Main Idea || To be #blessed, there’s nothing more we need than the gospel. Book of Ephesians Paul: summarizes the gospel story & how it should every part of our story. Gospel story (ch 1-3) || THEREFORE || Our story (ch 4-6) Paul: calls to put on your new humanity to become new humans who live & love like Jesus. A wide view of the gospel of grace: For those who are with Jesus: #blessed 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. The “spiritual blessings” we enjoy are the eternal treasures of personal reconciliation with God—and we enjoy them from the time we first trust in Jesus. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. PAST . It gave God great pleasure to choose you as his own. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. EVERYDAY . Everyday, my Father lavishes grace on me, constantly helping me more than I deserve. 9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, ... FUTURE . When I am joined to Jesus by faith, no matter what my social or financial status, I don’t have to fear being “broke” in the future. 12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, … 14…He did this so we would praise and glorify him. FOREVER . Now and forever, my purpose is to praise God who is most glorious. How do I ensure these blessings reshape my life? Never distort these blessings are coming to you. 3 …every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms — because we are united with Christ. They are coming to you because you are united with Jesus by your faith, not because you are living like Jesus by your faithfulness. They are not ending if or when we’re losing everything else, we will ALWAYS have the infinite & never ending forever blessing of Jesus. Ephesians 3:20–21 (NLT) 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION: 1. Pastor Dan mentioned a few ways our culture seems to define “blessed”. What are some other ways you (or our culture) have defined #blessed? 2. Which of these gospel #blessings resonated with you most? PAST BLESSING. EVERYDAY KINDNESS. FUTURE INHERITANCE. FOREVER WORSHIP. 3. It’s a constant battle to avoid distorting why these gospel blessings are coming to us according to Ephesians 1:3 : 3 …every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms — because we are united with Christ. What’s your reaction to the implications of vv1:3 listed here: They are coming to you because you are united with Jesus by your faith, not because you are living like Jesus by your faithfulness. They are not ending if or when we’re losing everything else, we will ALWAYS have the infinite & never ending forever blessing of Jesus.