Ephesians 1:3-14 - Homiletics

The thanksgiving.

The condition of believers is fitted to excite the profoundest emotions of gratitude and praise in all who know them. Grounds of this thankfulness are—

I. STATED SUMMARILY . ( Ephesians 1:3 .) (For outline discourse on this text, see Exposition.)

II. STATED IN DETAIL . ( Ephesians 1:4-14 .) The chief elements of blessing are:

1. Holiness and blamelessness in love, secured by God's eternal election ( Ephesians 1:4 ).

2. Adoption, secured in the same way ( Ephesians 1:5 ).

3. Acceptance in the Beloved ( Ephesians 1:6 ).

4. Redemption through Christ's blood, especially forgiveness of sin ( Ephesians 1:7 ).

5. Abundance of grace, regulated by wisdom and knowledge ( Ephesians 1:8 ).

6. Enlightenment in the mystery of God's will as to the Gentiles ( Ephesians 1:9 ).

7. Especially, knowledge of Jesus Christ as the predestined Centre or Head of all things ( Ephesians 1:10 ).

8. Fellowship with Christ in the enjoyment and purpose of his inheritance ( Ephesians 1:11 , Ephesians 1:12 ).

9. The seal of the Holy Spirit, or earnest of our inheritance, the pledge and assurance of the eternal glory. Observe the constant allusions to the glory of God's grace, the riches of his grace, the abundance of his grace, the riches of his glory; the munificence of God. It is the narrowness of our hearts that will not take in this boundless generosity.