Our gateway today leads to the United States Mint. Abundant riches can be found beyond this gate.
So also, when we open the book of Ephesians, we see that God’s abundant riches are freely available to us, through the gateway of Jesus Christ.
Jesus has broken down the barrier of sin. Jesus has torn down the dividing wall between us and God. (Ephesians 2:13-14)
Jesus has opened wide the gateway for us to freely pass through and enjoy the riches God has to offer.
What are these riches which we can enjoy?
The riches of spiritual blessings – Ephesians 1:3
* we are made holy – Ephesians 1:4
* we are made blameless – Ephesians 1:4
* we have been given redemption – Ephesians 1:7
* we have been given forgiveness – Ephesians 1:4
* we are given wisdom – Ephesians 1:8; Ephesians 1:17
* we are given understanding – Ephesians 1:8
* we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 1:13-14
* we are given the gift of knowing God personally – Ephesians 1:17
* we are given the gift of hope – Ephesians 1:18
* we have been made spiritually alive – Ephesians 2:5-6
The riches of being chosen by God – Ephesians 1:4; Ephesians 1:11
The riches of God’s Grace – Ephesians 1:6; Ephesians 1:8; Ephesians 2:5; Ephesians 2:7-8
The riches of God’s Power – Ephesians 1:19-20; Ephesians 3:16; Ephesians 3:18; Ephesians 3:20
The riches of God’s Love – Ephesians 2:4; Ephesians 3:17-19
The riches of God’s Mercy – Ephesians 2:4
The riches of God’s Kindness – Ephesians 2:7
The riches of being brought near to God. The barrier of sin is gone! We now have access to God! – Ephesians 2:13-14; Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians3:12
The riches of God’s Peace – Ephesians 2:14; Ephesians 2:17
Jesus has opened the gateway wide! God invites us to enjoy His riches!
So what do we do with all these riches?? Do we just enjoy them all for ourselves? Do we take all these wonderful riches and settle into a life of ease and luxury?
The second half of the book of Ephesians (chapters 4-6) gives us valuable instruction for how we are to spend and utilize these riches:
– We are to live a life that is characterized by humility – Ephesians 4:2
– We are to live a life that is characterized by gentleness – Ephesians 4:2
– We are to be patient – Ephesians 4:2
– We are to show love to one another – Ephesians 4:2
– We are to make every effort to keep the unity – Ephesians 4:3
– We are to live a life of peace – Ephesians 4:3
– We are to serve each other – Ephesians 4:11-12
– We are to renew our minds – Ephesians 4:22-24
– We are to be truthful and honest – Ephesians 4:25
– We are to refrain from anger – Ephesians 4:26-27
– We are not to steal – Ephesians 4:28
– We are to guard the words we speak – Ephesians 4:29-30
– We are to be kind and compassionate and forgiving – Ephesians 4:32
– We are to live in wisdom – Ephesians 5:15-17
God’s riches accomplish all of this in our lives!
Jesus Christ in Ephesians
Jesus is the source of all spiritual blessings – Ephesians 1:3
Jesus is the Head over all things – Ephesians 1:22
Jesus is the Cornerstone of the church – Ephesians 2:20
Jesus is the goal of spiritual maturity – Ephesians 4:11-16
