GREAT THINGS HE HAS

DONE!

Ephesians 3:14-21 For this reason I bow my knees to

the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (15) from whom

the whole family in heaven and earth is named, (16)

that He would grant you, according to the riches of

His glory, to be strengthened with might through His

Spirit in the inner man, (17) that Christ may dwell in

your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and

grounded in love, (18) may be able to comprehend

with all the saints what is the width and length and

depth and height-- (19) to know the love of Christ

which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with

all the fullness of God. (20) Now to Him who is able

to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask

or think, according to the power that works in us,

(21) to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

EPHESIANSA.Ephesians is about riches and blessings from God in

Christ Jesus 1. Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His

blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

2. Ephesians 1:18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

3. Ephesians 2:7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindnesstoward us in Christ Jesus.

4. Ephesians 3:8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

5. Ephesians 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

6. Ephesians 3:21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.).

EPHESIANSB. Eph. 1:3 gives a panoramic view of God’s blessings to us:

1. Source of blessings - “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

2. Scope of blessings - “every [all] spiritual blessings,” 3. Sphere of blessings - “in the heavenly places in Christ.”

C. We give God glory because of these blessings! 1. Revelation 4:11 "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory

and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."

2. Romans 11:33-36 33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 34 "For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?" 35 "Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?" 36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

3. Matthew 5: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

EPHESIANS

D. Consider the blessings we have received from God in Christ Jesus:

I. GOD SETTLED MY LARGEST DEBT - SACRIFICE.

• Ephesians 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

• Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

• Ephesians 2:16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

A. Three crosses stood on Calvary many years ago: 1.A Cross of Rebellion, 2.A Cross of Repentance 3.A Cross of Redemption.

I. GOD SETTLED MY LARGEST

DEBT - SACRIFICE.

B. When I survey the wondrous Cross of redemption,

1. I see Heaven’s promise - John 14:2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

2.The Devil’s defeat - Hebrews 2:14-15 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

I. GOD SETTLED MY LARGEST DEBT - SACRIFICE.

B. When I survey the wondrous Cross of redemption, 3. The sinner’s plea - Romans 5:6-8 For when we were

still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

4. The Christian’s hope - Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

I. GOD SETTLED MY LARGEST

DEBT - SACRIFICE.

C.Paul said, “Christ, our Passover, is

sacrificed for us” - 1 Corinthians

5:7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that

you may be a new lump, since you truly

are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

D.TO HIM BE GLORY!

II. GOD SATISFIED MY DEEPEST NEED - FORGIVENESS.

• Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption

through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,

according to the riches of His grace

• Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another,

tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

II. GOD SATISFIED MY DEEPEST NEED - FORGIVENESS.

A.Sin is our #1 problem. 1. Sin causes guilt - James 2:10 For whoever shall keep

the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guiltyof all.

2. Sin associates us with Satan - John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

3. Sin makes us sick - Matthew 7:17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

4. Sin separates us from God - Isaiah 59:1- Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

II. GOD SATISFIED MY DEEPEST

NEED - FORGIVENESS. B.Since sin is our #1 problem, forgiveness is our #1 need.

1. Forgiveness removes condemnation - Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

2. Forgiveness reunites us with God - 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

II. GOD SATISFIED MY DEEPEST

NEED - FORGIVENESS. B.Since sin is our #1 problem, forgiveness is our #1

need. 3. Forgiveness makes us friends with God - Romans

5:10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

4. Forgiveness makes us alive in Christ - Ephesians 2:1, 5-6 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,….. 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

C.The lyrics of the gospel song are true: “Burdens are lifted at Calvary!”

D.TO HIM BE GLORY!

III. GOD PROVIDED MY GREATEST

DESIRE - GUIDANCE. • Ephesians 3:3-4 how that by revelation He made

known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),

• Ephesians 3:10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,

• Ephesians 3:16-19 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

III. GOD PROVIDED MY GREATEST

DESIRE - GUIDANCE. A.The mystery of Christ has been revealed, inspired and

confirmed - Ephesians 3:3-4 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),

B.Therefore, Christians are to 1. Walk together in unity - Ephesians 4:3-6

endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; (5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism; (6) one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

2. Walk in truth and holiness - Ephesians 4:23-24 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (24) and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

III. GOD PROVIDED MY GREATEST

DESIRE - GUIDANCE. B.Therefore, Christians are to

4. Walk in light - Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

5. Walk in wisdom - Ephesians 5:15-17 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, (16) redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (17) Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

6. Walk by the Spirit in the home and church (5:22-6:9) 7. Walk in submission to one another (wives,

husbands, children, employees, employers -Ephesians 5:21-6:9 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

C. All Christians have the Son of God as their example to follow!

D. TO HIM BE GLORY!

IV. GOD PREPARED MY HIGHEST

LONGING - HEAVEN. • Ephesians 1:10-11 that in the dispensation of the

fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

• Ephesians 1:18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

• Ephesians 5:26-27 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

IV. GOD PREPARED MY HIGHEST

LONGING - HEAVEN.

A. I want to spend eternity in heaven because—

1. I’ve been invited - Revelation 19:9 Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."

2. Our citizenship is there - Philippians 3:20-21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

IV. GOD PREPARED MY HIGHEST

LONGING - HEAVEN. A.I want to spend eternity in heaven because—

3. It has been prepared for the redeemed - John 14:1-6 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know." 5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

IV. GOD PREPARED MY HIGHEST

LONGING - HEAVEN.

B.SONG: This world is not my home, I’m just

a passing through, my treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue.”

C.C.S. Lewis said in Mere Christianity, “If I

find in myself a desire which no

experience in this world can satisfy, the

most probable explanation is that I was made for another world” (p.119).

D.TO HIM BE GLORY!

ARE YOU GLORIFYING GOD?

A. The only fitting response to the great things God has done for us is to give Him glory, honor and praise. 1. He paid the greatest debt I could ever owe -

Sacrifice2. He satisfied my greatest need - Forgiveness 3. He provided my greatest desire – Guidance4. He prepared my greatest longing – Life Eternal

in HeavenB. Do you recognize the great things God has done

for you?C. Jesus gave His life for you, what have you given to

Him?D. 2 Corinthians 5:15 and He died for all, that those

who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

E. Will you make the decision to live for Him?

HAVE A GLORIOUS WEEK