Ephesians 1:3

I want you to notice that from vs.3 to 23 is centered to prayer. From vs. 3-14, you’ll notice that it’s a prayer praise, then vs. 15-23, is a prayer of petition.

I. I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THIS PRAYER OF PAUL IS ACTUALLY A LIFE – REMINDING PRAYER.

(BRINGING OUR MINDS TO THE RIGHT FOCUS)

A. This prayer is life –reminding because it is designed to remind us WHO is most important in this life – “ GOD”.

1. The real essence of the Bible is that the first principle of the Theology is: THERE IS GOD; and the second principle is YOU ARE NOT HIM. for the Bible opens with this praise: “In the beginning God…”

2. It also reminds us that God is most important in all the world. Psa. 46:1-11 – it starts and ends with God.

B. This prayer is life – reminding for it reminds us WHAT is most important in all the world – and that’s “GOD’S GLORY”

1. In my sufferings – what is important? GOD’S GLORY Cf. I Pet. 4:11-14.

2. In my blessings – it leads to the GLORY OF GOD. Cf. Rev.4:11

C. This prayer is life – reminding because it helps us to desire to appreciate, to delight in God’s glory above all things. Vs.3, Psalm 107.

1. Apart from God, true blessedness cannot be found or experienced.

II. GOD IS WHAT IS TRULY BLESSED, AND THEREFORE, OUR LIFE MUST BE DIRECTED TOWARDS GOD –

AT LEAST IN TWO WAYS:

A. First of all- it means that we worship God, we glorify God, we acknowledge that God alone is blessed, and that all blessedness is in Him in all of our lives. Cf. I Cor.10:31, I Cor. 1:31

B. We are also called to glorify God with our lips, especially in the assembly of God’s people- at the church. Heb. 10:25; 13:15.

III. EPHESIANS 1:3-14 IS A DEEP EXPRESSION OF THANKSGIVING IN THE LANGUAGE OF WORSHIP AND PRAISE.

A. The focus of praise is in what God has done in Christ.

1. Our greatest blessings are our salvation in Christ. Vs. 3, 5, 5, 7,10, 12-13

B. Vs. 7 Paul mentions the blessings that flow from the matchless grace of God.

1. Redemption- The very price He made for our ransomed is His own blood. Cf. I Pet. 1:18-19

2. Forgiveness- means loosing a person from what binds him or her - it stems from a verb meaning “to send away” Cf. Lev. 16:20-22

3. Sealed- Vs. 13-14, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise when we believed.

a.) It speaks of a finished transaction and implies ownership, which also means security and protection. Cf. John 10:28, I John 4:4