of Being in Christ for Spiritual Blessings
Spiritual blessings come solely through Jesus, and being in Him is **essential for experiencing these blessings**. God's choice and predestination of individuals for salvation is a profound blessing, carrying the weight of **moving from death to life**. The speaker emphasizes that God's plan for each person's salvation has been in motion **since before the creation of the world**, highlighting the significance of being **chosen by God**.

### The Power of God's Choice
God's choice of us is intentional and rooted in His love, with the phrase **"in Christ"** appearing in every verse from 3 to 6. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is central to our salvation, and God's choice is not a mistake but a **deliberate and joyful decision**. Despite our doubts and mistakes, nothing can separate us from God's love, and His choice of us is filled with **purpose and delight**.

### The Importance of God's Grace and Holiness
God's grace is portrayed as an **unconditional and free choice**, with God delighting in **choosing us among many**. The purpose of this choice is to make us **holy and blameless**, transforming our nature and providing **spiritual power to overcome darkness**. Holiness is emphasized as essential for **spiritual purity, power, and fellowship with God**, highlighting its significance in fulfilling **God's purpose for our lives**.

### The Power of Hearing God's Voice
Christians often feel powerless by only listening to human voices, but hearing **God's voice brings strength and peace**. God's choice to make us **His children through Jesus Christ** signifies a profound change in our family registry and grants us the **inheritance of the heavenly kingdom**. Our purpose is to **worship and praise God**, with true praise flowing from the grace we receive, reflecting our **personal testimonies and encounters with Him**.

### The Power of Praise and the Nature of Sin
Praise is a vital expression of gratitude and can **transform our hearts**, leading to a **restoration of joy and self-esteem**. The root of human problems lies in sin, which is inherent in our nature and leads to **disobedience and division**. Resolving the issue of sin is essential for healing and true happiness, as it creates a **severed relationship with God**.

### The Impact of Sin on Relationships and the Need for Redemption
The breakdown of the relationship with God leads to **deteriorating relationships between people**, as seen in the conflicts of Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel. Sin affects everyone, and God's standards for righteousness are **high**, making it **impossible for anyone to meet them**. The resolution of sin requires someone to **pay the price**, which Jesus did through His sacrifice, offering **forgiveness and freedom from the bondage of sin**.

### The Judgment of Souls in Heaven
In heaven, souls are judged, with Satan accusing individuals of their sins. A movie of one's life is shown, but just before the **most embarrassing moments**, the evidence is deleted, and only the **good scenes remain**. Through the blood of Jesus, all sins are erased, offering **forgiveness and freedom from the guilt of sin**.

### The Abundant Wisdom and Understanding in Christ
The spirit of Jesus offers an **overflowing storehouse of heavenly wisdom and knowledge**. God's wisdom is continuously available, providing **guidance and understanding in all aspects of life**. The secret of God's will, revealed through Christ, aims to **unify all things in heaven and on earth**, restoring **order and purpose to the brokenness of the world**.

### The Restoration of the Broken World through Jesus
The physical world has fallen due to spiritual rebellion, but Jesus' sacrifice on the cross offers **restoration**. Proclaiming Jesus as King in our lives can bring **unity and direction** to our families, businesses, and even nations. As God's treasured possession, we are called to live with **purpose and honor**, knowing that our ultimate joy and fulfillment will be found in **praising Him for eternity**.

### The Importance of Praising God
Praising God is essential, both on earth and in heaven, as it **honors His wonderful deeds**. Believers are called to be **passionate advocates for Jesus Christ**, sharing His grace and blessings in their lives. The process of salvation begins with **hearing the gospel**, emphasizing the need for a **genuine encounter with God's word** to attain true faith and salvation.

### The Importance of the Word in the Church
The church's core competency is the **Word**, which is essential for **revival and transformation**. The devil actively tries to hinder people from hearing the Word, leading to **spiritual stagnation**. Listening to the Word is crucial for **salvation and spiritual growth**, and the Holy Spirit plays a vital role in nurturing that seed within us for **eventual rebirth and salvation**.

### The Significance of the Holy Spirit's Sealing
The sealing with the Holy Spirit marks us as **God's possession** and signifies **His authority over our lives**. This sealing also directs our focus towards Jesus, making Him the **center of our thoughts and actions**. Additionally, the Holy Spirit's seal serves as a **guarantee of God's promise** to take responsibility for us until we reach heaven.

### The Assurance of Salvation and the Role of the Holy Spirit
Our salvation is not based on our righteousness, but on the **blood of Jesus**, and God promises to **never abandon us**. The Holy Spirit is given to us as a **constant assurance of our identity as children of God**, providing **comfort and strength during our struggles**. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is both a **past event and a continuous need**, marking us as **God's children** and empowering us to live with **faith and assurance**.

### The Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit's baptism **unleashes divine power**, making previously difficult tasks **effortless**. Churches and individuals may appear godly but lack true power without the Holy Spirit's presence. The Holy Spirit offers **life-giving power**, guiding and anointing us for **impactful ministry** and **transformative success**.

### The Importance of God's Gifts and the Holy Spirit's Role
Engaging in prayer ministry and preaching can be challenging without specific gifts, but **God's mission comes with the ability to fulfill it**. Envying others' gifts or judging based on them is discouraged, as the **Holy Spirit's role is to transform our character and heal our wounds**. True healing and transformation come from **opening our lives to the Holy Spirit's presence and submitting to His guidance**.

### The Power of the Holy Spirit and Forgiveness
Forgiveness is an essential aspect of love and empowerment, with the Holy Spirit playing a **crucial role in healing and transforming our character**. The fruit of the Holy Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, **cannot be stopped** and should **naturally emerge from a genuine connection with Him**. The message emphasizes the importance of **acknowledging and repenting for any limitations placed on the Holy Spirit's work**, urging believers to **reignite His power in their lives and communities**.

### Embracing Spiritual Foundations: A Journey Through Ephesians
* 🙏 Let us come together in prayer, seeking **God's grace** as we anticipate a **spiritual spring** in our lives amidst the warmth of the approaching season.
* 📖 Starting today, we will explore a six-month sermon series on the **Book of Ephesians**, a letter from the Apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus written around **61 AD**.
* 🌆 Ephesus was a thriving city, comparable to modern Hong Kong, marked by **economic prosperity but also moral corruption**, where Paul performed many miracles and the church **rapidly grew**.
* 🔄 The church faced significant conflict between Jewish Christians and Gentile believers, leading Paul to emphasize three fundamental aspects of Christianity: **salvation**, the **nature of the church**, and how the **saved should live**.
* 💔 The overarching theme of Ephesians is **reconciliation**, highlighting that true harmony within families and society can only be achieved through **reconciliation with God**.
* 📜 Paul wrote Ephesians while imprisoned, yet he remained concerned for the church, emphasizing that our lives are **guided by God's will**, which instills **hope and purpose**.
* 🌟 The letter encourages believers to recognize their identity as **saints, called by God**, and to understand that true blessings come from **spiritual wealth** rather than material gains.
* 💬 As we embark on this journey through Ephesians, may we embrace **God's grace and peace**, transforming our lives and communities in accordance with **His will**.

### The Spiritual Blessings of God: From Visible to Invisible
* 🙏 The people of Israel became complacent and forgot God, leading to their downfall as they **hoarded blessings and exploited the poor**.
* 🌟 After Jesus, God shifted focus to granting **invisible spiritual blessings**, emphasizing the importance of **spiritual maturity** over material wealth.
* 📖 Just as children need illustrations in books, spiritually immature individuals rely on **visible blessings**, while mature believers receive **deeper, invisible gifts** from the Holy Spirit.
* 💖 "The blessings from the Holy Spirit are not temporary; they are blessings that **continue to improve and last forever**, providing peace and joy regardless of circumstances."
* 🌳 Spiritual blessings may not be immediately visible, akin to a tree **absorbing nutrients unseen**; they manifest over time as **faith blooms in our lives**.
* 🥇 Personal testimonies, like that of speed skater Lee Seung-hoon, illustrate how God **opens doors and provides blessings** in **unexpected ways**.
* 🎉 God’s choice of us is **intentional and joyful**, marking us as His **chosen children**, and this selection is a **profound blessing that cannot be reversed**.
* 🎶 Ultimately, the life of a believer is one of **continuous praise** in response to God's grace, as we recognize our identity as **children of God** and the **eternal blessings** that come with it.

### The Nature of Sin and the Power of Salvation through Jesus Christ
* 👶 "Ninety percent of what a three-year-old child says is **negative**, reflecting the **inherent sinful nature** within humanity."
* 🧬 This sinful nature, described as a "**gene of sin**," leads to disobedience to God, starting from the **original sin of Adam and Eve**.
* 😈 When individuals listen to the devil instead of God, they embody the nature of the devil, which includes traits like **division, hatred, and pride**.
* 💔 The consequences of sin are severe, leading to a **severed relationship with God** and resulting in **broken relationships among people**, as seen in conflicts between couples and siblings.
* 🌍 Even societies that appear successful, like Japan, grapple with **high rates of mental health issues**, indicating that true happiness cannot be achieved without **resolving the issue of sin**.
* 🩸 Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins through His sacrifice, offering us **freedom from the bondage of sin** and the opportunity for **salvation**.
* ✝ This salvation transforms our status, **erasing our sins** and granting us the privilege to **live as God’s treasured possession**, filled with His **wisdom and understanding**.
* 🎶 Ultimately, believers are called to **declare the praises of God**, living a life of **joy and gratitude** for the grace they have received through Christ.

### The Power and Assurance of the Holy Spirit in Our Lives
* 🙏 In the factory, during sermon time, many struggle with **sleepiness and distractions**, leading to a **lack of focus on the Word of God**, which is essential for **spiritual health and growth**.
* 📖 "Without the Word, God's patience only lasts a **month or two** before we spiritually falter," highlighting the necessity of **engaging with Scripture** to sustain faith and enable good works.
* 🛐 As a pastor, my primary mission is to **pray and preach the Word**, despite the challenges of daily church responsibilities that can distract from **spiritual preparation and focus**.
* 💬 It is vital for congregants to create an atmosphere that graciously receives the Word, as **listening is crucial for salvation and strengthening faith**, especially for those in leadership roles within the church.
* 🌱 The Holy Spirit plays a transformative role in our lives, as He **sows the seed of the Word in our hearts**, allowing for **spiritual growth and eventual rebirth**, which can happen **suddenly or over time**.
* 🔒 Being sealed by the Holy Spirit signifies that we **belong to God and have received His authority**, providing **assurance of our salvation** and **protection against spiritual adversaries**.
* 💪 The sealing of the Holy Spirit also empowers us for ministry, transforming our efforts into **fruitful actions through divine strength** rather than our own abilities.
* ✨ Ultimately, the Holy Spirit not only marks us as **children of God** but also instills in us the character of **Jesus**, leading to a life filled with **love, joy, and peace**, as we continually seek His presence and guidance.

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