Join us as we delve into the rich blessings outlined in the Book of Ephesians. With a focus on spiritual gifts and guidance from God, this episode seeks to provide a deeper understanding of how these blessings manifest in the lives of believers. Explore the themes of forgiveness, unity, and hope, while uncovering God’s plans for humanity as revealed through scripture.
The long-time hymn says, To God be the glory, great things He has done. Well, let’s look at those great things, His blessings bestowed upon the faithful. And that’s today from the International Gospel Hour. We’ve been on the air 90-plus years and going strong, so join us in our journey as we study the Bible.
SPEAKER 01 :
Thank you for joining us in this period of Bible study with our speaker, Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, a broadcast of the Churches of Christ. So let’s listen today. Here’s Jeff.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, greetings, everyone. Great having you with us again here at International Gospel Hours broadcast. If you’re new to our broadcast, we are honored that you’ve joined us. And I’m Jeff Archie. Thank you to our Jay Webb. You’ll hear from Jay throughout our broadcast. He’ll give you some updates about our social media. And he’ll let you know about our free Bible course by mail. And we’ve got something else we’re going to give away. Let’s begin the broadcast with a free book giveaway that we offer from time to time. We still have a number in stock. It’s the book, Reasons to Believe, written by Eric Lyons and Kyle Butt of ApologeticsPress.org. So to receive that free book, here’s all you have to do. Call us toll free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say reasons. That’s all you have to do. Just say reasons. We know what it is. You can also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, your name and address, and just type Reasons in the message box, and we’ll send that book to you absolutely free, courtesy of our friends at ApologeticsPress.org. Check out their website soon. Here’s another reason to believe. How about Ephesians 3, 20 and 21? 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, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. To Him be the glory, friends. To God be the glory in the church. You know, the book of Ephesians is about riches and blessings from God to those in Christ Jesus. This is seen in a number of texts, among them Ephesians 1, verses 7 and 18, and Ephesians 2 and verse 7, and Ephesians 3, verses 8 and 16. But you know, as the book begins, let’s do just a quick study within our study today from Ephesians 1-3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings, every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Now this verse grants a panoramic view of God’s blessings to the saved. The source of blessings, well, that’s God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source. How about the scope of blessings, every or all spiritual blessings, and the sphere of the blessings located in the heavenly places in Christ. And because of these blessings, we give God the glory that He deserves. Parallel with that, the words of those that called out glory unto Him and how worthy He was, Revelation 4 and verse 11, Romans 11, 33 through 36, as well as Matthew 5 and verse 16. So let’s think about these things further today as we consider to God be the glory. But first, I find myself once again expressing a debt of gratitude and thanks to my friend and brother, Mark Posey, for our study today via his exceptional work, Pulpit Preview, that we mention and share on occasion here from International Gospel Hour. Mark is a great encourager of our work here, and we are honored to share his studies with you, our esteemed audience. He is an elder and the evangelist for the Winfield Church of Christ in Winfield, Alabama, and is very active in evangelism in the war-torn Ukraine, where there are those obeying the gospel every day, it seems. We thank you, Mark, and we thank you for the study we’ll enjoy today. But first, I want to pause, defer to our J-Web, and here’s a few words about joining us on our social media.
SPEAKER 01 :
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SPEAKER 02 :
Continuing our study in this great book of Ephesians, let us consider the blessings that the Christians, those who are in Christ Jesus, receive from God. How about God settling the largest debt through the sacrifice of Christ? From Ephesians chapter 2, listen to verse 1, And you he made alive who were dead in trespasses and sins. Verse 13, But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Verse 16, And that he might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. Through the cross, there is heaven’s pledge, John 14, verses 2 and following. There is the devil’s defeat, Hebrews 2, 14 and 15. There within is the sinner’s plea, Romans 5, 6 through 8, and the Christian’s hope, Titus 2 and verse 13. Unto God be the glory. Continuing in Ephesians, God satisfied man’s deepest need, that being forgiveness. From Ephesians 1 in verse 7, In Him we have redemption through His blood. Be forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace. And Ephesians 4, 32, Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Sin is our number one problem. It causes guilt, 1 John 3, verse 4, and James 2, verse 10. It will associate us with Satan, John 8, verse 44. It will make us sick, Matthew 7, verse 17. And it separates us from God, Isaiah 59, verses 1 and 2, Romans 3, verse 23, and Romans 6, verse 23. And so, friends, since sin is our number one problem, then forgiveness is our number one need. You see, forgiveness removes condemnation, Romans 8 and verse 1. It will make one alive in Christ, Ephesians 2 verse 1 and Ephesians 2, 5 and 6. And it will reunite one with God, 2 Corinthians 5, 17 through 21. And will make one a friend with God, Romans 5 and verse 10. Forgiveness unto God be the glory. God provides man’s greatest desire, friends, His guidance. Again, returning to Ephesians chapter 3, verses 3 and 4, how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery, as I have briefly written already, by which when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. The mystery of Christ has been revealed, inspired, and confirmed. and building from the Word that is revealed, the Scripture that is inspired and confirmed. Let’s continue some thoughts in Ephesians, for example. From Ephesians 4, 1-16, we learn how Christians are able to walk together in unity. From verses 17-32 of Ephesians 4, Christians are able to walk in truth and holiness. Entering into chapter 5, verses 1-21, Christians are able to walk in love, light, and wisdom. In Ephesians 5.22, entering into chapter 6 and verse 9, Christians are able to display God’s wisdom in the home and the church. And as we wrap up that wonderful book from Ephesians 6.10-24, Christians are able to stand strong in the armor that God has given. Friends, God’s guidance through His Word, unto Him be the glory. And now God prepared man’s highest longing, and that is a home in heaven. Let’s go back to Ephesians 1, verses 10 and 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 in earth, in him. 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. Friends, where else would one want to spend eternity? A devil’s hell? Well, not hardly. As a matter of fact, no, absolutely not. To think of how Jesus invites one to come to Him, Matthew 11, 28-30. When one is in Christ, they have a citizenship that is located in heaven, Philippians 3, 20-21, and a place prepared for the redeemed of all ages, John 14, 1-6. Oh, to think of that beloved song. This world is not my home. I’m just a passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. Unto God be the glory. Friends, the only fitting response to the great God is to give Him glory. especially in the church, the company of His redeemed, and that He receive that glory throughout all ages, world without end. Amen and Amen. God settled the largest debt through the sacrifice of Christ. He satisfies man’s deepest need, that being forgiveness, provides man’s greatest desire, his guidance, and prepared man’s highest longing, if you will, heaven. What an awesome study. Have we whet your appetite for more? I’m going to pause and here is our J-Web of how you can receive your free Bible study course by mail.
SPEAKER 01 :
Our well-received Bible study course by mail is available to everyone absolutely free. Would you like to try it? All you do is call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say, Home Study. That’s it. That’s all you have to do. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the Contact tab and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. At your own pace, you can study the Bible in your own home. Again, it’s free. Give it a try. And it’s from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, friends, once again, we are most indebted to our brother and friend, Mark Posey, for his good work with his publication, Pulpit Preview, a wonderful little tool that helps many a gospel preacher to have some thoughts, little seeds that are sown that they can evaluate and work therein. and I find those lessons very helpful here through our broadcast of International Gospel Hour. We appreciate the encouragement of Brother Mark Posey and his good work, and we appreciate you tuning in and studying along with us. Be sure you tune in to this station for the International Gospel Hour each and every time we’re on the air, and we will continue those studies at that time. Thank you for joining me today here from the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 01 :
May this study prompt your search of God’s word for his will in your life. To assist you in your study or to listen to our other programs, please visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com. To God be the glory. God be with you till we meet again.
