Sunday January 11, 2026

Sermon Title: The Secure Blessings of Our Salvation

Scripture: (Ephesians 1:3-14)

Series Big Idea: God unites and transforms believers in Christ’s Church 

Sermon Big Idea: We are chosen, redeemed, and sealed by God's complete saving work

Introduction: 

Paul directs our attention from earthly struggles to the eternal spiritual blessings we have in Christ, urging us to see salvation as the handiwork of the entire Trinity. This passage is more than doctrine, it’s a doxology that celebrates how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together secure our salvation.

What the Father has done: Election and Blessing (1:3–6): 

God the Father has graciously chosen and adopted us, granting every spiritual blessing through His sovereign love and purpose. These blessings are eternal, rooted in His pleasure, and designed to magnify His grace so that we live with thankfulness and humility as His people.

What the Son has done: Redemption and Forgiveness (1:7–10): 

Through His sacrifice, Jesus Christ has accomplished complete redemption and full forgiveness for every believer, demonstrating the overflowing riches of God’s grace. In Christ, God’s mysterious will is now revealed: all things are being reconciled under His lordship, granting us assurance that our lives are part of His eternal purpose.

What the Spirit does: Sealing and Guarantee (1:13–14): 

The Holy Spirit marks every believer as God’s own, sealing us with assurance of our salvation and belonging. He is the down payment guaranteeing our full inheritance and final redemption, assuring us daily of God’s promises and moving us to praise His glory.

Conclusion: 

Let’s daily thank God for the blessings of being chosen, redeemed, and sealed by Him, never taking His grace for granted. Live every day in worshipful gratitude and secure trust, confident that our future rests in His faithful hands.

Ephesians 1:3-14 Bibliography

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. Electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991.

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Snodgrass, Klyne. Ephesians. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996.

Vaughan, Curtis. Ephesians. Founders Study Guide Commentary. Cape Coral, FL: Founders Press, 2002.

Cole, Steven J. Ephesians. Steven J. Cole Commentary Series. Dallas: Galaxie Software, 2017.

Hoehner, Harold W., Philip W. Comfort, and Peter H. Davids. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, Philemon. Vol. 16. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008.

Osborne, Grant R. Ephesians: Verse by Verse. Osborne New Testament Commentaries. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2017.

Merida, Tony. Exalting Jesus in Ephesians. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

Dockery, David S., ed. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

Water, Mark. Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible. AMG Publishers, 2003.

Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Handbook. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006.

Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999.

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Brooks, Keith. Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale Reference Library. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.

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