Theme: Our Eternal Foundation, part 2 – Every Spiritual Blessing is in Christ.

You may not have a million dollars waiting to be claimed by you, but Christ has something of indescribable value with your name on it. Our passage today may be the most exhaustive description of the value of our salvation in Scripture. Though these spiritual blessings are outlined as experienced in the past, present, and future, they all came to us at the moment we believed.

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Introduction (verse 3)

The word “blessed” means “good word” or “good praise.” This passage is a hymn of praise to God. We give back to God in our worship because He has given so much to us. All the blessings of our salvation are sourced in God’s grace and come from the Spirit.

The Riches of God’s Grace in Eternity Past (verses 4-6).
Before He created the earth, God chose those who would be among the saved. This word is the same used of the choosing of Israel. God’s election is always linked to God’s kindness in Scripture; it is never associated with harshness.

God’s choosing had a moral aim, to be holy and blameless as a reflection of God Himself. This can only happen when we are declared holy. Praise the Lord, the ethical demand was put on God’s Son who did live a perfect life in our stead, and through Him we become acceptable to God. When we get His DNA, we can’t help gradually becoming more like Christ as we grow. Then we can meet the ethical demand to be holy for all who believe.

God’s adoption puts us into His family as a child who shares equally in the inheritance. We are co-heirs with Jesus, and all the riches available to Him are ours as well! This right is exclusive for those who are in Him.

The Rich Spiritual Blessings of the Present (verses 7-12).
We presently enjoy super-abundant riches that we have been given. We have a “star-studded salvation,” with bright, shiny, sparkly layers of blessing far beyond what we deserve.
A new ruler in our hearts because of redemption. We have been granted forgiveness and keep on being forgiven. Recognition of God’s limitless mercy should evoke endless praise.

Lavished with abundant riches. God’s gifts are always generous. He gives us wisdom and insight through His Word to see and know things as they are. The believer should never be stumped by how to act in a situation. God’s will is no longer a mystery.

We anticipate a reign with Christ. In the Millennial Kingdom, believer-saints will reign on Earth with King Jesus.

God’s Eternal Rich Blessings for the Future (verses 13-14).
These blessings are predicated on one requirement: that one listens and believes. According to Romans 10:17, you must hear the Word of God and by faith surrender your heart to the truth.

The Holy Spirit certifies our future blessings as an engagement ring promises a future marriage. We are sealed with the Spirit, showing the authenticity and authority of God’s work in us. The Spirit is the first installment in our inheritance that we will enjoy for all eternity.

• There is simply not enough time to detail all the facets of the spiritual blessings in this passage. Study verses 3-14 in depth on your own time with a good Bible commentary. Your soul will be encouraged!
• This passage is a doxology, a song of praise to God. As you reflect on the myriad of spiritual blessings He has given us through salvation in Christ, respond to Him in worship and praise!
• If you struggle with your security in Christ, take comfort in God’s choosing and adoption of you. God must finish what He starts (Philippians 1:6). Have you been acting as if your salvation was based on your own behavior? If you could work your way into salvation, you could work your way out – but we do not earn our salvation; it is a free gift of God and irrevocable.
• If you are being discipled, you should naturally be becoming more like Christ in your character and behavior. Do you find you cannot live an increasingly holy and blameless life? Search your heart and ask God if you have been truly born again.

Cross References to Explore:

• Matthew 7:13-14 – God chose a smaller number taken out of a larger group.
• Hebrews 9:11-14, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Ephesians 5:25b-27, 2 Peter 3:14, Jude 24 – Christ is the spotless Lamb, and we will be blameless like Him.
• John 1:12, Romans 8:17 – the incredible blessings of adoption.
• Colossians 1:12-14, Galatians 3:29 – believers will reign with Christ.
• 2 Corinthians 5:5 – the pledge of the Holy Spirit.

A Hymn to Encourage: “Jesus, I am Resting”

Jesus I am resting, resting in the Joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee, and Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power Thou hast made me whole.

Jesus, I am resting, resting, in the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.

O how great Thy loving kindness, vaster, broader than the sea!
O how marvelous Thy goodness, lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Beloved, know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise, and have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless, satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings, meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings; Thine is love indeed!

Ever lift Thy face upon me, as I work and wait for Thee;
Resting 'neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus, Earth's dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father's glory, Sunshine of my Father's face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting; fill me with Thy grace.