i. introduction

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Series: Ephesians

BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE Ephesians 1:1-3 Pastor Jeff Gilmore October 20, 2013

I.

III. THE PRAYER “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 1:2

INTRODUCTION “But I said, ‘My work all seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and for no purpose at all....’” Isaiah 49:4a (NLT)

A. Grace Definition: “Grace is God’s undeserved gift!”

A. The Theme. “The freely bestowed grace of God unites all believers together in the body of Christ called the church.”

IV. THE PRAISE

B. The Movement Chapters 1-3

B. Peace

Chapters 4-5

__________

__________

Learner

Disciple

Chapter 6

__________ Soldier

A. Blessings Begin With God. B. Blessings Are the Aim of God.

II. THE PEOPLE

1. God longs to be gracious

A. The Author: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus” “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God....”

Ephesians 1:1a

“...to the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:”

2. God’s loyal-love is unending. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

B. The Recipients: “To the saints...the faithful.” Eph. 1:1b

Cultural Definition of ‘Saint’ (American Heritage Dictionary): “A person officially recognized, especially by canonization, as being entitled to public veneration and capable of interceding for people on earth.” Biblical Definition of ‘Saint’: “One who has been set apart.”

C. The Location: Ephesus  Great impact and great criticism go hand in hand. “...to the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:”

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 1:3

Eph. 1:1b

C. Blessings are in Christ. D. Blessings Occur in the Heavenly Places.