BLESSED WITH ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS

BLESSED WITH ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Ephesians 1:3

Key Verse: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” — Ephesians 1:3 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: Ephesians 1:4-14; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Colossians 2:10; 2 Peter 1:3; Romans 8:32

Description: This message teaches believers to recognise, appropriate, and walk in the fullness of the spiritual blessings already provided for them in Christ.

INTRODUCTION

Paul begins his letter to the Ephesians by directing the attention of believers to what God has already accomplished for them in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 does not say that God may bless us someday if we become good enough; it declares that God “hath blessed us” with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. The blessing is therefore rooted in God’s finished work and our relationship with Jesus Christ.

The expression “all spiritual blessings” speaks of the abundance and completeness of God's provision for the believer. These blessings include salvation, forgiveness, adoption, redemption, acceptance, grace, spiritual inheritance, the presence of the Holy Spirit, divine wisdom, access to God, and the hope of eternal glory. They are spiritual in origin, but their effects reach into every area of our Christian life.

Many believers live as though they are spiritually empty when Scripture declares that they have been richly supplied in Christ. God wants us to move from ignorance to knowledge, from knowledge to faith, and from faith to practical possession. We must understand what belongs to us in Christ, believe God's Word concerning it, and live daily in the reality of these blessings.

1. GOD IS THE SOURCE OF EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING

Every genuine blessing begins with God. Paul does not direct our attention first to our circumstances, possessions, achievements, or human connections; he directs us to “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Whatever God gives us is an expression of His grace, love, wisdom, and goodness.

When we understand God as the source, we stop depending entirely on human systems and begin to place our confidence in the One who cannot fail. Men may be channels, but God remains the Source.

a) THE FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (Ephesians 1:3) – Paul identifies God as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and immediately connects Him with the blessing of believers. Our blessings originate from a Father who knows our needs and desires our spiritual prosperity.

b) THE GIVER OF EVERY GOOD GIFT (James 1:17) – Scripture declares that every good and perfect gift comes from above. This teaches us to acknowledge God whenever we experience His goodness rather than taking His blessings for granted.

c) THE GOD WHO SUPPLIES OUR NEEDS (Philippians 4:19) – God has promised to supply our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. His resources are not exhausted by the size of our needs.

d) THE GOD OF ABUNDANT GRACE (2 Corinthians 9:8) – God is able to make all grace abound towards us. His grace is sufficient to equip us for every assignment, challenge, responsibility, and divine purpose.

Biblical Example: Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) – Abraham became blessed because God called him, separated him, and established His covenant with him. His story demonstrates that divine blessing begins with God's initiative and obedience to His call.

2. THE BLESSINGS ARE FOUND IN CHRIST

The most important phrase in Ephesians 1:3 is “in Christ.” The believer's greatest blessing is not merely what God gives but the fact that the believer belongs to Christ. Outside Christ, there is no access to the fullness of God's redemptive provision; in Christ, we are brought into a new spiritual position.

Being in Christ means that our identity has changed. We are no longer defined primarily by our past, failures, limitations, or circumstances. We are identified with Christ and connected to everything God has made available through Him.

a) REDEEMED THROUGH CHRIST (Ephesians 1:7) – In Christ we have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of sins. The guilt and bondage of sin no longer have the final word over the believer.

b) ACCEPTED IN CHRIST (Ephesians 1:6) – God has made believers accepted in the Beloved. Our acceptance before God is not based on human perfection but on our position in Christ.

c) COMPLETE IN CHRIST (Colossians 2:10) – Scripture declares that believers are complete in Christ. This does not mean that we have nothing more to learn or develop, but that Christ is sufficient for our spiritual standing and salvation.

d) VICTORIOUS THROUGH CHRIST (2 Corinthians 2:14) – God causes us to triumph in Christ. The believer's victory is not ultimately dependent upon human strength but upon the triumph Christ has already accomplished.

Biblical Example: Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) – Zacchaeus encountered Jesus and his life was transformed. His encounter with Christ brought salvation, repentance, restoration, and a completely new direction. His story shows that being connected to Christ produces tangible transformation.

3. WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE RICHES OF GOD'S GRACE

The spiritual blessings of God are not given to make us spiritually proud but to demonstrate the riches of His grace. Grace gives us what we could never earn by our own efforts. It brings us into God's family, equips us for service, and sustains us through difficulties.

The believer must therefore learn to live by grace rather than by self-confidence. When we recognise what grace has provided, we become more grateful, more humble, more confident in God, and more willing to serve Him.

a) THE GRACE OF SALVATION (Ephesians 2:8-9) – Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works. This means that our relationship with God begins with His gracious provision rather than our religious achievements.

b) THE GRACE OF ACCESS (Ephesians 2:18) – Through Christ we have access by one Spirit unto the Father. We are not spiritual outsiders; we have been given direct access to God through Jesus Christ.

c) THE GRACE FOR EVERY NEED (Hebrews 4:16) – We are invited to come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace for timely help. God does not tell us to run away when we are weak; He calls us to come to Him.

d) THE GRACE TO SERVE (1 Peter 4:10) – Every believer has received a gift and is called to minister that gift to others. God's grace is not merely for personal enjoyment; it equips us to bless other people.

Biblical Example: Paul (1 Corinthians 15:9-10) – Paul acknowledged that he was what he was by the grace of God. Although he laboured greatly, he recognised that divine grace was working through him. His life demonstrates that grace does not promote laziness; it produces effective service.

4. WE MUST KNOW AND APPROPRIATE OUR SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS

A possession that is unknown or unappropriated may bring little practical benefit to its owner. This is why spiritual knowledge is essential. God has blessed us, but we must know what He has provided, believe His Word, and walk in the reality of it.

The enemy often works through ignorance, deception, fear, and unbelief. Therefore, believers must continually study God's Word and allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate their understanding.

a) KNOWING WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US (1 Corinthians 2:12) – We have received the Spirit of God so that we might know the things freely given to us by God. The Holy Spirit helps us understand our spiritual inheritance.

b) GROWING IN KNOWLEDGE (2 Peter 3:18) – Believers are commanded to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Spiritual maturity requires continuous learning and deeper fellowship with Christ.

c) WALKING BY FAITH (2 Corinthians 5:7) – We must not allow visible circumstances to determine our understanding of God's promises. Faith enables us to live according to God's Word even when circumstances appear contrary.

d) LAYING HOLD OF ETERNAL LIFE (1 Timothy 6:12) – Paul instructed Timothy to “lay hold on eternal life.” This communicates the necessity of actively embracing and living according to what God has provided rather than merely knowing about it.

Biblical Example: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24) – The prodigal son left his father's house and experienced severe lack, even though his father had abundant resources. His restoration began when he came to himself and returned home. His experience illustrates the importance of recognising one's position and returning to the Father's provision.

5. SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS SHOULD PRODUCE A BLESSED LIFE

God's blessings are not intended to terminate with us. When God blesses a believer spiritually, that believer should become a channel through which others experience God's love, grace, truth, and power. Spiritual blessing should produce spiritual fruit.

We must therefore reject a selfish understanding of blessing. The purpose of God's blessing is not merely that we can say, “I am blessed,” but that our lives can glorify God and become a blessing to others.

a) BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING (Genesis 12:2) – God told Abraham, “I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” Divine blessing carries a divine responsibility.

b) BLESSED TO PRODUCE FRUIT (John 15:5) – Jesus teaches that those who abide in Him will bear much fruit. The evidence of spiritual blessing is not merely possession but fruitfulness.

c) BLESSED TO SERVE OTHERS (Matthew 5:16) – Jesus commands believers to let their light shine before men so that others may see their good works and glorify the Father. Our lives should point people towards God.

d) BLESSED TO GLORIFY GOD (1 Corinthians 10:31) – Whether we eat, drink, or do anything else, we are to do all to the glory of God. Every blessing should ultimately return praise to its Source.

Biblical Example: Joseph (Genesis 39:2-5) – The Lord was with Joseph, and his presence brought blessing to the house of Potiphar. Joseph's life demonstrates that God's blessing upon one person can positively affect an entire environment.

CONCLUSION

Ephesians 1:3 reveals the glorious position of every believer who is in Christ: God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. We have redemption, forgiveness, acceptance, grace, access to God, spiritual gifts, divine help, victory, and an eternal inheritance. We must therefore stop defining ourselves by what we lack and begin to recognise what God has already provided through Christ.

Today, determine to know God's Word, believe His promises, walk in your identity in Christ, and become a channel of blessing to others. Do not allow ignorance, fear, unbelief, sin, or negative circumstances to make you live beneath your spiritual privileges. You are blessed in Christ; therefore, walk in faith, live in obedience, serve God faithfully, and let your life bring glory to Him.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for blessing me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, open my understanding to know and appreciate everything You have provided for me in Christ, in Jesus name.

3. Father, help me to walk daily in the reality of my spiritual inheritance, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, deliver me from every form of spiritual ignorance that has kept me below Your purpose for my life, in Jesus name.

5. Father, let the riches of Your grace be manifested in every area of my Christian life, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, strengthen my faith to believe Your promises even when my circumstances appear contrary, in Jesus name.

7. Father, let every spiritual blessing You have ordained for my life produce visible fruit and testimony, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, make me a channel through whom Your grace, love, power, and blessings will reach other people, in Jesus name.

9. Father, help me to remain rooted and established in Christ so that I will continually bear abundant fruit, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, let my life continually testify that I am blessed, favoured, fruitful, victorious, and established in Christ, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places, and you shall walk in the reality of everything God has provided for you in Christ.

2. You shall not live below your spiritual privileges; your eyes shall be opened to understand and appropriate your inheritance in Christ.

3. The grace of God upon your life shall increase, and you shall receive divine strength to fulfil every assignment committed into your hands.

4. You shall experience the victory of Christ over every battle, opposition, limitation, and circumstance confronting your destiny.

5. You shall walk in divine favour, and the goodness of God shall distinguish you wherever you go.

6. You shall become a blessing to your family, your church, your community, and everyone connected to your life.

7. Every spiritual resource required for the fulfilment of your God-given assignment shall be made available to you by the power of God.

8. You shall grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and your spiritual life shall continually advance.

9. Your life shall produce lasting fruit, and through you many people shall encounter the love, grace, truth, and power of God.

10. You shall finish your race faithfully, fulfil your divine purpose, and enter into the fullness of your inheritance in Christ, to the glory of God.