Let Us Examine 3 of God's Spiritual Blessings (Ephesians 1:3)
Introduction:
1. This verse teaches us that God has blessed His people with "all spiritual blessings." 2. In our lesson we are concentrating on 3 of God's spiritual blessings. 3. As we examine these blessings we will see that the father-child relationship is used to illustrate why God gives these blessings to His children. 4. Father's Day is a good time for us to be reminded of these blessings. Discussion: I. FIRST, WE LEARN FROM MATTHEW 7:7-11 THAT GOD SUPPLIES THE NEEDS OF HIS CHILDREN
A. Jesus showed in vs.7-8 that God answers the prayers of His children. 1. We are to ask, seek, and knock. 2. If we ask, seek, and knock, Jesus said that God will give us what we ask, He will cause us to find what we seek, and He will open to us. 3. Jesus repeated this in vs.8. B. To illustrate His point, Jesus referred to the father-child relationship. 1. (vs.9) A father who loves and cares for his child will not give him a stone if he asks for bread. 2. (vs.10) A father who loves and cares for his child will not give him a snake if he asks for a fish. 3. (vs.11) Jesus used this reasoning to show that God will give that which is good to His children who make requests of Him. II. SECOND, WE LEARN FROM HEBREWS 12:5-11 THAT GOD DISCIPLINES HIS CHILDREN
A. This chapter begins with an exhortation to run the Christian race "with patience." B. (vs.2) As we run the Christian race we are to keep our eyes focused on Jesus. C. (vs.3) Remembering what Jesus endured will keep us from being weary or faint. D. This letter was written to Christians who were undergoing some type of affliction. E. It seems that this affliction was designed to have a chastening effect. F. These Christians who were being chastised needed to remember certain things. 1. (vs.5-6) God chastens His children because He loves them. 2. (vs.7-8) To be God's true children, we must endure His chastening. 3. (vs.11) Chastening is not enjoyable, but it is designed to make us better. G. To illustrate this information, the writer referred to the father-child relationship. 1. (vs.9) Fathers who correct their children out of love deserve respect because they are concerned about the welfare of their children. 2. (vs.10) God chastens His children so we can be partakers of His holiness. III. THIRD, WE LEARN FROM LUKE 15:20-24 THAT GOD RECEIVES HIS WAYWARD CHILDREN WHO RETURN TO HIM (Luke 15:20-24)
A. In this parable, Jesus used the father-child relationship to illustrate how God feels when His rebellious children return to Him in humility. B. 1 John 1:9 is a parallel passage. Conclusion:
1. Many times, the Bible uses the father-child relationship to help us understand certain things about God. 2. As our Father,: a. God supplies the needs of His children as we ask, seek, and knock b. God disciplines His children for our benefit c. God receives His wayward children who return to Him. 3. Let us bless God as Paul did in Ephesians 1:3!
