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Sermon Notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (24-9-1995
Guisborough Evangelical Church)
After his words of introduction and greeting, Paul gives
wonderful outburst of praise, which lasts 12 verses, and in the original Greek
is one single complex sentence. Speech pours out of his mouth in a continuous
cascade. This paragraph has been described as a golden chain with many links or
a kaleidoscope of dazzling lights. Impression of colour, movement and grandeur.
Marvellous doxology listing blessings from each member of the Trinity, each
stanza concluding with “to the praise of His glory”.
Praise be to the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with
every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). This verse not only
introduces the paragraph about all we have from the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
but it is centre of whole epistle, because the whole epistle is concerned with
all spiritual blessings in Christ.
Paul is anxious for these
readers to realize who and what they are and all that is theirs. Wants them to
enter their heritage and enjoy Christian life as they should and live to God’s
glory. The same applies to us. One of main problems with many Christians is lack
of knowledge and understanding. May have superficial knowledge of the Bible but
have not grasped real teaching and doctrines. Need to know who we are, what we
are, and why we are what we are.
Some people tell us they are not interested in doctrine or theology, preferring to think of themselves as “practical” people, who just want to get on and enjoy the Christian life. No greater mistake than this. This is not a pleading for doctrine in ‘dry as dust’ academic manner. It needs to be interesting and applied. But doctrine is vital. It is the foundation and framework. These truths were given to people, many of whom were uneducated slaves, because the apostle realized how important they were. Ignorance of these things means we cannot worship aright, pray aright or live aright. Our worship, praying and living must be based on foundation of truth. Truth expands our minds and enriches our souls.
When men are blessed, they
receive blessings from God. When God is blessed, He is praised by men. Praise
or blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. “God” in
relation to His human nature, and “Father” in relation to His divine nature.
How characteristic praise is of
the early church. In Acts, amid all the persecution and suffering and hardship,
we read frequently of praise and thanksgiving. Again and again in the pages of
the New Testament Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say it – rejoice
(Philippians 4:4). Book of Revelations is about trials and tribulations sure
to face God’s people – and yet the note of praise and triumph is sounded.
Nothing glib or superficial, but from the depth of the heart.
This is central to Christian
life. World is often miserable, unhappy, full of complaints. But the Christian
is no longer of this world, and should be marked by praise and contentment.
Adoration and praise is highest point of all worship, and when we grasp truth
about God, what can we do but give Him the glory due to His name, whether in
private or public. And we learn praise always begins with God, and not just His
blessings. Praise is Trinitarian – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Reference here
to the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, and we recall that spiritual blessings
come through the Holy Spirit.
Christian position is always
Trinitarian if true worship. Some people stop at only one person. Think only of
praising the Father, and never mention the Son and the Holy Spirit. Many
evangelicals think and pray only to the Lord Jesus Christ. Pentecostals think
often of the Holy Spirit. But if we grasp the teaching of Scripture and the way
in which the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are involved in our salvation in its
various aspects, all three persons will always be present in our worship.
Important to ask questions about worship. What part does God Himself, not just His blessings, play in our worship? Do we delight to be in the presence of God? How much part does worship play in our private devotions? Does our heart go out in fervent praise to Him? When we gather in the house of God, it is not just to get a blessing, hear a sermon, meet friends – but above all to worship and adore the living God. Such worship always brings blessedness to us. The most miserable people in spiritual life are those who are always thinking of themselves, their moods and their condition. Best way to be delivered from that is to look to God. The more He is in the centre of our lives, the more we enjoy His blessings.
Blessed with every spiritual
blessing in the heavenly place in Christ. In heavenly places where Christ is
and which is our true home and where we belong – this is the origin and source
of our blessings. Descend from heaven to believers on earth.
In Old Testament times there
were spiritual blessing, but mainly external obvious blessings – many
children, good harvests, long life, sheep, goats and land possessed (cf.
Deuteronomy 28:1-4). In New Testament, the emphasis is on spiritual blessings.
True, there are material blessings – daily bread, clothing, homes, work, loved
ones (cf. Matthew 6:11,31) – shared also by non Christians. But emphasis is on
spiritual blessings (2 Corinthians 4:18). Paul is going to describe them in
whole epistle, but here at the start of the epistle he refers to God’s
purposes and plans drawn up before the world was created, choosing to offer
salvation, provision of a Redeemer, drawing of us to Christ for reconciliation,
being His children, sealing of Spirit, equipment for daily living and enjoyment
of final inheritance when we see Him face to face. We are the object of God’s
love, in all its breadth, length, height and depth.
We were wretched rebels, worms,
without arrogance and pride. Deserve nothing good from hand of God. But from
eternity the Godhead has had such plans of blessing and rescue and mercy, and
all at such cost, especially to the Son. Whilst the Christian does belong to
this world, has a home, interests, citizenship, duties and responsibilities, he
will enjoy blessings of this world. But as Christians we are also strangers and
pilgrims, passing through, our real citizenship is in heaven, for we have been rescued
from the dominion of darkness and brought into the kingdom of the Son (Colossians
1:13). This is why we are a mystery and enigma to natural man, whose interests
are confined to this life down here – houses, possessions, business,
pleasures, politics – that and no more. The Christian man is odd, he has a new
dimension to his life – God and His Son and His will and Word – very
important and real.
God wants us to be enriched with
every spiritual blessing. God is able to make all grace abound to you, so
that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in
every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). From the fullness of His grace we
have all received one blessing after another (John 1:16). His divine
power has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
And Paul’s prayer later on is that they will know this love that surpasses
knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Ephesians
3:19). All things are yours… things present and things to come – all are
yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God (1 Corinthians 3:21-23).
One of the Christian’s
greatest needs is that he should not be so earthbound, but set minds and
hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Colossians
3:1-2), and realize just how spiritually rich he is. When born again into
God’s family, we are born rich and well off. Our Father is not poor, and He
has made us rich in His Son. Riches for every occasion – trial,
disappointment, suffering of body and soul, fear, worry and heartbreak.
At the beginning of liberation of France, there was no transport, very little food. Pastor’s wife was in despair, her children were starving. Restaurant owner gave her pick of potato peelings, which she boiled with salt, the only meal the family had. Still weak and despairing, she remembered she had a promise box (strips of paper containing Bible texts rolled into cylinders). She found it and prayed for a promise now. Her hand slipped, the whole box fell and all 365 little cylinders fell into her lap and onto the floor. She realized as never before that all promises of God are “Yes and Amen” in Christ Jesus.
It is clear where these
blessings are to be found – “in Christ Jesus”. “In Christ” is the
master key to heaven’s bank. Very small key may open a complex lock in large
door which leads to vast building with priceless stores of wealth and beauty.
This one certainly does. All we want is to be found in Him. Outside of Christ
there is nothing which the true Christian wants. Everything is exclusively
through Him. If we add to Him, we detract from Him and we delude ourselves. We
have to come exclusively in and through Him. No other way, and no additions
except through Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in
bodily form (Colossians 2:9). He is the sole mediator of all these
blessings. He is the sole and exclusive channel through which God blesses us.
In his letter to the Ephesians,
Paul urges us to get hold of what is ours in Christ. Paul prays that the eyes
of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he
has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His
incomparably great power for us who believe (Ephesians 1:18-19). We are
meant to enjoy these blessings here and now. Obviously they come to us
progressively – in instalments, which increase more and more. As we are united
to Christ, leaning on Christ, walking in Christ, filled with Christ –
heaven’s resources are ours. He
is our satisfaction and sufficiency. The more we know of Him day to day, the
more we enjoy our inheritance in Christ.
The Christian life is like the
Continent of America – it took seconds for Columbus to discover it, but has
taken men centuries to explore it and unearth its vast resources.
“All things are ours”,
“Blessed with all spiritual blessings” – never give the world the
impression we Christians are poor, pathetic, depressed, feeble creatures, to be
pitied, not envied. All things are ours – therefore make them our own. Use
them completely, enjoy to the full, always be satisfied, but always desire more.
John Fletcher had wonderful
visitation of God. So overwhelmed he said “Lord, stay thy hand or the vessel
will break”. In his journal later he said he had made a mistake – he should
have asked “Lord, enlarge the vessel”.
Filled with all God’s fullness, but ever asking Him to enlarge the vessel that we may have yet more.
